Prehistoric shark tooth found on banks of Alabama River at Claiborne

Giant jaws of a prehistoric shark.

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Carcharodon Shark tooth found on Claiborne bank” was originally published in the June 22, 1972 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

There was a time during the last 405 million years when, if man had been around, it would have been possible to see a 40 or 50-foot shark. This could have been done right here in what is now Monroe County. Strange, yes, but true. All evidence points to this fact that the large (Carcharodon) shark were common in this area.

These large prehistoric fish came into being during the Devonian period, which began about 405 million years ago. This period lasted about 60 million years, and during this time the great expansion of fishes took place. Also, came the expansion of land plants and the first land animals, primitive amphibians.

Throughout the ages the shark has survived. Like man in many respects, this killer of the deep has adapted well to his environment. He has survived when a great many of his kindred have disappeared completely from the face of the earth. The shark is one of the few living creatures that can reproduce new teeth. As they lose a tooth, another grows in its place. This is believed to be one of the major factors that has contributed to their survival through the ages. Another is that they are to be found in all the oceans of the world. They can adapt to the different water temperatures, although it is a known fact that they are more commonly seen in the warmer waters of the world.

The shark is one of the greediest eaters and killers of all sea animals. They suffer from continual hunger. Their stomachs won’t let them rest. Almost as soon as they eat, they must begin their search for more food. Eating almost anything, they have been known to follow ships for days at a time to get the waste and food that is thrown overboard. They have been known to wait in the shallow waters along the beaches, where they prey on bathers.

There are many species of sharks. Some of the known today are the whale shark, the basking shark, the hammerhead, the dusky, bullhead, mako, dog, leopard shark and the black tip. Some have their young by laying eggs. But most bear their young live, from three to six or more, at a time. The young are quite large, considering the size of their parents. For example, the female Black Tip shark is usually around five feet long. Her young will measure about 1-1/2 feet long at birth.

The tooth that is pictured was found on the river bank at Claiborne. It is believed to be a jaw tooth of the large (Carcharodon) shark mentioned earlier. Also, it is one of the best preserved that I have ever seen. The edges are still quite sharp, almost to the sharpness of a razor. The tooth is highly polished, and is quite sound throughout.

It is believed that the large (Carcharodon) shark could open its mouth in excess of five feet from top to bottom. This would mean that the killer of the deep could swallow a grown full-sized man. There have been instances when large sharks were caught and killed, and when the contents of their stomachs were examined, it was discovered that a human skull was among the grewsome contents.

There was a time, not long ago when I was involved in the manly sport of scuba diving. One day, when I was diving, a large shark that seemed to be half the length of a football field, scared the living daylights out of me.

Man might adapt well to other environments, but it didn’t take long for me to decide that I was out of mine. I feel sure that I hold the record (official) for removing myself from the shark’s environment, to the high dry ground of mine.

[This column also included a photo, taken by Singleton, of a shark tooth that measured nearly two inches in length. The caption beneath the photo read as follows: The right upper jaw tooth from the prehistoric Carcharodon shark that was abundant during the Devonian period.]

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)