One of the biggest fossil finds in California history has revealed ancient elephants, camels, and bone-crushing dogs

Aylin WoodwardMay 29, 2021, 17:53 IST

A fossilized mastodon skull and tusk discovered in an area of California east of Oakland.East Bay Municipal Utility District

A ranger patrolling a watershed area east of Oakland, California discovered a trove of hundreds of fossils last summer from nearly a dozen ancient species. The site contains hundreds of petrified trees as well.
It's one of the largest fossil finds in California history, and new fossils are still being unearthed there almost every day.
The discovery include fossils from prehistoric elephants with four tusks, mammoth-like mastodons, tortoises, and camels. The findings have so far all been between 5 and 10 million years old.
The trove's precise location remains a secret to protect the fossils and prevent looting.
The photos below show some of the findings so far.

Ranger Greg Francek was patrolling land in northern California last summer when he spotted a weird looking rock. "I was curious and had a closer look," Francek told Insider.

Ranger Greg Francek discovered a petrified tree that's million of years old in northern California. East Bay Municipal Utility District

Ranger Greg Francek was patrolling land in northern California last summer when he spotted a weird looking rock. "I was curious and had a closer look," Francek told Insider.

It wasn't the first time Shapiro had been asked to look at potential fossils. "We get that call a lot," he told Insider. But when Francek took Shapiro to see the ancient tree, they discovered a stunning trove of animal fossils.

A photo of a mastodon tooth discovered in an area of California east of Oakland. East Bay Municipal Utility District

It wasn't the first time Shapiro had been asked to look at potential fossils. "We get that call a lot," he told Insider. But when Francek took Shapiro to see the ancient tree, they discovered a stunning trove of animal fossils.

In the 10 months since that first discovery, the duo has helped to unearth several hundred fossil specimens from nearly a dozen species. All are between 5 and 10 million years old.

Ancient wildlife that lived during the Miocene epoch, between 23 million and 5.3 million years ago. Mauricio Anton/Science Photo Library

In the 10 months since that first discovery, the duo has helped to unearth several hundred fossil specimens from nearly a dozen species. All are between 5 and 10 million years old.

Francek has discovered fossils of animals like rhinos, tortoises, and tapirs, which still exist, as well as extinct species like mastodons - shaggy, woolly mammoth-like beasts with tusks.

A tapir jawbone discovered in an area of northern California east of Oakland. East Bay Municipal Utility District

Francek has discovered fossils of animals like rhinos, tortoises, and tapirs, which still exist, as well as extinct species like mastodons - shaggy, woolly mammoth-like beasts with tusks.

Francek said it's tough to pick a favorite fossil from the site, especially because he continues to find more whenever he visits.

A shell from an ancient tortoise, discovered in an area of California east of Oakland. East Bay Municipal Utility District

"I guess the creature that has my imagination working overtime is the gomphothere," Francek added, "a four-tusked ancestor to the modern elephant."

An artist's illustration of gomphotheres, early elephants that lived in North America between 12 million and 1.6 million years ago. Shutterstock/Courtesy of East Bay Municipal Utility District

Francek has found fossils from numerous gomphotheres, including an enormous, complete lower jaw and tusks.

Ranger Greg Francek uncovers a gomphothere fossil. East Bay Municipal Utility District

Shapiro said the team has unearthed countless herbivores but very few predator fossils. Ten months into the excavation, he said, "we're just starting to find evidence of carnivores."

A skeleton of a bone-crushing dog, Epicyon haydeni, in the Los Angeles Natural History Museum. Dawn Pedersen/Wikimedia Commons

Shapiro said the team has unearthed countless herbivores but very few predator fossils. Ten months into the excavation, he said, "we're just starting to find evidence of carnivores."

The hundreds of fossilized trees found at the site so far can help scientists understand what happened to California's climate at the end of the Miocene.

A large Blue Oak in a pasture in Mariposa County, California. Wikimedia Commons

Shapiro and Francek think the trove has more to offer. Francek said he's been back to the site almost every day since last summer looking for new finds.

A scientist examines fossilized mastodon tusks found in California. California State University, Chico

Once fully excavated, the fossils get taken to a lab in Chico. Shapiro said the team has finally secured a lab large enough to properly study all the findings. They're working to count them and date the fossils more precisely.

Two scientists chisel away at mastodon tusks discovered in an area of California east of Oakland. Jason Halley/California State University, Chico

Once fully excavated, the fossils get taken to a lab in Chico. Shapiro said the team has finally secured a lab large enough to properly study all the findings. They're working to count them and date the fossils more precisely.

The trove's precise location remains a secret, however, in order to keep the area safe from vandals and looters.

A rough outline of the East Bay Municipal Utility District's area of coverage. Wikimedia Commons

The secrecy is warranted: After Francek's initial discovery, Shapiro recalled the ranger's excitement at the prospect of showing him that first petrified tree. But when they arrived part of it was missing.

A mastodon skull fossilized in ancient rock. California State University, Chico

The secrecy is warranted: After Francek's initial discovery, Shapiro recalled the ranger's excitement at the prospect of showing him that first petrified tree. But when they arrived part of it was missing.

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One of the biggest fossil finds in California history has revealed ancient elephants, camels, and bone-crushing dogs

Ranger Greg Francek was patrolling land in northern California last summer when he spotted a weird looking rock. "I was curious and had a closer look," Francek told Insider.

It wasn't the first time Shapiro had been asked to look at potential fossils. "We get that call a lot," he told Insider. But when Francek took Shapiro to see the ancient tree, they discovered a stunning trove of animal fossils.

In the 10 months since that first discovery, the duo has helped to unearth several hundred fossil specimens from nearly a dozen species. All are between 5 and 10 million years old.

Francek has discovered fossils of animals like rhinos, tortoises, and tapirs, which still exist, as well as extinct species like mastodons - shaggy, woolly mammoth-like beasts with tusks.

Francek said it's tough to pick a favorite fossil from the site, especially because he continues to find more whenever he visits.

"I guess the creature that has my imagination working overtime is the gomphothere," Francek added, "a four-tusked ancestor to the modern elephant."

Francek has found fossils from numerous gomphotheres, including an enormous, complete lower jaw and tusks.

Shapiro said the team has unearthed countless herbivores but very few predator fossils. Ten months into the excavation, he said, "we're just starting to find evidence of carnivores."

The hundreds of fossilized trees found at the site so far can help scientists understand what happened to California's climate at the end of the Miocene.

Shapiro and Francek think the trove has more to offer. Francek said he's been back to the site almost every day since last summer looking for new finds.

Once fully excavated, the fossils get taken to a lab in Chico. Shapiro said the team has finally secured a lab large enough to properly study all the findings. They're working to count them and date the fossils more precisely.

The trove's precise location remains a secret, however, in order to keep the area safe from vandals and looters.

The secrecy is warranted: After Francek's initial discovery, Shapiro recalled the ranger's excitement at the prospect of showing him that first petrified tree. But when they arrived part of it was missing.