Upon first glance, the ancient tooth looked like an "oddly shaped rock" to geologists who were conducting fieldwork in the area, according to a statement from the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space (Midpen), which runs the preserve. But the find was quickly unmasked as a valuable fossil from the last ice age and was sent to scientists at Stanford University for carbon dating.
Brigid Lynch, a geomorphologist with the California-based hydrology consulting firm Balance Hydrologics, found the molar this summer while surveying a creek bed. "As a geologist, I've gone out and seen stuff in the field, but definitely nothing as exciting as this," Lynch said in the statement.
Mastodons are extinct, elephant-like creatures that lived during the last ice age. (Image credit: Midpen (left); Balance Hydrologics (right))
The Pacific mastodon was first recognized as a species in 2019. It was closely related to the American mastodon (Mammut americanum). Both elephant-like creatures lived in North America during the Pleistocene epoch (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago), but the Pacific mastodon inhabited regions farther west than its cousin, roaming parts of present-day Mexico, California, Oregon and the northern Rocky Mountains of the western U.S., according to the statement.
RELATED STORIES
Huge 13,600-year-old mastodon skull and bones unearthed in Iowa'I knew they were something special': New York homeowner discovers mastodon jaw fossils in backyardMichigan boy finds 'dragon's tooth' that belonged to a mastodon
Researchers will produce a 3D copy of the molar that Midpen plans to use for public outreach and education, according to the statement.
Hence then, the article about oddly shaped rock unearthed in california turns out to be immaculate mastodon molar was published today ( ) and is available on Live Science ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 'Oddly shaped rock' unearthed in California turns out to be 'immaculate' mastodon molar )
Also on site :
- Zurich Summit: Edward Berger, Robbie Brenner, Oliver Berben, Janine Jackowski & More Join Swiss Conference Lineup
- Hanes’ Fleece Hoodie Feels Like ‘Being Swaddled by a Cloud’ and Gives You the ‘Best Bang for Your Buck’ at Just $8
- 1964 Blue-Eyed Soul Classic, Sung by the Righteous Brothers, Still the Most Played Song in Radio History