On The Surface of the Pond

Napoleon Is Down Below

Standing here at the overlook gives you the best view of the overall breadth and depth of the sinkhole deposit. Look down into the excavation pit to see the numerous pieces of skeletons scattered about. Between Flags 17 and Flag
13 is the most complete Columbian mammoth skeleton found so far and based on the measurements of his teeth, he is also the oldest at approximately 47. This skeleton is nicknamed Napoleon. And nearby at Flag 14 is one of the most
well-preserved skulls found to date, with another one just upslope. Both of these specimens are the only two skulls that have both tusks still attached. When excavation continues around Napoleon, it may be determined that this skeleton also has two tusks remaining in the skull.

Go For a Swim

If you were here in the Ice Age when those bones were just settling to the bottom of the pond, you would be in the middle of a warm-water pond, treading water, looking for a way out of this pool where the only potential way out might be behind you, where the edges of the pond might be less abrupt. At one time, the water was 50-60 ft. deep – you could not come close to touching the bottom. But over the millennia, the sinkhole filled in with sediments and skeletons.

Grubby Meadow

Ultimately the sinkhole lost its open-water pond scenario and developed into just a grubby meadow or a wallowing hole take a look at the swirled pattern of the sediments on either side of the pathway here at the top of the hill. As you leave the overlook, back to your right you will see still more swirls and depressions thought to represent shallow footprints. By this time in the evolution of the sinkhole, mammoths were likely to freely move into and out of the sinkhole at best there was a shallow pond. This is also a good location to view the woolly and Columbian mammoth skulls you observed at Flags 4 and 5.

Ready to move on? Let’s head back to the staircase and down the stairs to the large mammoth replica skeleton. If stairs are an issue, take the newly-constructed elevator down.