The State Museum of Pennsylvania Gives Visitors Rare Opportunity to see 12,000-year-old "Moon Mammoth"

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The State Museum of Pennsylvania will present a rare opportunity to see the museum's newest acquisition, the "Moon Mammoth."

The bones will be on display for one day only, Wednesday, Oct. 17, in the state museum's Dino Lab. The bones will then go into storage for scientific study. 

In addition to viewing the mammoth skeleton, visitors can meet the museum's paleontologists, archaeologists and educators between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The mammoth was discovered in 1991 at the bottom of Lake Pleasant in Erie County, by scuba diver George Moon.

The "Moon Mammoth" skeleton is one of the most complete specimens from the Great Lakes region. Eighty percent of the body is together including molars, tusks, lower jaw, humerus, radius, ulna, both shoulder blades, pelvis, vertebrae, ribs and foot bones. 

Mammoths lived 9,000-13,000 years ago and are related to the modern elephant.  They were herbivores and ate mostly grasses. The mammoth was covered with lots of hair which led to the name "woolly mammoths."

This special event is part of National Fossil Day events.

Organized by The National Park Service and the American Geological Institute, National Fossil Day promotes public awareness and stewardship of fossils, as well as a greater appreciation of their scientific and educational value.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania, adjacent to the State Capitol in Harrisburg, is one of 25 historic sites and museums administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission as part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History®.

The State Museum offers expansive collections interpreting Pennsylvania's fascinating heritage. With exhibits examining the dawn of geologic time, the Native American experience, the colonial and revolutionary era, a pivotal Civil War battleground, and the commonwealth's vast industrial age, The State Museum demonstrates that Pennsylvania's story is America's story.

Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for children and senior citizens.

For more information about the museum, visit www.statemuseumpa.org.

Media contact: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639

SOURCE Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

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