What follows is a day-by-day account
of the Hyde Park Mastodon excavation, written by those that were doing
the work. It is not meant to be written in eloquent language, but the
excitement often shines through. Read on! And if you have any questions
about the dig, you can email any of the scientists that entered the information
into the journal.
Sunday, August 20th- Pete N drives from Ithaca to Hyde Park, meeting
Warren A. at the bus station in the early afternoon. Jim Sherpa and Bill
Perks, and John and Vicki Chiment drive to Hyde Park and meet with the
Loziers at the pond. Paul Harnik and Rob Ross rent a U-Haul in Ithaca,
fill it with supplies and drive to Pleasant Valley where they meet up
with the rest of the crew at the Pleasant Valley Motel. Dinner and sleep.
(Paul Harnik - [PGH] - email
him)
Monday, August 21st-
Early AM wake up to get to the pond, unload supplies, pick up additional
supplies and start pumping. 4 pumps going and pond drains within a few
hours. During the draining, Paul Harnik, Jim Sherpa, Pete Nester begin
to experiment with the coring device, taking test cores in the wetlands
to the north of the pond. Augering goes fairly smoothly and different
bits are experimented with. For some reason in the lowlands to the north,
the peat layer seems absent in the cores. During this time, Bill and John
return to the site, as well as Elizabeth Humbert and Curt Banta. Student
and faculty members from Mount Holyoke (Diane and others(?)) are also
on site at this time. A core is taken in the lowlands immediately to the
north of the pond. A series of skids are laid down on the drained pond
bottom to access the peat islands in the southern portion of the pond.
A core is taken on the northern most peat island of the two. Coring goes
very well, and the hole bottoms out a little over 2m in a fairly coarse
gravel layer-some cobbles larger than golf ball size. Decision is made
to strip the peat off the 2 southern islands. This is begun, and 5 buckets
from each island are collected. Decide to collect 5 more while this is
being done, and @6:45 PM, Elizabeth Humbert finds the sacrum of the mastodon
underneath the northern most island at the basal portion of the peat layer.
Palpating the mud suggests more bones present - work done for day. Dinner
and celebration at the Hyde Park Brewery. (PGH
- email him)
|
|
| Finally, success! Seconds after the first bone was uncovered by
Elizabeth Humbert. The team from the Paleontological Research Institution
include, from left to right: Warren Allmon, Curt Banta, Paul Harnik,
Pete Nester, Elizabeth Humbert, Jim Sherpa. Photo taken by Robert
Ross. |
Tuesday, August 22nd-
Exploratory work continues in and around the bone zone revealed a fragmented
portion of tusk, ankle bones, pelvic bone, scapula, and limb bone. Trenches
are made by the front end loader on the most western side of the pond
to collect high resolution and bulk samples of strata. Trenches are approximately
1m deep and strata exposed consists of peat and marl with some gravel
interbeds. Nice wood fragments and mollusks in situ. After two trenches,
this work ceases as strata is very liquified and a lot of water is beginning
to flow into the bone zone. Newspapers on site this day. (PGH
- email him)
Back to top
Wednesday, August 23rd-
Story runs in Poughkeepsie Journal on front page, Headline on newspaper
box says "More mammoth fossils found!" Discovery Channel on site during
the day. Auger is taken at southern end of the pond indicating some marl
layers aside pond. No trenches made to avoid rising water level. Morning
spent struggling with pumps which are clogging rapidly with clay and silt
(and fish). Dominick's son (from the Discovery Channel) finds a limb bone
in fill in the bank on east side of the pond. Work continues and Wayne
(front-end loader operator) and Curt Banta work along bank towards the
north, digging up fill and checking for bones. Core taken on northern
island in center of the pond. Skull found in fill on the eastern side
of the pond - upside-down - teeth present - seems in good shape. Lower
jaw not present (yet). Work done to clean it - begins to rain - work stopped
for day - fence set up. Elizabeth, Warren, Curt, Sara Bong and John Chiment
leave for Ithaca. (PGH - email
him)
Thursday, August 24th-
Cast of characters: Pete, Paul H., Rob and Jim S. from PRI and Mike, Lauren
and Melissa (high-schoolers from Tom Lake's "Summer Scholars" program.)
Arrived at site ~8AM. Pond was filled up again, but with 3 pumps running,
it was pumped down in a matter of 3 hours. Paul H. uncovered a spruce
(?) tree at far SE corner of pond. It was measured at ~20' long with branches
still attached. Bone at far western edge of the "bone-zone" determined
to be the other tusk. Paul H. worked from the spruce to the west, and
uncovered little to nothing. (Peter Nester [PLN]
- email him) ***
Friday, August 25th-
Arrived at site at ~7:45AM. U-Haul truck rented and buckets loaded in.
Cast of characters: Jim S., Pete N., Paul H., Rob Ross, and Mike, Lauren
and Melissa from Tom Lake's "Summer Scholars" program. With wooden pallets,
a curved structure was built around the "bone zone" to try and keep the
water out. Worked hard to divert drainage from the "zone" if at all possible.
