Off the coast of Florida, a remarkable discovery has left a man astounded and the scientific community intrigued.
While diving near Venice Beach, Alex Lundberg stumbled upon the remains of a prehistoric creature that could potentially be 10 million years old.
This astonishing find has sparked excitement and curiosity about the ancient history of the region.
During their underwater exploration, Lundberg uncovered a four-foot mastodon tusk buried 25 feet beneath the surface.
Mastodons, distant relatives of the woolly mammoth, roamed the Earth millions of years ago, and this particular tusk is believed to have belonged to one that lived about 10 million years ago.
Lundberg's discovery is considered exceptionally rare since the area is typically known for yielding only prehistoric shark teeth and fragmented mammoth tusks.
To confirm the significance of his find, Lundberg reached out to experts at Bradenton's Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.
They carefully examined the tusk and verified its authenticity, acknowledging its rarity.
Lundberg will now need to report his discovery to the Florida Museum of Natural History, where it will undergo further evaluation to determine its scientific value.
Lundberg expressed his surprise that it remained whole as he pulled it from the ocean floor.
Typically, mastodon tusks found in the area are only a few inches in length and have sold for modest prices. However, given the size and preservation of Lundberg's tusk, he speculates that its value could be around $5,000.
After spending five years searching for fossils in the Venice Beach region, Lundberg expressed his astonishment at the find, describing it as a surreal and unbelievable moment.
The region is renowned for its abundance of fossilized shark teeth, estimated to be approximately 10 million years old.
Based on other fossils recovered from the area, Lundberg estimates the age of the tusk to be between 10,000 and 500,000 years old.
Their fossils are commonly found in specific states such as Indiana, Colorado, California, and New York. Therefore, the appearance of such a well-preserved mastodon tusk in Florida is highly unusual.
Only a limited number of full mastodon skeletons have been discovered in the state, making Lundberg's find even more remarkable.
The shifting sands and changing coastline over millions of years likely contributed to the tusk's long-hidden presence.
Lundberg considers himself fortunate to have uncovered this hidden treasure, referring to it as a "diamond in the rough."
While he will need to share his findings with the Florida Museum of Natural History, Lundberg remains hopeful that the tusk can remain in his family as a cherished relic from the ancient past.
