TOWN OF WALLKILL – Researchers have unearthed a mastodon jawbone together with different bone fragments within the yard of a residence close to Scotchtown.
The discovery was made by researchers from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange.
Scientists will now carbon date the bones and conduct a complete evaluation to find out the mastodon’s age, eating regimen, and habitat throughout its lifetime.
The jawbone caught the eye of the home-owner when it was found protruding from topsoil. The discovery started when the home-owner discovered two enamel hid by the fronds of a plant on their property simply inches underground.
Over 150 mastodon fossils have been discovered within the state with about one-third in Orange County.
“This discovery is a testomony to the wealthy paleontological historical past of New York and the continuing efforts to grasp its previous,” mentioned Dr. Robert Feranec, director of Research and Collections and curator of Ice Age Animals on the New York State Museum.
“While the jaw is the star of the present, the extra toe and rib fragments supply invaluable context and the potential for extra analysis,” mentioned Dr. Cory Harris, chair of SUNY Orange’s Behavioral Science Department. “We are additionally hoping to additional discover the quick space to see if there are any further bones that have been preserved.”