After this curved pallet structure was built, a toe-bone was found "outside"
the structure by Pete as he was moving slop to help with drainage. It
was determined that one of the long bones just inside of the "structure"
was, in fact, one of the tusks, and it extended, unbroken, for at least
3' w/~20cm diameter. Rob and Jim left for Ithaca at about 2PM. Kathy Lozier
helped in the pit, and towards the end of the day, the main effort was
spent trying to move the sludge away from the "zone", working in the south
and west directions. (PLN - email
him)
Saturday, August 26th-
Discovery Channel again here filming at ~7:30AM. Warren, Jennifer Tegan,
Pete arrive at ~7:15AM. John Chiment with about 12 Cornell students arrive
from Ithaca at about 11:30M. Limit of western tusk determined. Retaining
wall appears to be helping to keep water flow away. Main effort spent
at south end of island. 5 partially articulated vertebrae found, maybe
more soon, extending in SE direction. Hay bales used instead of pallets
so that bones underneath are not disturbed. Continued working on skull,
moving dirt from around, but leaving plenty of matrix around the skull
for later excavation. Pete leaves at 4PM. (PLN
- email him)
Set up "bulletin board" outside fence with laminated newspaper articles,
fact sheet, bone chart showing what we've found so far, and PRI banner.
Visitors seemed to like it and read it. Jen Tegan and Warren inventoried
and reorganized bagged bones that have so far been extracted and stored
in garage. Dwight Warren in most of the day - he pulled out his cast skull
and Discovery Channel shot it. Tent put up over skull and it is covered
with blanket and towels to keep it moist. Lower jaw found ~4PM. Discovery
Channel did "line up" of Cornell University students to show how dirty
they got. Found lots of artic thoracic vertebrae, large ribs and, at the
end of the day, two long bones. Quit at ~6:30PM. Cookout for students
at Lozier's - students slept in garage and tents. (Warren Allmon [WDA]
- email him)
Sunday, August 27th-
Jen and Warren at site about 7AM to start three pumps. Warren went to
get gas for pumps. CU students up and working by about 9AM. A team of
three students worked w/John Chiment to chain saw and tie up a slice from
the large spruce log at the bottom of pond. Extended green flag grid to
the east. Discovery Channel filming again. Turning on and off pumps. Team
of students worked on skull - working around edges and underneath. Finally
stopped till we take it out. Rest of students worked on bailing out sludge
from "pit" in center of pond. Sludge pile on west side of pond near steps
has "crept" southward displacing main walkway. New superstructure built
of pilings and 4 x 4's at north end of pit out from wall to allow walking
over the shrinking "islands" of mud w/out boards in contact with bones.
This took much of morning. Students quit at about 1PM and left at 2PM
w/ John Chiment and Bill Perks. Warren's car died at pizza shop and he
had to go rescue Jen in Larry's car. Pete arrived from Boston at about
5PM and took Jen and CU student back to Ithaca. Warren cleaned up and
quit at about 6PM. Discovery Channel did standup interviews w/Warren and
Larry Lozier and shot Sheryl in pit then did large piece of just Warren
in pit. Also interviewed John Chiment. Lots of ribs found and uncovered
today, as well as second scapula and more toes. Femur and tibia recognized
(formerly thought to be second scapula). In general, it's difficult to
be in the main bone bed without stepping on a bone. (WDA
- email him)
Back to top
Monday, August 28th-
----no record----
Tuesday, August 29th-
Jim and Sarah arrived at 8AM. Spent most of the day with Volunteer Kevin
and Cathy trying to develop drainage for "pit" area. Major situation in
the pump area causing water to flow back into the "pit". Due to lack of
volunteers we couldn't work efficiently enough to scoop out water. Same
journalist from Poughkeepsie visited site. Talked to Jim about recent
findings. Topo-surveyor came by survey site and areas around Lozier home.
Few bone fragments (possibly skull) were found outside quadrants on the
other side of the wood-wall. Wonder if this might be the spot where the
skull originally was. (Sarah Bong [SLB]
- email her)
Wednesday, August 30th-
11AM - Poughkeepsie photographer arrived (Spencer Ainsley). Monisha Ray
arrived at 1:45 PM, she worked in the bone pit for about 2 hours, mostly
bucketing up marl from the perimeter of known bone hot spots. She finds
a caudal vertebrae in N1W1 #110. As mentioned above, the Poughkeepsie
Journal photographer came. He took quite a few shots of the skull. It's
overcast this morning, so Jim took off the canopy for better light, he
used both a trowel and Eliza Sherpa with the skull for scale, also did
a close-up of the teeth and a couple of shots of the tusk. Spencer expressed
interest in photographing the ite professionally if we won't do it. Says
he'll try to bring us a full set of photos taken on Friday or Saturday.
