Video Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obVcpY5GqL4
Ready for a prehistoric adventure? Join me, your host Craig, as we explore the fascinating world of the Waco Mammoth National Monument in central Texas. Unearth the incredible mammoth fossils discovered in 1978 and get an exclusive look at the life-size replica of a mammoth, as well as other captivating prehistoric creatures that lived alongside these gentle giants, such as the Western camel and the saber-toothed cat.
Not only will we reveal the ongoing research and excavation at this unique site, but we'll also guide you through the tools and techniques used by researchers to uncover these ancient treasures. From giant tortoises to juvenile mammoth skeletons, there's so much to discover in this amazing place. Feeling adventurous? We'll even venture onto the mile-long hiking trails that surround the monument. Grab your hiking gear and join us on this exhilarating journey through the prehistoric world of mammoths and other mesmerizing creatures!
Welcome to the Natural Medic Adventures. I'm your host, craig, a Natural Medic, and today I am at Waco Mammoth National Monument. It's kind of a unique site run by the National Park Service, the city of Waco, parks and Rec and Baylor University here in Waco. Inside of the site which leads down the road right here, there are mammoth skeletons which will be viewed in a dig site And there's also some hiking trails. So come with me today as I explore the Waco Mammoth National Monument. These skull replicas here are animals that are found at the site, pardon me, and over here we have some replica bones and tusk, and over here we have some different scat or poop of different animals Very cool. So I'm inside the Waco Mammoth National Monument shelter. I have permission from the ranger to film in here. This is a place I've wanted to come for several years and I'm finally here. This is a mammoth Colombian mammoth femur bone. Right here. You can see the size of it. It's approximately, i'm estimating, four feet in length. That's a replica And for comparison, there is a human femur replica right next to it. But this whole site here is a shelter. Now You can see the building around us. It actually is a shelter for these fossil mammoths that they have found that were caught in mud thousands of years ago. You can see the replica there of what I heard would have looked like And they got stuck in the mud here And as they got stuck in the mud they drowned And so their bodies were left here to fossilize. So they're doing continuous research, excavation etc on this site to this day. Here's an area they're doing research right here Really cool place.
Speaker 1:
If you're ever in the Waco area, which is in Central Texas, this is a really cool place to check out. Back there on that back wall that's an actual replica. You can see the size of people Those are average sized people. You can see the size of a mammoth. That's a life size replica, drawing or artist rendering of a mammoth on that back wall right there Pretty awesome. And if you look over here, this is the fossil bed. All the mammoths are being seen right there And they're in a big grouping. You also have other animals that are there, including the Western camel, the saber toothed cat All associated with those types of animals Really cool. There is a fee to go on the tour but I would say definitely well worth it.
Speaker 1:
Now, looking over here, you can see some other animals, as I just mentioned. So here's some tools that they use to do excavations. They have a knee pad that can kneel on in the dirt here And you're looking at thousands of years of strata that were eroded away Originally, were found in 1978 by two teenage boys that were over here, exploring, we'll say, and they were able to find some of these bones that were associated with this area. Now, so this right here is a giant tortoise along with a mammoth. The mammoth skeleton is right here. The giant tortoise is right here And you can see there's lots more places that they are basically going to excavate, i would imagine. But you have lots of barrels up there and they're sifting through items there. Very cool. No, it's pronounced giant tortoise. No, giant tortoise. Better view of the mammoth side right there Western camel right below us, sabertooth cat, even toad mammal I don't have a name, i guess, but very cool stuff, very cool stuff.
Speaker 1:
Let's go walk over here. We can see some more tools that they use for excavations, very cool. And mammoth skeletons. This is the big mammoth skeleton. It's almost an entire skeleton right here And it's a large male. Some juvenile skeletons back there behind it. Anyway, that gives a good summary. Here's a better look at this right here. So if you're ever out in the Waco area, definitely come check this out. There's about a mile of trails here on the Waco-Mammoth National Monument. There's a lot of different directions So I can sell to your map, but there is plenty of hiking here. Make sure you prepare adequately and bring your tennis essentials.