Field work travelog – Day 19, Micro-vertebrates #NTCave14

Today was the first full day of work in Natural Trap Cave.

It started with getting the necessary full set of equipment into the cave.

Making preparations to descend for the first full day of work. #NTCave14 pic.twitter.com/AnMR1JAPsn

— Penny Higgins (@paleololigo) July 30, 2014

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThis took a while, then the scientists began to enter.

Julie @sabercatwoman going into NTC for the second time! #NTCave14 pic.twitter.com/fI7qNjXiRF

— John Logsdon (@johnlogsdon) July 30, 2014

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Because of my finger injury, I’m not able to go into the cave. While they’re down there, there’s not a lot to do. So we made ourselves comfortable and waited for the crew in the cave to send us something to work with.

Surface crew takes a creativity break. #NTCave14 pic.twitter.com/tZrgaOd2b0

— Penny Higgins (@paleololigo) July 30, 2014

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThen, finally, we got some sediment from the cave for screenwashing.

First thing out of Natural Trap Cave: sediment for screenwashing! #NTCave14 pic.twitter.com/jgwCyp2HYn

— Penny Higgins (@paleololigo) July 30, 2014

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I was very happy when we started finding bones almost immediately.

Penny Higgins @paleololigo finds the first bone in sediment. Msg to NTC: “base camp is finding bones!” #ntcave14 pic.twitter.com/JJQ0CQC0J2

— John Logsdon (@johnlogsdon) July 30, 2014

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Screenwashing sometimes turns up big bones! #NTCave14 pic.twitter.com/tlspQYU0lf

— Penny Higgins (@paleololigo) July 30, 2014

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My student found an amazing little jaw.

Success! Nick @rakados found a fantastic little jaw! #NTCave14 pic.twitter.com/MhOXPiCC7y

— Penny Higgins (@paleololigo) July 31, 2014

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The day ended with a delicious dinner and fabulous conversation. Tomorrow is going to be even better than today!

Follow #NTCave14 on Twitter for all the latest updates directly from the field crew.