Paleontologists from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange have unearthed the fossilized remains of an adult mastodon near Scotchtown, New York, the United States.
The fossilized jaw of an adult mastodon found near Scotchtown, New York, the United States. Image credit: New York State Museum.
Mastodons are any species of extinct proboscideans in the genus Mammut.
Often confused with mammoths, they are another, more distant, relative of living elephants.
These animals diverged from the ancestors of elephants around 27-25 million years ago (Oligocene epoch).
They roamed widely over continental North America as well as peripheral locations like the tropics of Honduras and the Arctic coast of Alaska before they finally became extinct about 11,000 years ago.
Eight species are currently recognized, including the well-known American mastodon (Mammut americanum) that had a widespread distribution across nearly every U.S. state, Canada, and Mexico.
A well-preserved jaw of an adult mastodon as well as a piece of a toe bone and a rib fragment were found in the backyard of a residence near Scotchtown, Orange County, New York.
The fossils were recovered by a team of paleontologists from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange.
“The mastodon jaw, which belonged to an adult individual, was found protruding from the topsoil, capturing the homeowner’s attention and sparking an investigation that will continue to uncover scientific insights for years to come,” they said.
“The discovery began when the homeowner found two teeth concealed by the fronds of a plant on their property.”
“Upon further investigation, the homeowner unearthed two additional teeth just inches underground.”
“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.”
This illustration shows a reconstruction of an American mastodon (Mammut americanum) at the top; below is a comparison between an American mastodon and a woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius). Image credit: © George ‘Rinaldino’ Teichmann.
“When I found the teeth and examined them in my hands, I knew they were something special and decided to call in the experts,” said the resident whose backyard safeguarded the prehistoric treasure.
“I’m thrilled that our property has yielded such an important find for the scientific community.”
“While the jaw is the star of the show, the additional toe and rib fragments offer valuable context and the potential for additional research,” said Dr. Cory Harris Chair, a researcher at SUNY Orange.
“We are also hoping to further explore the immediate area to see if there are any additional bones that were preserved.”
With over 150 mastodon fossils found statewide to date — about one-third in Orange County — the area remains New York’s premier hotspot for these ancient relatives of modern elephants.
“This discovery is a testament to the rich paleontological history of New York and the ongoing efforts to understand its past,” said Dr. Robert Feranec, director of research & collections and curator of Ice Age animals at the New York State Museum.
“This mastodon jaw provides a unique opportunity to study the ecology of this magnificent species, which will enhance our understanding of the Ice Age ecosystems from this region.”
“Fossils are resources that provide remarkable snapshots of the past, allowing us to not only reconstruct ancient ecosystems but also provide us with better context and understanding of the current world around us.”
“Each discovery like this one brings us one step closer to piecing together the full story of New York.”
Source : Breaking Science News