Mammoth dig site tours open

KENNEWICK — Reservations are being accepted for tours of the Coyote Canyon Mammoth Site offered by Mid-Columbia Basin Old Natural Education Sciences, or MCBONES, according to an announcement from the organization. 

According to the announcement, attendees will have a chance to experience a real-life mammoth dig. The tour includes a presentation about the history, discovery, and findings at the site, a guided tour of the laboratory activities, displays of key specimens and the actual dig site. Tours generally last about one and a half to two hours. 

The site houses the MCBONES Research Center, called the Dig House, which is used for programs, analyzing, exhibiting and storing samples collected at the Dig Site, according to the announcement. 

Mammoth bones were first discovered along the western edge of Coyote Canyon south of Kennewick in 1999, according to MCBONES’ website. The site was closed until 2008, and formal excavation began in 2010. By the end of 2016, nearly 700 specimens had been collected, including 97 mammoth bones or bone fragments. The site continues to be excavated two weekends a month from March through October. 

MCBONES is accepting reservations for tours that will take place April-June, according to the announcement. All tours are $10 per person. Prospective visitors are encouraged to register soon, as tours fill up fast. 

Public tours will be at 9 and 11 a.m. on April 4, 19 and 26; May 17, 18, 24 and 28; and June 6, 8, 14, 21 and 28. 

MCBONES also offers private group tours that can be scheduled for pretty much anytime, depending on volunteer availability, according to the announcement. The tours are for groups of 10-30 people. The group tours will not see the actual digging and wet screening but will tour the dig site. Private tours are at the same cost as public tours, $10 per person. School tours are also available Monday-Friday for 10-30 students at a time. 

Reservations can be made online at mcbones.org.