By Dori Boertman
Staff Writer
Independent AdVisor
PERRY - Relics of yesteryear were unearthed Monday, Oct. 8, 2001 at the Perry Township home of Ron and Sue Hammond, as Shaftsburg Elementary fifth graders literally dug into wet clay and mud mounded around the perimeter of a pond being dug on the Hammond property.
Although most students are warned against playing in the mud, these students were invited to be a part of a 'dig party' to unearth mastodon bones, belonging to the original find discovered in early September.
As explained by Sue Hammond, who has named the skeletal finds, Laura, after her daughter-in-law who accidentally discovered the historical find, the bones are believed to be 10,000 to 12,000 years old. Due to the shape of the lower jawbone, which weighed approximately 20 to 30 pounds, the remains are also believed to be that of a female. Included in the original find are pieces of rib bones, ankle bones and pieces of the spine.
However, perhaps the most important bone found is a portion of the hyoid, generally about a foot long, which is located in the throat under the tongue. According to Hammond, the bone was often times used as a tool by native Americans and if the other portion of the bone is found, the cause of death could be more readily determined.
The dig party was a real hands-on experience for Shaftsburg students who study the ice age and pre-historic animals as part of the fifth grade curriculum. Before leaving the students had discovered at least 11 more bones, including a possible top portion of a tibia, or leg bone.
In preparation for the dig, students watched "Mastodon in my Backyard," taped by one of the teachers from its broadcast on the Discovery Channel.
Students from other schools in the Perry and Morrice districts have also been invited to participate in future digs. Hammond is so excited about sharing her experience with area students that she has invited Bernie Bennett to dig another layer of dirt from around the pond with the hopes of possibly unearthing more historic finds.
The dig was video taped by curator Dan Lewis of the Calkins Macqueen House Museum, Perry, MI; where the skeletal remains will be housed, after being inspected and classified by Dr. Dan Fisher of the University of Michigan. It was also video taped by JFM Productions and was broadcast during the Community News on Oct. 17, 2001 on Millennium Digital Cable Ch-16.
Photo # 1 - SHAFTSBURG ELEMENTARY FIFTH GRADERS Amy Wightman (L) and Jodi Campbell were the first students to unearth some mastodon bones at the Perry township home of Ron and Sue Hammond. (Independent Advisor Photo/DORI BOERTMAN)
Photo #2 - FIFTH GRADERS Emily Hauser (L) and Carrie Green proudly display their find during a recent dig for mastodon bones in Perry township. (Independent Advisor Photo/DORI BOERTMAN)
Photo #3 - SUE HAMMOND examines what could be the upper portion of a tibia, or leg bone, recently unearthed by Shaftsburg Elementary fifth graders, when they participated in a 'dig' for mastodon bones, approximately 10,000 to 12,000 years old, recently discovered on the Hammond property. (Independent Advisor Photo/DORI BOERTMAN)
PENNY STRANG'S MORRICE ELEMENTARY CLASS recently had the opportunity to work at the Mastodon Discovery located at the home of Ron and Sue Hammond in Perry Township. Although no bones were discovered the students did learn how diligent and persistent paleontologists have to be when looking for remains from the past.
They were also able to gather a few samples of clay, leaves stones and other items from the site, which they will investigate further, with the use of a microscope. On their way to the site students had the opportunity to make a quick tour of the Calkins Mcqueen House Museum in Perry, where the mastodon bones will be placed for permanent display after being examined and classified by Dr. Dan Fisher of the University of Michigan.
(Perry Advisor Photos/DORI BOERTMAN)