Scientists have hit it big after discovering the fossil motherload near the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, the main celebrity being an almost fully complete Colombian Mammoth named Zed.
Dead Zed and his 10 foot long tusks were found along with the remains of sloths, saber-toothed cats, wolves, and other mammals who roamed the LA area between 10,000-40,000 years ago. The extinct fellas became stuck to hot asphalt that oozed up through cracks and fissures in the ground, making them immobile and eventually sending them to a tar-like grave (a rather sucky and uncomfortable way to go).
The remains were discovered underneath an old parking close to the tar pits. Researchers dubbed the excavation Project 23 due to the 23 full boxes it took for them to house their findings. This “Paleontological Christmas” as it has been referred, is said to be the first significant fossil excavation in over a century.
Because Zed was nearly 80% accounted for, researchers were able to learn a lot about his hairy and tragic life. Z-Dawg had arthritic joints, re-healed ribs, and multiple broken bones, proving once and for all that LA life is not nearly as glamorous as people make it out to be.
