Throughout the years John Ackerman, Dave Gerboth and other dedicated cavers have excavated sinkholes on the Cave Farm and were rewarded with the discovery of miles of fascinating cave systems. In 2003 another such project was initiated along the southwestern border of the Cave Farm in a sinkhole dubbed "Artifact Sink."

To date, this particular endeavor has drawn more attention than any other sinkhole exploration project in Fillmore County (primarily due to it's location, size, accessibility and purpose.)

This project also received national attention by the Associated Press and local notice by various Minnesota and Iowa media. The lengthy AP article appeared in newspapers throughout Canada and across the U.S.; in newspapers such as the Washington Times, the Chicago Tribune and the Denver Post.

These antique bottles, uncovered during excavation, were donated to a Fillmore County collector who specializes in bottle preservation.

Like most sinkholes, this one was used as a dump by the original landowner. Various pots and bottles were uncovered down to about 10 feet.

Neighboring farmers starting stopping by to witness the uncovering of this amazing karst feature. This project served as a vivid visual example of how surface pollution relates to the quality of their drinking water.

In order to facilitate the removal of sediment (carried in by the last glacier deposits and modern day farm field run-off) Phil's tractor was lowered down into the sinkhole.

Work begins in earnest.

A graphic photo showing what lies under farm land in Fillmore County. This cave passage could have been here over 1/2 million years ago before getting filled up with recent glacial till.

Sediment removal has now reached the 100 foot mark with no end in sight. The entire passage so far has been almost totally filled with sediment with the exception of a three inch air gap along the ceiling. Cavers can peer down this air space to verify there is no immediate end in sight.

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