Mastodon of Mombercelli

The animal lived in a period characterized by tropical climate and by coastal and marshy environments. It had to reach about two meters high and four meters long, with robust legs suitable for moving on wet soils. It was a relatively small individual, which led some scholars to hypothesize that it was a female or a young specimen; the latter hypothesis is however not likely, since the teeth are complete.

There.Anancus arvensis had long straight tusks, i.e. higher incisives not curved (as the name suggests, Anancus, "without curvature"), which could reach three meters and forty-five centimeters. The tusks had a defensive function but were also used for feeding, allowing the animal to hook large quantities of vegetables, which were then grabbed with the trunk and introduced into the mouth. In the fossil found, the tusks are worn, today measuring 94 centimeters on the right and 32 on the left.

Low crown teeth testify to a diet consisting of soft vegetables, such as sprouts and young leaves. The cranial morphology is still the subject of discussion: some paleontologists believe that the skull was similar to that of current elephants, others speculate instead a different structure. Also on the skin color there are only conjectures, without direct reconversions.

The mastodon was probably preyed by the homoterium (Homotherium), a large saber-toothed feline, slightly larger than a lion.

Today the fossil remains of the Mombercelli mastodon are preserved at the former Paleontological Museum in Turin.

The fossil was discovered on 9 April 1954 in the Debatto region, within the municipal territory of Mombercelli. Angelo Fornaro, the young son of the owner of a farmhouse, was carrying out earthworks near his home when, about a meter deep, he found a large block of stone. Believing it to be a log, he tried to break it, but the hardness of the material made him realize that it was a petrified bone.

With the help of his father Vincenzo, he continued the excavations, bringing to light a large jaw, some teeth, a skull and two long tusks. The local administration was thus alerted: the mayor Giovanni Battista Tiotto, Dr. Bertone (medium conducted), the veterinarian Dr. Piano, lawyer Giulio Zandrino, municipal secretary Monticone and Marshal of the Carabinieri Mario Bozzi, who agreed on the need to advise the Superintendency at Antiquities.

In the belief that he could get a reward for finding, Angelo and Vincenzo Fornaro suspended the works and protected the fossil by erecting a palisade around the area. The news spread rapidly in the country, attracting numerous curious and Professor Masoero, young local teacher, who explained how the area – today hilly – was in the pliocene era covered by the sea, as indicate greyish marine sand deposits and fossil shell remains.

The fossil was soon renamed "Biagiodonte"^[1], in honor of San Biagio, patron saint of Mombercelli, to whom the parish church of the town is dedicated.

In the afternoon of the same day, at 15:30, came from Turin the superintendent to Antiquities and Fine Arts for Piemonte Dr. Carducci, accompanied by two officials and Professor Soccin, Technical Advisor. After examining the reperto at the Fornaro farmhouse, the group manifested its intention to transfer it to Turin.

Professor Masoero suggested that the fossil be retained in the area, as a paleontological museum was established at Asti.

Mayor Tiotto, faithful to his countrymanship, would have said:

Dr. Carducci replied, recalling that by law, any archaeological repertoire belongs to the state. However, the mayor retained his position, sending the decision to the prefectious authority.

The story then came to the Prefect of Asti, who on the same evening of April 9, 1954 called an extraordinary meeting with all the protagonists to decide the fate of the precious fossil.

• Damarco Piero, The formation of a territory. Geo-Paleontological History of Astigiano - Scientific notebook n.7. Asti Parks and Nature Reserves Authority, 2009.
• Apostle Gino, The remains of the mastodon found in Mombercelli, Gazzetta del Popolo, Friday 9 April 1954.
• A curious birthday party between ancient whales and shark teeth, La Stampa, Asti and province, Saturday 18 October 2014.
• Daniela Peira, Biagiodonte, the ancestor fossil of the elephant found 60 years ago among the vineyards, www.lanuovaprovincia.it of 14 April 2014.
• Found in a vineyard 60 years ago, tomorrow "will reappear" at the fair, La Stampa, Asti and province, Saturday 18 October 2014