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==Evolutionary claims==

==Evolutionary claims==

The [[theory of evolution]] has claimed that mastodons developed in [[Africa]] from the species ''Palaeomastodon''; according to evolutionary molecular genetic studies, they split from the developmental line to the present-day real elephants 26 million years ago in the upper Oligocene. The theory states the first fossil records began with ''Eozygodon'', from the lower Miocene about 22 million years ago. From this developed ''Zygolophodon'', an animal with four tusks, the upper ones bent downwards, while the much smaller lower ones had a straight course.  In the course of evolution, however, the lower canines were reduced, while the molars assumed a more zygodontic shape.  In [[Central Europe]], discoveries of the species ''Zygolophodon turicensis'' from Elgg ([[Switzerland]]) and Esselborn ([[Germany]]) are known.

The [[theory of evolution]] claims that mastodons developed in [[Africa]] from the species ''Palaeomastodon''. According to molecular genetic studies, they split from the developmental line to the present-day real elephants 26 million years ago in the upper Oligocene. The theory states the first fossil records began with ''Eozygodon'', from the lower Miocene about 22 million years ago. From this developed ''Zygolophodon'', an animal with four tusks, the upper ones bent downwards, while the much smaller lower ones had a straight course.  In the course of evolution, however, the lower canines were reduced, while the molars assumed a more zygodontic shape.  In [[Central Europe]], discoveries of the species ''Zygolophodon turicensis'' from Elgg ([[Switzerland]]) and Esselborn ([[Germany]]) are known.

The American mastodon (''Mammut americanum'') is believed to have lived in [[North America]] until about 10,000 years ago and belonged to the last members of a whole group of primitive mammals, reaching a shoulder height of about 8 feet and wearing a coat of thick hair to adapt to the cool-to-cold climate.  The two tusks were clearly swung upwards. It has been found in numerous sites in [[Canada]] and the [[USA]], but also by some sites in [[Central America]], such as finds from [[Mexico]] and [[Honduras]].

The American mastodon (''Mammut americanum'') is believed to have lived in [[North America]] until about 10,000 years ago and belonged to the last members of a whole group of primitive mammals, reaching a shoulder height of about 8 feet and wearing a coat of thick hair to adapt to the cool-to-cold climate.  The two tusks were clearly swung upwards. It has been found in numerous sites in [[Canada]] and the [[USA]], but also by some sites in [[Central America]], such as finds from [[Mexico]] and [[Honduras]].

[[Creation science]] states that mastodons were created by an act of [[God]] during the [[Creation Week]], between 4000-8000 BC; [[fossil]] remains found embedded within [[sedimentary rock]] were those animals which died during the [[Great Flood]].

[[Creation science]] states that mastodons were created by an act of [[God]] during the [[Creation Week]], between 4000-8000 BC; [[fossil]] remains found embedded within [[sedimentary rock]] were those animals which died during the [[Great Flood]].