Well-preserved mastodon excavated from Iowa creek bank

WAYNE COUNTY, Iowa – The Office of the State Archaeologist has recently wrapped up excavating what it says is the first-ever well-preserved mastodon found in Iowa.

The discovery of the mastodon was brought to the attention of the OSA in 2022. This month, they spent 12 days excavating the mastodon from an eroding creek bank in Wayne County. The OSA shared photos on Facebook of its staff working to examine and remove the bones.

OSA says radiocarbon dating proved that the mastodon is about 13,600 years old. Careful examination will determine whether any cut marks on the bones would provide evidence of human activity.

Mastodons became extinct roughly 10,500 years ago in North America.

The bones recovered will become part of a new exhibit at the Prairie Trails Museum in Corydon.

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