Antarctica is of great interest to scientists as it is a totally unspoilt landscape where they can study the effects of climate change. Since 2006, researchers from Germany, Italy, New Zealand and the US have been drilling through ice, water and rock to recover core samples in a programme known as the Antarctic Drilling Project (ANDRIL). David Harwood, who is part of the team scanning the icy continent, says he made an amazing find in the eastern region.

It was revealed during NOVA’s “Secrets of Antarctica” how the discovery of wood and leaves has helped researcher to map out the frozen desert’s past. The narrator explained in 2015: “300 miles away [from base], there appears to be a completely different picture [of Antarctica]. “Exploring East Antarctica – and closer to the South Pole – ANDRILL’s David Harwood found leaf fossil and pieces of wood. “Surprisingly, according to Harwood, these date back to a relatively recent time, when Antarctica was not only warmer than today, but there were plants and trees.”

Antarctica scientists made an ancient discovery

Antarctica is a frozen deser

To find the wood and leaves together is pretty phenomenal, it’s really phenomenal David Harwood

The series spoke to Dr Harwood who claimed the pieces of wood dated back millions of years. He said: “This is a piece of southern beach. “This wood is not fossilised in the sense that if it is petrified it could still burn. “To find the wood and leaves together is pretty phenomenal, it’s really phenomenal for Antarctica. “It dates back to a period of about 4 million years ago.”

The ANDRILL team have been drilling below the surface

It’s not the last amazing find uncovered during the show, though. ANDRILL scientists also dug deep below the surface to take ice core samples and reveal their results to viewers. The narrator detailed one of particular interest. He said: “They recover a 12-foot length of core wrapped in a protective cover. “Workers carefully take it back to the lab to be examined, when they crack it open, it’s in perfect condition.

David Harwood took a closer look

David Harwood discovered a piece of wood

“This mud and rock is more valuable than gold because each core is a time machine. “As the cores are recovered, each section is sliced “Each core tells a story depending on its texture, colour and contents. “These shells are evidence of warmer times, even as Antarctica is icing up.”

The team also dig up ice core samples

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