Aug 12, 2022

Mammoth fossils donated to the Geary Co. Historical Society

Posted Aug 12, 2022 2:00 PM

By Dewey Terrill

JC Post

Geary County Historical Society has received two mammoth fossils.  Heather Hagedorn, Historical Society Executive Director, said the fossils, one a partial tusk and one a partial femur, were both found on the banks of the Smoky Hill River in 2021 by the donor.

Mammoths, a prehistoric relative of the modern-day elephant lived in Kansas approximately 10,000-12,000 years ago. They are the most recent organism in the fossil record. The Geary County Historical Society’s collection already contains another mammoth bone, as well as a jawbone with four teeth. Both items were also discovered in local rivers.

All of these prehistoric fossils can be viewed now at the Geary County Museum, open Tuesday-Saturday 1-4pm.