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Summary Chilean archaeologists showed off the first complete mastodon skull ever discovered in the country.
Chilean archaeologists showed off the first complete mastodon skull ever discovered in Chile after construction workers digging part of a water plant unearthed the extinct tusked mammals tooth last month.As the workers dug a pit as part of a project to build a water plant in Padre Hurtado outside the capital, they were surprised to come across a 16 cm (6.3 inch) incisor in the dust and dirt. The project was suspended following the discovery as archaeologists and specialists from the Ecology and Environmental division of Chiles investigative police were called in to examine the tooth.Experts were amazed when they dug deeper in the 6 meter (19.7 foot) pit and discovered more bone. The incisor belonged to a mastodon which roamed the area between the large window of two million and 10,000 years ago. Specialists said once they identify the exact species they will be able to more precisely date the significant find.As they continued revealing the bone they soon discovered it was a nearly complete mastodon skull in almost perfect condition.Archeologist Pablo Masilla said the find was important because of the condition of the skull and the position the pieces were in, including the jaw, complete with molars and canines, and the beasts massive and characteristic tusks.Masilla and other specialists plan to study the fossilized bones to determine the animals precise species and how old it is. They hope the breakthrough find will lead to more discoveries and a better understanding of the enormous creature.
