One of the most profound discoveries ever made in Michigan, and among the archaeological community, was found entirely by accident. It started as a simple drainage project in Michael and Courtney Clapp’s backyard.
Within a few hours of the initial discovery, members of the University of Michigan and the Grand Rapids Public Museum were on site, helping unearth the nearly complete skeleton of a young Mastodon.
Now, three years later, the public will be able to see the skeleton for the first time as the family has graciously donated the find to the museum.
The Clapp Family Mastodon
On August 11, 2022, a construction crew digging in the Clapp family’s backyard during a drainage project discovered something under the surface. After all the bones were removed, it was discovered that over 70% of the skeleton remained intact, an exceedingly rare discovery . Even the most complete t.rex fossil skeleton, SUE the T. rex in Chicago, has 250 of the 380 bones (65%).
From the moment of discovery, the Clapp family has been committed to donating the bones to the GRPM, keeping them local and in the area where they were found. (You can view drone footage of the excavation here)…