Chadwick seventh-grade science teacher Martin Byhower is first and foremost a scientist, with the relentless curiosity, sense of wonder, and pursuit of answers to prove it. When he noticed an odd-looking boulder between Roessler Hall and the faculty lounge, he decided to examine it further. That decision eventually led to the discovery that the rock contained a
fossilized sperm whale skull, estimated to between 12-15 million years old. Fossilized marine mammal ribs and vertebrae from the same period were previously discovered in the vicinity.
The fossil was embedded in a large chunk of Middle Miocene Era Altamira Shale, which is most commonly known among students and faculty as “PV Stone.” Byhower arranged for Howell Thomas, senior paleontological preparator of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County to dig deeper on the fossil findings. Mr. Thomas is a paleontologist who specializes in fossils of marine mammals and birds.
“After much time and research, I finally found the right person to examine the fossils in Mr. Thomas,” said Byhower. “We are excited to have the Natural History Museum help us find out more about our fossils and share in our discovery.”
So far, Thomas has tentatively identified the skull as that of a sperm whale species previously unknown to science. “From my initial observation, the fossil appears to be that of a new species, perhaps even a new Genus,” Thomas speculated. “If this is a new species or Genus it is definitely a publishable find.”
If it is indeed a newly identified species or Genus, the species part of the name could possibly be “chadwickii.” Chadwick School has decided to donate the fossil to the Natural History Museum; the museum, in turn, will create a detailed model of the fossil for display at the school.
The fossil was excavated at Chadwick on February 5 and then transported to the Natural History Museum to be restored and analyzed for approximately one year. Chadwick science students will be able to observe the process at the Natural History Museum over the course of the year, both in person and via Skype sessions with Howell Thomas.
News crews from several Los Angeles broadcast news stations were on campus on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 to cover the story. Look for the Los Angeles Times story to be published on Feb. 6, the upcoming Easy Reader News story, and coverage on Fox News (Channel 11), KNBC (Channel 2), KABC (Channel 7), and KCAL/CBS (Channel 9) on Feb. 5 or online.
Check out the broadcast new coverage from Jan. 29 and other articles below.
Watch the KABC -TV news coverage.
Watch the KCAL/CBS news coverage.
Watch the KNBC-TV news coverage.
Read the Daily Breeze story and check out their live video links and photos.
Read the LiveScience interview with Martin Byhower.