In a startling revelation, a family embarked on the journey of a lifetime within their family’s rural property, unveiling an extraordinary find. This revelation transpired in May when Marty McEwen and his grandson Ethan Beasley were engaged in excavation work at the family-owned business in Texas.
The near-complete and remarkably well-preserved set of fossils was unearthed when Mr. McEwen struck a 6-foot (1.8 meters) tusk with an excavator. Recognizing the significance of their find, the pair promptly contacted paleontologists, who meticulously removed layers of ancient sediment to uncover the millennia-old treasure.
An astonishing discovery has left a family in awe: a 60,000-year-old mammoth skeleton unearthed in a rural locale. The find was made by Wayne McEwen, the owner of the rural property in Ellis County, Texas. Ron Tykoski, a fossil preparer from the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, was also involved in the ongoing process.
Experts believe the mammoth’s relatively small size, standing at about 2.7 meters tall, indicates that it was likely a female. According to Tom Vance, a paleontologist from nearby Navarro University, Texas, the creature’s demeanor was likely that of a result of a fall onto its left side.
Remarkably, parts of the mammoth’s skeletal remains were found to be relatively intact, including the skull, ribs, and lower jaw, although some leg bones were missing. Mr. Vance expressed his excitement about the unique discovery, which he believes holds significant importance for North Central Texas.
The skeleton has been donated to the nearby Perot Museum in Texas, where it will be thoroughly examined.
It is estimated that the skeleton could be between 20,000 and 60,000 years old. The remains will be transported to a permanent home at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas.
The creature’s relatively small size, standing at only about 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall, strongly suggests that it was a prehistoric animal.
“We were very excited to discover the mammoth in our sand pit and realize it was 90 percent complete,” Mr. McEwen said. To protect the precious fossil, the McEwens have chosen not to disclose the exact location of the discovery.
“What is so meaningful is to know that this animal walked through our backyard thousands of years ago,” he added. “It needed to stay in North Texas so it can be enjoyed for a long time to come.”
It appears as if the skull, ribs, and lower jaw have been relatively untouched but bear a few missing leg bones.
Ron Tykowski, the museum’s paleontologist, said: “The McEwens have made a huge contribution to science. This fossil is now part of the public trust, meaning scientists can describe it, study it, publish papers on it, and display it for the public.”
“The McEwens have made a huge contribution to science,” added Ron Tykowski, the museum’s paleontologist. “This fossil is now part of the public trust, meaning scientists can describe it, study it, publish papers on it, and display it for the public.”