While wading on the shore, a 9-year-old discovers a strange object.

Beachcombing offers an exciting alternative to finding litter. It’s renowned for uncovering shells, glass, driftwood, and occasionally fossils, providing an engaging way to connect with ancient history. Instead of trekking to remote locations, one can search riverbanks or public beaches for fossils like shark teeth using simple tools or hands, offering a cost-effective way to begin collecting prehistoric artifacts.

Experts suggest that smaller fossils are often easier to find due to their size and widespread presence compared to rarer, larger artifacts eroded over time. Beachcombing can reveal hidden historical treasures among ordinary debris, offering unexpected discoveries on any given day. With luck and patience, one may uncover exceptional fossils, providing glimpses into Earth’s fascinating history.

Calvert Beach in Maryland is renowned for its prehistoric marine fossils, notably the Megalodon, an extinct mackerel shark species dating back 23 to 3.6 million years. These massive predators left behind enormous teeth during the Early Miocene and Pliocene epochs, some growing several inches long. Nine-year-old Molly Sampson stumbled upon a Megalodon tooth while wading in Chesapeake Bay on Christmas Day, 2022, fulfilling a dream for many fossil hunters. Although no longer alive, these creatures’ legacy endures through their fossil remnants. Molly’s discovery delighted her, as she had longed to hunt for shark teeth and received waders for Christmas. The Calvert Marine Museum praised Molly’s luck and dedication, noting her passion for beachcombing since she was a toddler.

With a rare treasure in hand, she embarked on an extraordinary journey. Instead of keeping her find to herself, she took it to a nearby museum for study. The museum staff were thrilled to examine her discovery—a 15 million-year-old megalodon tooth, a rarity in size and age. The Calvert Marine Museum shared their excitement on social media, encouraging others to report any interesting fossils they find. They also highlighted their “First Fossil Friday” program for identifying discoveries. Have you ever gone shark tooth hunting? Share this article with fossil enthusiasts and stay tuned for your own remarkable find!