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Mastodon Matrix Lab

Mastodon Matrix Lab. by Chris Underwood, with input from Saskia van de Gevel-Edidin and other Fellows of the University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project. Research Partnership with The Paleontological Research Institution.

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Mastodon Matrix Lab

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  1. Mastodon Matrix Lab by Chris Underwood, with input from Saskia van de Gevel-Edidin and otherFellows of the University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project Research Partnership with The Paleontological Research Institution Images used with permission from the Paleontological Research Institution. Materials produced by the University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project, funded by the National Science Foundation GK-12 Program under grant # DGE-0538420.

  2. Mastodon Definition • What is a mastodon? • Mastodons are extinct relatives of modern elephants. • Mastodons were numerous and widespread in North America up until around 10,000 years ago, when they became extinct together with many other species of large mammals at the end of the last glacial period. Image used with permission from the Paleontological Research Institution. Materials produced by the University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project, funded by the National Science Foundation GK-12 Program under grant # DGE-0538420.

  3. History of the Mastodon Fossil Discovery • In August of 1999 Larry Lozier wanted to deepen the pond in the backyard of his home in suburban Hyde Park, New York. • A week later, when the excavator had finished, Larry and his wife Sheryl noticed what they thought was a log lying beside the pond. • When they examined it more closely they found it was an enormous bone (which turned out to be a humerus or upper forelimb bone). • PRI staff and volunteers drained and explored the pond site and found the rest of the skeleton located in the bottom of the pond. Images used with permission from the Paleontological Research Institution. Materials produced by the University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project, funded by the National Science Foundation GK-12 Program under grant # DGE-0538420.

  4. History of the Mastodon Fossil Discovery • The excavation lasted 6 weeks, with the help of hundreds of volunteers. • 95% of the bones were recovered, including both tusks, the skull, and all major limb bones. Materials produced by the University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project, funded by the National Science Foundation GK-12 Program under grant # DGE-0538420.

  5. History of the Mastodon Fossil Discovery • The Hyde Park specimen is an American mastodon (Mammut americanum). • This mastodon was an adult male (30-40 years old) that may have weighed as much as 10,000 -15,000 pounds when alive. • It lived approximately 11,500 BC. • There is a chance that Native Americans laid eyes on this animal when he was alive, though there is no evidence to indicate that humans had any direct impact on its death. Materials produced by the University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project, funded by the National Science Foundation GK-12 Program under grant # DGE-0538420.

  6. The Hyde Park Excavation Image used with permission from the Paleontological Research Institution. Materials produced by the University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project, funded by the National Science Foundation GK-12 Program under grant # DGE-0538420.

  7. Photos from Mastodon Project Images used with permission from the Paleontological Research Institution. Materials produced by the University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project, funded by the National Science Foundation GK-12 Program under grant # DGE-0538420.

  8. Objective of the Mastodon Lab • Discover what is in the mud or “matrix” that surrounded the mastodon. • What does this material tell us about the natural environment over 11,000 years ago? Images used with permission from the Paleontological Research Institution. Materials produced by the University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project, funded by the National Science Foundation GK-12 Program under grant # DGE-0538420.

  9. What will we find in the Mastodon Matrix ? ID sheet courtesy of the Paleontological Research Institution Materials produced by the University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project, funded by the National Science Foundation GK-12 Program under grant # DGE-0538420.

  10. Methods for Mastodon Lab • Split up into groups of 4 people. • Examine reference specimens of material found in the matrix. • Examine a sample of the matrix and separate out (1) plant materials,(2) rocks,(3) shells, and (4) other material. Materials produced by the University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project, funded by the National Science Foundation GK-12 Program under grant # DGE-0538420.

  11. How will the results be used? • All samples will be sent back to Cornell University for further analysis. • Other schools in our area (Carpenter’s and Seymour Middle Schools) and from across the country are participating in this research. • What we find in the matrix will help clarify climatic conditions and the natural environment in the northeastern U.S. from over 11,000 years ago. Materials produced by the University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project, funded by the National Science Foundation GK-12 Program under grant # DGE-0538420.

  12. PRI and Museum Collections Materials produced by the University of Tennessee GK-12 Earth Project, funded by the National Science Foundation GK-12 Program under grant # DGE-0538420.

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