Scientists examine bison bones revealed by flood
Scientists from the Royal Alberta Museum are in Calgary to examine bison remains that were unearthed at the banks of the Bow River in June’s flooding.
The bones, discovered by a Calgarian after the floodwaters receded, could be 2,000 years old, according to archaeologist Bob Dawe and paleontologist Chris Jass.
"I will probably end up taking a couple of specimens back with me just in case at some point we want to get a radio carbon date down the road,” he said.
“Every little piece of the puzzle is significant in its own way.”
The Edmonton scientists said these dozen or so bones are unusual because they are likely from the same animal.
"It’s an immature one, because this piece of bone should be fused on here. But in juveniles, just like people, the parts of our bones that join together … in our early years are just held together with cartilage,” Dawe said as he examined a piece rib bone.
The bones also indicate that the young animal suffered a broken back at some point in its life but recovered, Dawe added.
Jass and Dawe said the find is important enough that they will keep monitoring the area for other discoveries.
