my pelvic bone has been located

Large bones unearthed near suburban river

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

(07-12) 17:06 PDT San Jose, Calif. (AP) --

The fossilized bones of a creature that might have been a mastodon were unearthed Tuesday in the creek bed of a suburban river being renovated for flood protection.

The remains of what appears to be a massive pelvic bone, ribcage fragments and a tusk were uncovered along the Guadalupe River in San Jose. The river project has been cited as a model of how to integrate nature and development.

The discovery prompted both wonder and frustration, as officials tried to determine the source of the remains but couldn't find experts to scour the site.

"We've never come across this before. This is a whole new ballgame for us," said Mike DiMarco, a Santa Clara County Water District spokesman.

DiMarco said it was the first find of its kind in the district's 75-year history.

Professional paleontologists will examine the remains Wednesday. Amateur paleontologists were to spend the night at the site to make sure the bones remained safe.