Bob Grantham, Curator of Geology and Kelley Kozera, Curatorial Assistant, were at the quarry within an hour. The site containing in situ mastodon material was a partially excavated, clay-filled sinkhole. The excavated material was piled beside the sinkhole. Bones were visible in the pile and skull fragments were in the clay of the sinkhole.

It was decided to begin immediate recovery of visible in situ and dump specimens, beginning with removal of the exposed skull. As well, site stabilization would be carried out to protect the bone and the site during the winter. Work continued, but record rainfalls in mid-November threatened massive slumping in the pit. The advice from the Quarry Superintendent was that the site would not last the winter. Because of this possibility, an emergency winter recovery was begun, under difficult conditions. The quarry was rugged and muddy.

Working under a shelter of wooden walls and plastic roof, staff and volunteers excavated and documented many mastodon fragments. When bone was exposed by digging, linoleum knives, hunting knives or dental tools were used to remove the enclosing clays. The bones were left sitting on pedestals of clay. Any sensitive bone was field stabilized on the spot. A field jacket of polyfoam was poured around the bones to protect them during the trip to the Museum. It usually took three to four weeks from first exposure to final removal of a large specimen. Our thanks to National Gypsum for excellent cooperation and help in the excavation.

The bones were found to be in a variety of conditions, ranging from acceptable (10% of bones) to fractured (20%), broken and abraded (30%) and fractured, broken and abraded (40%). All of the bones were wet and fragile.

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