Tultepec, Mexico. In 2019 AD, archaeologists discovered enormous traps containing the remains of at least 14 mammoths. The traps date back approximately 16,000 years. During 10 months of excavation at the site, which was intended to become a landfill, 824 bones have been found so far in traps 5.5 feet deep and 82 feet long. Groups of 20 to 30 hunters would have used torches and sticks to separate a mammoth from its family and push it into the traps. Once trapped, the animal would have been killed and used for food and other purposes. Archaeologists discovered that rib bones were used to cut the mammoths’ meat, and that internal organs were also eaten. One mammoth bone shows evidence of a fracture, and archaeologists believe that hunters would have tracked this particular animal for years and made repeated attempts before finally killing it. After finally achieving their goal, they arranged its bones in a symbolic formation. The traps also contained remains of camels and a horse.
