KFI: Luck came not once, but twice for Jude Sparks.
The then-9-year-old was lucky enough to trip not on a rock, or a tree root, but on a 1.2-million-year-old fossil when trying to dash away from his brothers on a November desert hike with his family. And as New Mexico State University biology professor Peter Houde explains to the New York Times, Jude was lucky to have been at the Las Cruces, NM, site just after a storm had exposed the fossil—but before the exposure reduced the specimen to nothingness.
Kids are so clumsy.
When I saw the thread title mention tripping over a million year old fossil, I figured the kid tripped over Nancy Pelosi.
I don’t like to envy those to whom life comes easy or big pay-offs fall in their laps. I’ve had a good life and positive things have happened to me. Some I made for myself, some seemed to happen with no input. I’ve had very good jobs (none that paid much, but rewarding in other ways), great family and special friends, and I’ve enjoyed God’s favor.
I pray that this kid doesn’t let this fortune go to his head. Plan well, young fella. Hope your parents are wise.
The state of NM thanks you for this wonderful find, here’s a $50 gift card to smart and final, have a nice day.
I watched the whole video and didn’t see that Jude received anything from finding the fossil except recognition?
“Expert” the fossil is 1.2 million years old based on other fossils that have been found nearby – and those have been “dated” by a made up geologic column.
Good for the kid, that would be fun.
What a great thing for a young kid to have happen! He’ll have this story to tell his kids and grandkids, even better if the bones are dug up and put on display in a museum permanently.
Hope they would add his name as ‘discoverer’ too. Such a great story–thanks MJA!!!
How do you know the age of the fossil?
By the rock layer it’s in.
How do you know the age of the rock layer?
By the fossils in it.
“9 year old cited for damaging 1.2 million year old fossil with his shoe.”