Experts are investigating a walrus skull discovered near the Matane River in Quebec to determine if the specimen is ancient or modern [1, 2].

The discovery highlights the challenge of distinguishing between prehistoric paleontological finds and recent biological remains in coastal regions. If the skull is determined to be ancient, it could provide significant data on marine mammal populations in Canada from thousands of years ago.

The specimen was discovered in 2022 [2]. While some reports indicate the find occurred four years ago [4], other records suggest it happened two years prior to 2024 [3]. Marine biologist Lyne Morissette and journalist Alice Jacottin have been involved in the efforts to identify the origin of the bone.

There are currently two primary hypotheses regarding the age of the skull. One possibility is that the specimen is a relic from approximately 10,000 years ago [1]. Such a find would place the walrus in the region during a period of significant climatic shift following the last glacial maximum.

Alternatively, the skull may be a much more recent loss. Investigators are considering whether the item dates back to 2021 [1]. This theory gained traction after a local resident contacted authorities regarding a lost artifact, suggesting the skull may have been a private collectible or a recent carcass that washed ashore and was later displaced.

The investigation continues as experts analyze the degradation of the bone and the sediment layers where it was located. The Matane River area has historically been a site of interest for those studying the intersection of freshwater and marine environments, a geography that can preserve organic material under specific conditions [1, 2].

“The skull could be about 10,000 years old”

The discrepancy between the two hypotheses—a 10,000-year gap—underscores the necessity of carbon dating in paleontology. A confirmation of the older date would contribute to the mapping of post-glacial species migration in North America, while a modern date would categorize the find as a curiosity of local loss rather than a scientific milestone.