Mastodon bones from the Ice Age unearthed in Orange County backyard
The homeowner in Scotchtown spotted two teeth in the soil, prompting a call to experts at the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange.
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Officials say a rare find from the Ice Age is offering a glimpse back in time from thousands to possibly, millions of years ago after prehistoric bones from a mastodon were uncovered in an Orange County backyard by a team of researchers.
The discovery was first made by a curious homeowner in Scotchtown in September, who officials say first brought two of the animal’s massive molars to SUNY Orange and reported finding them in the shallow dirt behind a plant on their property. The find led to researchers unearth a complete adult mastodon jaw, two additional molars and other bone fragments from the ancient animal in October.
“It might be the shallowest mastodon in New York state. Typically, they’re like 6 to 7 feet down and found through some type of construction project, but this was not that,” says SUNY Orange Department Chair of Behavioral Sciences Dr. Cory Harris.
Harris was among the team of researchers led the New York State Museum, which is part of the New York State Education Department.
“When the property owners came in and showed me, I immediately knew they were mastodon teeth. Orange County is known for having quite a few mastodons relative to the state and even the country.”
Harris says the mastodons’ molars were about the size of a small loaf of bread. Researchers won’t reveal where in Scotchtown they were found but say they hope to go back.
“Because of the timing and winter coming, the amount of excavation done was limited so there’s potential there’s more out there,” says Harris.
State officials say the find is the first in New York in more than 11 years. The bones will be preserved and undergo carbon dating to analyze the age, diet, and habitat during its lifetime before ultimately being featured for public viewing in 2025.
“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. Fossils are resources that provide remarkable snapshots of the past, allowing us to not only reconstruct ancient ecosystems but also provide us with better context and understanding of the current world around us. Each discovery like this one brings us one step closer to piecing together the full story of New York.”
More than 150 mastodon fossils have been found in the state, according to state officials. They describe Orange County as a “hotspot” for the ancient animals, noting that a third of the fossils found were in Orange County.
