Hello everyone! Gather around because I’ve got an exciting story that’s sure to intrigue you. Picture this: a routine dive off the coast of Florida turns into an extraordinary find that dates back millions of years. That’s exactly what happened to Alex Lundberg, a marine biologist and seasoned fossil hunter.
While exploring the waters near Manasota Key, about 90 miles south of Tampa, Lundberg discovered something remarkable—a well-preserved mastodon tusk. This find is a rare gem, especially considering that tusks found in Florida often crumble apart due to their delicate nature.
Alex Lundberg, a 29-year-old with a deep-rooted passion for fossil hunting, has been scuba diving for 12 years. His love for fossils began when he was just a child, thanks to his father who often took him to construction sites to search for ancient treasures. Lundberg’s discovery in April adds a significant milestone to his already adventurous fossil-hunting journey.
So, what exactly did Lundberg find? The mastodon tusk he uncovered is believed to be millions of years old, although it has not yet been officially dated. For those wondering, mastodons were massive creatures that roamed North America and Central America until around 10,500 years ago.
These ancient beasts could grow up to 10 feet tall and shared a common ancestor with mammoths and elephants, although they were not the same species.
Mastodons have been around since the Miocene epoch, which dates back 4 to 3 million years ago, long before mammoths arrived in North America during the Pleistocene ice ages. Despite their coexistence in many regions, all North American mastodons, along with their proboscidean relatives, went extinct around 10,500 years ago.
Lundberg’s discovery is not only a testament to his dedication but also a reminder of the incredible history that lies beneath our feet—or in this case, under the water.
He advises aspiring fossil hunters to obtain a fossil permit, which is quite affordable at only five dollars in Florida. His tip for success? Get out there, explore, and keep your eyes peeled because ancient treasures could be hiding anywhere.
As for the mastodon tusk, Lundberg plans to keep it unless experts at the Florida Museum of Natural History deem it scientifically important enough to be donated. By law, he has to report his find at the end of the year, but he believes it’s unlikely that he’ll need to part with his incredible discovery.
Folks, this story is a fantastic reminder of the wonders that await us if we dare to explore. So, whether you’re a seasoned fossil hunter or someone just curious about our planet’s prehistoric past, take a page from Alex Lundberg’s book—get out there and uncover the ancient stories hidden beneath our feet.