Scientist surveying California creek finds 10,000-year-old mastodon tooth
A geomorphologist discovered a 10,000-year-old Pacific mastodon molar while conducting a routine habitat survey in a California creek. Paleontologists have identified the fossil as an exceptionally well-preserved specimen of the extinct species Mammut pacificus.
Why it matters
The discovery provides significant new data for paleontologists studying the prehistoric biodiversity of western North America.
A routine field survey in a California redwood forest has led to an extraordinary glimpse into the Ice Age. A scientist searching a San Mateo County creek for signs of habitat conditions for threatened California red-legged frogs spotted an oddly shaped object that initially appeared to be an ordinary rock. Instead, it turned out to be a remarkably well-preserved tooth belonging to an extinct Pacific mastodon. The fossil is estimated to be at least 10,000 years old and is being described as an exceptionally complete specimen from the region.According to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen), geomorphologist Brigid Lynch discovered the fossil while working on a habitat enhancement project for California red-legged frogs.
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