New additions to the Museum of Idaho

There are some new things happening at the Museum of Idaho. The museum recently received a collection of about 80,000 pre-historic artifacts.

They only have an estimate right now because a lot of the artifacts haven’t been opened since they were dug up in the west desert outside of Idaho Falls.

Archeologists found mammoth, old bison and new bison bones. They say it the finds are a good reflection of what our region used to be like.

“So it’s really interesting, scientists are anxious to be able to study more about the differences between the ancient and modern bison. And be able to study the differences of how these materials were used in all these thousands of years,” says Carrie Anderson Athay, Curator.

These aren’t the only new things. The museum also has a new building. They just bought a building across the street and that’s where these new artifacts are being stored for now. But they have big plans.

“We are hoping this is going to be turned into a research and collections facility to help us continue this wonderful work so researchers can easily come here and study this amazing collection,” says Athay.

The artifacts are not on display yet, but they will be. If you want to do research, the museum is taking requests. You can contact the museum at 208-522-1400.