To supply Spencer with the data, Sarah and Jim measured the tusk while
it was uncovered - 7'6" along the median line. Following up on suggestion
by Larry, Sarah and Jim dug a path from the western sump (spring hole)
to the north sump. This works great and frees up a pump. A significant
pirce of wood is exposed in the lower marl near the thin, fine gravel
layer ay yje northern end of the connect ditch, we leave it in situ. We
build a platform into the south end of the pond to the SE sump, the outflow
goes down a piece of ply wood to prevent further silt build-up. Carefully
placing the inflow hose we are able to nearly completely drain the bone
pit. Although we have not cross-referenced with the map, the mere removal
of all that water appears to have exposed new bones. (Jim Sherpa [JMS]
- email him)
Thursday, August 31st-
Sarah, Jim and Eliza Sherpa arrive 8AM, we start the pumps and go get
gas. Tom Lake arrives with about 6 volunteers 9AM. ALl sign in and sign
waiver, for have to wait for the pond to drain. We rerun the bone hole
pump-out feed out of the pond towards creek. The pump successfully runs
the water up the gradual incline we've laid out. Soon, even the bone pit
is fairly water-free. The intake in the bone pit needs frequent clearing
and Jim discovers that going barefoot allows him to move easily about
the pit without disturbing or stepping on bones. Keith (student volunteer)
proves to be exceptionally helpful. Various other tourists and volunteers
show up throughout the day. Jim finds what appears to be an ankle bone
at the far eastern edge of N1E3 (on top of the marl) showing again the
trend of small, stray bones to the E and NE. About 3PM, Elizabeth arrives
and Sarah leaves. I'm happy ELizabeth is here, sad Sarah is gone. 4:00,
Larry comes home early, he helps reconfigure the platforms around the
bone pit. Jim took photos of the bone pit today. (JMS
- email him)
Friday, September 1st-
Jim, Eliza Sherpa and Elizabeth Humbert arrive at 8AM. We have trouble
starting the northern pump, it takes an hour+ to get it going. Tom Lake
arrives with a contingent of volunteering. One of Tom's volunteers manages
to quiet the pit pump by wiring up the muffler. Barbara, an archeologist,
starts to redraw the bone map 2x scale by quadrants. Kurt, a student of
_____(?), stops by to talk but immediately starts working. He works till
quitting time. Jim takes more photos of site from all sides. N.Y. Times
reporter stops by and interviews Elizabeth, Jim and Larry. *** The NY
Times reporter stays 2 hours. Wayne brings his backhow by for Saturday.
NY Times photographer will stop by about noon on Saturday. (JMS
- email him)
Back to top
Saturday, September 2nd-
Warren and Pete arrive at 7:00AM, Jim and Elizabeth at 8AM. Pump in center
of pond had trouble starting- needed more oil. Wayne (backhoe) arrived
at 9AM. Soundshields picked up at Rob's house (sound person from the Discovery
Channel) to shield noise of pumps for cameras. 3 projects happening coincidentally;
1-describing stratigraphy from SW side of the "pit", 2-searching for more
bones in every direction away from the "bone zone", and 3-constructing
a box around theskull to transport it to the garage. In the aftrenoon,
New York Times photographer present - story to run in tomorrow's "Metro"
section. After several hours of "boxing" the skull (from 9AM to noon),
it was determined that more work needed to be done on it. Mainly worked
on by Jim Sherpa, Dwight Warren, and Warren Allmon. At 2PM, skull lifted
and moved. Put onto palettes on top of trailer. There was much rejoicing.
Dartmouth students arrived in the afternoon. Peter Rowell was presnt taking
photographs. Wayne poked around to the north of the skull along the eastern
edge of the pond, but nothing turned up. He deepened the sump before leaving.
Narissa Russell and her student arrived late in the day to look at bones.
Claudia Rowe, NY Times reporter, there. (PLN
- email him)
Sunday, September 3rd-
Warren and Pete at site at 7AM to find it completely flooded - water from
stream had backed up into north end of pond - water almost over banks
all around. Warren and Pete started 2 pumps- third was under water in
middle of pond. Then started building dam on north end. Dartmouth people
arrived to help. Pete and Elizabeth both went swimming to pull floating
wood, etc from middle of pond. Pump brought up from bottom with use of
Larry's boat. Larry called Hyde Park fire department and they brought
pump truck at about noon - 4:30 PM - they used 6" hose to pump about 1,000
gallons/minute and shoot it into trees on east side. Warren moved some
hay bales from pond to stream to help stop siltation from runoff. Third
pump repaired and got running again finally. Pumps ran until about 10PM.
At about 7PM, we finally saw bones. Sheryl Sinkow arrived to take photos.
Shirley Egan arrived but spent most of day sitting and watching with nothing
to do. We all left for motel at about 7:30 then all went to Valerie Furey's
house for dinner. Jim Sherpa built out some sidewalks. John Chiment and
Bill Perks arrived about 1PM with group from Cornell - not much for them
to do - lots of sitting around and waiting for the water to go down. Pete
cleaned out the garage and reorganized. Pete and Elizabeth left at about
4:30PM. Nerissa Russell and 2 kids left at about 1PM. Valerie and Pam
Loughmiller did some digging on east side but found nothing - then they
cleaned up coring equipment. (WDA
- email him)
Monday, September 4th-
We were supposed to be in the New York Times today, but weren't. Warren
and Pam on site about 7:30. 3 pumps started. Then 1 died temporarily -
Warren rented another pump at Home Depot - moved a pump down into pit
and this proved to work well to drain main bone area. Bones exposed better
than ever. Shirley Egan there again, working in pit until about 2PM. She
went out and got gas twice for us. Sheryl Sinkow took lots of photos.
