Nine-year-old Molly Sampson made an extraordinary discovery while searching for shark teeth on Christmas Day 2022 at Maryland’s Calvert Beach. Wading in the Chesapeake Bay, she stumbled upon a massive Megalodon tooth—a rare fossil estimated to be 15 million years old.

Molly, who had been hunting for shark teeth since childhood, was ecstatic when she found the tooth, describing the moment as surreal. She later brought the fossil to the Calvert Marine Museum for examination, where experts confirmed its rarity.

Megalodon teeth are occasionally found along Calvert Cliffs, but one of this size is uncommon. The museum shared Molly’s discovery on Facebook, encouraging others to participate in their “First Fossil Friday” program. Molly’s incredible find has inspired fossil enthusiasts, promising many more exciting beach days ahead