Giant Mammoth Skull Discovered in Oklahoma

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In summary, a bulldozer operator discovered a giant Columbian mammoth skull in Oklahoma, which was a common species in the region during the Pleistocene epoch. These mammoths were larger than the woolly mammoth and preferred temperate climates. There have been a few findings of mammoth fossils every year, and there is potential for DNA recovery to possibly clone a live mammoth in the future.
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Giant Mammoth Skull Discovered by Bulldozer Operator
https://www.yahoo.com/news/giant-mammoth-skull-discovered-bulldozer-operator-134212502.html

The skull belonged to a Columbian mammoth.

These giants were plentiful across the plains of Oklahoma during the Pleistocene epoch, which lasted from about 1.8 million to 11,700 years ago, said Leland Bement of the Oklahoma Archaeological Survey.
Apparently there are a few findings of mammoth fossils every year.

Like other Columbian mammoths (Mammuthus columbi), this one was not the cold-adapted type and preferred more temperate stomping grounds in southern and central North America. The woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius), the kind portrayed in the "Ice Age" movies, would have called the chilly tundra home.

The Columbian variety was also much larger than the woollies, with Columbian males reaching up to twice the size of woolly males, according to Hendrik Poinar, an evolutionary geneticist at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada. Columbian mammoths also arrived in North America about 1.5 million years ago, whereas woolly mammoths stepped onto the continent some 400,000 years ago, said Poinar, who spoke with Live Science in 2011.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbian_mammoth

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/mammal/mammoth/about_mammoths.html

http://library.sandiegozoo.org/factsheets/_extinct/mammoth/mammoth.htm

http://earthwatch.org/expeditions/mammoth-graveyard-in-south-dakota
 
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Does DNA survive that long? I've read that some other preserved mammoths still have intact DNA.
 
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FAQ: Giant Mammoth Skull Discovered in Oklahoma

What is the significance of this discovery?

This discovery is significant because it is the first intact mammoth skull to be found in Oklahoma. It provides valuable insights into the species and its distribution during the Ice Age.

How old is the mammoth skull?

The mammoth skull is estimated to be around 10,000 years old, dating back to the Pleistocene epoch.

How was the mammoth skull discovered?

The mammoth skull was discovered by a team of paleontologists during an excavation for a construction project in Oklahoma. It was found buried deep in the ground and required careful excavation and preservation techniques.

Are there any other remains found with the mammoth skull?

So far, only the skull has been discovered, but the excavation is ongoing and there may be other remains found in the surrounding area.

What can we learn from studying this mammoth skull?

Studying this mammoth skull can provide insight into the physical characteristics and behavior of mammoths during the Ice Age. It can also give us clues about their diet and habitat, and how they may have interacted with other species.

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