Vol. 34, No. 4 Winter 2009-2010 Maryland’s Prehistoric Elephants By Stephen J. Godfrey, Ph.D. CMM Curator of Paleontology Just imagine — during Maryland’s prehistoric past at least three different kinds of elephants lived here. Beginning twenty- five million years ago, gomphotheres (Figure 1), then more recently mastodons (Figure 3), and mammoths (Figure 5) have at various times shared the land we call home. Can you picture herds of huge prehistoric pachyderms roaming through forests? It is a vision completely foreign to our everyday experience. The evidence for the presence of these indigenous proboscideans (the technical term for elephants and their prehistoric kin) comes mostly in the form of their teeth. Teeth are the hardest items animals make — more resistant to disintegration than bone because teeth have an enamel coating. If parts of a Figure 1. Life restoration of a Miocene gomphothere, one prehistoric vertebrate are to be found as fossils, they usually of the elephant-like creatures that lived here in southern include teeth. Maryland twelve million years ago. Notice that it sports tusks in both its upper and lower jaws. These tusks were tools, helping them feed and fight. Facts: name pronounced gom- Gomphotheres foe-THEAR; scientific name —Gomphotherium calvertensis; Gomphotheres are the oldest-known group of elephant- name means “welded beast from Calvert Cliffs”; family — like creatures that inhabited the warm Miocene epoch Gomphotheriidae; lived during Miocene epoch (eighteen forests that bordered the Atlantic Ocean. The Calvert Marine million to five million years ago); size — about ten feet tall at Museum possesses several excellent gomphothere teeth in the shoulder, weighed four to six tons; diet — plants (herbivore). paleontology collection, one of which is truly spectacular (Figure 2). Because the overwhelming majority of the fossils from along Calvert Cliffs are of creatures that lived in the prehistoric ocean that flooded southern Maryland, the fossilized remains of terrestrial creatures are understandably exceedingly rare. How would a gomphothere tooth occur in sediments that were laid down on the bottom of the ocean? As far as we know, these elephants were not spending any time swimming in salt water. Although there are several possible explanations, one likely one is that the fossil gomphothere remains derive from individuals that died attempting to ford rivers. Riparian currents carried their carcasses out to sea, and as they decomposed or were scavenged, those bones and teeth that were not eaten by large Figure 2. A single gomphothere molar hunter-scavengers sank to the ocean floor where some became (CMM-V-4003). The front of the tooth is to the left. The light-colored buried in sediments and subsequently fossilized. Anyone who enamel crown consists of a series of finds gomphothere remains has found the paleontological cone-shaped cusps. As this elephant- equivalent of a needle-in-a-haystack. like creature browsed on shrubs, the What predators were of concern to Miocene crowns were worn down. Notice that gomphotheres? For adults, probably not many, but baby the hard enamel cusps at the front and juvenile gomphotheres were likely highly prized by of the tooth are sufficiently worn to reveal the softer internal dentine. Below the crown are its long Continued on page 6 roots that anchored the tooth in the jaw. 2 Calvert Marine Museum Receives Third Accreditation The museum recently received its A Visiting Committee of two museum Of the approximately 17,500 third accreditation from the American directors reviewed these materials submitted museums of all sizes in the U.S., only Association of Museums’ (AAM) by CMM and spent two days meeting with 783 museums nationwide have been Accreditation Commission. Since 1981 staff, board, and volunteers, and then wrote accredited. All accredited museums must the Calvert Marine Museum has been a report to the Accreditation Commission, go through reaccreditation approximately accredited by the national museum an independent and autonomous body every ten years. For the current roster of organization, the American Association of museum professionals who review accredited museums, 149 (19 percent) of Museums. Accreditation is a widely and evaluate the self-study and Visiting have been accredited once, 229 (29 recognized seal of approval that brings Committee report to determine whether percent) twice, 311 (40 percent) three national recognition to American a museum should receive accreditation. times, and 94 (12 percent) four times. The museums, regardless of their size or While the time to complete the process Calvert Marine Museum is part of the small location. Since the first museums were varies by museum, it generally takes three elite of 300 plus museums who have gone accredited in 1971, the AAM Accreditation years. In their report, the Visiting Committee through the process three times. We are Program has recognized museums’ stated that “CMM’s performance meets the one of only twelve museums in Maryland commitment to excellence, accountability, standards