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A Mammoth Find Adapted from Information by Archaeological and Historical Conservancy, Inc. The City of Cape Coral, Florida, contracted with Greeley & Hansen to design the potable water, sanitary sewer, dual water irrigation, storm drain, and road reconstruction for the North 2 Utilities Extension Project. During deep utility trenching, a con- struction crew discovered what is believed to be a bone fragment from a mastodon or mammoth. It is believed to be a part of the animal’s humerus bone, which is a bone in the arm running from the shoulder to the elbow. This specific fossil would have con- nected the humerus to the elbow, and is about one foot in length and ten inches in width. The fragment is considered to be at least 12,000 years old. During this period, glacial retreat led to the formation of savannas across Florida, allowing herds of mammoth, bison, antelope, and horse to roam the peninsula. An archaeologist from Archaeological and Historical Conservancy, Inc. (AHC) met with project engineers and recorded all information. Since the trench had been filled be- fore his arrival, he documented the stratigraphic profile of a lift station in close proximity to the find. His observations suggest the bone likely came from a horizon of gray clayey sand below several more superficial horizons of fine, poorly drained sands and clays. Although an isolated find, fossils of this type are seldom found in isolation. A larger fossil bed is usually found in the immediate vicinity with the fossilized remains of other animals. AHC has worked three miles southeast of the find and recovered large quantities of broken fossil bones, suggesting a similar bone bed deposit there as well. Fossil bones are not uncommon in the area. However, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History, there are only two recorded sites in the county with finds pertaining to this time period. This is likely a result of the sites being underreported, rather than not existing, since most fossil beds are found during deeper excavations, such as quarrying, deep utility, and lake excavations. Although the bone is an intriguing find, its semi-mineralized state indicates it likely predates human occupation of the area, so it does not fall under the provisions of Florida statutes relating to cultural resources. ENV September 26-27, 2019 Hyatt Regency Dulles Herndon, Virginia For more information call 877-632-4748 or visit www.nda4u.com Save the Date 2019 NDA Convention Exhibitor & Sponsor Opportunities are Available! Golf Outing - President’s Dinner with Awards & Entertainment - Presentations for CE Credits - Outdoor Rig Displays - and More... 16 AUGUST 2019 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®