“Unearthing History: 13,600-Year-Old Mastodon Skull Found in Iowa Creek”
Excavators in Iowa have made a groundbreaking discovery, unearthing a 13,600-year-old mastodon skull from a creek in the southern part of the state. The University of Iowa’s Office of the State Archaeologist led the 12-day excavation, which involved staff and local community members and resulted in the recovery of several mastodon bones, primarily from the skull.
Radiocarbon dating has revealed that the mastodon is approximately 13,600 years old. Researchers are now examining the bones for any signs of human activity, such as cut marks, which could provide valuable insights into how humans interacted with these ancient creatures. John Doershuk, the director and state archaeologist at the Office of the State Archaeologist, expressed hope that evidence of projectile points and knives used to kill and butcher the animal may be found, as well as identifiable cut marks on the bones themselves.
The American mastodon, a relative of modern-day elephants, roamed North and Central America from 3.5 million years ago until around 10,500 years ago. Standing nearly 10 feet tall with distinctive twisty tusks, mastodons have left behind fossils that have been discovered in various locations across the continent.
The site of the excavation in Wayne County was initially identified in 2022, and the mastodon bones will eventually be displayed at the Prairie Trails Museum in Corydon, Iowa, following conservation and analysis at the university. This remarkable find sheds new light on the ancient history of Iowa and the interactions between humans and mastodons thousands of years ago.