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A Community-inspired (and Energized) Mastodon Excavation in Southern Iowa
Join State Archaeologist John Doershuk as he presents at the monthly meeting of the Quad Cities Archaeological Society. This program is free and open to the public.
Wayne County is a relatively remote and lower population density (96th of 99) rural county in Iowa but features the vibrant and well-managed Prairie Trails Museum that enjoys strong community support. A 2022 discovery by an area resident of a complete and surprisingly well-preserved mastodon femur in a drainage in the southwest part of the county led to a community-initiated research project that ultimately included the landowners, museum staff, University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA) personnel, and local interested avocationals.This presentation serves as a practical case study focusing on how the project was organized, funded, and operationalized.
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