Backyard Treasure Hunt: Unintentional Fossil Finders Unearth Mastodon Jaw!

It’s common to find weeds around one’s garden plants. But mastodon molars? Not quite.

A pair from Scotchtown, New York discovered what ultimately proved to be just the tip of a fossil discovery. After uncovering two teeth concealed behind some foliage, they dug a bit further and found two additional ones. They then opted to seek assistance.

“Upon discovering the teeth and holding them, I realized they were extraordinary and chose to call in the specialists,” stated the resident, who prefers to remain anonymous for confidentiality, in a press announcement.

Doubt, Followed by Astonishment

Cory Harris, an archaeologist at SUNY, was initially skeptical when the couple arrived at his office with a cardboard container. He had been presented with numerous items that turned out to be nothing other than a strangely shaped rock.

This occasion was distinct.

Experts from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange visited the location and ultimately unearthed an entire mastodon jawbone. They also recovered a fragment of a toe bone and a rib piece.

“While the jaw is the highlight, the additional toe and rib fragments provide essential context and the opportunity for further research,” Harris remarked in a press release. “We are also looking forward to investigating the nearby area to determine if any other bones were preserved.”

Read More: Prehistoric Animal Migration: Initial Evidence Found from Mastodon Tusk

Mastodon Pathway

There is a strong possibility that more will be discovered. While this was the first find of its type in New York in over 11 years, unearthing such fossils in the state is relatively common. Approximately 150 mastodon fossils have been located throughout New York. The Ice Age mammals, which shouldn’t be confused with the larger woolly mammoths, seem to have a preference for Orange County, where this specimen — and nearly a third of the state’s total — were uncovered.

One of the (if not the first) was discovered in 1780, by preacher Robert Annan. He stumbled upon a collection of massive bones on his property in Wallkill, N.Y. Somehow, Gen. George Washington, then the commander of the Continental Army, learned about the discovery. He left his troops at Newburgh and traveled 25 miles in a sleigh to examine the find. That location is a short distance from where the most recent mastodon bones were found.

Scientists will carry out carbon dating on the fossil to ascertain its time of existence in the area. They will also analyze the bones to gain more insight into its age, dietary habits and habitat. Once these investigations are completed, the fossils will be displayed in the museum.

And gardeners in Orange County might be particularly observant while taking care of their gardens.

Article References

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Before affiliated with Discover Magazine, Paul Smaglik dedicated over 20 years as a science journalist, focusing on U.S. life science policies and global scientific career topics. He began his journey in newspapers but transitioned to scientific periodicals. His contributions have been featured in journals such as Science News, Science, Nature, and Scientific American.