News Summary
The Grand Rapids Public Museum will unveil the Clapp Family Mastodon exhibit, showcasing remains of a prehistoric mastodon discovered in 2022. The exhibit provides insights into the life of this ancient creature and its environment over 13,000 years ago. Visitors can witness the assembly of 3D models of the bones, created for future displays, while learning about the research methodologies employed. The exhibit honors the Clapp Family, who donated the remains, and highlights the importance of conservation in paleontology.
Grand Rapids, Michigan – The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will unveil the Clapp Family Mastodon exhibit on Thursday, September 11, showcasing the remarkable remains of a prehistoric creature discovered in 2022. The exhibit offers insights into the past, revealing significant information about the mastodon and its environment over 13,000 years ago.
The first mastodon bone was uncovered in August 2022 when a construction crew was engaged in a drainage project in Kent City. This unexpected find prompted GRPM staff and specialists from the University of Michigan to excavate the area diligently. In total, researchers successfully retrieved around 130 bones, which represent approximately 70% of the entire skeleton, with museum officials noting that the skeleton is “remarkably complete.”
Following the recovery, the bones spent a year and a half drying in the museum’s collections. During this time, each bone was meticulously scanned by a team from Research Casting International to create three-dimensional models for future displays. The real bones will remain preserved at the museum for further research, as mounting could potentially result in irreversible damage to the delicate specimens.
The Mastodon’s Story
According to researchers, the mastodon was a young male that lived until about the age of 10, before being buried in sediments for over 13,000 years. Detailed analysis of the pollen and sediment found on the bones indicates that this ancient creature lived in a region that was likely wetlands adjacent to a glacial lake.
The Clapp Family, who discovered the mastodon remains, generously donated the bones to the museum, which led to the exhibit being named in their honor. The exhibit will not only display the bones and models but will also delve into the history of the discovery and elaborate on the methodologies employed by researchers to ascertain the mastodon’s age and environmental context.
Visitor Experience
In a unique opportunity, museum visitors will be able to witness the behind-the-scenes assembly of the 3D models before the official public opening of the exhibit. This aspect of the exhibit aims to enhance visitor engagement and education regarding the processes involved in paleontological research and specimen preservation.
Looking ahead, the GRPM has plans to debut a traveling exhibit featuring a different, larger prehistoric specimen on October 11. Details regarding this forthcoming exhibit are expected to be announced on September 2.
Conclusion
The Clapp Family Mastodon exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum promises to be an educational experience for visitors of all ages, providing a rare glimpse into the ancient past while highlighting the importance of research and conservation in paleontology.
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Additional Resources
- WZZM 13: Clapp Family Mastodon Exhibit
- Wood TV: Mastodon Skeleton Unveiled
- MLive: Museum to Unveil Complete Mastodon
- WKFR: Clapp Family Mastodon News
- Fox 17: Mastodon Found in Kent City
- Wikipedia: Mastodon
- Google Search: Mastodon
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mastodon
- Google News: Mastodon
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
