OSU construction unearths bones from mammoth, other mammals

PORTLAND — Construction crews have unearthed the bones of a mammoth and other ice age mammals in the end zone of Oregon State University’s Reser Stadium.

The Oregonian reports that OSU spokesman Steve Clark says workers found a mammoth femur and bones from a bison and camel.

Clark says the school’s archaeologist believes it could have been the location of a pond or watering hole.

OSU associate professor of anthropology Loren Davis says it’s not unusual to find ancient bones in Willamette Valley, which was home to thousands of mammoths and other animals.

Davis says sick animals often went to a body of water to die there, causing groups of bones like the 10,000-year-old ones found at OSU.

Construction work has been moved to other areas while experts examine the bones.