Complete mastodon jaw fossil found in backyard of New York home digs up prehistoric past
A jaw-dropping prehistoric discovery was recently made in the backyard of a New York home.
A complete mastodon jaw fossil was found in the backyard of a residence near Scotchtown, New York, the first such find in more than 11 years, the New York State Education Department said in a news release Tuesday.
The jaw, along with additional bone fragments, was recovered by researchers from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange. The discoveries are scheduled for carbon dating and "comprehensive analysis" to determine the mastodon's age, diet and habitat during its lifetime.
According to the news release, the mastodon jaw was found protruding from the topsoil, which caught the homeowner's attention. The homeowner found two teeth concealed by the fronds of a plant on the property, and upon further investigation, two more teeth were unearthed just inches underground.
"Excavation efforts by Museum and SUNY Orange staff yielded a full, well-preserved mastodon jaw belonging to an adult, as well as a piece of a toe bone and a rib fragment," the state education department said in the news release. "This significant find will enhance our understanding of the region's Ice Age inhabitants and highlight the abundance of prehistoric wonders yet to be discovered."
Other fragments found
“While the jaw is the star of the show, the additional toe and rib fragments offer valuable context and the potential for additional research,” Dr. Cory Harris, chair of SUNY Orange’s Behavioral Sciences Department, said in the news release. “We are also hoping to further explore the immediate area to see if there are any additional bones that were preserved.”
The owner of the home where the fossils were discovered said: “When I found the teeth and examined them in my hands, I knew they were something special and decided to call in the experts. I'm thrilled that our property has yielded such an important find for the scientific community.”
The state education department said more than 150 mastodon fossils have been found statewide to date, and about one-third of those discoveries were in Orange County.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at Paste BN. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.