Archaeological Investigations of Northern Benton County, Indiana (original) (raw)
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Reports of Investigation, 2017
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) at Ball State University conducted a data enhancement project for archaeological resources in Benton County, Indiana for a FY2016 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant #18-16FFY-03). This Historic Preservation Fund grant project investigated the archaeological resources of Benton County, Indiana with a focus on the southern half of the county. A total of 928.36 acres (375.69 hectares) of agricultural land was surveyed and 115 new archaeological sites were recorded. The survey recovered 102 prehistoric artifacts and 2161 historic artifacts from 13 parcels of land within Benton County. No human remains were discovered as a result of this grant project. Cultural periods that are represented in the artifact assemblage include precontact components dating to the Late Archaic, Middle Woodland, and possibly the Early Archaic, in addition to Historic components. The average site density recorded for the project area for precontact sites was one site per 14.07 acres and for historic sites was one site per 13.65 acres.
Reports of Investigation, 2016
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) at Ball State University conducted a data enhancement project for archaeological resources in Benton County, Indiana for a FY2015 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant #18-15FFY-03). This Historic Preservation Fund grant project investigated the archaeological resources of Benton County, Indiana with a focus on the northern half of the county. Approximately 841.29 acres (340.46 hectares) of agricultural land were surveyed and 85 new archaeological sites were recorded. The survey recovered 81 prehistoric artifacts and 442 historic artifacts from twelve parcels of land within Benton County. No human remains were discovered as a result of this grant project. Cultural periods that are represented in the artifact assemblage include precontact components dating to the Late Archaic, Middle Woodland, and possibly the Early Archaic, in addition to 54 Historic components. The average site density recorded for the project area for precontact sites was one site per 20.03 acres and for historic sites was one site per 15.58 acres.
2014
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) of Ball State University conducted an archaeological reconnaissance and reinvestigation project for archaeological materials in Dearborn County, Indiana, for an FY2013 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant 13FFY03). The focus of this Historic Preservation Fund Grant project was three-fold. First, this research targeted Dearborn County, Indiana, specifically focusing on Late Prehistoric period (cf. Fort Ancient) settlement and community organization patterns. AAL targeted previously identified Late Woodland and Late Prehistoric archaeological sites for pedestrian survey, soil phosphate, and geophysical investigations. Second, AAL attempted to identify new archaeological sites through pedestrian survey of agricultural fields in the county. Third, AAL attempted to reinvestigate five archaeological sites (12D200 and 12D272 in Township and 12D202, 12D203, and 12D205 in Township) for the purpose of data correction and enhancement. Approximately 345.67 acres (139.89 ha) of agricultural land underwent pedestrian survey, encountering 50 archaeological sites (5 reinvestigated sites, and 45 newly defined sites) and 12,363 artifacts. Sites 12D45, 12D396, and 12D480 were subjected to soils (chemical and geophysical) analysis (24.5 acres, 9.91 ha) revealing new details of community organization. The project recovered 12,297 prehistoric artifacts and 66 historic artifacts from the ten survey areas that underwent pedestrian survey. Multiple cultural periods are represented in the artifact assemblage recovered from pedestrian surveys, including diagnostics of the Middle Archaic, Middle Woodland, Late Woodland, and Late Prehistoric. Multiple cultural periods are represented in landowner collections obtained for this project as well. These include the Early Archaic, Middle Archaic, Late Archaic, Terminal Archaic, Early Woodland, Middle Woodland, Late Woodland, and Late Prehistoric. Artifact assemblages from pedestrian survey and landowner collections both contain historic artifacts. Overall, the average site density recorded for the project is one archaeological site per 7.18 acres (0.14 sites/acre). Excluding SA2, this overall site density becomes one archaeological site per 8.60 acres. Density for survey areas within the Uplands is one archaeological site per 31.54 acres. Density for survey areas within the lowlands is one archaeological site per 1.84 acres. The average artifact density for this project is one artifact per 0.03 acres (34.42 artifacts/acre). When excluding SA2, this average artifact density is one artifact per 1.33 acres (0.75 artifacts/acre). Of all the sites from this project, a total of nine are recommended as potentially eligible for Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (IRHSS) and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)
A Data Deficient Region: An Archaeological Survey of Newton County, Indiana
Indiana Archaeology, 2017
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) at Ball State University conducted a data enhancement project for archaeological resources in Newton County, Indiana for a FY2014 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant #18-14-FFY-03). This Historic Preservation Fund grant project investigated the archaeological resources of Newton County, Indiana with a focus on the Iroquois and Kankakee Rivers and the southern half of the county (Beaver, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson, Iroquois, and Washington townships). Approximately 902.84 acres (365.33 hectares) of agricultural land were surveyed, and 89 new archaeological sites were recorded. The survey recovered 55 prehistoric artifacts and 1274 historic artifacts from eight parcels of land within Newton County. No human remains were discovered as a result of this grant project. Cultural periods that are represented in the artifact assemblage include Late Archaic components that were documented from the precontact era, in addition to historic components. The average site density recorded for the project area for precontact sites was one site per 36.11 acres and for Historic was one site per 12.20 acres. This article will concentrate on the prehistoric results of this project.
