Fisher Discovers Ancient Bison Skull in Alberta Creek

A fisherman in Alberta, Canada, made an unusual discovery while fishing in a creek. Dominic Boon spotted something sticking out of the water and decided to investigate.

Exciting Find During Fishing Trip

Boon, a resident near Banff, often searches for intriguing objects while he explores outdoors. However, this discovery was different. He filmed the moment as he approached the find, later sharing it on Instagram. Boon’s companions initially thought it might be a cow skull. Boon, curious about the object, probed further. Upon noticing the horns, he suspected it was a bison.

Heavy Rain Uncovers Old Skull

Boon’s speculation proved correct when the skull was identified as a bison the next day. The significant question remained: How long had it been there? The summer’s heavy rains in Alberta might have washed it out of its resting place.

“During June, [there was] unprecedented rainfall, and it washed all the banks and washed all fresh stuff down the creek,” Boon commented.

The skull weighed a few kilograms, causing Boon to suspect it might be ancient.

A 5,000-Year-Old Enigma

Consultation with museum experts suggested the skull might be as old as 5,000 years. Dr. Chris Jass of the Royal Alberta Museum confirmed it as a bison cranium. Boon discussed how the skull’s features might indicate its age

The U.S. National Park Service states that rapid burial helps preserve remains by shielding them from elements, supporting the skull’s preservation theory. Boon plans further examination at a museum 3 hours away.

Species Once Near Extinction

The discovery links back to a species once nearly wiped out in Alberta. Plains bison once thrived across North America but were almost eradicated in Canada by the late 1880s. Today, Alberta’s wild wood bison population is about 2,800, with plains bison having a limited range.

Whether the skull is 150 years old or thousands, the circumstances behind its newfound presence captivate Boon.