Excelsior Hotel | Lido di Venezia

Information

Landmark: Excelsior Hotel
City: Lido di Venezia
Country: Italy
Continent: Europe

Excelsior Hotel, Lido di Venezia, Italy, Europe

The Mammoth Site is a paleontological museum and active excavation site located in Hot Springs, South Dakota, USA.

Visual Characteristics

The site features a large, enclosed sinkhole containing fossilized remains of Columbian and woolly mammoths. The exposed strata reveal layers of sediment and bone deposits. The museum structure is a modern building designed to protect the excavation area.

Location & Access Logistics

The Mammoth Site is situated at 1806 US-18 Business, Hot Springs, SD 57747. It is approximately 1.5 miles west of the Hot Springs city center. Ample free parking is available on-site. No public transport directly serves the site; private vehicle or taxi is recommended.

Historical & Ecological Origin

This site is a natural sinkhole formed by karst topography, a process involving the dissolution of soluble rocks like gypsum. The sinkhole became a death trap for mammoths approximately 26,000 years ago. The site was discovered in 1974 during construction work.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can observe ongoing paleontological excavations within the enclosed sinkhole. Guided tours provide information on the fossil discoveries and the Ice Age environment. Educational exhibits detail the mammoths and other Ice Age fauna found at the site.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available within the museum building. Limited shaded areas are present within the museum structure. Cell phone signal (4G) is generally available. No on-site food vendors; nearest options are in Hot Springs city center.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open year-round. Mid-morning or mid-afternoon offers optimal lighting for viewing the excavation area through the viewing windows. Weather is generally mild during summer months (June-August).

Facts & Legends

The Mammoth Site is the world's largest active paleontological dig of Columbian and woolly mammoths. Over 60 mammoth skeletons have been discovered here, making it a significant site for understanding Pleistocene megafauna.