Local Classes

PALEONTOLOGY FIELDWORK LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

Two field opportunities again occurred in the summer of 2019, with one event in early July and the other in August.  Two different site areas within the boundaries of the City of Woodburn were investigated.  Parts of both had been previously tested, with positive results from those excavations.  Included in previous finds were the giant bison (Bison antiquus), giant ground sloth (Paramylodon harlani), western horse (Equus occidentalis), and western camel (Camelops hesternus), all of which are now extinct. Some predator species in the area include the Pleistocene bear that became the black bear (Ursus americanus), dire wolf (Canis dirus), and a huge predator bird with a 12’-14’ wingspan (Teratornis woodburnensis).  Also in this area are the remains of more typical species, including rabbit, muskrat, beaver, gopher, turtle, snake, deer, elk, coyote, and five other species of bird.  

Recoveries this year were even higher than predicted. Ancient horse, approximately 3 years old, and elk were the dominant species at one site (L).  At both sites, volunteers were still smiling, even on the last day (R).  The different colors of soil represent different time periods, so even when they are mixed, the approximate age of a specimen is immediately known.
Prior to examination of the excavated materials, each stratum (layer of soil) is documented.  The depth of each stratum, the order in which each appears, and other observations are noted.  The Woodburn area presents a perfectly preserved time capsule of the past 15,000 years.
 The characteristics of each stratum are reflected in this chart.  The approximate depth below surface, order of each layer, individual characteristics, age, and previously documented contents are noted.