The Mammoths of Mammoth Site
While traveling through Nebraska, a journey along the I-90 corridor presents numerous roadside attractions that provide a glimpse into the region's rich geological and paleontological history. One such site is the Mammoth Site of South Dakota, although not in Nebraska, it is an adjacent state and close to the cities of Oglala, Crawford and Chadron. Located in Hot Springs, a city of fewer than 4,000 residents near the Black Hills, the Mammoth Site stands as one of the most significant Ice Age discoveries of the 20th century. This roadside curiosity features not only a large collection of Columbian and woolly mammoth remains but also serves as a unique scientific and educational destination.
Excavation at the Mammoth Site began in 1974 after a construction project unearthed mammoth bones in the area. With thousands of hours of painstaking excavation and research, scientists discovered an astonishing array of fossils dating back over 26,000 years to the Late Pleistocene epoch. The Mammoth Site's preserved sinkhole, formally called a sinkhole trap, presents a snapshot of this period in the Earth's history. During that time, the sinkhole served as a source of water for roaming animals like the Columbian mammoths that inhabited the area. Over time, the sinkhole became more of a trap as the animals slipped into its depths and perished.
Today, visitors to the Mammoth Site can walk among and gaze upon more than 61 Columbian mammoths and three woolly mammoths frozen in time. An elevated boardwalk offers an overview of the preserved sinkhole where visitors observe ongoing excavations and exploration of the many fossil discoveries still in progress. Paleontologists, scientists that study fossils, continually unearth remains from other Ice Age animals at this active excavation site. As the discoveries continue, scientists gain a deeper understanding of the lives of these creatures and their connection to modern-day species.
As with many museum sites and archaeological digs, visitors to the Mammoth Site have access to various artefacts and educational displays showcasing aspects of Ice Age mammalian life. Not only do researchers excavate the bones of massive creatures but also the findings of the associated sediments, plants, and pollen, thus presenting a significant array of knowledge shared through exhibits at the site's museum.
Researchers have shown that the area surrounding the Mammoth Site experienced significant tectonic and geological changes during the Pleistocene era, resulting in movements in the Earth's crust after the formation of the sinkhole, which in turn caused deposits building up with increased speed. Through continued study of this unique find, specialists derive rich information about the ecosystems and natural conditions prevailing during that time. The well-preserved nature and comprehensive discoveries at the Mammoth Site underscore its position as an exceptional example of an active archaeological site open to public engagement.
As we visit other roadside attractions and archaeological sites along the Nebraska route, deeper journeys behind unique occurrences and phenomena can challenge the status of perceptions regarding mysterious pre-historic occurrences which happened world-wide.
Excavation at the Mammoth Site began in 1974 after a construction project unearthed mammoth bones in the area. With thousands of hours of painstaking excavation and research, scientists discovered an astonishing array of fossils dating back over 26,000 years to the Late Pleistocene epoch. The Mammoth Site's preserved sinkhole, formally called a sinkhole trap, presents a snapshot of this period in the Earth's history. During that time, the sinkhole served as a source of water for roaming animals like the Columbian mammoths that inhabited the area. Over time, the sinkhole became more of a trap as the animals slipped into its depths and perished.
Today, visitors to the Mammoth Site can walk among and gaze upon more than 61 Columbian mammoths and three woolly mammoths frozen in time. An elevated boardwalk offers an overview of the preserved sinkhole where visitors observe ongoing excavations and exploration of the many fossil discoveries still in progress. Paleontologists, scientists that study fossils, continually unearth remains from other Ice Age animals at this active excavation site. As the discoveries continue, scientists gain a deeper understanding of the lives of these creatures and their connection to modern-day species.
As with many museum sites and archaeological digs, visitors to the Mammoth Site have access to various artefacts and educational displays showcasing aspects of Ice Age mammalian life. Not only do researchers excavate the bones of massive creatures but also the findings of the associated sediments, plants, and pollen, thus presenting a significant array of knowledge shared through exhibits at the site's museum.
Researchers have shown that the area surrounding the Mammoth Site experienced significant tectonic and geological changes during the Pleistocene era, resulting in movements in the Earth's crust after the formation of the sinkhole, which in turn caused deposits building up with increased speed. Through continued study of this unique find, specialists derive rich information about the ecosystems and natural conditions prevailing during that time. The well-preserved nature and comprehensive discoveries at the Mammoth Site underscore its position as an exceptional example of an active archaeological site open to public engagement.
As we visit other roadside attractions and archaeological sites along the Nebraska route, deeper journeys behind unique occurrences and phenomena can challenge the status of perceptions regarding mysterious pre-historic occurrences which happened world-wide.
