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2 clusters · 10 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Prehistoric fossil discovery in Oceanside, California

Overview

During a water infrastructure project in Oceanside, California, paleontologists discovered fossilized remains of a massive prehistoric mammal. The fossils, estimated to be between 40 and 45 million years old, were located approximately 12 to 15 feet below the surface within the Santiago Formation.

The excavation recovered several specimens, including ribs, limb bones, and a femur measuring between 2.5 and 3 feet in length. Researchers, including Joseph El Adli and Joseph L. Athly, suggest the remains may belong to the extinct mammal family Brontotheriidae, described as ‘thunder beasts,’ or the Amynodontidae, known as ‘swamp rhinos.’

The bones were extracted using plaster casts to prevent damage and have been transported to a laboratory for cleaning, reinforcement, and further study.

Entities

Joseph L. Athly · San Diego Rock Formation · Oceanside · Santiago Formation · San Diego Natural History Museum

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    California discovery of 40-million-year-old rare fossils

    Rare 40-million-year-old fossils, potentially belonging to Eocene-era mammals like Brontotheres or Amynodonts, were discovered during infrastructure projects in Oceanside, California.

  2. [CULTURE] 8 sources
    Oceanside construction project unearths 40-million-year-old prehistoric fossils

    Paleontologists discovered 40-to-45-million-year-old fossils of a massive prehistoric mammal, possibly a ‘thunder beast’ or ‘swamp rhino,’ during a construction project in Oceanside, California.

Sources

abc30.com · abc7chicago.com · abc7news.com · foxweather.com · latimes.com · maalaimalar.com · malaimurasu.com · sandiegoville.com · thegardenmagazine.com · troyrecord.com