PORTLAND, Ore. — Construction workers have unearthed the bones of a mammoth and other ice age mammals on the Oregon State University football field.

The Oregonian reports (http://bit.ly/1SaJU3Z) crews working on an expansion around Reser Stadium found a femur from one of the ancient elephants and bones from a bison and camel, all dating back 10,000 years.

A spokesman says the OSU archaeologist believes the 10-foot pit where the remains were found could have been a pond or watering hole.

OSU associate professor of anthropology Loren Davis says sick animals often went to a body of water to die.

Davis says the find isn’t unusual since thousands of mammoths and other long-gone creatures once roamed the surrounding Willamette Valley.

Construction work has been moved elsewhere while experts examine the bones.

First Published January 27, 2016, 9:38 p.m.