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Hey there! I know I know, I've been missing in action for the past few months. Work and Field work kept me busy. But I've now am taking the time to update my blog, and sharing some of my recent adventures. This one is not so much of a fossil hunting trip, but of discovery on fossil history in New Brunswick. A few weekends ago I went for a day trip to Saint John to meet up with my friend Matt at the New Brunswick Museum's Steinhammer Lab. He's currently doing a stint at the research facility and I couldn't resist, desperately wanting to tour this historic place. This building was the original New Brunswick Museum until it needed more space to accommodate a growing collection. In the 1990s, the exhibition displays found a new home downtown (Market Street area), but most of its collection (closed to the public) was kept at the original building on Douglas Avenue. This museum is considered Canada's oldest, housing collections dating back to its first proprietor, Abraham Gesner. The influence of the Steinhammer Club, comprised of geologists from the area and abroad, was pivotal in the history of Geology across the globe. They founded the Natural History Society of New Brunswick, and from there the contributions to science have been crucial to the advancement of several fields. I had also wanted to meet up again with Dr. Randall Miller, curator of the collections and museum, but he was currently out of town. I arrived at the old museum in one piece after dodging a hellish traffic and weird road designs. Beautiful city, crappy roads. Matt making sure Steve is hard at work I got to the museum and after talking to the wonderful staff, I met up with Matt and one other friend, Steve. Steve is an amazing fella and will keep you on your toes. They were in the middle of taking specimens collected in recent field work (a couple that I've participated in) and offered to lend a hand. We unloaded the material to the lab, and headed out for a bite to eat. After parting ways with Steve as he headed back to Fredericton, we proceeded in taking a tour of the Steinhammer Palaeontology Lab. I didn't take any pictures as Randy wasn't around and didn't want to take any just in case he didn't approve. Going through the collection, I've seen some incredible representations of various paleobiological and paleobotanical specimens, including many type specimens. Trilobites, which a cast of one of the biggest I've ever seen barely fit in the collection cabinet. Eurypterids, or sea scorpions, that could give you nightmares, were the size of your average family dog. Fish, bones, and even the remains of a wooly mammoth (Mastodon) graced the collection. This animal was collected from the Hillsborough area, near where I live. The tusks were incredible to behold. Walking through the halls, it was easy to get lost amidst the many artifacts laying around, beckoning, hungry for your attention. Even going to the washrooms you have to pass a wall of jars, each filled with animals living, and extinct. One doesn't linger too long in the bathroom let me tell ya. Also among the specimens at the lab were the many trackways that we collected, waiting to be analyzed and studied. Seeing specimens that you helped bring up in the light of day and residing in this place was quite a special feeling. As the day winded down, me and Matt chatted about the importance of keeping collections together, and the crucial role that these play. Every effort must be made to help save these as they help us understand our past and help dictate a future most rich. Our friend Margaret arrived near the end of my stay. As we said our goodbyes, I felt that it was imperative that I participate in the discovery and safekeeping of fossils, and to contribute in the advancement in the fields surrounding those of paleontology and biology. That is why I love geology, as it makes me have an intimate rapport with science, to which I love and am passionate to no end. To understand and comprehend, wonder even for what nature has left in our path, often hidden, for us to uncover and rediscover. Cheers! - Keenan Saint John River, view from behind the museum

Hello to all from Floridafossils! I am a Geology and Environmental science student at the University of South Florida. Not to be cliche, but I have always had a strong interest in earth history and fossils. My parent's old yard still shows scars from where I, "dug up dinosaur bones" in my own little world. Today my collection consists of fossils from Mammoth, Mastodon, Megalodon, Giant ground sloth, whales, horses etc. I spend most of my free days, in the river and have seen some of the most beautiful places this state has to offer. Anyone who enjoys this passion as much as me, is a friend of mine. I look forward to connecting to everyone on this page. I am sure it will be a fun ride. Sincerely, Floridafossils

Hello, I need a little help identifying these Gomphothere teeth. The first one is Miocene age, from Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am not sure where the second one is from. Thanks in advance! Sincerely, Jay

Hi forum, I recently acquired what is supposedly a tusk from a gomphothere collected in Bosnia. It does look to be same shape and relatively the same size as other tusks I've seen, but you be the judge. I've never seen a gomphothere tusk available anywhere before this one. Are they uncommon to find? Thanks! Lauren

This was pulled from the Peace River (FL) several years ago. My science teacher (gradeschool) at the time told me it was likely a chunk of a mammoth or mastodon tooth. I never had a reason to question it, nor was it really valueable based on size or condition but I thought it was cool. I've got some guys at work questioning the validity of the claim, so I'm looking for a second opinion of someone who actually knows what theyre talking about (I don't). I know these types of finds are pretty common in the Peace river along with Shark teeth and a host of other less exciting finds. Any info/tips/ID's anyone can provide I would appreciate a lot! The piece is very light, and smooth on one side. Not sure if that helps. It was sifted from gravel/sand. Thanks for the help!

