Texas road construction unearths 'colossal' prehistoric remains of 'big ol' animals'

A recent excavation in Texas yielded some "colossal creatures," according to local officials - and archaeologists are hopeful more will be uncovered soon.

Chris Ringstaff, a project planner with TxDOT's environmental affairs division, said that megafauna bones "[are] not unusual in the region."

Ringstaff also noted that at least one giant ground sloth was identified, thanks to its distinctive tooth.

"Paleontologists will give us positive identification."

"We're here to get the road built, but who doesn't love digging up big ol' animals?" Ringstaff added.

TxDOT noted that the Lone Star State is home to many dried-out lakes called playas, which date back to the Ice Age.

"In prehistoric times, animals and humans used playas as water sources and these sites can sometimes contain evidence of human activity," the press release noted.

Archaeologists are still searching for small artifacts. They're also using dating techniques to determine the age of the remains. 

If any proof of human settlement is found, the project will be temporarily halted.

"Should the site reveal human activity with megafauna from the Ice Age, it would be [the] first of its kind for a TxDOT project," the statement said.

Several prehistoric bones are found in the U.S. every year.