Beachcombers often find common items, but fossil collecting adds excitement to the search. In Maryland, 9-year-old Molly Sampson had a unique Christmas discovery—a massive Megalodon tooth.
Fossil Collecting Tips: The author recommends starting with preserved shark teeth, making fossil hunting affordable. Public beaches, like Maryland’s Calvert Beach, often yield Megalodon fossils. Molly, an avid shark-tooth hunter, found the massive tooth, describing the moment as “dreamlike.”
Megalodon Tooth Details: The Megalodon, an extinct mackerel shark from the Early Miocene to Pliocene, had teeth that could grow several inches long. Molly’s find, estimated to be 15 million years old, adds to Calvert Cliffs’ Megalodon discoveries.
Discovery Sharing: Molly shared her find with the Calvert Marine Museum, where the curator noted the rarity of such a large Megalodon tooth. The museum encourages beachgoers to share discoveries and offers fossil identification through initiatives like “First Fossil Friday.”
Conclusion: Molly’s remarkable Megalodon tooth discovery adds to Maryland’s fossil legacy, inspiring more beach enthusiasts to explore and share their fossil treasures.