Prehistoric Bison discovered in N.W.T Canada
| June 20, 2008 | |
 (No Ratings Yet) Loading ... |
Scientists have confirmed the remains of a prehistoric bison found near Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T., in September are nearly 12,000 years old.
Local resident Shane Van Loon discovered the huge skull, hide and bones jutting out of the permafrost from an eroding cliff near the Gwich’in community, about 230 kilometres south of Tuktoyaktuk.
The remains are now on their way to Yellowknife, where a team of scientists hopes to find out more about the long-extinct animal.
Chuck Arnold, director of Yellowknife’s Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, says his team of half-a-dozen or so paleontologists has much to learn from the remains.
“What were the connections between this bison and others in North America, and perhaps the Old World as well? What was the environment like in Tsiigehtchic at this time? This is really opening a window to that field of study,” said Arnold.
The museum plans to put together an exhibit on the bison that will be displayed in Tsiigehtchic.
Comments
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.