DMNS-Ancient Denvers

16,000 years ago (Pleistocene)

Find the clickable hot spots for details and evidence, or follow the links below. (Click to see larger image)

Description: Mammoths and camels wander among pine trees and prairie grass on a warm summer day during the Ice Age. Mastodon, horses, bison, lions, cheetahs, and giant ground sloths share this Front Range habitat. This landscape will eventually become Highlands Ranch. Around 11,000 years ago, the first humans settled in the region, hunting the plentiful big game.

Artist: Jan Vriesen

Formation: Quaternary Sediments

Best Viewing Spots:

Sand Creek Drainage
South Platte Park, Carson Nature Center
Wheat Ridge Greenbelt
Highlands Ranch Open Space

An eagle-eyed backhoe operator spotted the tip of a mammoth tusk while he was digging a soil-test trench in Littleton, Colorado.

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