Columbian Mammoths are an extinct species that lived during the Pleistocene era which lasted from one point eight million to ten thousand years ago.
Researchers from the United States Bureau of Reclamation have found a Columbian mammoth skull and tusk that they think might be part of a complete mammoth skeleton dating back from between 70 to 120 thousand years.
The remains were found buried close to the American Falls Reservoir in Idaho. The site was partially excavated by students and professors from Idaho State University, but before they could search for more of the skeleton, increasing water levels forced them to reschedule the dig.
Mary Thompson, a collections manager from the Idaho Museum of Natural History and an instructor at Idaho State University is quoted as saying: “It gives us a little more time to prepare if this is a complete mammoth, to get the funds together. This is going to be substantial to go out and excavate a complete mammoth.”
One report says that a barrier has been built to hold the mammoth fossils in place underwater, until the water levels decrease and excavation can recommence.
