Fossils of 45-million-year-old mammal unearthed at California building site
Construction workers in Oceanside, Southern California, discovered fossil bones approximately 45 million years old whilst excavating a construction site on 31 August. The discovery is significant as it provides a rare glimpse into prehistoric North American mammals and reflects the region's important palaeontological heritage.
Palaeontologist Joseph El Adli believes the bones belong to either a Brontotheriidae (known as a 'thunder beast') or an amynodon (a 'swamp rhino'), both odd-toed hoofed mammals from the Uintan age. Workers found limbs, ribs and fragments buried 12 feet underground in hard mudstone, requiring a 10-day extraction process. The remains have been transported to a facility in Carlsbad for further study and preservation, where they will eventually be displayed in a museum collection.
- Construction workers found 45-million-year-old fossil bones in Southern California
- Bones thought to belong to 'thunder beast' or 'swamp rhino'
- Remains now in Carlsbad facility for study and museum display
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Construction workers uncovered ancient fossil bones whilst excavating a building site in southern California. These remains, roughly 45 million years old, allow scientists to study what large mammals existed in North America during prehistoric times.
The bones, including limbs and ribs, were discovered buried deep underground in hardened rock. Experts believe they belonged to either a "thunder beast" or "swamp rhino" – both now-extinct hoofed animals from that ancient period.
Southern California has a rich history of fossil discoveries that help scientists understand how North American wildlife and landscapes have changed over millions of years. The bones have been transported for expert study and will eventually be displayed in a museum, where they can educate the public about prehistoric life.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Is it a ‘thunder beast’ or a ‘swamp rhino’? Workers make incredible discovery as they find remains of mysterious prehistoric creature at California construction site”.