The Mammoth Site

Today I headed to Hot Springs SD to visit The Mammoth Site. This is an active paleontological research site and museum preserving Ice Age fossils in their original location. More than 60 mammoths have been discovered at this site, mostly Columbian mammoths but there are at least two woolly mammoths discovered so far. The fossils date back date back approximately 190,000-140,000 years to the late Ice Age. The Mammoth Site was discovered in 1974 during a construction project in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Workers uncovered large bones that were later identified as mammoth remains. The discovery led to the development of the site as a research and museum facility. The Mammoth Site formed in a prehistoric sinkhole that filled with warm water from area hot springs, creating a natural trap. Mammoths and other animals entered the area and were unable to escape. Over time, their remains accumulated and were preserved in sediment. The dig site is completely indoors and can be visited at any time during the year.

The site is active with paleontologists working to uncover additional bones

This is definitely worth the visit especially if you are interested in fossils and the Ice Age. The dig site is the main attraction but there is a museum attached. I thoroughly enjoyed my time walking around. Be sure to scan the QR codes for short audio explaining what you are seeing in each area. Check back tomorrow when I tell you about the wild horse sancturary I stumbled across on my visit to Hot Springs.

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