A team of fossil collectors, including Robert Sinibaldi and Joseph Branin, stumbled upon a rare and ancient site in a sinkhole in Florida’s Big Bend region. The discovery, which dates back around 500,000 years, provides valuable insights into the evolution of North American land mammals during the middle Irvingtonian age.
The team was combing the Steinhatchee River for fossils when Branin spotted horse teeth in June 2022. As they continued searching, they uncovered a hoof core and a tapir skull, which sparked excitement among the group. The finds included many fossils in pristine condition, showcasing the site’s exceptional preservation.
Paleontologists from the Florida Museum of Natural History analyzed the fossils and determined that they were preserved during an obscure period of the Pleistocene ice ages. This discovery fills a gap in the fossil record for the middle Irvingtonian age, which has been largely lacking in North American land mammals.
One species of interest is the now-extinct genus Holmesina, which includes armadillos and underwent significant changes in body size and shape over time. The Steinhatchee River site offers a rare look into this process of speciation, with fossils that match the size of larger species while retaining features of smaller ones.
The discovery also provides valuable insights into the environment of the area, suggesting that it was once open and less wooded than today. Horses are well-represented in the site, including complete teeth and incisors, offering a unique opportunity to study their diet and evolution.
While further collection at the site will be challenging due to logistical constraints, the team is hopeful about the fossils yet to be revealed. The discovery highlights the importance of amateur fossil collectors working with experts to expand our understanding of Florida’s natural history.
Source: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/underwater-fossil-bed-discovered-by-collectors-preserves-rare-slice-of-floridas-past