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last mo.

Exceptional Pacific Mastodon Molar Found in San Mateo Preserve

Stanford will carbon-date the donated tooth to help scientists learn about Ice Age ecosystems.

A mastodon’s tooth was recently found in a creek in San Mateo County, Calif.
The mastodon molar was donated to Stanford University in California.
Image
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Giant molar of a Pacific Mastodon discovered in the Bay Area, partially submerged in water, Image 2 shows Two hands hold a large, well-preserved brown and black molar from an adult Pacific Mastodon, Image 3 shows Illustration of a Pacific Mastodon and its skull with a labeled upper left molar

Overview

  • The tooth was discovered during a habitat‑restoration creek survey by geomorphologist Brigid Lynch and identified as an intact adult Pacific mastodon molar.
  • Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District announced the find Wednesday and immediately donated the specimen to Stanford University’s Doerr School of Sustainability for study.
  • Paleontologists called the molar unusually complete and immaculate, saying it is the most complete mastodon molar recorded in the local area.
  • Researchers provisionally estimate the tooth at roughly 10,000 years old but will use radiocarbon dating at Stanford to determine its precise age and ecological details.
  • Midpen and Stanford are withholding the exact find location to prevent collecting, plan a 3D scan and printed replica for education, and say the specimen can shed light on Pleistocene biodiversity and help guide modern conservation decisions.