Mastodon Tooth Unearthed in California Creek Offers Glimpse into Ice Age

A recent discovery in a California creek has revealed a surprising find: a tooth from an ancient Pacific mastodon. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District in San Mateo County announced the find.

Discovery Details

Mastodons were large, elephant-like herbivores that vanquished approximately 11,700 years ago. The tooth was found in a preserve creek by Brigid Lynch, a geomorphologist with Balance Hydrologics, during an endeavor to enhance the habitat for the threatened California red-legged frog.

“As a geologist, I’ve encountered various finds in the field, but nothing as noteworthy as this,” Lynch mentioned.

Pictures of the molar display its unusual form, which Lynch initially presumed to be an oddly shaped stone.

Expert Examination

Wayne Thompson, CEO of Pacific Paleontology, commented on the tooth’s “immaculate condition” in a Fox News Digital interview. His role involved analyzing the fossil and the location of its discovery. Thompson suggested the tooth likely dates back between 50,000 and 100,000 years based on its location.

“There’s misinformation about the tooth’s age. It’s not 10,000 years old, as some reports claim. It’s much older than 11,700 years, likely between 50,000 and 100,000,” he clarified.

Thompson noted that the tooth’s condition provides insights into its history after the mastodon’s demise. The roots were still largely intact, indicating it hadn’t been greatly disturbed in the stream.

Future Research

Researchers from Stanford University’s Doerr School of Sustainability plan to carbon date the molar for precise dating. A 3-D scan will also be made to produce a replica of the tooth.

Thompson explained that mastodons preferred creek and river valleys, enjoying leaves over grasses. Alder trees, a favored food, remain along the creek where the tooth was discovered.

“Even today, when inspecting the site, numerous alders were visible along the stream,” he stated.