Homeowners Discover Complete Mastodon Jaw While Gardening in New York

The 13,000-year-old fossil, unearthed in Orange County, offers new insights into Ice Age ecosystems and the extinct species' history.

A New York couple discovered a well-preserved mastodon jaw and additional fossils while gardening in their backyard near Scotchtown.
The find includes two molars, a toe bone, and a rib fragment, marking the first complete mastodon jaw found in New York in 11 years.
The fossils, estimated to be 13,000 years old, will undergo carbon dating and chemical analysis to learn about the mastodon's age, diet, and habitat.
Experts highlight the significance of the discovery in understanding Ice Age ecosystems and the extinction of mastodons and other species.
The artifacts, now housed at the New York State Museum, will be studied further and are set to go on public display in 2025.