Bob Neyland, the project manager, said the femurs are sticking straight up and are not connected to other bones - at least at the top ends. The latest bones were discovered near the spot of the excavation's first significant find - metal artillery unit buttons. The archaeologists also have uncovered more bones connected to the first remains discovered, mostly additional vertebrae. Dr. Doug Owsley, head of Physical Anthropology at the Smithsonian Institution, said those remains are in good enough shape to tell that the seaman's spine took a real pounding, possibly from the heavy work of turning the submarine's propeller with hand cranks. The excavation is escalating into a phase of heavy findings.
New artifacts turn up almost daily.
The archaeologists have finally uncovered some parts of the hand crank and have found a couple of more wooden buttons. As more of the clay like sediment is removed, archaeologists are also beginning to see more of the hand pump used to empty the aft ballast tank. On the portside bench the crew sat on, Neyland said they have found more textiles. The team has cleared more sediment from the wooden bench and have found several pieces of textile on it so far. Other scientists connected to the project have started researching the artifacts recovered from the sub so far.