<![CDATA[According to newspaper reports, more than 500 fossils that date back to almost 20 million years have been unearthed in Silicon Valley in Fremont, California. Among the various items that have been uncovered those that deserve particular mention are portions from an entire whale skeleton and giant teeth of a 40 foot long shark. These specimens were unearthed during the construction of the Calaveras Dam Replacement project. The proposed dam is being built right next to the present day Calaveras Dam, an area that was believed to be a part of the ocean almost 20 million years ago. The reason why these fossils were uncovered is that the dam project required about 10 million cubic yards of soil, rock and dirt to be moved. This $700 million dam replacement project was a part of the 15 year upgrade of the Hetch Hetchy water system that primarily depends on the Reservoir located in the Yosemite National Park and serves more than 2.6 million consumers in the Bay Area. The reservoir that was built in 1925 is being replaced by one that is better equipped to withstand the effects of earthquakes. According to Betsy Rhode, the spokesperson for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, fossils of vertebrates as well as invertebrates have been uncovered from the site. Some of the most important invertebrates to have been uncovered include scallops that are as big as dinner plates, snails and barnacles. Paleontologists have also managed to uncover what is believed to be the teeth of a mammal known as the Desmostylus, an extinct animal that is believed to resemble the present day hippopotamus. These discoveries have require authorities to divert more resources into the area and help in protecting and extracting other fossils that could be found here. Almost all of these fossils date back to the Miocene Epoch, an era when the ocean extended right up to Bakersfield, California. According to Jim Walker, a paleontologist working on the project, fossils began to be uncovered even before the actual constructions began. He further stated that the scallops were one of the first finds at the site. Crews have now discovered a variety of plant and animal fossils along with a total of 8 whale skulls. The construction crew is currently removing the earth from the area in front of the dam. Paleontologists shall continue to work on the site in tandem with construction workers for the next few years as the proposed renovation has been scheduled to start in the year 2016. All fossils that are found at the site will ultimately be sent to a Bay Area museum. According to Betsy, the most exciting finds at the site are the vertebrate fossils – right from shark teeth that range from the size of a human fingernail all the way to the size of an actual Megalodon shark. The whale skulls are a huge bonus as well. Betsy has stated that the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is currently diverting extra resources to aid the paleontologists and ensure that these rich historical findings get the honor that they deserve.]]>
More Than 500 Fossils Unearthed in Fremont
