Latest news with #prehistoric
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Woman unearths massive tooth from terrifying prehistoric creature on US beach
A Florida woman's beach walk turned into a viral sensation after she unearthed a massive prehistoric tooth, likely from a giant shark that ruled Earth's oceans millions of years ago. The discovery has sparked a wave of excitement among fossil hunters and shark enthusiasts, as the perfectly preserved tooth likely belonged to one of the most fearsome sea creatures in Earth's history - the Megalodon. Nichole Mercuri, 26, was walking solo along the west coast of Florida when she spotted an enormous triangle-shaped object buried in the sand earlier this summer. She filmed the jaw-dropping moment when she pulled the tooth from the sand and posted it on her social media, where her video has racked up more than 929,000 likes, turning her fossil find into an online celebration. Mercuri said in a video shared on Instagram: 'There is no way, I just found, please be whole, oh my God!' A recent study published by the Florida Museum of Natural History confirmed that Megalodon teeth can range up to seven inches and were shaped like serrated knives. Experts say Megalodon teeth this size are extremely rare, especially when found intact. The extinct predator, which lived between 23 million and 3.6 million years ago, could grow as long as 60 feet and had a bite force strong enough to crush a car. Mercuri's discovery has reignited public fascination with prehistoric sea life, especially a creature that may have once hunted whales and rival sharks, and sparked debate over how many undiscovered fossils may still be buried in the sands of Florida. The ancient tooth can be identified by its jagged edges, sharp triangular shape, and the deep gray or black color that fossilized material takes on after millions of years underground. 'It had that classic triangular form and serrated edges,' Mercuri told 'I've seen other people in person pull out Meg teeth in Florida before, so I knew what I was looking at.' Unlike bones, teeth made of hard enamel survive the test of time, making them the most common fossils left behind by the Megalodon, a predator so massive it had a jaw wide enough to swallow a human whole. The Florida Museum says these fossils usually surface after storms, dredging, or erosion dislodged from ancient sea beds and buried beneath modern beaches. Mercuri did not reveal the exact beach where she found the tooth, only saying it was on Florida's west coast. However, Mercuri added there is no special trick to finding something so rare. 'You can find teeth and fossils at certain beaches in Florida, Peace River, and inland,' she explained. 'There's honestly no secret, just a lot of time spent searching, learning from past finds, and keeping an open mind,' she continued. 'Sometimes it's more about knowing where not to look. And occasionally, luck plays a part too,' the fossil hunter added. Mercuri has collected more than 100 shark teeth over the years, and recently began targeting spots with the right geological conditions where prehistoric sediment is more likely to surface. 'Since last year I started going to certain places, and that's when I started finding bigger teeth,' she said. Her room is now lined with shelves packed with shark teeth, shells, and fossils, a visual timeline of her passion, which began when she was a child walking the beach with her father. Mercuri's favorite piece is still the first whole Megalodon tooth she found in 2024. Her latest discovery was the second from this species. 'It's a baby Megalodon and definitely not as big as the other ones I have found, but it will always be my favorite,' she said. Though she's not a trained paleontologist, Mercuri said she has spent years studying fossils through online groups and community forums. Mercuri joined Facebook groups where collectors swap tips on where to search and how to tell real fossils from broken shells or rocks. 'If someone wants to get into this, I always tell them to join a Facebook group,' she said. 'There are places in Florida you can find fossils or cool shells, you just have to go for it.' She encouraged beginners not to wait for a guide, just to start looking. 'You've got to do it yourself. That way you can find what you're looking for,' Mercuri said Wednesday. Megalodon teeth have been found around the world, but Florida is one of the top places in the US to spot them, thanks to its shifting ocean floor and storm-prone coastline. With over 250 teeth in rows like giant steak knives, the Megalodon ripped through prey with ease, making it one of the deadliest predators to ever swim in the ocean. The Florida Museum noted that areas like Venice Beach and Peace River are well-known among collectors, though some of the best finds still come from random walks on quiet beaches. Mercuri said what keeps her going is the thrill of the unexpected, and the rush of touching something that hasn't seen daylight for millions of years. 'Finding these pieces of history just lying in the sand is wild,' she said. 'It's like holding time in your hand.' 'Every time I go out, I just hope I'll find something special. And this one? It blew my mind.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Paleontologists Discover Prehistoric ‘Dance Floor' Where Dinosaurs Courted Mates
