On Saturday January 10 and Sunday January 11, thirteen volunteers descended to the snow-covered Northboro sloth site in 11 degree weather to exhume sloth remains. The dig centered on  the floor of  a 7 by 16 foot trench, hand excavated by Bob Athen through 10-12 feet of  overburden over a possible bone concentration. The prediction, which proved to be correct, was based on two bones exposed in the east end of north wall (John’s Trench in field notes) of the previous excavation. Two to three inches of ground ice from overnight freezing, removed in large chunks, covered the bone-bearing sediments but did not penetrate to bone level. Relatively warm days during the previous week inhibited deep frost. Geologically, it appears that the surface of the bone-bearing blue/grey clay is rising toward the north and the depth to some of the bone within the unit is getting deeper with respect to datum. 
 
The bone exposed in the north wall of John’s pit proved to be another piece of the skull. We also recovered the remainder of the palate (about four feet west of  the previous piece), additional skull fragments, a collar bone, at least six thoracic vertebrae (five of which were semi-articulated), vertebral ribs, an ulna-radius combination (a few inches apart), numerous carpal/tarsal elements (hand/foot), five teeth, a sesamoid, several phalanges and two claws . The teeth were juxtaposed to the claw and several other bones in the north east corner of the excavation. A vertebral string, along with a possible skull fragment, was taken in a plaster jacket. Generally, the bone is hard and specimens can be removed without plaster jackets for preparation in the Museum lab. The specimens are being cleaned and stored in batches that were recovered in close proximity. A sketch map of specimen location based on photographs and measurements with respect to datum is under construction. Although all have not been removed from packaging, about 25 additional elements were recovered. A rodent scapula and upper limb bone as well as a turtle carapace fragment also were recovered. There is evidence of rodent gnawing on the radius.  
 
Dean Tiemann has given permission to remove more overburden on the north bank via the excavator. Bob Athen and Dean have talked to Phil Mather (Mather & Sons Excavation) and Bob and Phil examined the site last week (January 19), Overburden removal to within one/two feet of the sloth layer is scheduled for this week (January 26), weather permitting. Overburden will be stored on either side of the cut for future replacement. We need low water (the bone-bearing unit normally is several inches under water), minimal frost penetration, and six volunteers to make a worthwhile trip. Water is generally high in the Tarkio in the spring (spring flooding is probable) and this can last well into summer. Thus, fall and winter offers the best excavation prospects. Timing is dicey in winter but the ‘minuteman” concept worked last time. This consisted of a Wednesday dig warning with a Friday morning thumbs up or down. This approach is planned for the immediate future. 
 
The minutemen, all associated with the Iowa Archaeological Society, were John Boruff, Steve Foudree, John Kohrell, Lee McNair, Dennis Miller, Matthew Schmitz, Jeanne White, Don Wirth and Charlotte Wright. Lynn Alex, Office of State Archaeologist, was 
instrumental in recruiting the volunteers via e-mail and a notice in the winter edition of Iowa Archaeology News. Bob Athen, Sonia Athen, David Brenzel and Holmes Semken also participated at the event. 
 
Holmes A. Semken January 26, 2004