A Lebanon County boy made quite a find while vacationing with his family.The 8-year-old unearthed a prehistoric artifact in pristine condition.Riley Gracely and his family have collected hundreds of shark teeth during their annual visit to Palmetto Fossil Excursions in South Carolina. While his family has found some impressive artifacts, the boy was still on the lookout.”When this year came along, he’s thinking, ‘OK, it’s my turn. I’ve got to get something this time,'” his father, Justin Gracely said.He did.”I just looked on top and it was just laying down,” Riley Gracely said.He spotted a fossilized shark tooth stuck in a pile of dirt. “As soon as I see it and I really like it, I’m, like, ‘I’m not going to wait until everybody comes around,’ so I pick it up and walk away with it,” he said.He immediately showed it off to his family.The tooth measures in at more than four and three-quarter inches – a giant tooth that belonged to a pretty large and very, very old shark. The tooth likely dates back more than 22 million years.”This particular species, I think it predates the megalodon. It’s called an angustidens,” Justin Gracely said.The tooth is identified by the matching cusps on each side.It’s likely worth a couple of thousand dollars.Collectors call it the find of a lifetime, but Riley Gracely said he’s not done yet.”I want to go back to find more big teeth so I can add them to my collection,” he said.
A Lebanon County boy made quite a find while vacationing with his family.
The 8-year-old unearthed a prehistoric artifact in pristine condition.
Riley Gracely and his family have collected hundreds of shark teeth during their annual visit to Palmetto Fossil Excursions in South Carolina.
While his family has found some impressive artifacts, the boy was still on the lookout.
“When this year came along, he’s thinking, ‘OK, it’s my turn. I’ve got to get something this time,'” his father, Justin Gracely said.
He did.
“I just looked on top and it was just laying down,” Riley Gracely said.
He spotted a fossilized shark tooth stuck in a pile of dirt.
“As soon as I see it and I really like it, I’m, like, ‘I’m not going to wait until everybody comes around,’ so I pick it up and walk away with it,” he said.
He immediately showed it off to his family.
The tooth measures in at more than four and three-quarter inches – a giant tooth that belonged to a pretty large and very, very old shark. The tooth likely dates back more than 22 million years.
“This particular species, I think it predates the megalodon. It’s called an angustidens,” Justin Gracely said.
The tooth is identified by the matching cusps on each side.
It’s likely worth a couple of thousand dollars.
Collectors call it the find of a lifetime, but Riley Gracely said he’s not done yet.
“I want to go back to find more big teeth so I can add them to my collection,” he said.
