Texas DOT Uncovers Bones of 'Colossal Creatures'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said it uncovered "large, prehistoric animals" described as "colossal creatures" during a recent archaeological survey ahead of work on the Lubbock Loop 88 in a northern region of the Lone Star State.
Newsweek contacted the TxDOT for comment via email on Friday.
Why It Matters
According to the TxDOT, the Texas Panhandle area hosts a number of playas that were created by lakes during the Ice Age that can contain evidence of prehistoric activity by humans and wild animals.
Chris Ringstaff, a project planner with the TxDOT's environmental affairs division, said that if human remains are involved, they have to evaluate what action to take "under state and federal law."
The bones of several large prehistoric animals were uncovered during an archaeological excavation ahead of work on the Lubbock Loop 88 in Texas.
The bones of several large prehistoric animals were uncovered during an archaeological excavation ahead of work on the Lubbock Loop 88 in Texas.
Texas Department of Transportation
What To Know
In a press release published on May 13 the TxDOT announced it had "unearthed some colossal creatures" during an archaeological dig in the Lubbock area as part of the Loop 88 freeway project.
Ringstaff said the large prehistoric animals, known as megafauna, uncovered included a giant ground sloth identified by "its distinctive tooth." Other bones are still being identified by paleontologists, with Ringstaff saying it's unclear "whether all the bones are giant ground sloth or there are different animals such as mammoth or mastodon."
The TxDOT said it is collaborating with the Museum of Texas Tech University to identify and house the bones.
It was decided to conduct an archeological survey at the location as "Texas has other sites that show human activity with megafauna," with archeologists using a process called staged mitigation to search for "human artifacts like chipped stone or spear points."
No signs of human activity have been discovered so far and if they are found it would be the first for any TxDOT project. Should that happen, it could also complicate the construction process as the TxDOT would be required to adhere to state and federal laws regarding the preservation of historic human sites.
The Loop 88 project involves converting an existing 12.4-mile two-lane roadway into a six-lane freeway to reduce congestion, with the project to be completed in segments.
Separately, archaeologists investigating a site on the Brazos River in Washington County, which has been dubbed the "birthplace of Texas," have uncovered more than 10,000 human artifacts.
Spear points dating from between 13,500 and 15,500 years ago have also been discovered at Texas' Buttermilk Creek.
The U.S. contains a number of important archeological sites, including Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi and Poverty Point, a 3,500-year-old Native American-constructed mount in Louisiana.
What People Are Saying
Chris Ringstaff, a project planner with the TxDOT's environmental affairs division, in a press release: "During the environmental review for Loop 88, TxDOT contracted an archeological survey. They found the bones of some large, prehistoric animals called megafauna, which is not unusual in the region.
"If the site involves humans, we have to address road construction impacts under state and federal law. If the site has no artifacts and dates to a time well before humans, TxDOT will recommend no further work, and the project can proceed to construction.
"We're here to get the road built. But who doesn't love digging up big ol' animals?"
Rebekah Dobrasko, TxDOT cultural resources section director: "Excavation is one of many steps TxDOT can take prior to road construction to ensure that Texas history is preserved."
What Happens Next
The TxDOT and Museum of Texas Tech University will continue studying and seeking to identify the findings. If evidence of human activity is uncovered, the Loop 88 project could have to be altered to comply with state and federal laws.
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