Pleistocene Megafaunal Predation & the La Prele Mammoth Site

Dr. Matt O'Brien 
Faculty, Anthropology Department, CSU, Chico 

Dr. Matt O’Brien explores competing theories for the disappearance of large mammals during the Pleistocene Epoch (2.58 million years ago). He describes his research at the La Prele Mammoth site in Wyoming. Dr. O’Brien focuses on showing that history repeats itself and on measuring the environmental impact of humans. As mammoths became extinct long ago, so elephants are becoming extinct today. We know that humans have not only hunted elephants, but also hunted mammoths. Dr. O’Brien explores the question: Did large, land-based mammals disappear from several continents because of environmental changes or because of human encroachment? 

Recorded: April 23, 2015