Fossils of Pleistocene Epoch have been unearthed at a site in Carlasbad where reportedly new houses were being constructed The fossils found include the bones of horses, turtles, mammoth and bison of ice age.
According to Demere, the curator of paleontology at San Diego Natural History Museum, this is a huge moment for the study in geology and paleontology as it is the second ever found in San Diego from 50,000 to 20,000 year old phase.
The fact that these fossils will be substantially helpful in comprehending the climate pattern and trace the ecology of the time period when they were living makes these findings a crucial link to the past.
The plans for new home community were approved for the 60 acres between College Boulevard and El Camino Real where the first fossils were unearthed in July. A paleontologist is present at the site whenever large construction work goes.
According to the CEO of Cornerstone, Ure Kretowicz this finding is a testimony to the fact that even the mass grading operations can be sensitive to the historical and paleontological concerns. In such cases whenever a fossil is discovered, it is cordoned off and paleontologist move in further.
Kretowicz told that the grading is stopped in the area or another area is taken up, the work begins again only when paleontologists are gone.
Though the species of the bison fossil has not been figured out yet but is it’s the most unusual finding and probably the most complete of a large animal. This fossil will be put on a display at the museum. However, its final home has not been decided yet.
The last fossil of a bison ever found in San Diego weighed about two tons and was discovered three years ago.
The fossils found this summer include two Columbian mammoths as well and mammoth tusks were previously found at Oceanside, Fairbank Ranch and Anza Borrego Desert.
Even a look at the site is enough for a paleontologist to know where are fossils most likely to be found, said Demere. According to Demere, the layered sediment enables a paleontologist to do so.
Construction on quarry Creek has to begin by next year and it s a site in low are which is crossed by Buena Vista Creek. However, the paleontologists were still positive of small fossils to turn up in the sediment, as a result, the fossils of an ancient camel were discovered. However, the fossils were a little fragmentary and did not include bison.
These fossils and constant findings show how dynamic our earth can be, said Demere.