Bonnie ______(?), archeologist, stopped by. Jill Schneiderman brought
about 40 students and about 4 faculty from Vassar at about 1PM. They replaced
volunteers in pit and made lots of progress. Jim Sherpa left at about
1PM. Paul Harnik and David Kim arrived at 4:30. Warren, Pam L., Valerie
F. left for Ithaca at about 5:30PM. (WDA
- email him)
Tuesday, September 5th, 2000-
Pumped beginning at 0800. At noon, we were able to begin work. Water level
might have been affected by shutting pumps down around 5PM of previous
day. Jim Kennedy found three bones working north of the tusk (2 foot bones
and a tusk fragment). Russ Fuller found a toe bone east of the pelvis.
Paul H. spent some time with the news crew from NBC. Hyde Park weekly
paper reporter came by and Paul spoke with them. NPR interviewed the Loziers
by phone. We worked the later part of the afternoon, improving drainage.
Diverted the spring to run towards the pump sump. Day was clear and temperatures
were in the 60's. Wrapped up at 6:15PM. (Russ Fuller)
Back to top
Wednesday, September 6th, 2000-
Pumping began at 4:15AM. At 6AM, NBC crew arrived as well as John Chiment
and Bill Perks with a truckload of buckets. Pond was drained (mostly)
by 7:30 AM. David Kim and Paul H. cleaned the bones off between 7:30 -
8AM. The Today Show went off without any problems with all bones exposed
and Larry and Sheryl doing a fine job. After TV crew left and Chiment
and Perks as well bones were re-covered at 9AM and then covered with a
tarp. Russ Fuller and Kevin (Poughkeepsie) volunteered for a day. We continued
to expand the bone pit and did not turn up any new bones. Some new springs
were uncovered, though the pump seems to be able to keep up. Russ spent
a bit of time around the fragmented tusk and felt a few medium-sized (larger
than your fist) fragments. Decided to leave them in place and put a tarp
over them to stabilize them. At about 4PM, David and Paul almost collapsed
from exhaustion - cleaned up the site and then sat on the banks and ran
the pumps for another couple of hours. (PGH
- email him)
Thursday, September 7th, 2000-
Started pumps at 7:30 AM. Just Paul H. and David until around 12:30PM.
Moving slower today after the long day yesterday. Adrian Epstein volunteered
all of the afternoon. Paul Harnik found some interesting pieces of wood,
including a small branch with beaver marks on it. Pete Nester arrived
around 5PM. Paul H. and David Kim return to Ithaca. (David Kim)
Friday, September 8th, 2000-
Pete arrives at 7:45, begins 3 pumps. 4th pump started at 8:30. By 10:15,
bone zone clear enough to start working. Adrian filled buckets with peat
from tarps - no lids on buckets. Continued to work the south wall - no
bones found during the day. Another attempt at detailed stratigraphy was
done along south wall. (PLN - email
him)
Saturday, September 9th-
Three pumps running at 7:15. Fourth pump at 8AM - spark plug stripped,
changed out for a different pump later in the day. Crowd from Mount Holyoke
and Vassar worked in the pit, making more progress towards south and west
wall. Island centered arouns SE corner of S1W1 was eventually entirely
removed - matrix saved and bucketed (still no lids), trying to keep the
peat from the marl and the marl from the peat. Rains came just before
noon - lasted steadily until 3PM. At 3PM, began preparations to remove
fractured tusk. It was determined that distal 4' of tusk was unbroken,
but went underneath northern retaining wall. Extention built around tusk,
and part of wall cut out to allow access to the distal portion of the
tusk. Tusk was "pedastalled", and the exposed top 2/3 of circumference
wrapped in paper towel, then newspaper, then it was "cable-tied", then
wrapped in aluminum foil, then 2 layers of fiberglass cast applied to
entire 2/3 circumference. Splints were applied to the top and sides of
tusk before being wrapped in fiberglass. 18" lengths of 1"x4"'s were placed
and driven beneath tusk in 3 locations, then cable ties wrapped around
tusk, then rope wrapped around tusk in 3 locations. 3 people at tusk level
and 3 people above, holding rope, pulled tusk out of ground. Weight estimated
at 400-500 pounds (***this was later determined to be an over estimate.
