RAPID CITY, SD — While on vacation, a 7-year-old Coweta County girl made a discovery that has been buried for millions of years.
"I found a Saber Tooth Tiger skull," said Kylie Ferguson, of Sharpsburg.
Ferguson and her family were visiting the Badlands National Park in South Dakota last summer when she stumbled across the fossil. On Thursday, the skull went in for a CT scan at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.
"This fossil is very unique because of the incredible preservation of the skull. We just have so much detail preserved," National Parks Service's Rachel Benton said.
Benton said the skull was preserved in limestone for 33 million years. After all those years, the cat's teeth were fully intact.
Benton said the skull was also marked by unusual bite marks, creating a mystery around the animal's death.
"Probably two animals were in mortal combat over territory and hopefully with the CT scan we'll get some extra info and be able to determine that," Benton said.
X-rays will be sent to the South Dakota School of Mines, where they will be used to build a model of the skull.
Ferguson's parents said they are excited their daughter can take part in solving the mystery.
"We were tickled pink for her to be on the other side of the country and be able to contribute and enjoy a national park and make a significant impact to the park. That's huge," said Ferguson's father, Tom.
Benton said it's not unusual for a child to uncover a fossil because they are closer to the ground and have a great imagination.
WSBTV
