Dr. Kirk Johnson reveals the latest news from the Ice Age fossil dig near Snowmass Village
Paleobotanist Dr. Kirk Johnson of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science will share the latest news from the Ice Age fossil excavation on June 15 at Colorado Mountain College. He is the leader of the museum’s excavation team and vice president of the research and collections division.
Digging resumed at the Ziegler Reservoir fossil site on May 15 and has already added more than 500 bones to the total count from last fall. Fossil finds include an Ice Age camel tooth; Mastodon skulls, pelvises, mandibles and tusks; Mammoth tusks; a Bison jawbone; and a Sloth jawbone. It is one of the most significant fossil finds in North America.
The discovery has attracted students, young and old, in the valley and far beyond. Last fall, more than 5,000 local students anxiously awaited their turn to view and learn about specimens from the find. In 2011, more than 5,200 area students have participated in “Mammoth of a Find,” a live broadcast with scientists from the dig site and “Time Scene Investigation: Snowmass Village,” a tech‐savvy assembly program, which are both part of the community outreach planned for the Snowmastodon Project™.
Johnson’s visit to Colorado Mountain College will take place June 15 at 7 p.m. in the Spring Valley Gymnasium (3000 County Rd. 114). It is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, so early arrival is advised. For more information about the event, please call 970-963-2172.