SEBASTIAN — Members of the Sebastian Area Historical Society were present when scientists extracted DNA from the ancient tusk found at what has become known as the Old Vero Man site.
President George “Bud” O’Neil and Harry Tanner were at the offices of Rennick Realtors and Auctioneers for the extraction of DNA from the tusk decorated with a carving of what appears to be a mastodon or mammoth.
The tusk has been dated at about 13,000 years old. It was found in the Vero Beach area by amateur fossil hunter James Kennedy, of Vero Beach.
The find known as the “Epic Vero Find” was examined and particles were removed for DNA examination by Smithsonian Scientists.
It will take scientists about a month to code the DNA, if found. From the DNA, scientists could be able to identify the prehistoric animal the tusk came from and how long ago the animal died.
Harry Tanner will be giving a talk on the find at the North County Library on Jan. 17, 2012.
