Mysterious Prehistoric Bones Unearthed at California Construction Site
Fossils up to 45 million years old, potentially belonging to a 'thunder beast' or 'swamp rhino,' discovered during routine excavation.
Construction workers in Southern California unearthed fossils estimated to be up to 45 million years old during a routine excavation on August 31. The discovery was made approximately 12 feet below the surface at a site in the Santiago Formation, a geological area known for its rich fossil deposits.
Paleontologist Joseph El Adli, who is leading the examination of the findings, believes the bones belong to the Perissodactyla family, an order of odd-toed hoofed mammals. The specimens could be from either a Brontotheriidae, commonly known as a 'thunder beast,' or an amynodon, often referred to as a 'swamp rhino.' Both species were extinct mammals that inhabited North America during the Uintan North American Land Mammal Age.
The excavation yielded several bone fragments, including portions of limbs and ribs. El Adli's team worked for 10 days to carefully recover the fossils from the hard mudstone.
The unearthed bones were encased in a plaster field jacket for safe transport to a facility in Carlsbad for further analysis. At the facility, scientists will meticulously remove the bones from the rock matrix, stabilize them with museum-grade adhesives and resins, and then conduct further evaluations to determine the exact species.
While not yet definitively identified, the bones are believed to represent either a 'thunder beast' (Brontotheriidae) or a 'swamp rhino' (amynodon).
El Adli expressed hope that further discoveries, such as teeth or jaw fragments, could aid in a more precise identification of the animal. The Santiago Formation has a history of yielding fossils from ancient predators and primates.
Following standard protocols mandated by California's environmental laws, paleontological and cultural resource monitors were present at the construction site. These monitors are crucial for identifying and recovering significant findings during development.
The exact location of the construction site has not been disclosed by the City of Oceanside to prevent unauthorized digging by enthusiasts, which could pose safety risks and potentially damage delicate fossil remains.
Southern California has a notable history of fossil discoveries. Recent finds include a Pacific mastodon molar in a San Mateo County creek and a significant collection of ancient marine fossils, including whale and bird remains, discovered during the construction of San Pedro High School in Los Angeles County.