A Hudson Valley homeowner recently noticed something surprising in his backyard: two large, partially buried animal teeth. A little amateur digging, followed by professional help from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange, soon revealed much more. Now researchers are preparing to analyze the first complete mastodon jaw discovered in the state in more than a decade.
“When I found the teeth and examined them in my hands, I knew it was something special and decided to call in the experts,” the Orange County resident told the NYSM newspaper. Announcement December 17adding that he was “thrilled” by the discovery.
Experts have already confirmed that the jaw, along with toe and rib fragments, belonged to an adult mastodon, one of many that thrived in parts of North America. Fossil evidence shows that several mammoth species existed on the continent as early as 3.5 million years ago, sometimes migrating in herds as far south as Mississippi and Florida. An adult Mammut Americanum was smaller than the modern African elephant, but still reached an average shoulder height of 3.5 meters and weighed as much as 8 tons. Their diets consisted mainly of plantspine cones and other leafy vegetation, but eventually became extinct about 10,500 years ago. The exact cause of their disappearance remains a point of discussionwith experts often attributing this to a combination of hunting in early Clovis society and climate changes.
The age of the new mastodon discovery is not yet certain. Paleontologists will carry out both radiocarbon dating and a ‘comprehensive analysis’ of the specimens in the coming months to estimate their age and better understand the diet. The fossils are also expected to be publicly revealed by the end of 2025.
“Although the jaw is the star of the show, the additional toe and rib fragments provide valuable context and potential for additional research,” explains Cory Harris, chair of SUNY Orange’s Department of Behavioral Sciences.
The NYSM announcement notes that Orange County is home to approximately one-third of the more than 150 mastodon fossils recovered in the state. But New York’s relationship with elephant ancestors has a long history. The first mastodon fossil ever discovered in the country was identified long before the United States declared independence. Evidence of M. Americanum dates from bones found in 1705 in Claverack, New York. However, it wouldn’t be until 1792 that scientists began to recognize mastodons as a separate species.
Robert Feranec, director of Research & Collections and curator of the Ice Age Animals archive at the New York State Museum, described the latest find as a “testament to New York’s rich paleontological history,” and one that will provide a unique opportunity to to conduct further research. the ancient animal.
Museum representatives are encouraging New York residents to report similar finds, giving experts even more opportunities to expand their knowledge of the state’s prehistoric history. However, locals won’t be the only ones looking for more mastodon fossils: Researchers are already planning to return to Orange County’s backyard to search for any additional bones.