News of a rare mastodon fossil find at a gypsum quarry in Cape Breton is creating a lot of buzz and excitement in the scientific community.
Two men were working at the gypsum quarry in Little Narrows, N.S. when they discovered the prehistoric bones last month.
The last significant mastodon find in the province was near Milford 22 years ago, when an excavation team unearthed two examples of the extinct mammal.
Retired curator Bob Grantham spent almost two years of his life leading the excavation team that dug up and preserved the two mastodons found at the gypsum quarry near Milford.
He says the dig was a highlight of his career.
“I can only describe it as if every day was Christmas, New Year’s and my birthday,” says Grantham. “It was amazing in how you didn’t know with every swing of the pick what you were going to uncover.”
The discoveries in Little Narrows and Milford are similar in that they were both made in gypsum quarries, which Grantham says serve as perfect time capsules.
“They collapse, forming a sinkhole, then the sinkholes fill with clay and mud, and become ponds or small lakes, and mastodons walking along, get stuck,” he explains.
Little Narrows residents say they were both surprised and thrilled to learn prehistoric bones had been found in their backyard.
“It was amazing news, and to think that it was out on the back of our property here, to think that there were big creatures crawling around out there years ago, it’s exciting,” says Florence MacInnis.
“What become of the other parts of the skeleton?” asks former quarry worker Sandra Ellis. “If that was there, where did the rest of it go?”
Residents are also wondering whether the discovery might have a positive impact on the community, as it did in Stewiacke.
A large mastodon replica, based on the skeleton of the mastodon that was found at the Milford quarry in 1991, was built in Stewiacke and the discovery helped put the town on the map.
“It worked out for us because it helps people know our spot and it helps us build traffic for our businesses here,” says Billy Hay, who owns Mastodon Ridge. “I think it helps the province because it’s another landmark, it’s another point of interest.”
Experts estimate mastodons roamed the lands of Nova Scotia 10,000 to 80,000 years ago.
“The best part about this find is it tells us that mastodons were really widespread in Nova Scotia,” says Grantham.
Grantham plans to visit the gypsum quarry in Little Narrows to see the site for himself. He hopes more fossils may be found at the quarry.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Amanda Debison
