Of wood that turned into stone...

Did you know wood can turn into stone?

Yes, that block of wood that you use for firewood changing into a very hard stone.

In Guruve, Mazambara area of Chief Chisungo, this reporter visited the place were wood turned into stone and saw the amazing wonder.

Though this might baffle many, the Chief Curator at the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe Dr. Kundishora Chipunza said this was as a result of a normal form of fossilisation.

“This is synonymous in valleys and is caused by a combination of intense heat, very wet conditions, mudslides, and earth movement, which occurs over a million years.”

He said wood that turns into stone is referred to as petrified wood. In fact, petrified wood is a fossil in which the organic remains have been replaced by minerals in the slow process of turning to stone.

This petrification process, Dr. Chipunza said, generally results in a quartz chalcedony mineralisation. Special rare conditions must be met for the fallen wood to be transformed into precious fossil wood or petrified wood. In general, the fallen trees get buried in an environment free of oxygen (anaerobic environment), which preserves the original tree structure and general appearance. The other conditions include regular access to mineral-rich water flowing through the wood, replacing the organic tree structure with inorganic stone. The end result is petrified wood, a tree, with its original basic structure in place, replaced by stone.

Petrified wood is the most well-known result of this process by which organic material is converted into stone by impregnation with silica. This rare form of fossilisation is called petrifaction, petrification, or silicification. Dr. Chipunza also said that petrified wood was also found in different other places in Zimbabwe.

Apart from the Guruve area, petrified wood is available in Charama Plateau in Gokwe, Mana Pools along the Zambezi Valley, and Sentinel Range in Beitbridge that also had dinosaur fossils.

“Petrified wood is of high scientific value and it is the best thing that can happen to evidence. We, archaeologists, are just like criminologists because all we need is evidence and that evidence is found in these fossils.

“Fossils are a pointer to climatic changes and the knowledge about the past climatic conditions, vegetation, plants invertebrates living during that era can be imprinted on fossil remains,” said Dr. Chipunza adding that tertiary institutions, tourists as far as Europe always visit these sights hence their need to be protected.

Besides educational use, petrified wood can be cut and polished to make curios that can be sold for money. For the museums and monuments departments, these fossils have also been a source of income, as people have to pay a fee to exploit these fossils.

 Dr. Chipunza said that it was an offence to extract fossils from national monuments hence the police have a duty to perform when it comes to the protection of these fossils. But, Dr. Chipunza contends that these fossils in Guruve are the safest ones because of the cultural setup in lower Guruve. He also said they always talk to the Office-In-Charge ZRP Mushumbi Pools to be on the lookout of those who might possibly extract these fossils.

“We should actually be cross-referencing because policing of monuments is a very big task which needs knowledge and understanding of what one will be guarding against.”

Further researches by this reporter revealed that apart from the mentioned uses of petrified wood, it has mystical properties, healing properties and could be used for magical purposes. I was also said to be associated with the Zodiac.

Mystical properties: Petrified wood is a stone that is good for grounding and stabilizing one’s emotions. It is particularly used for calming survival-based fears as it assists one in assessing their practical side for answers, then offering business success and a good stone for general protection. It is an excellent gem for leaders. It has endured the ravaging changes of time and become stronger as you will ask for its help in your leadership.

Healing Properties: Petrified wood also stabilizes general health and body’s defences. Physically, it is beneficial for the bones, backaches, shin, and hair. Healers have used petrified wood on atrophied limbs and to relieve paralysis. It can help align one’s spine and gives control over one’s bodily functions. A petrified wood elixir will add thickness and shine to one’s hair.

Magical Purposes: Petrified wood consists of ancient trees that a millennium ago was covered with mineral-rich water: the water slowly dissolved the wood and replaces it with the different minerals within the water. Being that, it is a fossil as well as due to its great antiquity, it may be carried and utilized in spells designed to extend a lifespan or to increase our enjoyment and evolution within our lives. It is also quite helpful in rites to recall past-life incarnations.

Zodiac: Petrified wood is a stone of any sign and it connects with the earth element. To dream of petrified wood is a signal for the need to do away with any non-productive life patterns, relationships, or ideas.

Given all these uses, which are however not proven here in Zimbabwe, there might be a need for a serious protection of the fossils.