Stafford, Russell, C. Michael Anslinger and Mark Cantin (Department of Anthropology,
Indiana State University)
RECENT RESEARCH BY THE INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY ANTHROPOLOGY LABORATORY
Indiana State University Anthropology Laboratory conducted archaeological investigations
at five locations in the Ohio and Wabash River drainages in l989-90.
Test excavations were conducted in the fall of 1989 at the proposed Anchor Land
Development marina near the confluence of the Ohio River and Laughery Creek (south
of Aurora) in Dearborn County. A series of 42 backhoe trenches were placed in
a systematic pattern across the marina (45 m apart) with trenches reaching a depth
of about 2 m. As much as l m of post- settlement Ohio River alluvium covered the
modern A horizon. A light to moderate density Fort Ancient occupation occurred
in this buried A horizon. One deep (1 m+) pit feature was discovered; it contained
sherds, charcoal, bone and lithic debris. A lower occupation, of unknown age (Late
Archaic?) was located 1.3 to 1.7 m below surface. Debitage, charcoal, and two
possible features occurred in a relatively narrow occupation zone (See ISU Technical
Report 7). Further investigations will be conducted at the marina location.
INDOT funded test excavations at 12 Hr 402 and 403 on the north and south sides
of Poffey Creek in the Ohio River Valley, Harrison County. The project examined
both the surface sites and tested for buried occupations which are found at substantial
depths in this reach of the Ohio River valley. On the south side of the creek
backhoe trenching uncovered two buried occupations. An upper zone of debris was
found to a depth of 50-60 cm below the plow zone and could be dated to the Middle/Late
Archaic. An additional occupation was found at 2.25 m below surface and probably
can be assigned to the Early Archaic period (a Thebes point was found out of context
while backhoeing but must have come from below the upper occupation). As currently
known, both occupations appear to have been lithic workshops. Machine blading
of the surface occupations exposed minimal intact remains (see ISU Technical Report
11).
Phase II testing and mitigation (ISU Technical Reports 8 & 9), funded by AMAX
Coal, were conducted at an historic farmstead, on the Ayrshire Mine in Warrick
County, south of Elberfeld, Indiana. Hand excavation and machine blading found
16 historic features within a 20 by 35 m area. Features were primarily large refuse
pits. No cabin or house structure was identified, but a possible out-building
was found. Faunal analysis has suggested a reliance on domesticated animals, especially
pig. Ceramics were predominately whiteware, but also included some pearlware and
creamware. Ceramics and other diagnostics indicated an occupation range of circa
1830 to 1850.
Test excavations were also conducted at site 12 Vi 42 by the ISU High School Summer
Honors Archaeology Seminar. The site is located along Honey Creek in the Wabash
River valley south of Terre Haute, Indiana. Eleven pit features were found in
seventeen 2 by 2 m units. Most of these features were steep-sided circular pits
located on the leeward side of a sandy Pleistocene knoll. Ceramics were predominately
Allison-LaMotte, varieties, with several examples of pie-crust rims represented.
This site can be considered typical of occupations along Honey Creek (see ISU
Technical Report 6). Most sites consisted of extensive light density debris scatters
of debitage and fire cracked rock rather than the more substantial occupation
represented at 12 Vi 42.
INDOT funded test excavations at the Akers site (12 Wa 258), an Albee phase mound
near Pine Village in northern Warren County. The mound was about I m high and
15 to 16 m in diameter. The center of the mound had been vandalized, probably
near the turn of the century. A human internment (not excavated) as well as two
nested ceramic jars were encountered. Triangular points and ceramics recovered
indicate a Late Woodland Albee phase age for the mound.
The jars from 12 Wa 258 are globular to slightly elongated in form with moderately
constricted necks, prominent, rounded shoulders and rounded bases. Exterior surfaces
are marked with closely spaced cord impressions which are applied vertical to
the rim and cover the exterior surfaces except for the rims and lips. Necks are
decorated with incised oblique cross-hatching. Rims are wedged or collared. Short,
plain vertical lines, which appear to be impressions rather than incisions, occur
on the peak of the wedges as well as exterior lips. Interior decoration is restricted
to the lip and neck of each vessel. Plain vertical impressions occur around the
interior surface of the lips. Below this point the interior of the necks are cross-hatched
with oblique lines like those noted for the exterior surfaces.