25 Million Year Old Dolphin Fossil Discovered in Charleston
A major paleontological discovery has been made in the city of Charleston, South Carolina. A fossil of a dolphin believed to be at least 25 million years old has been uncovered, invoking intense excitement and interest from the scientific community.
The fossil was discovered by Erin Osborne, a visitor from Columbia. “I’d actually started out a creek, I thought I had more potential and did pretty bad and thought I’d give this a look”, she said, detailing her lucky find. Once she realized the importance of the relic, she contacted the appropriate authorities.
Unearthing the Ancient Dolphin
The Charleston Center of Paleontology and the Palmetto Paleontology group were alerted about the finding and promptly arrived at the site. Their swift response led to them being able to identify the species as a predecessor to the modern whales and dolphins in less than five minutes.
“Their teeth were a little different, their habits were a little different. Their culture might have been slightly different but they are mammals they have always been mammals since the time we’ve evolved”, shared Skye Basak, the founder of Palmetto Paleontology.
The teams worked tirelessly and meticulously for days to ensure the fossil was preserved exactly as it was found. Their hard work showcased their dedication to paleontology and the conservation of vital pieces of history.
Scientific Importance of the Fossil
The fossil found turned out to be an almost complete collection featuring at least 37 vertebrae, 8 ribs, a skull and teeth. This find is extremely significant to the scientific community as it offers an insight into the evolution of whales and dolphins, and offers a snapshot into the world as it existed 25 million years ago.
“The great thing about what we do here is that when you find a specimen and you think it’s an essential scientific find a fossil you don’t know what it is you can just give us a call. We’re here for land conservation for paleontology and come out in cases like this and provide resources for recovery”, explained Dr. Elizabeth Kane, Founder of Charleston Center of Paleontology.
Encouraging the Public To Contribute
The Charleston paleontology encourages anyone who finds what they think may be a fossil to call the center so they can assess and preserve it. This is a great opportunity for the general public to involve themselves in the discovery and preservation of history and contribute to our collective understanding of life on Earth millions of years ago.