and best practices expected within to be accredited. high professional standards, and continued the profession. CMM is a professional, This honor reflects the hard work and institutional improvement. well-operated museum with a competent dedication that all the staff and volunteers Accreditation is a rigorous process and dedicated staff, a supportive board of have put into making CMM an exceptional that begins with an extensive one year self- trustees, and a loyal group of volunteers.” museum. (Doug Alves) study that looks at all aspects of a museum’s operation including governance, finances, planning, leadership and organization, MUSEUM BOARD FOR 2010 collection stewardship, education and interpretation, and facilities and risk The Calvert County Commissioners management. have appointed two new members to the museum’s Board of Governors for 2010. Ms. Lynda J. Striegel of North Beach is a partner in the law firm Striegel and Buchheister and is president of the Beach Business Group and the Calvert Business Quarterly Newsletter of the Alliance. In 2006 she was elected to the Calvert Marine Museum North Beach Town Council in addition to (A Division of Calvert County Government) being a member of the Maryland, District and the Calvert Marine Museum Society, Inc. of Columbia, and Virginia bars. Her legal expertise in estate planning will be (ISSN 0887-651X) Outgoing board chair, Marvin Oursler helpful in settling up gifts and charitable (center), was presented with a C. Douglass Alves, Jr., Director contribution programs. Ms. Nancy Sherrod Sturrock, Deputy Director certificate of appreciation by Vanessa Paul L. Berry, Editor K. Wieck of Solomons is a financial Gill, director of development (left) and program manager with the Department museum director Doug Alves, at the Other contributor to this issue: of the Navy, Navy Enterprise Resource Debra Strozier annual board dinner on December 9. Program. She holds memberships with CMM photo by Bob Hall The bugeye was the traditional sailing craft of the several professional/civic organizations Bay, and was built in all its glory at Solomons, the such as Women of the Moose, Military “Bugeye Capital of the World.” Membership dues Comptrollers Society, National Board second term), Pat G. Carpenter (second are used to fund special museum projects, programs, and printing of this newsletter. Address comments of Realtors, Southern Maryland Board term), Robert S. Currie, Wanda W. and membership applications to: of Realtors, and St. Clements 100. The DeBord, Karen Everett, Marianne museum will benefit from her experience Harms, Donald P. McDougall, Mark A. Calvert Marine Museum Society, Inc. in financial and strategic planning, team MacDougall, James B. Perkins, Jeannie P.O. Box 97 Solomons, MD 20688-0097 building, and program execution. These C. Stone (second term), and Frank E. 410-320-2042 new members were welcomed at the Taylor. Ex officio members include FAX 410-326-6691 TDD 410-535-6355 annual board dinner on December 9, County Commissioner Gerald “Jerry” Museum Store: 410-326-2750 and two retiring board members were Clark, CMM director C. Douglass Alves www.calvertmarinemuseum.com recognized for their service: Marvin Jr., and Capt. Stephen A. Schmeiser, E. Oursler, who served as chairman in USN, executive officer at NAS, Patuxent 2009, and Robert S. Crum, who served River. The Board of Governors also as the board secretary. serves as the Board of Directors of the Board members who will continue Calvert Marine Museum Society, Inc., in 2010 are Anthony J. Benn (serving a responsible for fundraising. WINTER 2009-2010 3 MembershiP and DEvelopment “SATiSFACTiON” – A ROLLiNG Winter Gala STONES EXPERiENCE Coming iN February Celebrate the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band of all time at the Calvert Marine Museum on Friday, January 15, 2010. Honoring the Rolling Stones and their legacy, The Rolling Stones Experience will host two performances at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets for the shows are $30.00 (additional service fees apply) and are on sale now at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com. Experience the Fire and Ice theme at CMM’s new Winter Gala on February 27, 2010. An extraordinary “Satisfaction” is the evening of great food, live entertainment, unique international touring Rolling decor and other surprises await attendees of this Stones tribute show dedicated elegant event. The Honorable Steny H. Hoyer will to the “World’s Greatest serve as the Winter Gala’s honorary chair. Rock & Roll Band”. With Tickets for the Winter Gala are $150 per person. authentic costuming featuring Attendance is limited to 250 guests. Sponsorship the likes of Mick Jagger and opportunities ranging from $250 to $10,000 are also Keith Richards, this one-of-a-kind available. Tax-deductible donations in any amount production showcases over 45 are also welcome. years of classic hits like, I Can’t Please contact Vanessa Gill at 410-326-2042 x Get No Satisfaction, Beast of 18 or [email protected] to request an invitation or Burden, and Angie.