Staggering discovery as remains of giant Ice Age creature are found in backyard

A New York man has made a “remarkable discovery” after finding a fossilized mastodon jaw while gardening in his backyard.

The fossils were unearthed by the man, who does not want to be identified, after he spotted two giant teeth hidden by plants at his home in Orange County in September.

The curious homeowner dug through the soil to find the teeth buried just inches beneath the surface.

“When I found the teeth and examined them in my hands, I knew they were something special and decided to call in the experts. I’m thrilled that our property has yielded such an important find for the scientific community,” the man told the New York State Museum.

The New York State Museum said the “incredible find” was the first of its kind in 11 years in New York and helped shed light on the region’s Ice Age past.

Excavation efforts by the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange unearthed the full, well-preserved mastodon jaw belonging to an adult.

Along with the jaw, researchers also recovered a piece of a toe bone and a rib fragment which the Museum said offered “valuable additional clues about the mastodon’s life and environment.”

Mastadons are distant relatives of modern elephants.

The fossils will now undergo carbon dating and scientific analysis to determine the mastodon’s age, diet, and habitat.

“Once preserved and studied, the jaw and related findings will be showcased in public programming in 2025, offering visitors a glimpse into New York’s rich Ice Age history,” New York State Museum said.

More than 150 mastodon fossils have been discovered across New York, one-third of which come from Orange County.

“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,” Dr. Robert Feranec, Director of Research & Collections and Curator of Ice Age Animals at the New York State Museum said.