Mammoth Site of the Black Hills

The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota, is the world’s largest mammoth research facility where group tours can experience an active paleontological dig site and view Ice Age fossils exhibited as they are found. The site offers a unique experience for student travel, including a guided tour featuring the Mammoth Site and Ice Age geology, paleontology, and paleoecology.

At the Mammoth Site, visitors travel back to the time when Ice Age mammoth, camel, and giant short-faced bear roamed the Great Plains of North America until a sudden collapse of a 60 foot deep karst sinkhole. Bubbling from the bottom, a warm spring percolated through the layers of limestone, creating a large steep-sided pond. Thirsty animals ventured down to the water below. Then, after drinking, the animals were unable to gain a foothold to escape. The sinkhole was a deathtrap.

Visitors to the site observe first-hand a scientific excavation in this facility that works to establish a significant contribution to scientific knowledge through programs, exhibits, publications and professional scientific interactions directed toward the introduction and engagement of all people to the world of the Pleistocene (Ice Age). Also available for student groups at the Mammoth Site is the Junior Paleontologist Excavation. This program allows up to 16 students to simulate paleontologists as they participate in a dig for fossil replicas. The program teaches excavation techniques, fossil identification, field note preparation and mapping techniques. Other hands-on activities are also available, including topics such as Discovering the Past, Animal Track Detectives, Sinkhole in a Glass and Paleo Cultures.

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