The Mammoth Site: Most Incredible Mammoth Graveyard
#Elephant graveyard
These #pachyderms make up what has to be one of my most thrilling museum visits ever. I had no idea what to expect when we visited The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota. @colinboisvert1 interned there and said Cristy and I would love it. My goodness was he spot on! We stayed 2+ hours and could have stayed longer as there is so much to take in. We will most certainly return!
What you see in this video is a result of 50 years of careful paleontological work. The building has a massive overhead crane to move the biggest blocks and can be worked year round I would wager. So cool!
Over 50 Columbian #Mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) and 3 Woolly #Mammoths (#Mammuthus primigenius) have been excavated here, as well as pronghorn, sloths, short-faced bears, oxen, and over 80 vertebrate species. It is an incredible ecosystem treasure trove and one of the most underrated venues I have ever visited. Twas eerily quiet during our visit. Walking among these amazing #pachyderms was an honor and a privilege.
How’d they die? For around 700 years an enticing 120’ x 150’, 65’ deep sinkhole with extremely steep sides offered tantalizingly warm water. Mostly teenage male elephants tumbled, were pushed, or willingly swam in the water. Many learned they couldn’t get out and drowned :-(. They sank to the quiet bottom and were rapidly buried. Pachyderms are smart, and the females knew to avoid it, but teens couldn’t resist the dare ;-).
The site’s age isn’t confidently known. Based on the fauna, 26,000 years was the hypothesis, but dates have ranged from 30-40,000 to almost 200,000 years old.
The site was found in 1974 when a grader cut through a tusk. The landowner, Phil Anderson, went to great lengths to get the site taken seriously. He donated the land, replete with the most incredible mammoth graveyard ever. Thank you, Phil!
I was delighted to learn of the Arizona connection at the site, Larry Agenbrouad and Jim Mead, both with Arizona ties, were involved in its initial excitement in 1974 and ongoing work. I was delighted to see their names and photos when I entered the facility.
@themammothsite
#WorldElephantDay
#FossilCrates