LOOK
WHEN YOU
Mary Lou the Bison latifrons
Left: Bison latifrons on display at Utah Museum of Natural History. Salt Lake City, Utah. Photograph by Millard H. Sharp (2018).
​
Below: Excavation of Mary Lou in 1954. American Falls, Idaho. Photo Courtesy of Idaho Museum of Natural History. Pocatello, Idaho.
​
By Timmer Verhaegh
​
When you look at this Bison latifrons skull, you see the advancements in paleontology and the ongoing struggle to decipher the mysteries found within history. Mary Lou was found in 1954 along the American Falls Reservoir by Mary Kitaj and Louis Dellaporte. Mary Lou is among the finest skulls ever discovered of the ancient species. In the nearly seven decades since its discovery many technological advances have allowed scientists to learn more about Bison latifrons and the world they lived in here in Southern Idaho. Unlike modern day buffalo, Bison latifrons were likely woodland animals that lived isolated from one another in contrast to the more recent American buffalo which were grassland, herd animals that covered the plains during the early United States. Bison latifrons averaged a height of 8', length of 15', weight of 4800 lbs., and a distance of around 7'-9' between the tips of the horns.
​
A common struggle for museums and researchers is the fact that new information can come along to disprove the theories and stories that were previously believed to be true. Small misconceptions and errors in storytelling can grow into legends. Much like unearthing the fossils in the first place, researchers have to unearth the truth from the fiction in all the oral and written histories of a specimen. Mary Lou and Bison latifrons are no exception. Speculation about this specimen and the entire species have been proved wrong as technology has become more advanced and as researchers have become better at deciphering the truth.
​
​
Above: The real Mary Lou at the Idaho Museum of Natural History in Pocatello, Idaho. Photographed here as part of the effort to 3D scan all Bison latifrons held at the museum. Mary Lou was casted in 1985 and one copy was specifically made for the Orma J. Smith Museum at the College of Idaho. According to IMNH, following its casting in 1985, Mary Lou became the most widely exhibited and recognized Ice age bison skull in the world.
Bison latifrons are found on the front line of technological advances in paleontology and museums' efforts. Recent advancements in 3D scanning and printing technology has found its way into paleontology. The Bison Digitization Project, funded by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, has found its way into Southern Idaho. Bison latifrons at the Idaho Museum of Natural History such as Mary Lou, are some of the first set of fossils to serve as a trial run for this cutting-edge tech. Not only does this help with building a digital archive of the museum, but it helps researchers far and wide. Additionally it helps museum-goers have a more interactive experience. For a interactive 3D model of Mary Lou, click below.
Mary Lou the Bison latifrons
Read Timmer's full research paper here: