Full Mastodon Jaw Found After N.Y. Homeowner Spots Teeth in Backyard: ‘Such an Important Find'

Mar. 15, 2025

The Mastodon jaw bones found in New York state.Photo:New York State Museum

New York State Museum

A full jaw belonging to a prehistoric Mastodon has been unearthed in a New York homeowner’s backyard.

The jaw is believed to have “belonged to an adult” mastodon and is the first such find in New York in over 11 years.

“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 resident said in the release. “I’m thrilled that our property has yielded such an important find for the scientific community.”

The Mastodon jaw bone found in New York state.New York State Museum

Mastodons, which looked similar to the modern-day elephant, roamed the Earth during the Ice Age, according to theNatural History Museumin London.

A piece of a toe bone and a rib fragment were also found at the site, according to the New York State Museum.

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Dr. Robert Feranec, director of Research and Collections and curator of Ice Age Animals at the New York State Museum, said the jawbone “provides a unique opportunity” to study the species and “enhance our understanding of the Ice Age ecosystems from this region.”

“Each discovery like this one brings us one step closer to piecing together the full story of New York,” Feranec added in his statement.

Dr. Cory Harris Chair of SUNY Orange’s Behavioral Sciences Department said the toe and rib fragments also found at the site “offer valuable context and the potential for additional research.”

“We are also hoping to further explore the immediate area to see if there are any additional bones that were preserved,” Harris added.

The museum said the fossils are scheduled to be carbon-dated and comprehensively analyzed and will be on public display in 2025.

source: people.com