Florida Diver Discovers Ancient Mastodon Tusk While Fossil Hunting Off Coast

A Florida man recently found a prehistoric jackpot while diving off the Sunshine States coast.

Lundberg, who studied marine biology at the University of South Florida, found an ancient mastodon tusk while scavenging for fossils off Manasota Key, which is around 90 miles south of Tampa. He discovered the relic back in April. The mastodon tusk, which could be millions of years old, is a rare and well-preserved find.

American Mastodons, which went extinct around 10,500 years ago, have been discovered across North America and Central America. Despite common misconceptions, mastodons are not the same species as mammoths, although they share a common ancestor with mammoths and elephants.

The Pleistocene epoch, spanning from 2.6 million years ago to 11,700 years ago, was the period during which these ancient creatures roamed the Earth. Lundberg recommends getting a fossil permit for those interested in fossil hunting in Florida, as permits are affordable and necessary.

As an experienced scuba diver and fossil hunter, Lundberg plans on keeping the mastodon tusk unless it is deemed scientifically important enough to donate to the Florida Museum of Natural History.