325-Million-Year-Old Sharks Discovered in Mammoth Cave

Two prehistoric shark fossils dating back 325 million years have been uncovered in Mammoth Cave, offering a rare glimpse into ancient marine ecosystems beneath modern Kentucky. Ancient Life Hidden in the World’s Longest Cave Mammoth Cave, located in Kentucky, holds the record as the longest cave system on Earth, stretching more than 675 kilometers underground. A recent discovery there stunned scientists: two fossilized shark remains, estimated to be 325 million years old, were found deep within its limestone passages. These fossils open a window into a time when much of what is now eastern North America lay submerged beneath a shallow, tropical sea. Who Found the Fossils and Why It Matters The fossils were identified by John-Paul Hodnett, a paleontologist from Maryland’s National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), working alongside researchers from the National Park Service Paleontology Program. Their findings not only shed light on prehistoric marine predators, but also provide a deeper understanding of ancient ecosystems in what is now the United States.