Ancient mammoth skeleton unearthed in Mexico City

A team of paleontologists in Mexico City say they have recovered the remains of an ancient mammoth, using methods typically employed by archaeologists -- a first in Latin America.

Ancient mammoth skeleton unearthed in Mexico City
The remains of the mammoth found in Santa Ana Tlacotenco, Milpa Alta, Mexico [Credit: INAH]
Researchers at the National Institute for Anthropology and History said on their website that they have recovered the skull, ribs, vertebrae, jaw and other parts of the long-extinct mammal, employing magnetic, electric and ground penetrating radar imagery.

Paleontologists said they hope to find the as yet undiscovered remains using the same techniques, which typically are employed for archaelogical digs.

Scientists so far have excavated about 70 percent of the mammoth's remains, which were discovered in the town of Milpa Alta just south of the Mexican capital.