“Texas Rancher Discovers Ancient Mammoth Tusk, Revealing Secrets of a Forgotten Era”
In recent months, the fields of archaeology and paleontology have seen some truly spectacular finds that make us question what else might be lurking just beneath our feet—or even under our high school gym floors! Who would’ve thought that students might be walking all over marine fossils in California or dinosaur footprints in Australia? Now, adding to this ongoing excitement, a curious hunter in Texas has struck fossil gold by unearthing the remains of none other than a mammoth! Can you imagine strolling along and tripping over an ancient relic like that? Talk about a find! According to reports, this fascinating discovery was made in Brewster and Presidio counties, nestled near Big Bend National Park. So, as we await more developments and perhaps a carbon dating revelation, let’s delve into this mammoth moment that’s capturing the imaginations of fossil enthusiasts everywhere. LEARN MORE.
Archaeology and paleontology have had a productive few months. Last year, millions of marine fossils were found under a Californian high school. Just months later, a stone bearing dozens of dinosaur footprints was discovered on display at a school in Australia. Now a hunter in Texas has hit the fossil jackpot—and this time the remains belong to a mammoth.
According to Live Science, the hunter was exploring the O2 Ranch in Brewster and Presidio counties near Big Bend National Park when he spotted a mammoth tusk lying in the drainage area of a creek bed.
Finding mammoth fossils in the West Texas region is rare. Columbian mammoths—distant relatives of woolly mammoths, which roamed North America and Eurasia and have been found frozen in permafrost—dwelled in what’s now known as northern and central Texas before going extinct thousands of years ago. After it was confirmed that the specimen was indeed a mammoth tusk, researchers spent two days excavating the fossil from the site. They wrapped the ancient remains in plaster-covered burlap to preserve it and transported it inside a custom-built frame to Sul Ross State University. The researchers have yet to determine how old the mammoth tusk is, and are waiting for carbon dating test results to trace its age. No other parts of the creature’s skeleton were discovered with the single tusk.
