A person tending to their property in Orange County, New York noticed two teeth protruding from the ground, hidden by their plants — then further digging revealed the complete jawbone of a prehistoric mastodon.
New York State MuseumFollowing the initial discovery, experts from the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange excavated the complete mastodon jawbone.
For the first time in more than a decade, a complete mastodon jaw has been unearthed in New York.
The jaw, along with a piece of toe bone and a rib fragment, were excavated by teams from the New York State Museum and State University of New York after they were informed that a homeowner in Orange County noticed “two unusual teeth concealed by plant fronds” while tending to their yard.
The New York State Museum announced the discovery in a press release, noting that the fossils are now scheduled for carbon dating and comprehensive analysis and will be featured in public programming in 2025.
A Homeowner In Orange County, New York Discovers A Mastodon Jaw In Their Yard
New York State MuseumThe jawbone was initially concealed by plant fronds.
The homeowner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, said they were tending to their property when they noticed the teeth protruding from the ground, hidden behind plant fronds.
“When I found the teeth and examined them in my hands, I knew they were something special and decided to call in the experts,” they said. “I’m thrilled that our property has yielded such an important find for the scientific community.”
New York State MuseumAfter preservation and analysis of the jawbone, it will be made part of public programming at the museum.
After experts were called in to excavate, they were ecstatic to find the complete mastodon jaw. To date, more than 150 mastodon fossils have been found in Orange County, with the State Museum calling the region “New York’s premier hotspot for these ancient relatives of modern elephants.”
“While the jaw is the star of the show, the additional toe and rib fragments offer valuable context and the potential for additional research,” said Dr. Cory Harris, veteran archaeologist and the Chair of SUNY Orange’s Behavioral Sciences Department. “We are also hoping to further explore the immediate area to see if there are any additional bones that were preserved.”
Further Plans To Preserve And Analyze The Mastodon Remains
In addition to investigating the surrounding area in search of more mastodon fossils, experts will be conducting carbon dating and analysis on the jawbone to determine the ancient beast’s age, diet, and other details.
New York State MuseumCloseup detail of the mastodon’s jaw and teeth.
A mastodon was a large, elephant-like mammal that roamed North and Central America from about 23 million years ago until their extinction around 13,000 years ago.
They were similar in appearance to modern elephants and mammoths but had distinct differences, particularly in their teeth.
The name “mastodon” comes from the Greek words “mastos” (meaning breast) and “odon” (meaning tooth), referring to the nipple-like projections on their molar teeth, which were adapted for feasting on trees and shrubs. Unlike the more ridged teeth of mammoths, mastodon molars were designed for crushing leaves and twigs.
Standing about eight to 10 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing between four to six tons, mastodons had long, curved tusks and a covering of hair, adaptations that helped them survive in diverse environments, from woodlands to open plains. Their extinction is often attributed to a combination of climate change and overhunting by early humans.
Wikimedia CommonsA restoration of a mastodon.
In 2025, the State Museum plans to make the jawbone found in Orange County a part of its public programming, allowing museum visitors a chance to develop a further understanding of these remarkable Ice Age animals.
“This discovery is a testament to the rich paleontological history of New York and the ongoing efforts to understand its past,” said Dr. Robert Feranec, director of Research & Collections and curator of Ice Age Animals at the New York State Museum.
“This mastodon jaw provides a unique opportunity to study the ecology of this magnificent species, which will enhance our understanding of the Ice Age ecosystems from this region… Each discovery like this one brings us one step closer to piecing together the full story of New York.”
After reading about this mastodon jaw found in a New York yard, learn all about 11 other fascinating prehistoric animals. Then, read about the terrifying ancient shark known as the megalodon.
