From Fox News · Andrea Margolis · · 1m
Ancient Mastodon Tooth Found in California Creek
Scientists discover rare 50,000-100,000-year-old mastodon tooth in San Mateo Creek.
In brief
Scientists discover rare 50,000-100,000-year-old mastodon tooth in San Mateo Creek. A California creek survey revealed a well-preserved ancient mastodon tooth that may be 50,000-100,000 years old, with researchers planning carbon dating and 3D scans. Originally reported by Fox News.
Mastodon tooth discovery
A scientist surveying a California creek found a tooth from an ancient Pacific mastodon during habitat improvements for threatened California red-legged frogs.
“As a geologist, I've gone out and seen stuff in the field but definitely nothing as exciting as this”
Tooth age clarification
Wayne Thompson, CEO of Pacific Paleontology, stated the tooth is 50,000-100,000 years old, not 10,000 years as commonly reported.
“Most of the reports out [there] are saying it's 10,000 years old, but it's not 10,000 years”
Tooth preservation
The tooth is in 'immaculate condition' with most roots preserved, suggesting it recently separated from the skull.
“Mastodon teeth are, the roots are extremely fragile, and this one had the majority of the roots of the molar still preserved with it intact”
Possible animal remains
Paleontologists believe the rest of the mastodon may still be buried at the discovery site.
“It probably recently came out of the skull and the skull, along with the rest of the bones, are still buried out there”
Future research
Researchers from Stanford University plan to carbon date the tooth and create a 3D scan for a replica.
“Researchers will also create a 3-d scan of the tooth, which will be used to produce a replica”
Habitat connection
Alder trees line the creek where the tooth was found, matching mastodon food preferences.
“Even today, when we went out to the site to inspect where the biological monitor was surveying, there were still hundreds of alders along the stream”
The headline
A California creek survey revealed a well-preserved ancient mastodon tooth that may be 50,000-100,000 years old, with researchers planning carbon dating and 3D scans.
