Scientists excited about Iowa mammoth discovery

[June 07, 2012]  OSKALOOSA, Iowa (AP) -- An unusual discovery of mammoth bones on a rural Oskaloosa farm has experts studying prehistoric life excited about scientific discoveries that may lie with the massive beast.

The find is rare because it appears to include much of the animal's skeleton undisturbed. That allows scientists to gather pollen and other plant evidence at the dig site that could reveal details about Iowa's environment more than 12,000 years ago.

Scientists from the University of Iowa plan to scan the area with ground-penetrating radar on Friday to see if they can determine how much of the mammoth remains underground. Excavation will continue throughout the summer.

Bones were first found two years ago by the landowner. He wants his name and location of the farm to remain confidential to protect the site.

[Associated Press]

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