The well-preserved skull of an extinct mastodon has been discovered in Iowa. Officials from the University of Iowa’s Office of the State Archaeologist said a 12-day excavation yielded “several mastodon bones,” largely from the skull of the massive animal, belonging to the same order as elephants and mammoths. Mastodons roamed North and Central America from 3.5 million years ago to about 10,500 years ago. This one, dated to 13,600 years ago, is in “pristine condition,” revealing possible evidence of human interaction, per Fox News.

State archaeologist John Doershuk said the bones showed what “could be identifiable cut marks,” indicating humans consumed the flesh of the animal. “We’re really hoping to find evidence of human interaction with this creature—perhaps the projectile points and knives that were used to kill the animal and do initial butchering,” Doershuk added, per NPR. Iowa Archaeology said it was the first-ever well-preserved mastodon excavated in the state, per Fox. The bones were taken from an eroding creek bank in Wayne County and will eventually find a place at the Prairie Trails Museum in Corydon, the university said.

Meanwhile, an amateur fossil hunter came upon a 7-foot-long mammoth tusk while scouring a creek bank in Mississippi on August 3. Eddie Templeton tells CNN he was wading through about three feet of water when he spotted the tusk sticking out of the mud bank. It turned out to be completely intact. George Phillips, curator of paleontology at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, confirmed it belonged to a Columbian mammoth, a distant relative of the woolly mammoth. It has not been dated but is likely between 11,700 and 75,000 years old, Phillips said. (More discoveries stories.)

AJ Jones is a writer and creator of art, expressing herself across different mediums. She embraces her neurodivergence as a unique way to view the world in hopes of creating a better future.

“Useful art is about transforming people’s lives, even on a small scale. It is art as activism and activism as art.”

Tania Bruguera, Tate Exchange Lead Artist, 2018–2019 

Voices. How they slide into the ear. How they penetrate with inflection and tone, easing inside thoughts with gravelly, sparkling vibrancy. All too soon, we must leave a conversation. The words become jumbled as other facets of life set in and conversations are replayed as ideas swap and manifest in solitude. Sometimes those exchanged voices rest within, waiting to emerge. Some ideas don’t adhere, while others resonate through one’s soul.

One finds they are not alone in ideas, ideals, and values. It is difficult to keep these conversations fresh, much less vital, in our minds as we deal with the everyday needs that keep us moving from task to task, place to place, bombarded by advertising, social media, care for others, care for ourselves.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if there were a place where people could gather together, share ideas, and, if possible, leave their voice to be reflected upon later in a way that allows for expression and manifestation. A place that allowed bringing the intangible into the visible reality of space, time, energy, and matter?

(more…)

Iowa’s violent and tumultuous weather has set a new mark.

The 122 confirmed tornadoes so far in 2024 are a state record, the National Weather Service in Des Moines recently revealed. That’s two more than the total for all of 2004 (122). Ninety-eight tornadoes touched down in April and May, with each month tallying 49 local tornadoes.

More: Iowa has seen more tornadoes than most states in 2024. Will fall bring more destruction?

Consistent power also sets a record

The National Weather Service also noted that 2024 has already broken the record for the most EF1 tornadoes in any year on record (39). This year has witnessed the most EF3 (4) and EF4 (2) tornadoes since 1999.

The 49 tornadoes in both May and April are tied for the third most tornadoes in a single month in Iowa’s history. December 2021 produced 63 tornadoes, which is the Iowa single-month record.

A widespread derecho tore across Iowa in December 2021, producing 63 tornadoes, a single-day Iowa record.

May 2004 produced 57 tornadoes, the second-most in history.

Wide-reaching devastation

The widest tornado in 2024 was the Minden tornado, which reached 1.1 miles at its widest point, while the longest tornado was in Greenfield at 42.4 miles.

The Greenfield tornado was the most devastating, which reached an exceedingly rare 300 mph wind speed. The twister destroyed at least 153 homes in a single minute and caused 35 injuries and five fatalities.

The Minden tornado in April also caused a fatality and was one of two Iowa tornadoes to travel longer than 40 miles.

More: Greenfield tornado damaged, destroyed at least 153 Iowa homes in roughly one minute

Technological advancements improve tornado data

The National Weather Service said they can more accurately track tornadoes in 2024 thanks to better technology and a “more active storm spotting and chasing network,” which may contribute to higher totals. The organization also said improved radar technology helps staff track twisters.

“NWS Des Moines expresses deep sympathy for all those impacted by the devastating tornadoes this year,” the NWS Facebook post said.

Ryan Magalhães is a reporter for the Register. Reach them at rmagalhaes@dmreg.com.