Thirty years ago nobody had any idea what lurked in the depths of South Carolina rivers. These were deep, dark, mysterious waters meant more for fishing than diving. A few recreational divers had worked these rivers for years and picked up a handful of fossils from prehistoric animals but nobody thought much about it. The scientific value of these teeth and bones went unrealized (and uncollected) for years.

In 1974 a team was assembled by the Institute of Archeology for the purpose of an archeological dive in the upper Cooper River - northwest of Charleston, SC. The team consisted of five highly-trained and skilled divers who were searching the river bed for prehistoric and historic artifacts up through the Revolutionary War. Among this group was a fledgling underwater archeologist - Patrick McCarthy of Charleston, SC. Pat and the other divers extensively searched the bottom contours of this part of the Cooper River and found numerous important artifacts. Like others before them, they also found isolated gravel pockets full of fossil teeth - including teeth from the largest shark to ever live, Carcharocles megalodon. Unlike others before them, they recognized the scientific and potential commercial value of these incredible fossils.

For the next two years the group collected incredible numbers of these monster teeth from the Cooper River. The local museums sent out personnel to help the team identify and categorize their finds. Many of the teeth found (and all the fossils/relics of scientific importance) were donated to these museums for further study while some were sold to merchants in Florida to defray the expenses of diving and provide for a meager living for the divers. Clearly it wasn't the money that was the motivating factor - it was the thrill of discovery and awe for the creatures who once inhabited the area's prehistoric oceans.

By 1976 Pat had ventured out on his own in the continuing search for these phenomenal teeth. He found many teeth and began thinking of ways to better display them. What better display, he thought, then actually reconstructing one of the enormous jaws. This was first done in the early 1900's by the American Museum of Natural History in New York with teeth obtained from phosphate mining operations at land sites in the same general area as the Cooper River. Since then there had been few if any additional jaws constructed to display these teeth. Pat brought together hundreds of teeth and began the tedious process of determining which tooth should go in which position. Pat combined his talents with Dr. Clifford Jeremiah, a medical doctor in Jacksonville, FL with similar interests and expertise, and they began work on the jaw reconstruction. Having been little or no real studies on the dentition of the megalodon, this was largely an investigatory project but the end result was impressive nonetheless. Before them stood a fiberglass jaw frame, over 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide. This jaw was filled with approximately 175 authentic fossil teeth and was a very impressive sight. For once the terrifying yet infinitely intriguing orifice of this brute could be seen in its full glory. Pat soon donated this incredible display to the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia.

This jaw, however, was merely the prototype of many to follow. Over the last 20 years, Pat has studied religiously to improve the design, color, and texture of the reconstructed shark jaws. Partly through his studies and work (along with other miraculous discoveries), the correct tooth position in the dentition of the megalodon has been refined to an exact science and it is now possible for experts like Pat to accurately describe the position of any given tooth.

As inconceivable as it sounds, ANYBODY can now own one of these extraordinary reconstructed shark jaws. His reproduction jaws are the finest available and quality is always of paramount importance.

Patrick McCarthy recently appeared on a show entitled "Prehistoric Sharks" on the Discovery Channel. This was the show that started and ended the famous "Shark Week" specials back in August, 1998, and was broadcast in countries all around the world. From the notes I have received, this show was very well-received and generated a tremendous amount of interest in fossil sharks, especially Pat and his Carcharocles megalodon reproduction jaws.

Pat's work is on display in Aquaria and Natural History establishments throughout the world as far away as Japan. A few of the places where you can see his reconstructed jaws are:

Patrick McCarthy is well-known and respected throughout the world and in the fossil/diving community as a whole. Every fossil shark tooth dealer and collector has been impacted by Pat's work and devotion to his trade as he is the one person who basically started the entire industry. When you purchase one of his famous reconstructed jaws you're not only purchasing an incredible piece of ancient history, you're purchasing 25 years of experience and dedication to quality and service which does not stop after the sale. Invest in quality and you'll never go wrong.