Mastodon State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mastodon State Historic Site |
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Skeleton museum display
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 Mastodon State Historic Site
Location in Missouri
Mastodon State Historic Site
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jefferson, Missouri, United States |
| Area | 431.14 acres (174.48 ha) |
| Elevation | 417 ft (127 m) |
| Established | 1976 |
| Operator | Missouri Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Mastodon State Historic Site |
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Kimmswick Bone Bed
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Drawing of a mastodon skeleton by Rembrandt Peale
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| Location | Jefferson County, Missouri, USA |
| NRHP reference No. | 80002371 |
| Added to NRHP | November 5, 1980 |
Mastodon State Historic Site is a special place in Imperial, Missouri. It covers about 431-acre (174 ha) of land. This site is important for studying both ancient human history and prehistoric life.
Scientists first found bones of huge, extinct animals like mastodons here in the early 1800s. This area became famous for having one of the largest collections of Ice Age fossils in the United States. It attracted scientists from all over the world.
The state of Missouri bought the site in 1976 to protect it. This happened just before Interstate 55 was built nearby. In 1979, something amazing happened at the site. Scientists found a stone spear point made by early hunters, called the Clovis culture, right next to mastodon bones. This was the first clear proof that humans and these giant Ice Age animals lived at the same time. The Kimmswick Bone Bed, which is part of the site, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Discovering Ancient Life
The Mastodon State Historic Site is known for its "Kimmswick Bone Bed." This is a place where many bones from the Pleistocene Ice Age were found. These bones include not only mastodons but also other animals that are now extinct.
What is a Mastodon?
Mastodons were huge, furry animals. They looked a bit like elephants but were covered in thick hair. They lived during the Ice Age, thousands of years ago. Mastodons ate trees and shrubs, unlike mammoths, which mostly ate grass.
Early Human Hunters
The Clovis culture was a group of early people who lived in North America. They were skilled hunters and made special stone spear points. Finding these spear points next to mastodon bones at this site was a big deal. It showed that these early humans hunted large Ice Age animals. This discovery changed what scientists knew about the first people in North America.
Exploring the Site
The park has a museum that tells the story of the site. It teaches visitors about the ancient animals and the first American Indian people who lived here. You can see a full-size model of a mastodon skeleton in the museum.
The site also offers fun activities for visitors. There are picnic areas where you can eat outdoors. You can also explore the land on hiking trails. There's even a special campground for groups. These features let you imagine what life was like when mastodons and early humans shared this land.
