Mammoth expert to speak at Chadron State

Often referred to as “Sir Mammoth,” Mol was among the six scientists in an expedition that attracted worldwide attention in 1999 when the remains of a woolly mammoth were dug out of ice and snow in Siberia and placed in a permafrost tunnel for further study. The mammoth was discovered by the Jarkov family, who frequently visited the excavation site via their sleigh that was pulled by reindeer.

In 2003, Mol also was involved in the excavation of the head of a mammoth that was still covered with hair and skin and with tusks more than 10 feet long that was discovered near the village of Yukagir about 500 miles from where the Jarkov mammoth was located. Much of Mol’s talk is expected to focus on the latest find.

He also has been involved in the discovery of a large number of mammoth bones from the North Sea between the Norway and Great Britain, and has received international recognition for his studies on quaternary paleontology and the Pleistocene and Holocene Epochs.

Arrangements for Mol’s visit to CSC were made by Dr. Joyce Hardy while she was serving as senior vice president for academic and student affairs. He will be speaking at the second International Congress on “The World of Elephants” in Hot Springs Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 22-25. Several Chadron State students and Dr. Mike Leite, professor of gioscience at CSC, will attend the event.

The principal investigator of the Hot Springs Mammoth Site director is Dr. Larry Agenbroad, a former Chadron State professor who was involved in both the Jarkov and the Yukagir mammoth projects. It is anticipated that Agenbroad will accompany Mol to CSC for the presentation.

Mol’s talk will be open to the public without charge. Refreshments provided by the CSC Geoscience Club will follow.