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Published on December 18, 2024
NY Homeowner Uncovers Mastodon Jaw, Sparking Prehistoric Frenzy in Orange CountySource: New York State Education Department

An ordinary New York backyard has turned into an extraordinary archaeological site after a homeowner in Orange County, Scotchtown, stumbled upon a prehistoric treasure just beneath the surface – a complete mastodon jaw, which had remained unseen for eons, has been uncovered, along with additional bone fragments, as reported by NBC New York. The ancient relic, thought to belong to an adult mastodon, was discovered after the homeowner noticed a pair of teeth protruding from the soil and, upon deeper excavation, exposed a larger section of the jaw.

"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 homeowner, who spotted the primeval choppers, said, invoking the expertise of researchers from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange, who sprang into action to unearth the sizable discovery – this find, marking the first of its kind in New York in over a decade, was notable not just for the jaw but also for pieces of a toe bone and a rib fragment that were also found at the site according to the homeowner who said "I’m thrilled that our property has yielded such an important find for the scientific community," in an interview obtained by the New York Post.

Dr. Cory Harris, Chair of SUNY Orange’s Behavioral Sciences Department, expressed enthusiasm for the additional findings, stating, "While the jaw is the star of the show, the additional toe and rib fragments offer valuable context and the potential for additional research." The next steps involve carbon dating and analytical examinations to divulge the mastodon's age, diet, and its environmental circumstances, according to NBC New York.

The significance of the jaw extends beyond mere physical history, as Dr. Robert Feranec, curator of Ice Age Animals at the New York State Museum, underscored “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," also mentioning that fossils act as resources that furnish remarkable snapshots of the past that help not only to reconstruct ancient ecosystems but also provide us with better context and understanding of the world we live in today as relayed in statements obtained by New York Post. New Yorkers and scholars alike can expect to delve into this ancient find as officials plan to showcase their discoveries in public programming slated to commence in 2025.