American paleontologist Spencer George Lucas, curator of paleontology at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, in U.S.A., led an extraordinary discovery that is drawing new attention to Costa Rica’s deep past.

Lucas, working in collaboration with geologist Joanna Méndez Herrera of the Department of Natural History at the National Museum of Costa Rica, uncovered fossil remains in Cartago province belonging to two species of Pleistocene megafauna.

According to the National Museum, the research also included collaboration with Costa Rican geologist Dr. Guillermo Alvarado Induni and a team of 12 professionals in geology, archaeology and biology. Students from the University of Costa Rica also participated through academic internships.

In a statement, the museum said the finding represents a significant contribution to the country’s scientific knowledge, strengthens the national paleontological collection and once again positions Costa Rica at the forefront of regional megafauna research.

The investigation began after a private citizen reported the possible presence of fossil remains on private property.

Following a technical inspection and subsequent analyses, researchers determined the pieces belonged to megafauna, launching an excavation and recovery process that required scientific rigor and specialized work under challenging conditions due to the site’s proximity to a river and the nature of the terrain.

So far, 13 excavation and recovery operations have been carried out, resulting in the retrieval of 49 fossil pieces. Among them are a complete 1.6-meter tusk, an additional tusk fragment, vertebrae, a femur, phalanges, ribs and other bone elements that remain under identification and study.

Given the scale and quantity of material recovered, the discovery ranks among the most significant recorded in the country in recent decades.

Preliminary geological studies of the terrain and sediment layers estimate the remains are between 10,000 and 40,000 years old.