The first fossil of the American lion was found in Natchez, Mississippi, in 1836, but paleontologist Joseph Leidy didn’t identify it until nearly 20 years later.

“I have had very important artifacts and fossils come into my outreach programs and events, but nothing as significant as the newly discovered American lion fossil,” she told McClatchy News.

Barges stranded by low water in the Mississippi River in Rosedale, Mississippi, a small town near where the lion fossil was found Scott Olson / Getty Images While exploring a newly exposed sandbar ...

Historically low Mississippi River reveals rare Ice Age jaw fossil of American lion, which died out 11,000 years ago. National Rare fossil of huge American lion found on just-uncovered ...

American lion fossils are rare finds. Their remains are rare. In Mississippi, only three jawbones have been found including the first-ever documented which was discovered in Natchez in the 1830s.

Historically low Mississippi River reveals rare Ice Age jaw fossil of American lion, which died out 11,000 years ago.

Historically low Mississippi River reveals rare Ice Age jaw fossil of American lion, which died out 11,000 years ago.

Historically low Mississippi River reveals rare Ice Age jaw fossil of American lion, which died out 11,000 years ago.

Historically low Mississippi River reveals rare Ice Age jaw fossil of American lion, which died out 11,000 years ago.