Both of the property owners (Athen’s and Tiemann’s) involved with the giant ground sloth site are excited about recovering the beast and have given permission to excavate. Elements previously recovered by the Athens suggested that the most of the sloth’s remains had not been subjected to stream transport because both large and small bones were together. Also, remains from both ends of the vertebral column had been collected. The sloth apparently died in place because most of the remains collected by the Athen’s came from the trunk of the animal. Rib cage elements previously recovered consisted of sternebrae, sternal ribs, costal ribs, one thoracic vertebra and the two shoulder blades. Apparently, the animal crouched down and died and most of the remaining bones are in the immediate vicinity.  I have talked strategy with cooperating specialists to date (listed below) and now have a preliminary plan for the excavation. As mentioned above, the bones are concentrated on the bed of the West Tarkio Creek southwest of Northboro, Page County, Iowa. Much of the specimen appears to be in the creek bed but portions could extend under the cut bank on the northwest (far shore) side. If so, some elements will be under a four meter high slump block of surficial sediments.  
 
The first step will be to remove 2-4 X 10 foot section of the slump block to creek level. We can toss the sediment downstream to a lower bank or into the creek itself for removal. This will require four to six people working in shifts of two at a time and should not require more than a day. After the nature of the bone bed is established, an excavator (large tracked backhoe) will be brought in to redirect the present position of the creek into the old channel (to the southeast) to expose the surface of the present creek bed. Mather and Sons, contacted by Bob Athen (owner-near shore), estimates that he can complete the job in two days.  
 
After the creek is diverted some of the sloth bones undoubtedly (hopefully) will be exposed on the surface. Others probably are buried but likely will be within a foot or two of the surface. At this point we will need about ten people/day with small tools (trowels, to be provided by each volunteer) to excavate the specimen leaving the bones, which are in good condition, exposed (covered with damp cloth) to be photographed and mapped. We will be able to work on the surface as soon as the area is drained but a pump may be necessary to empty depressions on the creek bed.  When the stream diverted, we will need to search downstream as far as possible, for any remains that have washed away from the site. We also will water screen for microvertebrates in the diverted portion of the stream if the sediment will break down. If not we will have to dry it on silo plastic at the site. Volunteers can alternate between the excavating the sloth, working the screens (or drying area), prospecting downstream and sitting in the shade. I am not sure how long this will take, hopefully only two or three days. This will depend in part on the number of volunteers and coordination with the operator of the excavator. The specimen can not be left unattended once exposed 
 
I wish to accommodate as many students and museum volunteers as possible on the dig. Thus, we hope to have a University van to shuttle those wishing to contribute to the excavation. It is a four hour drive to Northboro but the project will be a super learning 
experience. We will start when convenient for the greatest number of volunteers and the availability of the excavator who is most cooperative.  Greg McDonald will be out of town (Denver) until September 2 but I would like to start the project by the beginning of the third week in September. I suspect that it will take a couple of weeks to organize the volunteers. 
 
If the site is secure, we can have an open house for the locals and a media day if the owners are willing. We will then move the specimens to the Museum of Natural History for ongoing preparation for exhibition of the specimen next to Rusty, the model ground sloth. Continued screening and picking of residue for microfossils will continue at this time. 
 
Team sloth: Dean and Lorota Tienmann, Owner of far shore of the site Bob and Sonia Athen, Owner of near shore of the site, site access Art Bettis-Quaternary Geology, Department of Geoscience David Brenzel-Director, Museum of Natural History Chris Brochu, Vertebrate Paleontologist, Department of Geoscience Julie Golden, Curator of Paleontology, Department of Geoscience Greg McDonald, Paleontologist, National Park Service  Steve Wallace, Wally. Vertebrate Paleontologist, East Tennessee State University  Tiffany Adrain, University of Iowa, web master Richard Baker, plant macrofossils James Huber, pollen 
 
Melton's second law of vertebrate paleontology, 'It will not go as planned' may apply.  We will have to take some of this as it comes. 
 
I will be back in touch as soon as we have a list of volunteers and a tentative schedule or with any late breaking news. Suggestions are always welcome. This should be a super experience. 
 
Holmes A. Semken August 23, 2003 (updated Sept. 24, names added to team)