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13,600-year-old Mastodon skull excavated from Iowa creek in ‘goldmine’ discovery after 12-day excavation

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13,600-year-old Mastodon skull excavated from Iowa creek in ‘goldmine’ discovery after 12-day excavation


Tusk me, this is a big deal.

Archeologists unearthed an ancient mastodon skull from an Iowa creek this month — marking the first ever discovered in the state.

It took 12 days for excavators to slowly recover the massive fossil, which was so well preserved that it still had a significant section of its once-curved tusk.

The mastodon was found in a creek bank in southern Iowa. Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa

“This is the first-ever well-preserved mastodon (primarily the skull) that has been excavated in Iowa,” said the state Office of the State Archaeologist.

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Radiocarbon dating shows that the mastodon died in the Paleoindian period — and had been buried undetected for 13,600 years.

Mastodons — a 6-ton distant cousin to modern-day elephants — went extinct in North America around 10,500 years ago, likely due to climate change and hunting.

The skull is 13,6000 years old. Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa

Though other remains of the mastodon were recovered, the skull was the most well-preserved piece of the skeleton, with archeologists calling the 2-foot section of tusk a “goldmine.”

“Apparently there are techniques now to determine how many calves a female mastodon had that get recorded as a chemical signature because of the changes in the body chemistry during the pregnancy and the birth. And that gets recorded in the tusks,” State Archeologist John Doershuk told Iowa Public Radio.

Scientists also hope that the remains can help answer burning questions about human history as well, including how involved our ancestors were in the mastodon’s demise.

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One expert called the 2-foot-long remains of a tusk a “goldmine.” Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa
Archeologists will determine whether the animal suffered any human-made cut marks. Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa

The age of the fossil lines up with the time Native Americans would have migrated into south-central Iowa.

The last glaciation probably still had the northern part of Iowa under ice. But the southern part was ice-free at the time and was starting to vegetate. Animals like mastodons were coming in to browse and human hunters would have also found that a hospitable place, as well,” Doershuk said.

The OSA did not find any stone tools near the bones, but scientists will analyze whether any human-made cut marks were left on the skeleton.

Archeologists have been aware that there was a possible mastodon skeleton in the creek bank since 2022. Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa

Although the bones were only excavated this month, the eroding site was brought to the OSA’s attention in 2022.

Once the mastodon bones are thoroughly studied and analyzed, the bones will become part of a new exhibit at the nearby Prairie Trails Museum.

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Wayne County is located along Iowa’s southern border with Missouri and is 80 miles south of Des Moines.



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UPDATE: Amber Alert canceled for missing 12-year-old

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UPDATE: Amber Alert canceled for missing 12-year-old


WATERLOO (KCRG) – The Amber Alert for 12-year-old Deyton Annabelle Cranston has been canceled.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety said Cranston was located and the Waterloo Police Department is investigating.

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Iowa (KCRG) – An amber alert has been issued for a missing 12-year-old out of Waterloo.

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12-year-old Deyton Annabelle Cranston was last seen wearing a white tank top and a blue skirt and wearing clear glasses.

An Amber Alert has been issued for Deyton Annabelle Cranston who has been reported missing from Waterloo(State of Iowa Amber Alert)

She’s described as 5′4′, 135 and has blonde hair and brown eyes.

Officials say to look out for a red Toyota Camry with all tinted windows, a black spoiler, and no license plate on the front.

Anyone with information should contact authorites.

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Vote: Who Should be Iowa’s High School Athlete of the Week? (4/5/2026)

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Vote: Who Should be Iowa’s High School Athlete of the Week? (4/5/2026)


Here are the candidates for High School on SI’s Iowa high school athlete of the week for March 30-April 4. Read through the nominees and cast your vote.

Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 12. The winner will be announced in the following week’s poll. Here are this week’s nominees:

Greyson Hartman, Washington boys track and field

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The junior recorded the second-best United States throw in the shot put with a toss of 67-3.5. It is the second-best throw in Iowa history, breaking the Class 3A mark set by NFL standout Tristan Wirfs.

Shea Rapp, Ridge View girls track and field

Rapp won the high jump and the 200 at the Audubon Early Bird while also running on the winning distance medley relay and runner-up 4×400 relay.

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Rylee Hemmingsen, Treynor girls track and field

Hemmingsen showed off her skills by winning the 100 hurdles, running on the winning shuttle hurdle and 4×400 relays, and placing second in the high jump at the Audubon Early Bird.

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Cash Varner, Alburnett boys track and field

Varner was cash at the Benton Early Bird, placing first in both the 100 dash and long jump.

Aiden Gosselink, Grinnell girls track and field

Gosselink hit the Blue Standard to qualify for the Drake Relays in the long jump while also winning the 100 at the Benton Early Bird.

