A family visiting a beach in the US state of New Jersey made an extraordinary prehistoric discovery when they found a fossilised tooth believed to have belonged to the giant Megalodon shark.
The tooth was discovered on the beach in Sea Isle City while the family was searching for seashells.
According to the family, Mike Brown spotted something between two rocks but could not reach it. He called his son, who eventually pulled the object out from between the rocks.
The fossil was later examined by the New Jersey State Museum, where it was identified as a Megalodon tooth.
Tooth dates back millions of years
Megalodon (Otodus megalodon) was one of the largest predatory sharks known to have existed. Scientists estimate that the species could reach around 15–20 metres in length, although estimates vary depending on the evidence used.
The giant shark lived millions of years ago and is believed to have disappeared from the oceans roughly 3.6 million years ago.
Its enormous teeth are among the most recognisable fossils from the prehistoric oceans.
The tooth discovered in New Jersey is reportedly about the size of a child’s palm and was found in remarkably good condition.
Family allowed to keep fossil
Because the fossil was discovered on a public beach, the family was reportedly allowed to keep it after its identification.
The discovery was particularly surprising for the family, who had been visiting the area for a holiday and were simply collecting seashells when they came across the fossil.
The family said they initially had no idea that the object was millions of years old.
According to experts, several Megalodon teeth have previously been discovered in New Jersey, making the latest find another fascinating reminder of the prehistoric marine life that once inhabited the region.
The discovery also highlights how fossil remains can occasionally surface along coastal areas, offering a glimpse into ecosystems that existed millions of years before humans.
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