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The Bible and Science:
Marshalls Creek Mastodon
Peat Bog Near Marshalls Creek, PA
While dredging the bog a bone was found
Peat is spread out to dry. Bones of the mastodon were found
Plans are made to find the rest of the mastodon. Planks are put down so dredge can get close to bog.
A large cylinder is placed in the bog to locate the bones.
Water and mud is removed to find mastodon bones.
Once bones were found a dam was built around area.
Plastic was put over plywood dam to keep water out.
Mud and dirt were used to reinforce the walls of dam.
The water was then pumped out of the enclosed area.
Mud and peat are dug out to get close to the bones.
Digging down to the mastodon bones.
Digging out the mastodon bones.
Lifting the heavy mastodon jaw out of the bog.
Bones are prepared first by a coating of gum arabic.
Scott toilet tissue is then placed over the teeth and coated with gum Arabic again.
Lastly, the bones are completely coated with thin strips of burlap soaked in plaster of paris.
A big storm destroyed the dam. Amazingly, all the bones had been retrieved and no one was hurt. The bones were shipped to the Pennsylvania State Museum.
Back at the museum taking the plaster jacket off the bones.
After bones arrived at the Pennsylvania State Museum their plaster jacket is cut off and any debris is removed.
Dr. Alton Murray working on the mastodon teeth.
Mastodon mounted at the Pennsylvania State Museum.
Newspaper account of the mastodon discovery.
Permission to use pictures granted by Dr. Arlton Murray.