Dinosaurs may have ruled the prehistoric world with their size and strength, but apparently, they also had moves. A team of researchers in Colorado has uncovered one of the largest known dinosaur 'dance arenas,' an ancient mating ground where male theropods likely performed ritualistic displays to attract females. Using high-resolution drone photography and 3D modeling at Dinosaur Ridge near Denver, the team identified dozens of clustered scrape marks in the sandstone — a prehistoric 'dance floor' etched into the earth more than 100 million years ago. The site builds on previous discoveries of similar scrape marks called leks, where male animals gather to compete for female attention. But this newly analyzed area suggests a massive congregation, with markings that scientists believe show not just nest displays but physical courtship performances. 'These trace fossils, we interpret them to be evidence of dinosaur courtship activities,' study co-author Caldwell Buntin of Old Dominion University told ABC News. 'They likely built display nests and performed some kind of dance or scraping activity to impress mates, which are behaviors we still see in modern birds like plovers.' The scrape marks belong to theropod dinosaurs, a group that includes raptors and the infamous T. rex. Based on the impressions, these dinosaurs stood around three to four feet at the hip and stretched up to 16 feet long. The patterns vary from shallow toe marks to deep bowl-shaped scrapes—even circular patterns hinting at dance-like movements. The discovery, published in the latest research from Dinosaur Ridge, pushes our understanding of dinosaur behavior beyond hunting and migration. It also suggests that some mating rituals date back tens of millions of years and could be part of a deep evolutionary connection between dinosaurs and modern birds. Perhaps best of all, the site is open to the public, meaning visitors can stand right where these ancient creatures showed off their best moves. 'It's rare to find evidence of behavior, not just bones or tracks,' said co-author Neffra Matthews. 'And it's even rarer to find a site like this that people can actually go see for themselves.' Turns out, dinosaurs weren't just prehistoric predators. They may have been prehistoric showmen, Discover Prehistoric 'Dance Floor' Where Dinosaurs Courted Mates first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 21, 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Woman finds massive tooth from this prehistoric creature on a Florida beach
A woman discovered a rare shark tooth in Florida, offering a glimpse into prehistoric times. Nicole Mercuri, 26, was walking along a Florida beach when she spotted a giant tooth that once belonged to a Megalodon, a massive prehistoric shark that roamed the ocean millions of years ago. She was absolutely "ecstatic" about the rare find. "There is no way I just found this," Mercuri said in a video she posted to Instagram. Mercuri, who lives on the west coast of Florida, immediately pulled out her phone and began recording herself when she spotted the tooth and dug it out of the sand. "I was like so shocked and I just freaked out over it," Mercuri told USA TODAY. "I was just like 'Oh my God, Oh my God!'" The tooth is 3 inches wide and nearly 5 inches long. While Mercuri did find the tooth in Florida, she did not specify which beach it was found on. Second Megalodon tooth discovery Mercuri found her first Megalodon tooth in 2024, but couldn't record her reaction because she didn't have her phone with her. "It's in the glass case right now," she said. "I still have it with the other one that I found recently." Mercuri has been hunting for shark teeth for six years. She started off looking for teeth, and then became interested in hunting for shells as well. "I go to the beach a lot, do a lot of shark tooth hunting in the area, shell hunting," said Mercuri. "I have a lot of fun with that, so that's kind of like my main hobby that I do around in this area." Her room now looks like the beach because of how many shells she's found, she said. What were Megalodons? How big were they? The oldest Megalodon fossils date back to 23 million years ago, according to the Museum of Natural History. The prehistoric shark ruled the seas before it went extinct around 3.6 million years ago. The sharks don't have skeletons similar to those of other prehistoric creatures, such as a T. rex. Since its "bones" were made of cartilage, its body couldn't preserve itself as well as its teeth. And, while rare, those teeth are massive. The extinct predator could have been 50 to 60 feet long, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. And, just like its body, its teeth were massive, too. The shark's teeth, which look like serrated knives shaped like triangles, can be up to 7 inches long, according to the museum. More discoveries: Archeologists find 1880 shipwreck while searching for a different one Advice for beginner fossil hunters Mercuri advises anyone who wants to start hunting for shark teeth and fossils to begin by joining a Facebook group for fossil hunters. "Talk to people about maybe they can give you like advice for it," Mercuri said. "You know there are beaches, there are places in Florida you can find fossils or any cool shells. You just got to trust in yourself." Fossil hunters should also plan to travel on their own. They can't just wait for the opportunity to come. "You've got to do it yourself. That way you can find what you're looking for." The shark tooth hunter also recommends that people not reveal the locations where they found their fossils. Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rare Megalodon tooth is found by woman on Florida beach Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
