In Photos: Stegomastodon Skull Unearthed

Stegomastodon Diggers

(Image credit: Randall Gann/New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science)

A stegomastodon skull discovered near Albuquerque is carefully unearthed by New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science volunteer Warren Slade, New Mexico State Parks archaeologist Robert Stokes, and museum paleontologist Gary Morgan. [Read full story]

Base of the Skull

skull of a stegomastodon discovered in new mexico, — (Image credit: Randall Gann/New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science)

Here the underside of the skull is exposed with its tusks facing toward the ground. [Read full story]

Pearly Whites

In this photo, Morgan brushes away sand to get a closer look at the skull's teeth. [Read full story]

Large Chompers

The bluish coloring of the mastodon teeth at the bottom of the photo is from a coating of enamel. [Read full story]

Prepping Skull for Transport

Here the diggers put a cast over the fossil so they can safely transport it to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. [Read full story]

Flipping Skull Right Side Up

Eventually the excavators get the skull turned right side up and prepare to carefully load it onto a truck. [Read full story]

Kelly Dickerson is a staff writer for Live Science and Space.com. She regularly writes about physics, astronomy and environmental issues, as well as general science topics. Kelly is working on a Master of Arts degree at the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism, and has a Bachelor of Science degree and Bachelor of Arts degree from Berry College. Kelly was a competitive swimmer for 13 years, and dabbles in skimboarding and long-distance running.