It’s a gigantic find.
An intact prehistoric mastodon jaw was discovered in the backyard of a Hudson Valley house after the homeowner initially saw a pair of teeth poking up by a plant, according to state officials.
The jaw that belonged to an adult male and other incredible bone fragments were recently found in Orange County near Scotchtown — about 70 miles from New York City, the New York State Museum said on Tuesday.
It’s the first time in 11 years a similar fossil has been found in the state.
The resident spotted part of the jaw sticking out from topsoil with two teeth hidden near the fronds of the plant.
“When I found the teeth and examined them in my hands, I knew they were something special and decided to call in the experts,” said the homeowner, who was not identified.
“I’m thrilled that our property has yielded such an important find for the scientific community.”
Museum and SUNY Orange staff arrived at the home and pulled the well-preserved mastodon jaw and also a piece of a toe and rib fragment.
The fossils will be carbon-dated and analyzed to figure out the mastodon’s age, diet and habitat, officials said.
“This mastodon jaw provides a unique opportunity to study the ecology of this magnificent species, which will enhance our understanding of the Ice Age ecosystems from this region,” said Robert Feranec, who curates Ice Age animals for the museum.
“This mastodon jaw provides a unique opportunity to study the ecology of this magnificent species, which will enhance our understanding of the Ice Age ecosystems from this region.
“Fossils are resources that provide remarkable snapshots of the past, allowing us to not only reconstruct ancient ecosystems but also provide us with better context and understanding of the current world around us.”
