Ancient Discovery: Complete Mastodon Jaw Unearthed in Hudson Valley Backyard
In late September 2024, a homeowner in Scotchtown, New York, made a remarkable discovery while gardening: two large teeth protruding from the soil. Initially mistaking them for baseballs, the individual soon realized their significance and contacted experts.
Responding to the call, researchers from the New York State Museum (NYSM) and SUNY Orange conducted an excavation in the backyard. Their efforts uncovered a well-preserved, complete jaw of an adult mastodon, along with a toe bone piece and a rib fragment. This find marks the first complete mastodon jaw discovered in New York State in over 11 years.
Mastodons, distant relatives of modern elephants, inhabited North America during the Pleistocene epoch. They roamed the northeastern United States, including present-day New York, until their extinction around 10,500 years ago. Adult mastodons stood approximately 9.5 feet tall at the shoulder and weighed up to 8 tons. Their diet primarily consisted of plants, pine cones, and other vegetation. The exact cause of their extinction remains debated, with theories suggesting a combination of early human hunting and climatic changes.
The recent discovery adds to the more than 150 mastodon fossils found across New York State, with about a third unearthed in Orange County. Notably, the Cohoes Mastodon, discovered in 1866 in Cohoes, New York, is among the most famous specimens and is currently on display at the New York State Museum.
The newfound fossils are slated for carbon dating and comprehensive analysis to determine the mastodon's age, diet, and habitat during its lifetime. Researchers anticipate that this specimen will provide valuable insights into the ecology of the species and the Ice Age ecosystems of the region. The fossils are expected to be featured in public programming by the end of 2025, offering the community an opportunity to engage with this significant piece of natural history.
This discovery underscores the potential for significant paleontological finds in unexpected places, highlighting the rich prehistoric heritage of the Hudson Valley region.
