Photography

HAB911

(10,504 posts) Tue Apr 14, 2026, 07:27 PM Apr 14

about my recent preoccupation

of new septic system............

Replaced 45 yr old septic system with new waste water treatment system. The new drain field is under pressure and only 6" deep so it waters the lawn with reclaimed quality water. Seen here is a load of sand to cover the new system. This load of sand had a few surprises in it. Days later as I was leveling some high spots, I hit what at first I thought was dinosaur bones. Come to find out, a bison vertebrae, teeth, and part of a jaw! I don't believe they are fossilized, the teeth slipped out of the jaw. Bison were native to Florida but were decimated by us by the early 1800's. pretty weird, any paleontologists around?

10 replies

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about my recent preoccupation (Original Post) HAB911 Apr 14 OP

Well, what a find! Walleye Apr 14 #1

Nice find Lifeafter70 Apr 14 #2

If I could grow up all over again, see and tap my toes to this video, my career choice would be made. Thanks Lifeafter70 George McGovern Apr 14 #4

Tho not a paleontologist Lifeafter70 Apr 14 #5

I love it! HAB911 Apr 15 #8

I did not know bison were once here..I'm in South Florida and I've got bits of sea shells in my dirt, if you can call Deuxcents Apr 14 #3

Apparently there was an ancient HAB911 Apr 15 #9

Those vertebrae are pretty cool. Your new system looks good. Great photos! George McGovern Apr 14 #6

Wow... 2naSalit Apr 14 #7

yes the ancient species HAB911 Apr 15 #10

Walleye

(45,191 posts)

1. Well, what a find!

Reply to HAB911 (Original post)

Tue Apr 14, 2026, 07:31 PM

Apr 14

Lifeafter70

(1,162 posts)

2. Nice find

Reply to HAB911 (Original post)

Tue Apr 14, 2026, 07:37 PM

Apr 14

Don't know any paleontologist but I can introduce you to my 7 year old grandson.

?feature=sharedp

George McGovern

(12,466 posts)

4. If I could grow up all over again, see and tap my toes to this video, my career choice would be made. Thanks Lifeafter70

Reply to Lifeafter70 (Reply #2)

Tue Apr 14, 2026, 08:32 PM

Apr 14

Lifeafter70

(1,162 posts)

5. Tho not a paleontologist

Reply to George McGovern (Reply #4)

Tue Apr 14, 2026, 08:36 PM

Apr 14

My nephew is an archeologist. He loves it, a few years back he was on a dig in Alaska.

HAB911

(10,504 posts)

8. I love it!

Reply to Lifeafter70 (Reply #2)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 06:34 AM

Apr 15

Deuxcents

(27,412 posts)

3. I did not know bison were once here..I'm in South Florida and I've got bits of sea shells in my dirt, if you can call

Reply to HAB911 (Original post)

Tue Apr 14, 2026, 07:48 PM

Apr 14

It that..real sandy soil. Let us know what you find out about your find

HAB911

(10,504 posts)

9. Apparently there was an ancient

Reply to Deuxcents (Reply #3)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 06:42 AM

Apr 15

species from the Pleistocene Epoch, between 240,000 and 220,000 years ago, 15-20% larger than today's bison.

I would have expected shark teeth and jaw rather than bison!

George McGovern

(12,466 posts)

6. Those vertebrae are pretty cool. Your new system looks good. Great photos!

Reply to HAB911 (Original post)

Tue Apr 14, 2026, 08:42 PM

Apr 14

2naSalit

(103,620 posts)

7. Wow...

Reply to HAB911 (Original post)

Tue Apr 14, 2026, 09:24 PM

Apr 14

I didn't know they inhabited that area either.

But I do know a little about bison and yup, that vertebrae is the main shoulder portion that is found under the hump of the shoulder, it's why there is that long extension for the muscles that hold up their huge heads.

Haven't been there long enough to go through lithification process (turning to stone like a fossil which takes thousands of years) so what you have are those of something probably about as old as a couple - few hundred years. Cool find!

HAB911

(10,504 posts)

10. yes the ancient species

Reply to 2naSalit (Reply #7)

Wed Apr 15, 2026, 06:45 AM

Apr 15

B. antiquus would I think be rock, these are pretty soft

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