For the first time in over a decade, researchers in Orange County have made a remarkable discovery - Ice Age animal bones buried in a residential backyard.

The homeowner in Scotchtown spotted two teeth in the soil, prompting a call to experts at the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange.

Upon further excavation, experts collected a jaw and other bone fragments, which were later determined to belong to a mastodon, a prehistoric creature similar to a mammoth.

Researchers note that Orange County was once a hotspot for these extinct creatures, making the discovery even more significant.

The fossils will be preserved and shared with the public next year.