The Marburg Mastodon 🐘 Traditional Cache

This cache will take you to the former Challand farm on the south side of Concession 5, where what is now known as the Marburg Mastodon was found on June 11th, 1897.

While digging around a tile-drain in a field at the north end of the farm, a workman's spade hit what was thought to be a wooden log buried in the ground.  On closer inspection, it turned out to be something else. Quickly removing the earth, a tusk measuring 9 feet 4 1/2 inches from tip to base was revealed.  Soon another tusk was discovered beneath the first but was found to be not as long. It did have a greater circumference of nearly 2 feet.  Further excavation revealed a portion of the skull that was more than 3 1/2 feet wide but it started to crumbled when disturbed.  The remaining portion of the upper part of the skull with the eye socket and jawbone were saved.   The jaw also contained two teeth that when measured were 7 inches long and 4 inches wide.  Twenty-five ribs some measuring over 6 feet long were eventually unearthed along with part of the backbone which measured 22 inches in circumference. Over the years, other mastodon pieces have been discovered in Southwestern Ontario but the Marburg Mastodon is believed to have been the largest of its kind. To give you a size reference, this mastodon would have been five times the size of an ordinary elephant.

This discovery created a sensation in the community and crowds of locals visited the site where the mastodon was unearthed. Mr Challand even exhibited the remains in a tent during the Port Dover fall fair in Powell Park. Eventually the Museum of Canada became interested and acquired the remains from Mr Challand. They restored the tusks, skull, mandibles along with the teeth and placed them on exhibit in Ottawa with their prehistorical beasts.  It is now believed that these particular mastodon remains are at least 6000 years old.

In 1967 the National Museum loaned the exhibit to the Eva Brook Donly Museum in Simcoe for display during the Centennial year.  Many Norfolk citizens then had an opportunity to view the mastodon that was locally discovered. It remained on display at the museum in Simcoe until early 1971 when it was then returned to Ottawa.

Marburg Mastondon on display at the Eva Brook Donly Museum in 1967

Please note that the farm is private property and there is no reason to wander in there.

**No night caching please, as flashlights would disturb the neighbours!**

You are looking for a camoed whizbang.

BYOP!