Fox News – Talk about a big play in the red zone – a mammoth’s remains have been discovered during construction at Oregon State University’s Reser Stadium.
Construction crews digging in the north end zone in Reser Stadium on Monday uncovered a large femur bone, likely from a mammoth, OSU announced. Further digging revealed more bones from several extinct mammals.
“There are quite a few bones, and dozens of pieces,” said Loren Davis, an associate professor of anthropology at OSU, in a press release. “Some of the bones are not in very good shape, but some are actually quite well preserved.”
Davis was called to the site after the initial discovery was made. He said that there don’t appear to be any signs of human bones or artifacts at the site. Further testing will be needed to determine the bones’ exact age.
The discovery of the ancient mammal bones is not unusual in the Willamette Valley, according to Davis. The bones, including mammoth, bison and some kind of camel or horse, were discovered in a 10-foot deep plot in an area that could once have been a bog or marsh, he added.
Workers are digging up part of the stadium’s north end zone as part of the Valley Football Center expansion and renovation project. Work began after the fall football season ended and is expected to be complete by the start of the 2016 home season.
