A Cambridgeshire quarry has been the site of a remarkable find after palaeontologists uncovered an intact tusk from a Steppe mammoth in a routine search.
The tusk is understood to be around 400,000 years old with the Steppe mammoth generally thought to be the second largest mammoth to ever exist.
The exciting discovery was found by Fossil’s Galore James Jordan and colleague Sarah Moore. after entering the quarry, the pair realised the tusk was sticking out like a “sore thumb” according to reports.
The quarry is located 144 kilometres north of London and is a regular site for Jordan and Moore to take group tours to learn about fossils found within the quarry site.
There is a sizeable task ahead for the pair with the four-foot-long tusk set to undergo a six-month preservation process using metal clips and preservation liquid to ensure it can be maintained in condition.
“We will be doing it on full display to the public. So anyone that comes down to the museum will actually be able to see behind the scenes and see how we do it,” Moore told EuroNews Central.
The tusk is believed to have several marks on it from predators which could reveal further insights into the time period of the mammoth.
“You can learn a lot about the animal by looking at the rings of the tusk—like looking at a tree trunk,” Jordan told the Good News Network.
“If the rings are tight, then it shows the habitat was not good, and the food supply was poor. But if the rings are thick, then it shows it had a good habitat.”
The tusk will be showcased at the Fossil Galore museum which Jordan started over a decade ago at 18 years old.
“It’s very significant. We’ve had a tusk from there before, but not as complete as that and not as well preserved either,” Jordan told EuroNews Central.