In Photos: Stegomastodon Skull Unearthed

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Stegomastodon Diggers

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

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

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

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

Large Chompers

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kelly Dickerson
Kelly Dickerson
Staff Writer
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.