Kimmswick Bone Bed - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

Mastodon State Historic Site contains an important archaeological and paleontological site - the Kimmswick Bone Bed. Bones of mastodons and other now-extinct animals were first found here in the early 1800s. The area gained fame as one of the most extensive Pleistocene ice age deposits in the country and attracted scientific interest worldwide.
Archaeological history was made at the site in 1979 when scientists excavated a stone spear point made by hunters of the Clovis culture (14,000 - 10,000 years ago) in direct association with mastodon bones. This was the first solid evidence of the coexistence of people and these giant prehistoric beasts.
Today, the 425-acre property preserves this National Register of Historic Places site and provides recreational opportunities. A museum tells the natural and cultural story of the oldest American Indian site one can visit in the state's park system. A full-size replica of a mastodon skeleton highlights the exhibits. A picnic area, several trails and a special-use camping area offer chances to explore the land where the lives of Native Americans and mastodons once intertwined. - as quoted from official Missouri State Parks website.

There is a small museum ($2.50 admission) and a steep 1/4 mile trail and steps to the bone bed. The bone bed is no longer visible as it has been covered by protective concrete slabs.

Street address: 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive Imperial, MO USA 63052 County / Borough / Parish: Jefferson County Year listed: 1980 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Science, Prehistoric Periods of significance: Clovis, Archaic, Paleo-Indian Historic function: Landscape Current function: Landscape - Conservation Area Privately owned?: no Hours of operation: From: 9:00 AM To: 5:00 PM Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   08/02/2012 Benchmark Blasterz visited it