It only seemed heavy due to the awkward nature of the tusk and the slippery
nature of the platforms, etc...[PLN]***). 5 people carried tusk up to
walkway (slippery), and as it was being carried up, cracked about 30"
from the tip. Casing failed - determined that at least 5 coats of fiberglass
was needed. (PLN - email him)
Sunday, September 10th-
Pumps drained pond at 10AM. Pete and Warren on site. Narissa Russel, with
assistance of Suzanne Gifford and Pam Loughmiller, began mapping bones
in pit, finishing pelvis. Last day of working towards the south and west
of pit, still finding nothng. People Magazine photographers on site around
noon - took pictures of Larry, Sheryl and daughter Laura Lozier in the
pit. Tusk, which was extracted yesterday, covered in paper towels and
a tarp in the garage. Mapping of bones reconveined at around 3PM until
about 4:30. Well over 200 visitors today. John Chiment took top part of
spruce log with him back to Ithaca to give to Carol Griggs. (PLN
- email him)
Back to top
Monday, September 11th-
Pam Lougmiller, Warren and Pete arrive at site at 7:30. 3 pumps running
- pond down by 10AM. 4th pumps started to drain pit. Pete organized and
catalogued bones in garage in the AM. Warren and Pam spent day taking
horizontal locations of bones on eastern half of th epit, including pelvis
and mandible. Two eastern quadrants completed. Fourth pump (north end)
never ran correctly all day - Grand Rental coming out in the morning of
9/12 to service pump. Only three people there to work all day. Warren
picked up two shelves for placing bones in garage - Pam assembled one.
Tagging of bones in pit began, starting at #300. About 1/2 of them tagged.
Janee Ansley and Elizabeth Humbert arrived at 4:30. Elizabeth and Pete
stayed, Janee, Warren and Pam back to Ithaca. Elizabeth found Pete's missing
shoe at 6:30 in the sludge along the north end of the pond. Generally
a quiet day of progress. (PLN - email
him)
Tuesday, September 12th-
Pete and Elizabeth arrive at the site at 8AM. 3 pumps started no problem,
including pump at north end of the pond that was giving us problems the
day before. Pond seemed to drain relatively well - down yb 10:30. 2 Vassar
students at 10:30 and 12, helping to map bones in quad N1E1. Stake 0-0
appears to be off relative to rest of square - we set up another 0-0 stake
about 25 cm to the north - this is now the 0-0 stake in terms of the bone
map. Yesterday's map (as well as the day before) was keyed off of the
line between stakes 0N1E and 1N1E. Today's map keyed off of 0N0E and 0N1E.
Most of quad 1N1E completed today - mapping started by Pete with Elizabeth
and 2 Vassar students in the morning, and continued in earnest in the
afternon by Elizabeth (mapping) and 2 Vassar students (Josh and Holly)
in the pit, taking measurements. Sue Johnson from Drexel University arrived
around noon - PhD student studying sexual dimorphism in mastodons. She
took measurements of the pelvis, determining it to be a female. She also
helped with the field measurements of bones. Skippy (Vassar student) built
a second shelf in the garage for bone storage. Many teachers from Hyde
Park there in the afternoon, gathering materials (mostly video) to show
students. First thing in the morning (whole pond drained), bones organized
and placed on shelf that was built yesterday in the garage. Wrapped up
at about 5PM. (PLN - email him)
Wednesday, September 13th, 2000-
More mapping today. Pete and Elizabeth arrive on site at 7:15, pond
drained by 10AM. During draining, new jacob staff (2m) formed for mapping.
Sue Johnson here at 10AM, horizontal plane mapping by Elizabeth in quad
N1E1 w.Sue and Molly (from Vassar). Quad predominantly finished (except
for a few small bones). Began quad S1E1 in afternoon. Peter with aid of
Vassar students taking vertical measurements from datum pole. Dutcbess
CC students (Celia and Dan) helped move pallets back from retaining wall.
It was being undermined and collapsing. Tusk in precarious position. Mudbank
it is on is being work away - need to remove soon. Last bone tagged is
#373. Sara arrived at 5:30. Elizabeth G. arrived at 4PM. Warren and Dan
Fisher arrive tonight. 3 rooms reserved at Econo Lodge. Pete and Elizabeth
return to Ithaca. (PLN - email him)
Thursday, September 14th, 2000-
WDA, Sarah Bong and Dan Fisher on site at 7AM. Started pumps with no problem.
ELizabeth G. there at about 10. High school class from Darien, CT arrived
at about 10AM. Wayne Mallen brought Boy Scout troop by in the afternoon
- several parents too. Some scouts going from their geology merit badge.
Warren gave tours and ran errands much of day. Dan, Sarah and Elizabeth
G. worked on mapping, plastic tagging of bones rest of day. Dan Fisher
set up his bipod for aerial photos of bone pit and worked with Vassar
students most of afternoon - took a roll of slides for stereo photos.
Jill Schneiderman stopped by. Bonnie Bogamil worked with map crew in late
afternoon. Susan Johnson and Jay Tinker volunteered all day. Jim Sherpa
arrived at around 2PM. Dan Fisher and team in pit tagging bones until
7PM. Rebecca Rothbaum from Poughkeepsie Journal and Kathleen Kelley from
People Magazine at site. (WDA - email
him)
Back to top
Friday, September 15th, 2000-
Article on front page of Poughkeepsie Journal today. Rain last night but
water not seriously higher. (WDA - email
him)
Saturday, September 16th-
Plan to excavate larger bones today. Jim, Dan Fisher and Rob arrive at
6:30 AM to pump pond. Dwight Warren shows up soon after. Discovery Channel
people arrive about 7:45. By 9:15, crowd has developed. Photographer,
Jay Tinker, others on site. At 9:30, there are 40+ on sides, 18 people
"touring" in pit, and the crane just showed up. Most people are just observers.
