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Well-Preserved Pacific Mastodon Tooth Found In San Francisco Bay Area

Geomorphologist Brigid Lynch found the well-preserved Pacific mastodon molar while surveying the creek for a habitat enhancement project supporting the threatened California red-legged frog.

,   and  TIPP Staff
2 min read
Well-preserved tooth from Pacific mastodon found in a creek in San Francisco Bay Area.Pic via(

A fossilized tooth believed to be about 10,000 years old has been discovered in a San Mateo County creek, offering researchers a rare glimpse into California’s prehistoric past.

Geomorphologist Brigid Lynch found the well-preserved Pacific mastodon molar while surveying the creek for a habitat enhancement project supporting the threatened California red-legged frog.

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Pacific mastodons were large herbivores that lived across California and other parts of the western United States during the Pleistocene epoch. They survived for millions of years before becoming extinct roughly 11,700 years ago.

The fossil was donated to Stanford University’s Doerr School of Sustainability, where researchers plan to use carbon dating to determine its precise age and create a 3D scan.

The discovery could help scientists better understand prehistoric biodiversity and environmental conditions. Officials also said the find underscores the importance of protecting open spaces, which can support both endangered species and the preservation of significant geological discoveries.

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