Parker County Mammoth Dig Pt. 3, Interview with WC Professor Lori Gouge

The excavation of the Columbian Mammoth is almost complete. The team of Weatherford College students & volunteers led by Professor Lori Gouge and William C. Seigler have done an amazing job of organizing and safely excavating and preserving the priceless fossils. Only two large bones remain.

Today's task was to complete the move preparations of one of the largest bones find. This wouldn't be easy, the fossils are exceedingly fragile and this bone full of acute angles and odd shapes. The team would need to be innovative in order to package, remove and safely transport the treasure. Boards were obtained and cut to the needed length, then the fossil was cast in a burlap and plaster. It was clear supporting the fossil in transport would be challenging. The team decided to us expandable foam to fill the voids in the surface and create a padded and secure base to rest the bone on during transport. After the 2x4 base was in place and foamed over, the entire package was plastered over to further the fossils safety. Once cured, the large bone will be rolled over on it's freshly minted base, then the top will be plastered over creating a cocoon. Upon arrival at the college's lab, students and faculty will carefully remove the plaster and burlap encasement to clean and preserve the fossils.

While excavating the area in search of other amazing finds, the team discovered an arrow head and a great piece of brown pottery. The team's expert estimates the brown pottery to be circa 1850's! Now if we could just determine to origin of the arrow head... Perhaps the arrow downed the mammoth! Just kidding, but it sure makes a great story!

Please watch the video below for the interview with Weatherford College Professor Lori Gouge.