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Show Recreation-Touri- Guide, May st 1992-1- 9 Mammoth bones find a home at the CEU museum When visiting Price, a must is a visit to the CEU Prehistoric Museum at 155 East on Main Street. The museum recently obtained the bones of a Columbian mammoth found during the excavation of Cleveland Reservoir near the summit of Huntington Canyon. The mammoths trip to the museum began on Aug. 8, 1988, when a backhoe driver noticed the machines results show just how perfectly preserved the bones are, and they will also be a baseline for future tests conducted on other skeletons. We can use them as comparisons for studying rj t s'? I " 4 PV ,1" - r.Alr r "V IN' ' a, other Columbian I mam- old moths, woolv mammoths or imperial mammoths, he said w hen it died. Officials do not know exactly how it died, but they can express a (Contmueti on Page 25) ZUPONS' bucket had struck and uncovered a huge bone. The driver did not know what kind of animal the bone belonged to, but he knew it was no ordinary bone. When officials from the CEU museum, in consultation with the Utah state Workers secure the skull of a huge mammoth whose bones are now being stabilized at the CEU Prehistoric Museum in Price. (Photo by L. Miller) Although 95 percent of the skeleton was retrieved from its mud-bo- g home, a few cracks have appeared as the bones have gone through the drying process. Officials believe some type of plastic or other preservative will be applied to the bones. The preservation process is not the only unique thing d about the archaeologist and Utah state paleontologist, discovered the huge bone belonged to an extinct mammoth, the drama that would eventually surround the beast began. Workmen kept the dozers and cats working, while officials and volunteers worked frantically to retrieve the bones from the mud bog that had held them captive for nearly 10,000 years. Now the mammoth bones have returned to the College of Eastern Utah, and the task of ensuring the bones are preserved and well taken care of begins. Until the preservation method is selected, the bones are being kept in a preparation laboratory that has its humidity and air temperature closely monitored. The humidity is kept at 35 percent, and the air temperature is maintained at 70 degrees. 11,000-year-ol- mammoth. well-preserv- ed Millsite The animal was very old when it died. CElJs Don Purge calls it a very old gentlemen on his last leg. The arthritic bones and the condition of its teeth indicate it was about 60 years Utah State Paleontologist Dave Gillette is still very excited over the discovery, even after nearly four years. He said the bones and surrounding material are well preserved. They are like leftovers kept in a fridge for 11,000 years. The flesh deteriorated, but the bones were perfectly preserved, he said. Officials even found chewed plant material in the animals stomach area. We found a large concentration of fir needles that really surprised us, he said, along with a lot of grasses. The presence of fir needles is -A pretty interesting. Many studies have been done on the bones, and many are still taking place. Officials have taken samples of the bone material to conduct several tests. One protein test has already been completed, and it shows the amino acids in the bone protein is a perfect match to modem elephants. Gillette explained the PAINT AND BODY SHOP, INC. 528 So. Hwy 55, Price Be our Special Guest, lots of things to see and do: Golf Course Museums Reservoirs Mountains Desert Fishing Marina Hunting Dinosaurs Golfing Motels Adventure Cafes Community Stores Play Utah's most exciting Services Power Plants & Mines golf course. Farmers Sheepmen Fishing, boating, and camping facilities available at nearby Millsite campground and reservoir, Ferron, Emery County. For more information call: Jerry Braun Golf Professional - 384-288- 7 Millsite Golf Course Cattlemen Scenic By Ways State Parks Coumty River Runs For more information call - Best by a dam site!" Emery County Chamber of Commerce 381-254- 7 |