Coal miners in North Dakota, USA, made a rare discovery earlier this year when they found the well-preserved fossil of an ancient mammoth. The seven-foot-long tusk was discovered in a complete form, making it unique for the state. While mammoths have been known to have lived in North Dakota since the Ice Age, this discovery stands out as one of the most complete mammoth skeletons found in the state, according to Clint Boyd, a senior paleontologist for the North Dakota Geological Survey (NDGS).
The fossil was found at the Freedom Mine near Beulah, and a team led by paleontologists from the NDGS recovered over 20 bones from the mammoth skeleton, including ribs, a shoulder blade, a tooth, and parts of the hips. The excavation of the old streambed where the skeleton was buried took 12 days. The recovered bones were stabilized in protective plaster jackets and transported to the Paleontology Lab at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck.
The next step involves carefully cleaning the bones to identify the species they belong to. Once the cleaning process is complete, paleontologists will be able to determine the specific species of mammoth. Staff from the NDGS and the Freedom Mine are collaborating to develop an educational outreach program to share the fossil’s significance and educate the public about life in North Dakota during the Ice Age. The goal is to integrate the fossils into the program and provide valuable insights into the Pleistocene Epoch, also known as the Ice Age, when mammoths coexisted with other iconic animals like sabre-toothed tigers and giant sloths.
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