Hyde Park Mastodon

The Hyde Park mastodon is an almost-complete skeleton of an American mastodon (Mammut americanum), probably an older adult male (probably around 38 years old) that may have weighed as much as 10,000 - 15,000 pounds (4,500 - 6,800 kg) when alive. It lived approximately 13,000 years ago.

Mastodons were extinct relatives of modern elephants which branched off the elephant family tree around 30 million years ago. Mastodons were numerous and widespread in North America up until around 10,000 years ago, when they became extinct, together with many other species of large mammals. More than 140 mastodons have been found in New York State over the past 300 years.

The specimen was found in the backyard of a suburban home in the Village of Hyde Park, in Dutchess County, New York in 1999, and was excavated by PRI staff and volunteers in the summer and fall of 2000. It is one of the most complete and best-preserved skeletons of this species ever found. Learn more about the discovery, excavation, scientific study, and assembly of this amazing specimen here.

The skeleton has been on display at PRI’s Museum of the Earth since September 2003.