Most homeowners expect a few surprises when moving into a new house—maybe a leaky pipe, an outdated electrical system, or even a forgotten time capsule from the previous owner. But for one Las Vegas couple, their surprise was something out of a history book: a set of bones possibly dating back to the Ice Age.
A Routine Pool Installation Turns Into a Scientific Discovery
Matt Perkins and his husband had just moved into their new home in northern Las Vegas when they decided to install a pool in their backyard. What was supposed to be a simple construction project quickly turned into something far more intriguing when workers digging about four to five feet below the surface uncovered large bones.
Perkins recalled waking up to an unexpected scene outside: “We assumed the pool guys were just checking on progress. Instead, they were standing out front—with the police.”
Initially, there were concerns that the bones could be human remains, potentially tied to an old crime. However, police and forensic experts soon ruled that out, noting the size of the bones indicated they belonged to an animal. That’s when scientists were brought in, and the mystery deepened.
What Kind of Bones Did They Find?
Joshua Bonde, director of research at the Nevada Science Center, examined the remains and determined they could be anywhere from 6,000 to 14,000 years old. The bones likely belonged to a large Ice Age mammal—possibly an ancient horse or another similarly sized creature.
The excavation revealed a remarkably preserved skeleton, with bones still connected in their natural positions, a rare find in paleontology. This suggests the animal may have died in an area with conditions that prevented scavengers from disturbing its remains—perhaps in a marshy region or near a spring.
Bonde noted that thousands of years ago, Las Vegas wasn’t the dry desert it is today. Instead, it was a lush landscape filled with water sources, attracting prehistoric animals such as mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and dire wolves. The newly discovered bones might be a key piece in understanding more about the region’s ancient past.
Why Is This Area a Hotspot for Fossils?
The discovery isn’t entirely unexpected given the location. The couple’s home is not far from the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, a well-known archaeological site where researchers have unearthed fossils from a variety of Ice Age creatures. As Las Vegas continues to expand, construction projects like this pool installation may unearth even more ancient remains buried beneath the city.
Bonde emphasized that these findings could become more common as development spreads: “If you’re digging in your backyard, don’t be too surprised if you hit something historic.”
What Will Happen to the Fossils?
Under U.S. law, the bones legally belong to Perkins since they were found on his property. However, he expressed interest in preserving them for scientific research rather than keeping them as a backyard decoration.
“I think it’s important to figure out exactly what these bones are and contribute to what we know about history,” Perkins said. “It’s a surreal experience—people dream of finding fossils as kids, but I never expected to actually dig one up in my backyard.”
For now, scientists will continue studying the bones to determine their exact age and species. Their findings could provide new insights into the prehistoric ecosystem of what is now southern Nevada.
A Reminder of the Past Beneath Our Feet
This unexpected fossil discovery serves as a reminder that history is all around us—even beneath suburban backyards. While most people installing pools only expect to deal with permits and construction delays, this Las Vegas couple found themselves with a direct link to the Ice Age.
As development continues to spread into once-untouched areas, who knows what other prehistoric secrets might be waiting to be uncovered?