Mayborn Museum Is A Unique Treasure
What you may not know is that Waco is one of the most important paleontological sites in the world where researchers gather to study the largest concentration of mammoths to have died from a single event. Relatives of both Woolly Mammoths and Mastodons, Columbian Mammoths most closely resembled modern-day African and Asian elephants. Drawn to the riverbed in what was believed to be a time of severe drought, these enormous creatures were caught in a flash flood and unable to escape the torrential downpour.
During their investigation researches found a moving discovery; both the bull and the matriarch were found holding baby mammoths in their tusks in an effort to save them from the rising waters. Even millions of years ago the love of parents for their child existed. Researchers continue their work at the Mammoth Site, so it is not open to the public at this time. No worries though, at the Mayborn Museum Complex you'll find a cast of the matriarch and the young mammoth’s remains on display.
This is a rare exhibit because it is set in the floor of the exhibit hall, and covered with a high-pressure glass. Take a few steps forward, and look down, you'll find yourself directly over the skeleton, which gives each visitor a unique sense of both the scale of the mammoths and the tragedy of the event. Throughout the exhibit you will find certain displays and objects that have numbers associated with them. Spend the day at the museum exploring 16 themed Discovery rooms, such as the Communication Room, the Health Room and the Invertebrate Room.
By Melody Schubert
Plan Your Trip
To learn about this exhibit, and upcoming events visit Mayborn Museum Complex website.
Photo Credits: Mayborn Museum
