Megalodon's Terrifying True Size Confirmed By Rediscovered Fossil

In 1978, a wonder emerged from the crumbling earth of the Gram Clay Pits in Denmark.

Paleontologists were stunned when they unearthed about 20 vertebrae from a single megalodon, including one that, at 23 centimeters (9 inches) across, was larger than any megalodon vertebra ever found, before or since.

That vertebra became the foundation for maximum size estimates of the giant shark (Otodus megalodon), suggesting a huge monster that terrorized Neogene seas.

Then, disaster struck.

In 1989, while being moved from one storage facility to another, the specimen was severely damaged and was thought lost.