Jackson was underwater. Like, actual-ocean-floor-underwater.
That’s not just a fun fact, it’s a whole prehistoric mood. Turns out, our beloved capital city sat beneath a shallow sea during the Late Cretaceous period, around 70 million years ago. Today, the evidence of that ancient ocean is literally buried in our backyards: shark teeth, seashells, even whale bones.
Let’s dig in. (Not literally. Unless you’ve got a shovel.)
What’s Hiding Beneath JXN?
Thanks to millions of years of shifting seas and sediment, central Mississippi became a fossil treasure chest. Some of the coolest finds:
- Shark teeth from long-gone species like Squalicorax, black, shiny, and sometimes serrated.
- Fossilized shells and sea critters, including brachiopods and crinoids (think: ancient sea flowers).
- Bones from early whales like Zygorhiza, Mississippi’s state fossil and former ocean MVP.
You’ll find these specimens on display at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, tucked right in LeFleur’s Bluff. But if you’re lucky, you might even spot them in your gravel driveway. Seriously.
Where to See It (or Find It)
Want to fossil-hunt like a local? Here’s where to go:
- W.M. Browning Cretaceous Fossil Park (near Frankstown): A public dig site where you can unearth real shark teeth. No paleontology degree required.
- LeFleur’s Bluff State Park & Museum (Jackson): See giant whale skeletons, learn about the ancient sea, and chat with local scientists who study our state’s prehistoric past.
- Your backyard: Okay, results may vary, but we’ve heard stories.
Why It Matters
Beyond the wow factor, Jackson’s fossil record tells scientists about long-lost climates, changing sea levels, and how species like whales went from land-dwellers to ocean icons.
And hey, it’s also a brag. How many cities can say they’ve got shark teeth in the soil?
TL;DR: We Live on a Fossil Hotspot
Jackson isn’t just a city with soul, it’s a city with layers. Beneath our streets lie the remains of ancient oceans and extinct giants. Whether you’re into science or just want to impress your group chat, that’s a fact worth knowing.
Tag your finds #BlogJXN and let us know if you dig up anything cool. Just remember: those shark teeth are older than dinosaurs… and definitely older than that pothole on your block.
