For nearly 50 years, a mysterious fossil unearthed during the construction of Islington subway station has refused to give up its secrets — until now.

A study by Trent University, in partnership with the Royal Ontario Museum and the Royal Alberta Museum, has found a link between the fossil and two deer species found across North America.

“The more analysis we did, it became clear it was most closely related to whitetail and mule deer, but likely a distinct species that diverged around 3,000,000 years ago,” said Aaron Schafer, an associate professor at Trent University, who worked on the study.

The fossil, dubbed by scientists as or “horned Toronto deer from underground,” is believed to be one of a kind and almost 12,000 years old. And it's helping to provide a snapshot into what life lo

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