Archaeologist discovers 13,600-year-old prehistoric mastodon skull in Iowa

Iowa's state archaeologist announced the discovery of a prehistoric mastodon that is about 13,600 years old in far southern Iowa.

The University of Iowa’s Office of the State Archaeologist recently completed a 12-day excavation of the mastodon fossil, primarily the skull, according to its Facebook post . It is the first ever well-preserved mastodon that has been excavated in Iowa.

Mastodons were a prehistoric elephant-like animal that became extinct 10,500 years ago, according to the National Park Service. Mastodon fossils have been found from Alaska to Mexico.

Mastodons, which lived in cool woodlands, were about 9.8 feet tall at the shoulder and had upward-curving tusks, according to the agency.

Radiocarbon samples provided evidence that the skull, which was found in an eroding creek bank in Wayne County, was about 13,600 years old, according to the Office of the State Archaeologist.

State Archeologist John Doershuk still is determining if there was any evidence of human activity, such as cut marks, on the remains. He also was able to work with community members to recover several mastodon bones in the area.

After conservation and analysis is completed, the mastodon bones will become part of a new exhibit at the Prairie Trails Museum, 515 E. Jefferson St., in Corydon.

José Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Archaeologist discovers 13,600-year-old prehistoric mastodon skull in Iowa