When I spotted this there was only about a 2 inch diameter piece exposed through the ground. I started digging and finally pulled out the camera to take some in situ shots. Based on size I will guess proboscidean limb bone. It's a little beat up, but maybe someone can tell me which bone this is. It measures 16 inches long. The head is 5 x 7 inches.

My great uncle found these when he lived in Alaska 70 years ago - should they be donated? to whom? sold? what research value if any would they have. One is quite large.

I'd like the forum's opinion on this piece, of which I have very little information: It is a tusk of some sort, broken at one end and perhaps the root end at the other? It appears to be a piece of petrified wood at first glance, especially the side with the long crack down it. However it is much lighter than petrified wood, and the broken end shows the signature hollow center. Pics are below, the grid on which the specimen is on are 1"x1", for size comparison. This came from a craigslist purchase of all things. It was part of a large lot (about 100 pieces) that this lady had in storage, many fish fossils and other things I still need to identify, these belonged to her father who I took was deceased and was selling everything at a steal as she needed to clean the storage unit out and didn't want to haul 'rocks' around. I believe that this is Mammoth or Mastodon as in addition to this tusk there was a partial Mastodon tooth and a large, broken Mammoth tooth- I will post about the fix for that later- in this collection I purchased. Due to the above I know nothing about where this came from or how old it is. It has the large crack on the one side but it doesn't go all the way through, there might be a coating or shellac on the piece, I can't tell. Any thoughts or feedback is appreciated. I'll answer any questions to the best of my ability, and appreciate any feedback!

Hello! I am a "newbie" to this forum.,however, yesterday I posted my first finds from Big Brook for Identification and I was incredibly impressed and humbled by the amazing responses. While I know that a number of forums (especially for folks in NJ) involve fauna deriving from the Triassic, Cretaceous, and maybe even the Eocene and Miocene..however, I want to avert the attention to the Pleistocene. What is there not to love about Ice age mammals? They were so strange and yet so familiar..and towards the end of their days (at least in North America) people actually encountered these critters! Out of all of the extinct giants of the past..we can say with certainty that humans (in North America) either hunted or scavenged large beasts such as mammoths (14 mammoth "kill sites"), mastodons (one very convincing site), extinct bison (numerous sites), giant camels (there are a few) and giant sloths (ditto). Additionally, while there is no solid evidence of large (and extinct) carnivores being present at early North American Archaeological sites (which makes sense on so many levels..but I wont get into it)..it seems incredibly probable that humans at one point or another encountered two types of sabertooth cats (Homotherium and Smilodon), one..or maybe two extinct wolves (including the Dire Wolf), a lanky and probably carnivorous bear (Short Faced Bear) as well as a lion that just so happened to be the biggest cat that has ever lived (American Lion). Having lived and worked in the African bush on several occasions..I can appreciate that. So, apologies for the rant..However, I want to divert the attention to searching for the remains of these animals in NJ, NY, and eastern PA. This is especially true for the east coasts "Ice age poster child"..the American Mastodon. What is there not to love about a bizarre and hairy proboscidean?! I know that the remains of these critters are rare..and that finding them is often a result of chance encounters..often with heavy machinery. Moreover, I do not want to support the notion that one should be searching for the remains of mastodons (and other ice age mammals) in situ. I am a Taphonomist, and like many of you, I endorse doing some proper science on the remains of these enigmatic creatures. However, There are areas where fossil hunting is legal..and the remains that do wash out are often out of context and are therefore not very important for proving insight (such as Big Brook). I was born and raised in NJ..however, I have had the amazing opportunity to work at very important sites in East and Southern Africa. As stated, I specialize in the Plio-Pleistocene..and I had always been fascinated (since I was a boy) on the elephant (relatives) that used to live in my neck of the woods. Here are a few questions that I hope the community can answer: I have been curious about this prospect for years and I am looking forward to any encouraging and insightful responses: 1. Have you found mastodon bone or teeth (including cusps) in NJ/NY/Southern PA? 2. if so..how often? 3. Are there any (legal) localities that you are aware of that I should look into in NJ where mastodons can be found (I am not talking about the middle of the ocean!..more like big brook) 4. What do individual mastodon cusps even look like?! This is especially true for stream and brook areas where teeth can become rounded. 5. If you have found cusps..can you post a picture on this specific post so I can gain some insight on what to look for. Once again, thank you so much for your time!