SUBJ: Black Hills, Mammoth Site, South Dakota, Mount Rushmore Area
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
Date: 09/06/1995
If you are planning a trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota, you
might want to include the Mammoth Site at Hot Springs.
We almost bypassed this, thinking it was just another tourist trap.
It is worth stopping by and seeing. This is a real working
Palentology dig that has been put under a roof. During the month
of July, volunteers from Earth Watch work under the supervision of
a number of scientists to remove the dirt and locate the bones of
the mammoths that are buried at the site. During the rest of the
year you can tour the site and have the work explained to you by
very knowledgeable guides. The price is under $5.00 for adults.
The site was discovered in 1975 when a contractor was leveling land for
a proposed housing division. Between 1975 and 1982 scientists
excavated portions of the area and found a large number of mammoth
bones. In 1983 the building was put over the dig site and was
opened to the public.
The present structure was erected over the site and work has
continued on removing the bones. Estimates are that it will take
20 to 30 years to remove all the dirt from the area. At the
present time they are working on the outer perimeter where most of
the bones are found. After the tour you are free to walk around and view the dig on your own. They also have a night program for older children where they learn the scientific methods used by the scentists in the real digging area.
If you or your children want to know more about how paleontologists
work, this is the place to visit. Phone number is (605) 745-6017. Fax number is (605) 745-3038.
Submitted by Al Wessel, Madison, WI
The Mammoth Site is run by a non-profit corporation.
