Highway Salvage Paleontology in the
Wildcat Hills: Life in the Past Lane

Clarence Millikin, dozer operator for Platte Valley Construction, became an invaluable resource during the excavation process.  Clarence cut trenches that showed the local geology, removed unfossiliferous overburden exposing the fossil-rich portions of the river channel, and removed piles of excavated sediment.  His skill saved the scientific crew untold hours of back-breaking work, and allowed them to concentrate on collecting fossils and documenting the site.

Platte Valley Superintendant Dennis Giesman (left), Clarence Millikin (center) and Steve Dieriex pause to observe the discovery specimen, the lower jaw of a clawed horse-like animal.  By following this one-lane path (note tire tracks), the dirt crew was able to complete this portion of the project well ahead of schedule while paleontologists salvaged the entire bone bed.

After the discovery of numerous bones along the back slope, Highway Salvage Paleontologist Bruce Bailey, left, and Project Manager Joe Applegate discuss the possibility of future excavation.  Joe and Craig Lind provided invaluable assistance throughout the salvage operation.

Monte Wegelin, Nebraska Department of Roads employee (left), volunteered his free time to help excavate the site.  Monte was a natural "fossil-finder" and discovered many unique specimens.

Monte slowly scrapes away sand and gravel exposing numerous bones in his excavation square.  The arrow points to the lower jaw of a tapir that he discovered.   Tapirs, generally quite rare as fossils, were among the most common animals found during the 1999 excavation.

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