Shark tooth fossils are more than striking beach finds — they’re tangible pieces of deep history. Many come from shark species that no longer exist, making each tooth a rare snapshot of an ancient ocean world.

Long before modern fossil science, shark teeth played a practical role in human life. Indigenous cultures used them to create tools and weapons, including saws, clubs, daggers, and implements for food preparation. Their sharp edges made them both functional and highly valued.

These fossils have also sparked centuries of myth and mystery. The earliest recorded description comes from Pliny the Elder, who believed shark teeth fell from the sky during lunar eclipses. For generations afterward, they were commonly mistaken for petrified tongues of dragons or serpents — objects of legend rather than science.

Today, we know the truth — but the sense of awe remains. Holding a shark tooth fossil is holding a real fragment of Earth’s ancient past, shaped by oceans, time, and imagination.