India's ancient and mysterious 'dwarf' chambers
Nearly 1,000 Tolkien-esque megalithic chambers dot southern India's"Hill of the Dwarfs", and locals believe they were created by a supernatural race of "small people". At first glance, Hire Benkal might be mistaken for any other village nestled in Karnataka's lush interior. Surrounded by rocky hillocks, mango groves, small brick kilns and fields fed by a nearby canal, it exudes a languid, laid-back charm characteristic of rural South India. However, a 90-minute hike up one of the ridges flanking the village brought me to Moryar Gudda, or the "Hill of the Dwarfs", as its name means in the local Kannada language. Here, scattered across a granite-strewn plateau were nearly 1,000 prehistoric megalithic structures that have stood for more than 2,500 years. It's a startling sight: nearly as far as the eye can see, rows of giant stone chambers resembling houses and stone circles stretch across the landscape, forming one of the oldest and largest necropolises in India. The trek felt like stepping into a Tolkien tale. Massive boulders teetered precariously on top of one another, creating natural sculptures that seemed on the verge of tipping over at any moment but have somehow stood firm for millennia. Some formations housed rock shelters with red ochre paintings dating from 700-500 BCE, many still vivid with scenes of creatures resembling cattle and boar whose meanings have long been lost to time. Historians believe the formations were created as an ancient burial or commemorative site. However, its exact purpose remains a mystery. Stonehenge may be the world's most famous megalithic monument, but tens of thousands of other such sites are scattered across the planet. While Europe counts more than 35,000 of these prehistoric constructions, only 3,000 or so have been documented in India. But by coming face to face with Hire Benkal's ancient, enigmatic structures and the painted scenes of battle axe-wielding horseback riders, spear-clutching hunters, and deified deer, peacocks and other animals, adventurous travellers can get a sense of how early Indian societies lived, worshipped and were laid to rest. The Hire Benkal archaeological site spans roughly 20 hectares, with an east-west orientation that suggests ceremonial or astronomical significance. Dominating the landscape are giant rectangular megalithic tombs with large capstones and side walls, known as dolmen. Many of the larger dolmen are clustered around a wide, shallow water basin at the top of the hill. Experts believe this basin likely began as a natural rock pool and may have been expanded over time as ancient Indians quarried to construct additional megaliths. That morning, white and pink water lilies floated in bloom across the small pond, evoking the delicate beauty of a Monet painting. "It must have been a very important site for several centuries because it cannot have all been done in one time," said Srikumar Menon, an architect and associate professor at the National Institute of Advanced Sciences who has studied Hire Benkal and many other megaliths around the country. According to local lore, the site's dolmen weren't built by humans, but by an extinct species of dwarfs known as the "moriyars". These supernatural beings were said to possess immense strength and engineering prowess. As Chandrashekar Anegundi, a local naturalist who led our trek, explained: perfectly cut circular portholes on some of the dolmen have led nearby villagers to believe these legends, as the shapes are so precise that they're thought to be too sophisticated for early sculptors. "The villagers here believe moriyars were very short people and they were wiped out in a rain of fire," said Anegundi, who remains sceptical. "If they were so small, how could they have lifted these big stones?" During his research, Menon encountered similar legends referring to an ancient race of "small people" who allegedly constructed megalithic sites across southern India, such as at Moribetta and Morikallu nearby in Karnataka, Sanna Moriyara Thatte in Telanganaand Moral Parai in Tamil Nadu. He speculates that such folklore could be a far-reaching cultural memory of ancient Indians recalling an extinct human-like species, akin to Homo floresiensis, the so-called "hobbit" species discovered in Indonesia who likely lived alongside Homo sapiens 60,000 to 100,000 years ago."We know the megalith builders were humans like us," Menon said. "But stories of these little people persist across the region." Despite its archaeological importance and historical intrigue, Hire Benkal remains largely unknown beyond southern India and overshadowed by the nearby Unesco World Heritage-listed temples and monuments of Hampi. The erstwhile medieval capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, located just 42km south of the megalithic site and renowned for its stunning ruins and grand temples, attracts thousands of tourists and devotees annually. Meanwhile, local guides report that only about 20 to 30 intrepid travellers