Social media claims alleging that devastating floods in Nepal uncovered giant, millions-of-years-old ammonite fossils washed down from the mountains have been debunked as false.
The viral images circulating on social media platform X depict large carved stones known as “Shaligram Shila” sculptures located in Jomsom, a mountain town in northwestern Nepal. Investigation reveals these are not naturally occurring fossils, but detailed artwork carved by Nepali sculptors during a workshop held from April 20 to May 4, 2026, organized by the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts in collaboration with local authorities to promote religious tourism.
Reverse image searches confirmed that photos of these carved stones were officially published by Nepal’s national news agency as early as June 30, preceding the recent flood events. Local administrators and the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts confirmed that Jomsom is located hundreds of kilometers away from the flood-affected areas and experienced no abnormal flooding, confirming that the posts misrepresent man-made cultural sculptures as flood-dislodged ancient fossils.
