Wetlands are one of the most archaeologically sensitive areas in Ohio.
Additionally, land adjacent to wetlands, particularly in Ohio's glaciated region, was often used by prehistoric American Indians for hunting game, collecting plants, and establishing settlements. Primary among these were the 1989 discovery of the Burning Tree mastodon in Licking County, and the 1993 recovery of remains from the Martins Creek mastodon in Holmes County. This significant find included the recovery of a portion of the mastodon's intestinal contents, including for the first time gut bacteria surviving in a dormant state for 11,000 years. Although no stone tools were recovered, some of the mastodon's skeletal remains showed evidence of cut marks indicating that prehistoric American Indians butchered the animal. Archaeological excavations and laboratory analysis for animal protein residue on prehistoric stone tools recovered in association with the Martins Creek mastodon confirmed that prehistoric American Indians butchered this mastodon.