In an astounding archaeological find, excavators have unearthed ancient artifacts estimated to be about 40 million years old inside a California gold mine.
The ancient relics, which include bones, shells, and combs, were found buried deep beneath the gold mine in layers of ancient sediment dating back 40 million years ago to the Eocene epoch.
According to scientists, the mere existence of these artifacts indicates that the land that is now California was once ocean floor. They also provide precious clues into the natural world and organisms that lived 40 million years ago.
This remarkable discovery is considered one of the most important archaeological finds in North America in recent decades. Archaeologists are hopeful that further artifacts from prehistoric eras may be found in this region moving forward.
The ancient tools provide a glimpse into California’s landscape in a period long before humans, revealing insights about the continent’s geological transformations over eons. Further study of the relics will continue unlocking secrets of the past.
