Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-02-18
NEW VOL. 39.---NO. 13.
A Mammoth Tooth.

Three miles south ofLske Erie, near
Amboy, Ohio, is gravel pit which
from time to time has proved rich in
relics of the glacial period and of the
mammalian age, despite the fact that
relics of mammoths are not as rule
found below the fortieth parallel.
This pit is in the midst Of what was a
few years ago gravel bed of 55 acres,
but which is now being exhausted by
railroads depending upon it for bal
last supplies. Prior to the upheavals
Of the early period, which caused the
lay of the land to change and the wa
ter to recede, this gravel bed was un-
doubtedly a swamp near the lake
banks, while the present site of such
lake cities as Ashtabula and Conneaut
were then the bottom of Lake Erie
Amboy is today $50 feet above the
level of the lake.
In this gravel pit, among the relics
unearthed, have been found tusks S
feet in length; also giants tooth
weighing 9 pounds aud ounces, hav-
ing length of l foot and a circum-
ference Of 20 inches. At this depth,
too, have been found numerous timbers
laid side by side, much resembling
corduroy road Geologists have visit
ed the spot from time to time and
have found much TODD for reflection
The tooth heretofore mentioned is a
molar of the Flephas primigenus, com
monty known AS the mammoth, the
most perfect specimens Of which have
been found in Siberia. Ten thou
sand'years ago these animals, now eE-
tinct, roamed over Europe in herds.
The tusks found at Amboy are curved
instead of being comparatively
straight, which would imply that
they were those of a mammoth rather
than of mastodon.
No unusual discoveries whatever
were made at Amboy until depth OF
80 feet was attained. At 80 feet the
so-called corduroy road was uncovered.
Immediately the theory Of this being
the work Of prehistoric man was ad-
vanced, but received no credence
from authorities, who at once pro-
nounced it relic Of the glacial period
and in this decision is also, undoubt-
edly, the solution of the finding of the
teeth and tusks Of mammoths.
1t is reasoned that turing the gls-
cial period huge glaciers coming from
the north brought with them portions
of felled forests, and lodged them in
the swamp territory where is now the
gravel pit. The fact that the logs
were cedar rather than the wood gen
orally found along the banks Of LaFe
Erie lends weight to this Theory. The
relics of the msmmoths also undoubt-
edly came down with these glaciers,
these great animals being inhabitants
OF colder climates.
Another less reasonable theory,
which has been advanced from time
TO time in connection with the finds
at Amboy. is that the glaciers, on COM
ing from the north, felled the trees in
Amboy swamp. Then a change oi
climate causing the glaciers to melt.
the quantities of gravel which they
carried were deposited, thus covering
the trees to a great depth. Ad7o-
Gates of this theory further say that
the mammoths were browsing IN the
swamp when the glaciers felled the
trees about them. If the relics found
were those Of mastodon, this would
lot be so improbable, for relics Of
msstodons have often been found
south Of the fortieth parallel. How
ever, besides the difference in the
tusks before mentioned, it was noted
that the big tooth of a mastodon ..is
covered with projections.