'Oddly shaped rock' unearthed in California turns out to be 'immaculate' mastodon molar
A field survey in San Mateo County, California, has revealed the fossilized tooth of an adult Pacific mastodon, an ice-age giant that was probably native to the West Coast.
A rare and remarkably well-preserved mastodon tooth was discovered in a nature reserve near San Francisco, California. Initially mistaken for an unusual rock, the fossil was recognized by geologists as a crucial piece of history from the last ice age. Paleontologist Wayne Thompson described the tooth as the most complete and spectacular of its kind he had ever encountered.
The find was made by geomorphologist Brigid Lynch while she was conducting a survey for a habitat enhancement project aimed at supporting the endangered California red-legged frog. The tooth dates back to at least 10,000 years ago, before the Pacific mastodon (Mammut pacificus) is believed to have gone extinct. Pacific mastodons were elephant-like creatures that inhabited the western regions of North America during the Pleistocene epoch (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago).
The tooth will be used for public outreach and education by Midpen after being donated to Stanford University's Doerr School of Sustainability for further analysis and a 3D replica.
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