2023-07-18 01:17:42
During a routine visit to a quarry in Cambridgeshire, two paleontologists made a spectacular discovery: an intact tusk from a steppe mammoth.
A stunning discovery was made at a quarry in Cambridgeshire, UK, when two paleontologists came across a mammoth tusk believed to be over 400,000 years old.
The tusk belongs to the steppe mammoth, which ranks as the second largest mammoth species to ever exist.
“We started going down the quarry, just looking around and it just stuck out like a sore thumb,” said Jamie Jordan, a 33-year-old curator and paleontologist, who discovered tusk with colleague Sarah Moore. , at the Observatory of Europe Culture.
Describing the significance of the discovery, Jordan added: “It is very important. We’ve had a defense there before, but not quite as complete and not as well preserved either. »
The discovery is further amplified by the presence of predation marks on the tusk.
These marks, characterized by imprints left by the teeth of predators, have the potential to provide insight into the complex dynamics between predators and prey and shed light on the behaviors of ancient animals and humans at this particular time.
Preserving the rare find
The four-foot-long tusk is currently undergoing a preservation process that will take approximately six months.
This process will be carried out at the Fossils Galore Museum, located in March, Cambridgeshire, where the public will have the opportunity to witness the preservation work.
Sarah Moore explains: “We estimate that it will take us around six months in total to fully preserve this task, and we will do so on full public display. So anyone who visits the museum will be able to see behind the scenes and see how we do it. »
To ensure the preservation of the mammoth tusk, a meticulous approach is taken.
Jubilee and metal clips are used to securely hold the fender in place, preventing any risk of damage or separation. Additionally, a preservative fluid, invented by Jamie himself at the age of 12, is applied to protect the tusk.
In addition to the mammoth tusk, Jamie and Sarah have made several other important discoveries in recent years.
A notable find was the skeleton of an Iguanodon dinosaur, estimated to be 132 million years old, which they discovered in 2017. The remains of the dinosaur were entombed in large blocks of siderite.
Preservation of the dinosaur skeleton is still ongoing and it is estimated that it will take another five to eight years to fully expose all the bones.
A lifelong fascination with fossils
For Jamie, his passion for fossils and paleontology dates back to his early childhood.
He shared, “When I was four, I was one of those kids who was interested in dinosaurs and mightn’t really get by. I found my first fossil when I was four, and it sparked it from there. »
“I really wanted to build a collection of fossils, and then it got out of hand. I had too many fossils and needed a place to display them. »
At the age of 18, Jamie opened the Fossils Galore Museum, which has grown steadily over the years, featuring a variety of specimens and educational activities.
But over time, Fossils Galore has reached a point where its current space is no longer sufficient. Therefore, the team is actively seeking opportunities to expand and create larger facilities capable of accommodating their ever-expanding collection.
A link to their fundraiser can be found here.
Watch the video in the web player above to see the moment the mammoth tusk was discovered.
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