# Ice Age paleontological and archaeological discoveries

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ice-age-paleontological-and-archaeological-discoveries
> Updated: 2026-09-23T03:27:22.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 4.

Recent paleontological and archaeological findings have provided new insights into the Ice Age across several regions.

In San Mateo County, California, geomorphologist Brigid Lynch discovered a well-preserved fossilized tooth of a Pacific mastodon in a stream during a habitat restoration project. The specimen, featuring an intact crown and root, has been donated to Stanford University, where researchers plan to determine its age and create 3D models to study the Pleistocene era and the region’s glacial history.

In Argentina, the Museo Paleontológico de San Pedro announced the discovery of a 2.34-meter-long tusk belonging to the species Notiomastodon platensis in the Bajo del Tala area near Río Tala. Dating back approximately 500,000 years to the Pleistocene epoch, this specimen is the longest complete mastodon tusk documented in South America, surpassing the previous regional record of 2.05 meters set in 1876. Due to the extreme fragility of the fossil, researchers led by Director José Luis Aguilar used a protective structure of wire mesh and liquid plaster to prevent fractures during extraction and transport.

In Sezze, Italy, excavations at the Vittorio Vecchi Cave revealed a prehistoric hyena den dating back approximately 50,000 years. The site yielded various artifacts, including bronze fibulae, pottery, and worked bone objects, suggesting the cave may have served as both an animal refuge and a site of cultural or ritual significance.

In Ukraine, researchers analyzed 18,000-year-old female figurines carved from mammoth ivory. Using high-resolution microscopic analysis and 3D digital modeling, an international team discovered that Paleolithic craftspeople mimicked natural growth patterns, such as Schreger and Owen lines, found in mammoth tusks. Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, digital scanning was employed to preserve these artifacts for future study.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: Argentina discovers longest mastodon tusk in South America

A 2.34-meter mastodon tusk discovered in Argentina's San Pedro region sets a new record for the longest specimen found in South America.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-discovers-longest-mastodon-tusk-in-south-america

### 2026-09-21: Ice Age discoveries reveal new details on mastodons and prehistoric art

New discoveries including a Pacific mastodon tooth in California and 18,000-year-old ivory figurines in Ukraine offer fresh insights into Ice Age life and prehistoric artistic traditions.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ice-age-discoveries-reveal-new-details-on-mastodons-and-prehistoric-art

### 2026-09-20: Paleontological discoveries reported in California and Italy

Significant fossil and archaeological finds have been uncovered: a Pacific mastodon tooth in California and a 50,000-year-old prehistoric hyena den with ancient artifacts in Sezze, Italy.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paleontological-discoveries-reported-in-california-and-italy

### 2026-09-20: Mastodon fossils discovered in Argentina and California

Paleontologists have uncovered major mastodon fossils: a record-breaking 2.34-meter tusk in Argentina and a well-preserved Pacific mastodon tooth in California.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mastodon-molar-discovered-in-california-creek

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Cite as: Ice Age paleontological and archaeological discoveries. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ice-age-paleontological-and-archaeological-discoveries