NY homeowner finds entire dinosaur jaw in backyard
New York State Museum and SUNY Orange staff excavate a mastodon jaw found on a property in Scotchtown, N.Y. (New York State Museum)
NEW YORK - A New York homeowner made a remarkable discovery in their backyard: an entire dinosaur jaw.
In addition to the jaw, researchers from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange also found several bone fragments, including a piece of a toe bone and a rib, all belonging to a mastodon.
The homeowner said they knew it was "something special" and decided to call in the experts.
What we know: "While the jaw is the star of the show, the additional toe and rib fragments offer valuable context and the potential for additional research," Cory Harris, Chair of SUNY Orange’s Behavioral Sciences Department, said in a statement. "We are also hoping to further explore the immediate area for more bones that may have been preserved."
A printed illustration of a mastodon from the book Animals of the Prehistoric World. (Florilegius/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Mastodons, extinct mammals that once roamed the region, are relatives of modern elephants.
According to the New York State Museum, this jaw is the first significant mastodon discovery in New York in 11 years.
Officials say 150 mastodon fossils have been uncovered in New York State, with a third found in Orange County—the same area where this jaw was unearthed.
What's next: "The fossils will undergo carbon dating and extensive scientific analysis to determine the mastodon’s age, diet, and habitat," the New York State Museum said in a statement.
"Once preserved and studied, the jaw and related findings will be showcased in public programming in 2025, offering visitors a glimpse into New York’s rich Ice Age history."