There used to be another cache here (scared stiff), now archived.
Fossilization of timber occurs when silica rich ash (Pure Quartz) eventually replaces the cells in the wood. The different colouring of fossil wood is due to the other minerals in the silica ash.
Carbon-- black , Cobolt-- green/blue, Chromium-- green/blue, Copper--green/blue, Iron oxides-- red/brown/yellow, Manganeze--pinl/orange, Manganeze oxides--black/yellow.
If you are interested in more information, check out Wiki petrified wood, petrified flooring, plate tectonics.
Answer the following by your observations in the forest display.
1. Which colours are present in the majority of pieces on display. Which minerals would have been present to achieve these colours?
2. What evidence is there that these are actually wood and not other rock.
3. Where was Southland in the age indicated at time of fossilization? See attached photo.
Please send answers to CO. No need to wait confirmation to log.
Things to think about. (not needed to answer to claim the find)
How long does wood take to be fossilized, or turned into coal? You may be surprised. It really is not that long a time.
Do you have any other explanation to the age of this forest? From memory there is a big variance from display panels at Curio Bay and the one here.