An avid artifact and fossil collector, Eddie Templeton, recently stumbled upon a remarkable discovery while exploring in Madison County. He came across a portion of an Ice Age-era Columbian mammoth tusk exposed in a steep embankment. Excited about his find, Templeton alerted the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to report his discovery. The MDEQ’s Mississippi State Geological Survey scientists, in collaboration with the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, worked diligently to properly excavate and stabilize the tusk.
Together, Templeton and the team spent an entire day cleaning the tusk to expose the impressive 7-foot-long ivory fossil. Upon examining the tusk, it was suspected, based on its strong curvature, that they were dealing with a Columbian mammoth rather than the more common mastodon. This discovery was significant as it would be the first of its kind for the area, as stated in an MDEQ press release. Further confirmation by Mississippi Museum of Natural Science paleontologists verified that the tusk did indeed belong to a mammoth.
The release shed light on Mississippi’s rich history during the last ice age, highlighting the presence of three Proboscideans: the Mastodon, Gomphothere, and the Columbian mammoth. All three of these animals had ivory tusks, however, mastodons were the most commonly found in Mississippi due to their browsing nature, similar to modern deer, and their ability to adapt to various environments.
Columbian mammoths, on the other hand, were larger than the wooly mammoths found in colder, northern regions of North America. Growing up to 15 feet tall and weighing over 10 tons, these colossal creatures played a vital role in maintaining the prairie ecosystem of Mississippi. The prehistoric prairie ecosystem of Madison County was also home to other extinct species such as horses, giant bison, ground sloths, tortoises, and tapirs.
To learn more about the animal and its environment, scientists created a plaster jacket by covering the fossil with aluminum foil and burlap. It was determined that the mammoth tusk specimen was leaning against an ancient sandbar of a stream before being covered with alluvium, possibly as a result of a major flooding event caused by a storm. The conclusion was reached that the animal likely died nearby and its remains were then carried along the stream’s channel.
Eddie Templeton’s incredible discovery offers a unique glimpse into the world of Columbian mammoths that once roamed Madison County along the Jackson Prairie of central Mississippi. Fox News Digital reached out to the MDEQ and Eddie Templeton for further comment on this exciting find.
Overall, this discovery provides valuable insights into Mississippi’s rich prehistoric past, showcasing the diversity of ancient species that once thrived in the region. Collaborations between avid collectors like Templeton, scientific institutions, and environmental agencies demonstrate the importance of preserving and studying artifacts and fossils to better understand and appreciate our planet’s history.
