On a warm summer afternoon in Monroe County, Alabama, 16-year-old Lindsey Stallworth knelt on her family’s wooded property, scanning the ground for shark teeth and shells—treasures she had been collecting since childhood.
This time, her eyes caught something far rarer: pieces of bone protruding from the clay. That moment marked the beginning of a discovery that would capture the attention of paleontologists across the country—a nearly complete whale skull dating back 34 million years.
From Casual Fossil Hunting To A Scientific Breakthrough
Lindsey, a student at the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS), had been bringing her fossil finds to her biology teacher, Dr. Andrew Gentry, throughout the school year. One fossilized tooth particularly intrigued him. Gentry, who holds a background in paleontology, suggested they visit the location together.
On June 22, the pair headed to Lindsey’s family land with picks and brushes in hand. Within minutes, Lindsey noticed fresh bone fragments scattered along the hillside. As they carefully dug, more bones emerged—jaws, teeth, and finally the outline of a massive skull.
According to Smithsonian Magazine, the fossil measures between four and five feet long, suggesting the whale could have been up to 20 feet in life.
Painstaking Excavation Under Brutal Heat
Recovering a fossil this delicate required patience, teamwork, and stamina. Lindsey, Gentry, and volunteers braved days of temperatures topping 100°F. Using dental picks and chisels, they slowly removed the surrounding rock and clay.
They nicknamed the fossil “Karen” after its stubbornness during excavation. Gentry later explained that the specimen was one of the most challenging he had ever worked with, but the results were worth the effort.
Each day ended with excitement as new sections of bone were revealed. By late July, they carefully transported the skull to the ASMS lab for cleaning and analysis.
A Glimpse Into Alabama’s Prehistoric Oceans
The discovery highlights Alabama’s surprising geologic past. Around 34 million years ago, during the late Eocene epoch, much of southern Alabama was covered by shallow seas teeming with life.
This whale may have belonged to the Basilosauridae family, which includes the state fossil Basilosaurus cetoides, or possibly to the smaller genus Zygorhiza.
Experts, including Jun Ebersole from the McWane Science Center, believe there’s a good chance this specimen could represent a new species. Even if it doesn’t, it is one of the most complete skulls of its kind ever recovered in the region.
Inspiring A New Generation Of Scientists
For Lindsey, this discovery is more than just an exciting find—it is shaping her future. She spends hours in the lab carefully cleaning and preserving the skull. Her classmates frequently stop by to check the progress, and the project has sparked a wave of curiosity at her school.
“I was completely overwhelmed, but so excited,” Lindsey told NBC 15. “As a high schooler, I never thought I’d get the chance to do real scientific work like this.”
Dr. Gentry, equally thrilled, sees the discovery as a perfect teaching moment—an opportunity to show how science thrives when curiosity leads the way.
The Science Still To Come
The work is far from over. Lindsey and Gentry plan to return to the site to search for more bones, potentially recovering parts of the spine and ribs. In the lab, the skull will be cleaned, measured, scanned, and compared to other known whale fossils. If distinct enough, researchers may propose it as a new species, rewriting part of Alabama’s fossil record.
Why This Discovery Matters
This whale skull is a powerful reminder of how much of Earth’s story remains hidden beneath our feet. It also underscores the value of citizen science—ordinary people contributing to extraordinary discoveries. Lindsey’s curiosity transformed a quiet summer afternoon into a scientific milestone that could deepen our understanding of whale evolution.
Looking Ahead With Hope
As the fossil is studied and possibly displayed, it may inspire other young explorers to pick up a brush or trowel and investigate the world around them. This story is about more than paleontology—it is about the power of curiosity, mentorship, and the unbreakable link between past and present.
Sources:
Good News Network
Smithsonian Magazine
Washington Post
