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 On
December 12, 1989, while excavating for a pond on the Burning
Tree Golf Course in Newark, Ohio, the skeletal remains of a
mastodon was discovered. This mastodon was named the "Burning
Tree Mastodon."
Please note: The mastodon was not a dinosaur. Mastodons lived a
long, long time after the dinosaurs were extinct.
The Burning Tree Mastodon represents not only
the most complete skeletal remains of this extinct species, but,
also has become a gold mine of genetic and paleontological
information for scientist.
Noted microbiologist, Dr. J. Gordon Ogden said.
"the specimen represents the cutting edge of a new field of
science research". He referred to this new field as "paleomicrobiology".
During the years since Dr. Ogden made his comments, his
predictions have reached the fringes of reality. The intestines
of the Burning Tree Mastodon have yielded eight, extinct live
bacteria. This bacteria was, at the time of the find, the oldest
living bacteria ever discovered. Ogden said in a telephone
interview, "There's nothing that even approaches the research
potential of this find. There is almost a lifetime of research
in this one animal. In my view this is one of the most important
finds that has been made - ever."
For example:
Evidence indicates the "Burning Tree Mastodon" was slain by
humans before humans were thought to inhabit the area. Flint
markings on the Mastodon's ribs shows not only did humans exist
but were sophisticated enough to bring down a 10,000 pound
beast. This link would help support the overkill hypothesis
championed by Paul Martin, suggesting large mammals became
extinct at the hands of humans by contrast with natural events.
He stated, "Large mammals disappeared not because they lost
their food supply, but because they became one.
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Dino Discovery