TxDOT Crew Discovers Ice Age Bones While Digging in Lubbock Texas

Only in Texas can you be building a road and end up digging up a giant ground sloth.

Yep, you read that right. While prepping for a new stretch of Loop 88 in Lubbock, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) stumbled upon something way bigger than a pothole, prehistoric megafauna bones.

We’re talking Ice Age beasts here. Giant ground sloths. Maybe even a mammoth or mastodon. The discovery happened during TxDOT’s environmental review, and it’s got archaeologists buzzing.

According to Chris Ringstaff, a project planner with TxDOT, at least one giant sloth tooth has been positively identified. He added, "We’re here to get the road built, but who doesn’t love digging up big ol’ animals?"

Same, Chris. Same.

Now, this wouldn’t be Texas if road construction wasn’t already taking forever, but this might officially extend it into the next century. Because if they find proof of human activity alongside these Ice Age creatures, construction could be paused completely for further study.

That would make it the first discovery of its kind on any TxDOT project, ever.

Experts are still combing the area for smaller artifacts and using dating methods to figure out just how old these bones really are. The dig site sits near dried-up lakes called playas—common Ice Age watering holes for animals and early humans alike.

So while Loop 88 may be delayed (surprise, surprise), at least we’ve got a pretty epic excuse this time. Because when it comes to Texas roads, you never know if the next orange cone might be guarding a mammoth.