venture to Hire Benkal some months, with a peak of roughly 100 arriving during the cooler tourist season from October to February. By comparison, Stonehenge's 83 standing stones lure more than one million visitors annually. "This place has never been promoted, not even among people in nearby cities like Bengaluru," says Disha Ahluwalia, an archaeologist and research scholar at MSU Baroda. "And yet, it deserves so much more attention… A lot of effort has been made by ancient humans to build them; we need to make double the effort to preserve them. And first we need to document them." As for the legend of the moriyas, Ahluwalia said the discovery of the site by British colonial officers in 1835 and their dismissive attitude towards ancient and rural Indian communities' technological prowess likely also fed into this myth. "The officers were going to these sites without even knowing the culture. Even if the megaliths were discovered, they were not very well known. They were simply [seen as] stone slabs," she said. In recent years, some of Hire Benkal's megalithic structures have fallen victim to vandalism, cattle herders and treasure hunters who dig beneath the dolmen in search of rumoured riches. The overgrowth of plants, the ravages of time and the lack of preservation have also taken a toll on the ancient burial grounds. "It's a fragile site… people often vandalise what they don't understand," said Meera Iyer, convener at the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage Bengaluru, which has been actively working to include Hire Benkal as a Unesco World Heritage site. A successful nomination could provide international recognition, government funding and improved conservation measures. Local communities could also benefit from more visibility and like this:• What did Stonehenge sound like?• India's ancient engineering marvel• Spain's mysterious underwater 'Stonehenge' "But tourism is a double-edged sword," Iyer warned, noting that too much of it without appropriate protection could cause the site to fall into further decay. "What's needed is interpretation, education and better regulation." While Hire Benkal's future remains unclear, one thing is certain: it's a hauntingly beautiful site. As rain clouds gathered over the Deccan plateau, the land seemed to have burst with life. On the walk up, shy songbirds flitted through the bushes. Peacocks were in full regalia, their iridescent tails fanned wide as monsoon heralded mating season. Rock agamas basked lazily on sun-warmed granite, while herds of goats meandered through the underbrush. Anegundi pointed out golden amaltas trees blooming between craggy outcrops. "It's a paradise, for birds and for us," he said, collecting a few seed pods from the trees. At Hire Benkal, the natural and the supernatural blend together. Standing at the summit, dolmen stretched out in orderly rows across the rocky ridge, boxes of stone holding the secrets of a forgotten people. While we may never know exactly why our ancestors constructed these chambers, it is clear that this place mattered deeply to those who once lived here. For now, it remains one of India's most intriguing open-air secrets – a prehistoric monument hiding in plain sight. -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Independent
7 days ago
- Science
- The Independent
Archaeologists find evidence of Europe's oldest lake settlement
Archaeologists are convinced they have uncovered the oldest human settlement built on a European lake. The team from Switzerland and Albania, who are working on the shores of Ohrid Lake, believe they have found of an organised hunting and farming community living up to 8,000 years ago. Spending hours each day about three metres (9.8 feet) underwater, the team is painstakingly retrieving wooden stilts that supported houses, as well as collecting bones of domesticated and wild animals, copper objects and ceramics, featuring detailed carvings. Albert Hafner, from the University of Bern, said similar settlements have been found in Alpine and Mediterranean regions, but the settlements in the village of Lin are half a millennium older, dating back between 6,000 and 8,000 years. "Because it is underwater, the organic material is well-preserved, and this allows us to find out what these people have been eating, what they have been planting," Hafner said. Multiple studies show that Lake Ohrid, shared by North Macedonia and Albania, is the oldest lake in Europe, at over one million years. The age of the findings is determined through radiocarbon dating and dendrochronology, which measures annual growth rings in trees. More than one thousand wood samples have been collected from the site, which may have hosted several hundred people. It is believed to cover around six hectares, but so far, only about 1 per cent has been excavated after six years of work. Hafner said findings show that people who lived on the lake helped to spread agriculture and livestock to other parts of Europe. "They were still doing hunting and collecting things, but the stable income for nutrition was coming from agriculture," he said. Albanian archaeologist Adrian Anastasi said it could take decades to fully explore the area. "(By) the way they had lived, eaten, hunted, fished, and by the way the architecture was used to build their settlement, we can say they were very smart for that time," Anastasi said.