Post-day wrap up- An incredible day! A remarkable mixture of pandemonium
and chaos, of professionalism and standing around. Brief: Around 9:30-1:30,
used "cherry-picker" with bucket to take overhead shots. First our photographer-a
volunteer-taking 35mm shots, then Discovery (Dominic) taking film and
still digital images of the pit empty, then Dominic filming Dan in the
pit, then Steve Westin and Pam Loughmiller taking digital images for possible
stereoscopic images. Huge number of volunteers and random visitors, watching
from driveway and edge of pond, which was roped off. At one point, Tom
Lake counted 78 cars up and down the road; total people unknown-a couple
hundred during day(?). Lunch-12 pizzas from Mona Lisa's-came at 2PM. A
soda machine came from Larry's brother (in law?). At about 2:30, had a
volunteer meeting and organized into teams with team leaders-Dan in pit,
Rob in documentation, Dwight Warren in transporting bones up, John Chiment
in tent curating bones as they arrived, Jim general manager, facilitating
problems as they arose. Each of us had a group of people to give jobs
to. Selecting volunteers for teams chaotic, but it seemed to work itself
out. Dave Burney was in the pit with Dan-big help in sedimentological
interpretation, and also in use of pumps (with which he has extensive
experience through his own research.) Jennifer _____(?) took digital photos
as bones were taken out, Suzanne Gifford marked bones onto digital photos
she'd taken and had printed just before work begun, Rob took notes dictated
by Dan. Discovery Channel continued to film short segments and ask questions
to Dan, sometimes doing 3 or 4 takes on the same answer. Crowds remained
to watch-cheer went up when first bone came out of the pit at about 3PM,
and there was lots of excitement about removing the mandible. At 5:30,
bone collection stopped; 13 left ribs, 8 right ribs, 8 vertebrae, 5 left
fore foot bones, 1 right fore foot bone, a couple parts of the sternum,
left ulna, left radius, left scapula (40 bones) had been removed. Dan
accounted for bones, volunteers wrapped bones in bubble wrap and plastic
bags, and stored them in the garage. (Robert Ross [RMR]
- email him)
Sunday, September 17th-
Second day of bone removal. Arrived at site at 6:30AM-Jim, Rob, and
Dan. We were on the front page of the Poughkeepsie Journal this morning-aerial view of the site. Started pumps-one pump shut off after a while
because of water in the pump. Dwight Warren showed up and was able to
drain tank and add oil, and got it started. Otherwsie a quiet start to
the day. Al Guyro, Discovery Channel producer, came. John Chiment and
Bill Perks showed up with about 20 Cornell students about 9:45, as well
as Warren. Public started coming at 10AM. Excavated, with Dan leading,
until 4:45. Got most of work done, with a huge hurry in last hour, especially
after an articulated hind foot was found with more than 20 bones. Jim
Sherpa and Dave Burney also in pit. Finished removing exposed bones about
5:30. Finished cleaning up by about 7:30. (RMR
- email him)
Back to top
Monday, September 18th, 2000-
Spend morning finishing removing the lst few bones and documenting them.
Some volunteers helped screen matrix from beneath the bones. Continued
to remove marl at the base of the pit to make sure we aren't missing anything.
Found one small bone fragment near pelvic area. Some volunteers worked
on wrapping (and rewrapping) some of the bones. Jim began to take tusk
measurements. PRI staff on board that day included Jim Sherpa, Paul Harnik,
and David Kim. At least 8 volunteers assisted. (PGH
- email him)
Tuesday, September 19th, 2000-
Jim continued tusk measurements and designs for its removal. Paul and
David with a group of volunteers continued matrix removal and screening.
About mid-day, it began to rain. Cold rain off and on for the rest of
the afternoon and into the night. No new bones or fragments turned up.
Beginning to hit a dark blue-gray clay in parts of the pit. (PGH
- email him)
Wednesday, September 20th, 2000-
No rain today. Paul and Dave and Patrick ____(?) continue to mine the
pit with the help of various volunteers. Jim works on box construction
and talks to Dan Fisher about tusk removal. Slow but steady stream of
people stop by the site to just look. Patrick proves once more to be a
star volunteer. Paul H. and Dave Kim leave for home. (JMS
- email him)
Thursday, September 21st, 2000-
Jim here alone, but only till the pond pumps down. Fair weather. A steady
stream of visitors cause continual distractions. "We know there's nothing
to see, but we want to look anyway," seems to be the sentiment of the
day. Elizabeth Humbert arrives at around 2:30 PM and alleviates the outreach
pressure. Jim speaks some more with Dan Fisher over the phone concerning
the tusk. The pit goes on. (JMS -
email him)
Friday, September 22nd, 2000-
Elizabeth and Jim onsite. Chilly morning-party cloudy. Began day at
7:30-all pumps working fine. Did not pump down bone yard in order to
keep tusk wet. Mother (from Valkill-E. Roosevelt home) and son arrived
at 10AM. They licked leaves out of buckets of matrix that had fallen in
and, with the help of a group from DCC (environmental science class) began
to put plastic wrap around tops of buckets. An eighth grade class that
included Peter Rowell's son Zach arrived and toured the site. They aided
in going through matrix and finding organics, etc. A group from Bard College
arrived to tour the site. Kindergarten class from Montessori school arrived
to tour the site as well. Also students from Marist (intro geology class).
