Complete mastodon jaw found in New York homeowner's backyard: 'Remarkable discovery'

0
532

Complete mastodon jaw found in New York homeowner's backyard: 'Remarkable discovery'

A homeowner in New York uncovered a complete mastodon jaw in their backyard in what officials are calling a "remarkable discovery." 

The jaw of the extinct mammal, which was similar to an elephant, and several bone fragments were excavated from a property in Scotchtown by researchers from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange. 

"The fossils – discovered by a curious homeowner – will undergo carbon dating and extensive scientific analysis to determine the mastodon’s age, diet, and habitat," the New York State Museum said in a statement. "Once preserved and studied, the jaw and related findings will be showcased in public programming in 2025, offering visitors a glimpse into New York’s rich Ice Age history." 

The Albany-based Museum said the homeowner first noticed the jaw when they spotted "two unusual teeth concealed by plant fronds and, intrigued, dug a bit deeper to uncover two more teeth just inches beneath the surface." 

ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH 13,000-YEAR-OLD MASTODON SKULL IN IOWA 

Mastodon jaw excavation

New York State Museum and SUNY Orange staff excavate a mastodon jaw found on a property in Scotchtown, N.Y. (New York State Museum)

"When I found the teeth and examined them in my hands, I knew they were something special and decided to call in the experts," the museum quoted the homeowner as saying. "I’m thrilled that our property has yielded such an important find for the scientific community." 

The discovery is also being described by the museum as the first of its kind in New York in 11 years, and a "prehistoric treasure." 

480-YEAR-OLD FIREARM DISCOVERED IN ARIZONA DESCRIBED BY RESEARCHERS AS THE ‘OLDEST’ FOUND IN THE US 

Mastodon tooth

A mastodon tooth that was still embedded in the jaw found in New York's Orange County. (New York State Museum)

"Excavation efforts by the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange unearthed a full, well-preserved mastodon jaw belonging to an adult individual," it said. "Alongside the jaw, researchers also recovered a piece of a toe bone and a rib fragment, offering valuable additional clues about the mastodon’s life and environment." 

Museum officials said 150 mastodon fossils have been found across New York, but a third of them have come from Orange County, where the jaw was discovered. 

Mastodon mammal illustration

A printed illustration of a mastodon from the book Animals of the Prehistoric World. (Florilegius/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

"While the jaw is the star of the show, the additional toe and rib fragments offer valuable context and the potential for additional research," Cory Harris, Chair of SUNY Orange’s Behavioral Sciences Department, said in a statement. "We are also hoping to further explore the immediate area for more bones that may have been preserved." 

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

Search
Categories
Read More
News
Why a 'decade of reckoning' is coming to the bond market
    The recent downgrade to the US credit rating could be the tip of the...
By Mystic Queen 2025-06-03 04:46:55 0 555
Mysticism
In memoriam: Alasdair MacIntyre
In memoriam: Alasdair MacIntyre My photo of an elderly MacIntyre speaking in 2019 at “To What...
By Mystic Queen 2025-06-15 21:01:21 0 266
Health
Eating more fruits and vegetables linked to surprising effect on sleep
Eating more fruits and vegetables linked to surprising effect on sleep NEWYou can now listen to...
By Mystic Queen 2025-06-21 05:00:06 0 151
News
A doctor shares the 7 supplements he takes a day to reduce inflammation, prevent heart disease, and support metabolism
A doctor shares the 7 supplements he takes a day to reduce inflammation, prevent heart disease,...
By Mystic Queen 2025-06-14 05:00:09 0 282
News
15 AI stocks to watch outside of the Magnificent 7
15 AI stocks to watch outside of the Magnificent 7 Thu, Jun 19, 2025, 1:00 PM In This...
By Mystic Queen 2025-06-21 05:00:18 0 148
AtoZ Buzz! Take Control of the narrative https://atozbuzz.com