On previous NSF-funded expeditions, Harwood and Webb found sticks, twigs, and leaves from ancient plants in the same area. These artifacts suggest that the region resembled an arctic tundra environment as recently as 3 million years ago. Harwood said he believes the moss was growing on a wetland area that eventually was covered by silt from a nearby river or stream during a glacial advance into the area. The moss bed was found in sediments near an ancient peat bog, which probably preserved organic material that thrived in the area before it became ice-covered, according to Harwood. Identifying these organisms can help scientists determine what life was like in the area, including ancient climate patterns.
Scientists disagree over the history of the area's rock beds.
One group suggests that the area has not changed for as much as 20 to 30 million years. The other group, including Harwood and Webb, think the area, with its rock deposits, is much younger-perhaps as young as 3 million years old. The age dispute is significant for a number of reasons. This recent find, as well as those of past years, was high up in the Transantarctic Mountain range. That suggests that the terrain has risen substantially since the moss, sticks, twigs, and leaves were buried.