Volunteers dug out large spruce tree-tree is now pedestalled and 100%
exposed. Jim and Elizabeth continued measurements for tusk box. Group
from environmental science research (Paul Harnik's friends) helped dig
out tree and go through matrix. End of day, branches were sampled (disconnected
from tree). Calls throughout the day to PRI (Warren, etc.) Dan Fisher,
Bill PerksÉ.continuing discussion on tusk removal. To fiberglass or not
to fiberglass, that is the question!! Final decision is "yes" (I think).
Bill Perks may come down Sunday to take tusk back to Ithaca. We need to
mix the butte var NOW! Have not heard from turtle cop about log truck
guy. Christie Sobel (an artist from Ithaca) and family arrived to help.
Susan Rottman arrived for the day. (Elizabeth Humbert [SEH]
- email her)
Back to top
Saturday, September 23rd, 2000-
Jim and Elizabeth H. on site by 7:30-pond water high. Volunteer groups
from SUNY Oneonta, Boston Museum of Science, and Mount Holyoke (with Diane).
Morning spent draining pond-Elizabeth went to Home Depot to buy some
lumber and other supplies for the tusk box and tree box. Volunteers continue
to sort through matrix (marl). A few hairs (?) and organic bits found.
Continuing measurements for the tusk box-bottom and sides being constructed
by Jim and the volunteers. Continued excavation of log-still pedestalled
but being undercut. Began checking area north and east of retaining wall
(dam) for other bones. Not much found. End of day, we constructed platforms
to south of tusk for fiberglass people-doctor from Elmira-same doctor
who did the fiberglass for the Chemung Mastodon tusks. Pump issues! Pumps
keep breaking vacuum seal due to low water levels. Picked up Pete Nester
at Poughkeepsie train station at 9PM. (SEH
- email her)
Sunday, September 24th-
Elizabeth and Pete at site at 6AM. Pull cord on 2nd east pump breaks.
Pete and Elizabeth move pit pump to east sump. Pumps up and running-they go for gas. Jim S. arrives at about 7AM, starts to trouble-shoot
tusk box construction and prepare for tusk removal. SUNY-Oneonta volunteers
have spent night in garage, and are now put to work. 9AM Bill Perks arrives,
he is just ahead of John Chiment, who brings with him Vicki (his wife),
John (his son) and the osteologist from Elmira. Joe Fox, videographer
for the Discovery Channel, arrives. The pond is almost ready, but not
quite, so he gies for a bite to eat. Jim briefs on procedures and concerns
and at 9:40, doctor ______ (?) commences applying cast, Pete, Elizabeth
and John assist as all else watch. Joe Fox arrives back just in time to
film. The casting goes perfectly, at 11AM it is done. Before the tusk
is removed to the box (casket, as everyone starts to call it), Jim, Pete
and Elizabeth recreate the removal of the femur, humerus, and ulna from
the pit with the help of Mike, Dwight and Sheryl. Miraculously, Jim finds
an articulated, fleshed out 6 inch mammoth! Wow! (Hope Al gets a kick
out of that.) The doctor has hung around, he has brought his two sons,
and they get a cameo with the ulna. The "casket" is brought down to the
pit and with the help of three volunteers from Oneonta, Joh Chiment (the
Younger), Mike,Jim and Pete organize and remove the tusk. Lots f bubble
wrap later, the top is put on and the tusk, snug in its casket, is carried
out without a hitch and loaded directly onto Bill's truck. Smooth!! Lunch-then a weigt test for the spruce log is organized. It is lifted by hand
(or rather twelve hands-6 people cradling the tree with towels underneath)
but it cracks and splits in several places. Volunteers leave for home,
Jim, Pete and Elizabeth do damage control on the spruce. Pack up and leave.
(JMS - email him)
Monday, September 25th, 2000-
I arrived at the site at 9:30, surprised to find Jim still here. Jim briefed
me on this past week or so, and told me what needed to be done over the
next couple of days. Jim takes off at around 10:30AM, so it's just me
and the bones. It's a beautiful, clear fall day. Aside from the monotonous
hum of the pumps, it's rather peaceful. I had a lot of time to think about
how amazing this discovery is and all the amazingly dedicated people involved.
A few people stopped by to check out what was going on or to get an update.
People seemed fascinated by the "sea" of red and white muck-filled buckets!
