Currently, no fossil has been designated as the official fossil for the State of West Virginia. However, there are Concurrent Resolutions circulating in both Chambers of the Legislature which seek to designate a state fossil, the Megalonyx Jeffersonii or Jefferson’s Ground Sloth, in honor of President Thomas Jefferson. See House Concurrent Resolution 12 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 29.
According to both resolutions, in 1797 President Thomas Jefferson obtained and described fossil bones from a limestone cave in what is now Monroe County. These bones were again described by Casper Wistar in 1799 as the bones of a giant extinct ground sloth. The bones are from the Ice Age, or Pleistocene Epoch, which lasted from 10,000 to 1.8 million years ago, and afford an opportunity for special studies in American, state and natural history for the students of the state.
The Legislature believes that increased interest in both fossils and their study has become more common around West Virginia and by designating a state fossil, the state could better promote the earth sciences and the history of our region. If these resolutions were to be adopted, West Virginia would become the 40th state in the nation to name an official state fossil.
