5,900-Year-Old Discovery in the Rockies Sparks Major Investigation

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5,900-Year-Old Discovery in the Rockies Sparks Major Investigation
Story by Billy Wellington • 9h • 4 min read
The melting alpine ice of the Rocky Mountains has uncovered a striking find—a 5,900-year-old whitebark pine forest preserved beneath layers of ice. Discovered on Wyoming’s Beartooth Plateau, this ancient forest is offering an extraordinary window into Earth’s past climate. But beyond its historical significance, the find highlights the rapid effects of global warming as it accelerates ice loss in the high-altitude regions of the Rocky Mountains.

An Ancient Forest Preserved by Ice


Sitting at an elevation of 3,100 meters (10,170 feet) above sea level, this prehistoric forest lies 180 meters (590 feet) above today’s tree line. The finding is significant, as it suggests that thousands of years ago, temperatures were warm enough to support tree growth at much higher altitudes than what is seen today. Scientists studying these well-preserved trees are eager to find out what they can learn more from these, particularly regarding past climate shifts and the potential impacts of warming trends on modern ecosystems.


Uncovering the Past
The discovery was made during an archaeological survey when researchers found the remains of over 30 ancient whitebark pine trees. Radiocarbon dating placed their lifespan between 5,950 and 5,440 years ago, a period coinciding with a natural warming phase in Earth’s climate..................








The revelation of a 5,900-year-old whitebark pine forest serves as a window into Earth’s climatic past while offering urgent lessons for the present.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/5-900-year-old-discovery-in-the-rockies-sparks-major-investigation/ar-AA1AdwZL?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=8ce367bb9e9c49219c467e5c59aef896&ei=34