Mastodons, extinct relatives of elephants, once roamed North America during the Ice Age. Unlike mammoths, their tusks were conical-shaped, giving rise to the name “mastodon” from the Greek words μαστός “nipple” and ὀδούς “tooth”.
The homeowner initially mistook the teeth for a baseball, but after realizing its significance, he called in experts. A team from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange later uncovered additional remains, including a toe bone and a rib fragment.
Experts hope to carbon date the jaw to learn more about the mastodon’s age, diet and habitat.
The fossil will be exhibited at the New York State Museum in 2025.
Source: Ferra
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