In the vast expanse of American lands, nestled deep within Kentucky, lies an unsuspected paleontological treasure. The renowned
Mammoth Cave, the longest cave in the world with its 426 miles (686 kilometers) of subterranean passages, reveals an unexpected wealth: fossils of ancient marine creatures. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is much more than a mere tourist attraction. It houses remnants millions of years old, witnesses to a past when these lands were submerged under the waters of an ancient sea.
The Mississippian limestones in the Mammoth Cave area formed at the bottom of a shallow saltwater sea, today known as the Mississippian Sea, about 300 to 330 million years ago. At that time, the MACA would have been an ideal spot for a snorkeling vacation. The park was located about 4 degrees south of the equator. Think of the Bahamas, but much hotter and with more sharks! Since excavations began in the
Mammoth Cave, paleontologists have identified no fewer than 70 species of ancient fishes. But recently, two new discoveries have captured the scientific world's attention. These exceptional findings are two prehistoric shark species, Troglocladodus trimblei and Glikmanius careforum, dating back to about 325 million years ago.
The first species, Troglocladodus trimblei, was a giant of the ancient seas, reaching up to 11.8 feet (3.6 meters) in length. Armed with sharp teeth, it probably hunted modest-sized prey in the coastal waters of the ancient continent. The second species, Glikmanius careforum, had a powerful jaw, adapted for preying on small sharks, fishes, and orthocones (the ancestors of squids). These discoveries challenge our knowledge on shark evolution, suggesting that some species might have appeared much earlier than we previously thought.
The fossils of these sharks were found in regions once submerged, thousands of miles from the current coastlines. Indeed, 325 million years ago, Kentucky and Alabama were bordered by a thriving sea, part of a maritime route connecting North America, Europe, and North Africa. However, these waters disappeared with the formation of the supercontinent Pangaea, following the collision of tectonic plates.
The jaws, teeth, and gills of Glikmanius careforum embedded in the cave ceiling were discovered by explorers from the Cave Research Foundation during a mapping project at Mammoth Cave National Park, in Kentucky.
This remarkable discovery underscores the importance of research in sometimes unexpected places, revealing secrets buried for millions of years. The
Mammoth Cave National Park, in collaboration with renowned experts and researchers, continues to be an invaluable source of information about the history of our planet.
Article Author: Cédric DEPOND