Homeowners in New York Unearth Entire Mastodon Mandible During Yard Work
Homeowners in New York Unearth Entire Mastodon Mandible During Yard Work
This autumn, while maintaining their garden in New York, homeowners stumbled upon what seemed like two substantial fangs protruding from the soil, partially covered by foliage. A bit more digging unveiled two more prominent incisors hidden beneath the earth's surface, prompting the couple to suspect they'd stumbled upon something noteworthy. Consequently, they enlisted the assistance of experts.
In October, a team from New York State Museum and State University of New York Orange visited the site to validate the homeowners' suspicions. Upon excavation, they discovered a full mastodon jaw, remarkably preserved, in the backyard around 70 miles northwest of New York City. Additionally, researchers discovered a toe bone and rib fragments of the prehistoric animal. This extinct relative of contemporary elephants predates another of its kin, the hairy mammoth.
The discovery of a mastodon jaw in the vicinity of Scotchtown does not come as a shock to Ross MacPhee, senior curator in residence of mammalogy and vertebrate zoology at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Over 150 mastodon fossils have been found across New York State, with approximately a third uncovered in Orange County, Scotchtown's home. Despite the eleven-year gap since the last complete jaw was found, this discovery is far from insignificant, MacPhee stated.
Each specimen of a vanished species contributes to the understanding of its history and habitat, according to MacPhee. Each fossil site pieced together, he emphasized, is significant in this field of study, which relies on meticulous compilation.
American mastodon (Mammut americanum) fossils have been discovered throughout North and Central America, revealing that these colossal creatures towered nearly ten feet high with upward-curving tusks. Their teeth boasted high, pointed crowns that excelled at grinding up leaves and twigs.
The most intriguing aspect of discoveries like the latest in New York for MacPhee is the potential to shed light on the enigmatic extinction of mammoths, mastodons, giant beavers, and numerous other species. This mass extinction occurred around 11,000 to 12,000 years ago.
“It's a peculiar phenomenon to think they all vanished at once,” MacPhee, a paleontologist, remarked. “They just vanished”. Theories behind this mass extinction encompass climate change, overhunting by humans, inbreeding, infectious diseases, and cosmic events, among others.
The scientists working on the Scotchtown mastodon remnants confirmed that the remains belonged to an adult animal. Further analyses, such as carbon dating, will help determine the mastodon's age at death and provide additional insights into its diet and habitat.
“The jaw serves as the show's main attraction, but the accompanying toe and rib fragments offer valuable context and the potential for further research,” Cory Harris, chair of SUNY Orange’s behavioral sciences department, stated. “We are also interested in exploring the immediate area to see if other preserved bones may be uncovered.”
Mastodon: Past and Present
Mastodon remains have been unearthed in New York's Orange County since the 19th century, as early farmers encountering bones beneath plowed soil, unaware that they had once belonged to the bottom of large glacial lakes. Fossil records show that mastodons preferred to inhabit areas near water due to the abundance of vegetation they enjoyed.
As Robert Feranec, director of research and collections, and curator of Ice Age animals at the New York State Museum, stated, fossils serve as invaluable resources that provide detailed glimpses into the past, allowing us to recreate ancient ecosystems and enhance our understanding of the present world.
After the discovery of the mammoth's kin in Scotchtown, researchers began to explore potential causes for the enigmatic extinction of various large species during that era. This period saw the vanishing of mammoths, mastodons, giant beavers, and numerous other species around 11,000 to 12,000 years ago.
The ongoing study of the mastodon remains in Scotchtown serves as an excellent opportunity for innovation in the field of paleontology. By utilizing advanced techniques like carbon dating, scientists can gain valuable insights into the animal's age at death and dietary habits, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of its ecological niche and the ancient world.