Ancient Giants Uncovered: 13,600-Year-Old Mastodon Skull Found in Iowa Creek As Archaeologists Hunt for Clues of Human Interaction

Archaeologists in Iowa have uncovered an ancient mastodon skull that dates back to the era when early humans first roamed the Earth. 

Unearthed in southern Iowa, this find marks the state's first well-preserved mastodon, as reported by the University of Iowa’s Office of the State Archaeologist. A recent 12-day excavation by scientists and local volunteers uncovered numerous mastodon bones, with a significant focus on the skull. 

Radiocarbon dating has enabled researchers to estimate that the mastodon is approximately 13,600 years old, placing its existence around the same time that the first humans were living and hunting in the region, according to the university. 

Mastodons, huge mammals resembling both elephants and mammoths, inhabited North America from roughly 3.5 million years ago until around 10,500 years ago. 

Researchers will now examine the bones for any signs that humans might have encountered this particular mastodon. 

The 12-day excavation also revealed several human-made artifacts, including stone tools. The tools, dating to a few thousand years after the mastodon skull, provided the team with the first-ever evidence of human presence in the creek drainage, which was still an encouraging discovery. 

Scientists are optimistic that additional archaeological discoveries, combined with detailed records of the bones' orientation and location, may reveal evidence of human interaction with the specimen. They also hope to uncover insights into how and why the creature ended up in the creek bed. 

“We’re really hoping to find evidence of human interaction with this creature – perhaps the projectile points and knives that were used to kill the animal and do the initial butchering,” said John Doershuk, the director and state archaeologist at the Office of the State Archaeologist, said in a statement. “There’s also potential evidence on the bones themselves – there could be identifiable cut marks.”