Officials and researchers say a fossilized Pacific mastodon tooth is discovered in a California creek bed and is believed to be at least 10,000 years old. The tooth is described as being in excellent condition.
One account says the find happens while a scientist is surveying the creek for frogs, later prompting paleontologists to confirm it belongs to the long-extinct Pacific mastodon. Both sources describe the tooth as extraordinarily well preserved. They also indicate that the next step is scientific analysis to refine its age and other details.
The coverage differs mainly in emphasis: one outlet focuses on the local officials’ description of the fossil’s condition and age estimate, while the other highlights how the discovery occurred during routine fieldwork and notes that it will be examined at Stanford University to determine its more precise age and context.
