A prehistoric cave has been found in Wyoming. Scientists find hundreds of prehistoric animals in the Natural Trap Cave in Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming, the world is asking what is next. It is believed that the 80-foot-deep pit cave was a sinkhole that opened up about 20,000 years ago and swallowed the numerous prehistoric animals that were found inside and were very well preserved. Paleontologists started the excavation of the Natural Trap Cave last month and their findings are astonishing.
A prehistoric jackpot has been found in a cave in the state of Wyoming.
A group of paleontologists have finally been authorized by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to explore the Natural Trap Cave in Bighorn Mountains, which was discovered over 30 years ago.
On July 29th, Des Moines University paleontologist Julie Meachen lead the researchers, who were forced to become professional rock climbers and overcome their fear of height, in order to get to the bottom of the 80-foot-deep sinkhole like cave.
It is estimated that Natural Trap Cave has over 30,000 specimens of animals, most of them have vanished from the earth 12,000 to 23,000 years ago.
Among them are lions, cheetahs, horses, wolves and bisons.
Researchers say that those creatures most likely fell in the giant vertical cave as they were walking and hunting in the area.
Thus far no human remains have been found.
The fossils that have been unearthed thus far, are well persevered and therefore contain very important DNA information that will shed light on the extinction of the last glacial period.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management , the bones of more 200 large animals bigger than humans have been discovered.
Numerous skeletons of smaller birds and reptiles have been located in the impressive shaft cave
Alan Cooper with the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA at the University of Adelaide, who is part of the team has been chronicling the journey of the international team of experts on Youtube, explained that the cave is always cold and the climb is dangerous.
Cooper has also shared that they are camping out near the cave and must wear breathing mask when they are digging and extracting bones .
