Man in Florida Discovers Rare 500,000-Year-Old Mammoth Tusk While Diving One Mile from Shore

A man in Florida made a remarkable discovery while fossil hunting off the beaches of Venice in Sarasota County. Alex Lundberg found a priceless mammoth tusk while diving in 25 feet of water, a rare and unique find in the area.

Fossil hunting is a popular activity in this part of Florida, especially among divers and beachgoers searching for shark teeth. The best spots for hunting fossils are not always where one might expect, with some inland locations producing larger and better specimens than beaches that have been covered by sand due to restoration efforts.

According to reports, this is the first intact mammoth tusk found in the area, with estimates suggesting it could be anywhere from 10,000 to 500,000 years old. Lundberg, who holds a fossil hunting permit required in many parts of Florida, reported the find to the Florida Museum of Natural History as per regulations but is allowed to keep the tusk.

Mammoth tusks are highly valuable and can fetch tens of thousands of dollars on the market. When asked about the tusk’s worth, Lundberg stated that he is more of a collector than a buyer or seller, expressing a desire for the fossil to remain in Sarasota County where it has been for hundreds of thousands of years.

For those interested in learning more about the fossil permit program in Florida, resources are available for further information. Overall, the discovery of the mammoth tusk adds to the rich history and prehistoric treasures hidden beneath the waters and sands of the state.