Rylan Peters, Waverly-Shell Rock boys track and field

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Peters set a new school-record in the long jump at 23-8 while also hitting the Blue Standard and qualifying for Drake Relays.

Jase Price, Des Moines Christian boys soccer

Price had quite the varsity debut, as the freshman recorded a haul by scoring four goals in a win over Boone. 

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Aiden Kellar, Treynor boys soccer

Kellar tallied a hat trick with three goals in a 5-1 win for the Cardinals over Harlan.

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Kaden Theisen, Western Dubuque boys soccer

Theisen was peppered with 20 shots in a match vs. Beckman Catholic, saving 19 of them to help the Bobcats to a 2-1 win.

Lucas Sidles, Independence boys track and field

Sidles swept the throwing events at the West Delaware Early Bird, winning the shot put and discus.

Adam Kacmarynski, Pella Christian boys track and field

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Kacmarynski won the 100 and ran on the winning sprint medley and 4×100 relays at the Chariton Invitational.

Mark Fraise, Davis County boys track and field

Fraise finished first in the 400 hurdles, was on the first place shuttle hurdle and 4×400 relays, and also ran on the second place distance medley relay.

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Gage Hoppenworth, Johnston boys track and field

Hoppenworth had a three-gold night at the Dowling Catholic meet, winning the 110 and 400 hurdles while running the third leg on the winning shuttle hurdle relay.

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Alayna Goldsberry, Southeast Polk girls track and field

The junior won the 100 and 200 at her home invitational while running the anchor on the second place 4×400 relay.

Natalie Sitzmann, Waukee girls track and field

Sitzmann, a senior, won the 200 and ran on the first place shuttle hurdle and 4×400 relays at her home invitational.

Isabel Spradling, Des Moines Roosevelt girls track and field

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Spradling picked up a first in the 1,500 and was on the gold-medal 4×400 and 4×800 relays at the Waukee Invitational.

Alayna Williams, Carlisle girls soccer

Williams, a senior, recorded five goals in a season-opening win over Knoxville, 10-1.

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Carly Torneten, Harlan Community girls soccer

Torneten not only scored four goals, but she recorded four assists vs. Carroll.

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About Our Athlete of the Week Voting

High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals. Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports. Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.



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Former TJ Otzelberger Assistant From UNLV Would Be Perfect for Iowa State

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Former TJ Otzelberger Assistant From UNLV Would Be Perfect for Iowa State


Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball head coach T.J. Otzelberger knew that his program was in for a busy offseason.

Before any moves were made with the roster, whether it be players entering the transfer portal or declaring for the NBA draft, Otzelberger knew that he would have five seniors who would have to be replaced on the roster.

In addition to player needs, the head coach needs to replenish his coaching staff. Two of his assistants, JR Blount and Kyle Green, were hired as head coaches. Blount is heading to the San Diego Toreros, and Green was brought back for a fourth stint with the Northern Iowa Panthers.

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Both were integral parts of the team’s success, with Blount being a leader on the recruiting front and Green being an architect behind the team’s defense. Who could Otzelberger turn to as a replacement?

Tim Buckley is great option for Iowa State coaching staff

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Mar 12, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones mascot during a timeout against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half at T-Mobile Center. | William Purnell-Imagn Images

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One person who would make a lot of sense as a candidate is Tim Buckley. Most recently, he was on staff with the Cincinnati Bearcats, but with their head coaching change of Wes Miller to Jerrod Calhoun, Buckley is back on the market.

He is someone with whom Otzelberger has familiarity, which could play a big role in the evaluation process when candidates are interviewing. The two worked together with the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels from 2019-21, the position which Otzelberger held before Iowa State.

Buckley could help replace some of what Green’s departure is being lost with the defensive game plan.

“Buckley seems to have a defensive background, and he was described as being “old school” to Cyclone Alert by one source close to the Bearcat program,” wrote Alec Busse of Cyclone Report, part of the 247Sports Network (subscription required).

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Familiarty, defense are biggest assets Buckley provides

Mar 26, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger speaks ahead of the Midwest regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at United Center. | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
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He also has some experience working in the Midwest. Buckley spent one campaign in 2007-08 with the Marquette Golden Eagles and worked with the Wisconsin Badgers in the mid-1990s.

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Since Otzelberger took over as head coach, the Cyclones have found a ton of success recruiting in Wisconsin. Buckley can help keep the pipeline active.

He would also bring an established relationship with Otzelberger and plenty of experience. Buckley has been on different sidelines as a coach for nearly 40 years and has been a head coach previously with Rockford and the Ball State Cardinals.

A bonus: Buckley knows the Big 12 landscape after working with Cincinnati the last two seasons. That is an underrated part of his resume, as he can help give some insight into how opponents game plan against Otzelberger and his team while bringing some new ideas to the table in how Iowa State can stop them.



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