Canadian artist IronKite used this mastodon-excavation phototaken in 2000 in Hyde Park, New Yorkas the basis for his entry in an online photo-manipulation contest.

The altered photo lies behind persistent Internet rumors, spread since 2004, of archaeologists unearthing ancient human giants.

IronKite digitally superimposed a human skeleton over the mastodon-dig photo, he told National Geographic News in December 2007.

The artist later added a man holding a shovel. His clothing was re-colored to match that of the man in the above, authentic picture. The goal, IronKite said, was to make the shoveler appear to be part of the excavation team.

 More Photos in the News
 Today's Top 15 Most Popular Stories
 Free Email Newsletter: "Focus on Photography"