Hmmm??? I spent most of the day picking up around the site and in the
garage, running the pumps and covering buckets. (SLB
- email her)
Tuesday, September 26th, 2000-
Arrived at the site at around 7:45AM. Cold, wet and rainy today, not much
action around here. Got the pumps running around 8AM. They are all functioning
properly and despite the rain, the pond drained fairly quickly. I threw
tarps over uncovered matrix and buckets and spent most of the day in the
garage out of the rain. (SLB - email
her)
Back to top
Wednesday, September 27th, 2000-
Pete, Elizabeth H., Paul H. and Rob arrive at the site at 6:30AM and start
pumps. Larry stops by briefly. Wayne arrives at 9AM. Dave Burney, Guy
Robinson (from Fordham University) arrive at nearly the same time. Trouble
with pumps, and figuring out the proper balance of pumps and "bone zone"
not clear of water until shortly after noon. Rob and Paul assisted Dave
and Guy in the pit, making a detailed stratigraphic record of the SE face.
PRI took 10cm samples and placed them in baggies-Fordham took 5cm samples
for pollen analysis. Bulk samples also taken by PRI. Pete and Elizabeth
worked on the skull in the morning, trying to pad it within its crate
for transport. Rob and Paul and Pete and Elizabeth all helped with placing
wood at various points along the crate so that inner-tubes, inflated in
place, would have a surface to brace against. U-haul was picked up at
noon. At around 2PM, Wayne lifed the skull into Bill Perks's truck-the
caret just barely fit. Styrofoam (instead of inner tubes) was placed beneath
the skull for cushioning support. Bill Perks leaves for Ithaca at 3PM.
Remaining b ones in garage wrapped in bubble wrap. Wayne trenched NE side
of pond at 4PM for more sampling, photographing and descrbing. Pete and
Elizabeth worked on the spruce tree. 6 splints were applied with cable
ties to each individual section (3 1/2', 6', 5') of tree. Broken zones
were sawed to make removal cleaner and easier. Dave and Guy finished and
left at around 7PM. At this point, Pete, Rob, Elizabeth and Paul lifted
lightest (and shortest) log onto a palette, which Larry attached to a
tractor with a rope. This was pulled out along the southern bank of the
pond and covered with a tarp. The second (and heaviest) was put onto same
palette, but palette broke as it was being pulled up by Larry. Darkness
fell, and Larry and Sheryl turned on garage lights as well as bringing
out a stand of lights and shining them into the pond. Eventually, the
two sections of the tree in the pond were hauled out by hand up the southern
bank in 2' "heaves". All in all, a 14-hour workday. (PLN
- email him)
Thursday, September 28th, 2000-
Paul H., Elizabeth and Rob at site at 6AM. Wrapped sections of tree in
tarp and the four of us lifted spruce into U-Haul. Rob and Paul left at
7AM for Ithaca. Pete and Elizabeth began organizing garage and cleaning
pumps. 2 pumps loaded into U-Haul and returned-2 pumps remained. Final
story ran this morning in Poughkeepsie Journal. Picked up Fed-Ex from
Warren and had Sheryl sign papers at 10:30AM. Returned to site to load
all the bones into back of U-Haul. Went to Larry's work at 1PM, had him
sign papers. *** On the road at 2PM. Returned to Ithaca at 6PM to PRI,
and unloaded bones with the help of Will Ober, Warren, Jim S., Paul Krohn
and about 4 volunteers (including Tracy Rozelle). Earlier in the afternoon,
Newscenter 7 was there to film the skull being delivered by Bill Perks
(it was in his driveway in Horseheads, NY all night) to PRI. (PLN
- email him)
Saturday, September 30th, 2000-
John Chiment on site with volunteers from Cornell to bucket some matrix.
(PLN - email him)
Wednesday, October 4th, 2000-
Pete and Elizabeth on site at 9AM. A third pump delivered from Grand Rental
at 11AM. With 3 pumps working, pond, which was full at the beginning of
the day, was drained by 4PM. While lake is still full, we moved floating
wood to side of lake. Retaining wall was even found floating in parts,
which made out job considerably easier. Removed styrofoam soundshields
from pond and loaded them onto U-Haul. Cleaned garage - loaded all samples
into U-Haul 1st, then styrofoam sound shields, then equipment. Garage
swept. Several pump hoses rinsed and wrapped. Garage entirely cleaned.
Left site at 6PM for hotel, then home. (PLN
- email him)
Tuesday, October 10th, 2000-
Pete, Elizabeth and Paul H. leave PRI at 8AM, get to Hyde Park at noon.
Rent 2 U-Hauls, pick them up, and after lunch, get to Lozier's pond at
1:30. Load about 300 buckets into both U-Hauls-much organic material
and rainwater has fallen into these buckets-about half do not have lids.
The other half only have plastic sheets over them, held on with twine.
Buckets all loaded by 2:30PM. Next, scrap wood on SE and east side of
pond is moved to common junk pile on SW side of pond to make Wayne Mallen's
work easier (Wayne is scheduled to come to the site tomorrow and Thursday
to regrade Larry's yard). Wood moved by about 3:30 PM-hit the road at
4PM. Back in Ithaca with 2 14' U-Hauls and Paul's car at 8:30 PM. Buckets
unloaded the next day. (PLN - email
him)
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Back to The Mastodon Project main
page
Go back to the Daily Log during the reconnaissance
trip in June, 2000
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