A remarkable discovery was made in a backyard in Orange County, New York, where a complete mastodon jaw has been unearthed. The jaw, along with a piece of a toe bone and a rib fragment, was found near Scotchtown by researchers from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange.
The homeowner initially spotted two teeth sticking out of the dirt under a plant, leading to further excavation that revealed more teeth and eventually uncovered the well-preserved mastodon jaw. The team is now studying the jaw to determine its age, diet, and life during the Ice Age era.
“This jaw is an amazing discovery,” said Dr. Robert Feranec from the New York State Museum. “Fossils like this help us learn about ancient ecosystems and give us clues about how the world has changed over time.”
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/prehistoric-mastodon-jaw-found-backyard-new-york-home/story?id=116894988