Man discovers remains of Ice Age mastodon near his home
The story began when the owner noticed two teeth peeking out of the ground among the leaves. Subsequent excavations revealed a number of bones, including a well-preserved jaw. According to the discoverer, realizing the importance of the discovery, he immediately turned to specialists. This was announced in a statement released by the New York State Museum.
The discovery was the first mastodon to be found in the state in 11 years. Scientists believe that the discovery will help expand knowledge about the fauna of the Ice Age, which lasted approximately 120-11.5 thousand years ago.
Mastodons were massive animals, similar to hairy mammoths, weighing about 6 tons. These giants inhabited North America up to 13 thousand years ago, preferring pine forests and wetlands. Their wide feet with short toes were ideally suited for moving on wet ground.
Orange County has long been famous for its paleontological finds - a third of all mastodons in New York State have been discovered here, with a total of 150 individuals.
The remains found include toe fragments, ribs, a jaw, and teeth. Robert Feranec, Director of Research at the New York State Museum, emphasized the importance of the find for understanding the paleontological heritage of the region.
The scientific team plans to conduct radiocarbon dating of the find and a detailed study of the teeth and jaw. This will allow determining the age of the animal, its diet, and the peculiarities of its interaction with the environment of the time.
According to Feranets, each such discovery is a unique opportunity to look into the past, to better understand ancient ecosystems and their connection with the modern world. This discovery will be another important step in recreating the full history of New York State.
As a reminder, a unique Roman chainmail was found in Germany.
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