ABC News - Prehistoric mastodon jaw found in NY backyard
During routine yard work, a homeowner in New York stumbled upon fossilized Mastodon teeth and jaw fragments dating back to the Ice Age, approximately 13,000 years ago. The discovery was made just 12 to 18 inches below the surface in the backyard. These fossils are now being preserved at the New York State Museum. The Mastodon remains found are consistent with other discoveries in Orange County, New York, where dozens of similar fossils have been unearthed. The bones suggest the Mastodon was about 8 to 9 feet tall and weighed around 3 tons. This particular find was near a wetland, prompting researchers to plan further exploration in the spring to uncover more potential fossils.
Key Points:
- Mastodon fossils were discovered by a homeowner in New York during yard work.
- The fossils date back to the Ice Age, approximately 13,000 years ago.
- The discovery included teeth and jaw fragments found 12 to 18 inches underground.
- These fossils are being preserved at the New York State Museum.
- The area has a history of similar discoveries, indicating a rich paleontological site.