Mammoth bones unearthed on Oregon State football field

Construction workers have unearthed the bones of a mammoth and other ice age mammals on the Oregon State University football field.

The Oregonian reports crews working on an expansion around Reser Stadium found a femur from one of the ancient elephants and bones from a bison and camel, all dating back 10,000 years.

A spokesman says the OSU archaeologist believes the 10-foot pit where the remains were found could have been a pond or watering hole.

OSU associate professor of anthropology Loren Davis says sick animals often went to a body of water to die.

Davis says the find isn't unusual since thousands of mammoths and other long-gone creatures once roamed the surrounding Willamette Valley.

Construction work has been moved elsewhere while experts examine the bones.

© 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Citation: Mammoth bones unearthed on Oregon State football field (2016, January 28) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2016-01-mammoth-bones-unearthed-oregon-state.html
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