Nokomis, Florida – A Florida man made a remarkable discovery while diving off the coast of Manasota Key, approximately 90 miles south of Tampa. Alex Lundberg, a marine biology enthusiast, came across a prehistoric treasure in the form of an ancient mastodon tusk during a fossil scavenging expedition in April. The exact age of the tusk remains undetermined, but it is believed to be potentially millions of years old.
Having engaged in scuba diving for 12 years and fossil hunting since childhood, Lundberg’s passion for paleontology led him to uncover this rare find. The size and preservation of the tusk set it apart from the more delicate and fragmentary remnants typically found in Florida.
Mastodons, relatives of mammoths that roamed North and Central America until their extinction around 10,500 years ago, left behind a fossil trail spanning from Alaska to Mexico, according to the National Park Service (NPS). Lundberg emphasized that while mastodons coexisted with mammoths and elephants, they were distinct species with mammoths arriving in North America later during the Pleistocene era, which occurred between 2.6 million and 11,700 years ago.
To help aspiring fossil hunters navigate legalities, Lundberg advised obtaining a fossil permit, with Florida offering permits for a nominal fee. As for the fate of the mastodon tusk, Lundberg expressed a willingness to keep it unless it holds significant scientific value warranting donation to the Florida Museum of Natural History.
While researchers from the Florida Museum of Natural History were unavailable for immediate comment, Lundberg’s discovery underscores the ongoing fascination and importance of preserving prehistoric artifacts for scientific study and public education. Lundberg’s rare encounter serves as a testament to the allure and potential discoveries awaiting those who explore the rich fossil history embedded in Florida’s waters.