Reports of Investigation, 2017
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) at Ball State University conducted a data enhancement project for archaeological resources in Newton County, Indiana for a FY2016 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant #18-16FFY-04). This Historic Preservation Fund grant project investigated the archaeological resources of Newton County, Indiana with a focus on the two central townships, Beaver and Jackson, and under-represented ecological communities within Newton County based on FY2014 and FY2015 surveys. A total of 932.27 acres (377.27 hectares) of agricultural land were surveyed, which includes 5.63 acres of resurveyed area, and 110 new archaeological sites were recorded. The survey recovered 103 prehistoric artifacts and 4,063 historic artifacts from nine parcels of land within Newton County. No human remains were discovered as a result of this grant project. Cultural periods that are represented in the artifact assemblage include precontact era Middle Archaic, Middle-Late Archaic, Late Archaic, and Late Woodland components, in addition to Historic components. The average site density recorded for the project area for precontact sites was one site per 24.53 acres and for Historic sites was one site per 10.02 acres.
Reports of Investigation, 2016
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) at Ball State University conducted a data enhancement project for archaeological resources in Newton County, Indiana for a FY2015 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant #18-15FFY-05). This Historic Preservation Fund grant project investigated the archaeological resources of Newton County, Indiana with a focus on the Kankakee River, Beaver Lake, and the northern half of the county. Approximately 856.1 acres (346.45 hectares) of agricultural land were surveyed, which includes 7.1 acres of resurveyed area, and 76 new archaeological sites were recorded. The survey recovered 525 prehistoric artifacts and 1,761 historic artifacts from nine parcels of land within Newton County. No human remains were discovered as a result of this grant project. Cultural periods that are represented in the artifact assemblage include Early Archaic, Late Archaic, Late Archaic/Early Woodland, Late Woodland/Late Prehistoric, and Late Prehistoric components that were documented from the precontact era, in addition to Historic components. The average site density recorded for the project area for precontact sites was one site per 42.45 acres and for Historic sites was one site per 13.69 acres.
Investigations of Fort Ancient Settlement and Community Patterns in Dearborn County, Indiana
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) of Ball State University conducted an archaeological reconnaissance and reinvestigation project for archaeological materials in Dearborn County, Indiana, for a FY2013 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant 13FFY03). We specifically focused on Late Prehistoric period (cf. Fort Ancient) settlement and community organization patterns. We targeted previously identified Late Woodland and Late Prehistoric archaeological sites for pedestrian survey, soil phosphate, and geophysical investigations. Second, AAL attempted to identify new archaeological sites through pedestrian survey of agricultural fields in the county. Approximately 345.67 acres (139.89 ha) of agricultural land were subject to pedestrian survey, encountering 50 archaeological sites and 12,363 artifacts. Sites 12D45, 12D396, and 12D480 were subjected to soils (chemical and geophysical) analyses revealing new details of settlement organization. Diagnostics from pedestrian surveys indicate activity during the Middle Archaic, Middle Woodland, Late Woodland, and Late Prehistoric periods. We also examined landowner collections from investigated sites which demonstrate occupation spanning the Early Archaic through Late Prehistoric periods. Overall, the average site density recorded is one site per 7.18 acres (0.14 sites/acre). The average artifact density is one artifact per 0.03 acres (34.42 artifacts/acre). As a result of the surveys conducted, nine sites were recommended as potentially eligible for the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (IRHSS) and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
Archaeological Investigations of the Southern Half of Jasper County, Indiana
Indiana Archaeology, 2017
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) at Ball State University conducted a data enhancement project for archaeological resources in Jasper County, Indiana for a FY2014 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant #18-14-FFY-02). This Historic Preservation Fund grant project investigated the archaeological resources of Jasper County, Indiana with a focus on major waterways such as the Iroquois and Kankakee Rivers in the southern half of the county. Approximately 900 acres (364.22 hectares) of agricultural land were surveyed, and 112 new archaeological sites were recorded. The survey recovered 209 prehistoric artifacts and 307 Historic artifacts from seven parcels of land within Jasper County. No human remains were discovered as a result of this grant project. Cultural periods that are represented in the artifact assemblage include Middle Archaic, Late Archaic, and Late Woodland/Late Prehistoric components that were documented from the precontact era, in addition to Historic components. The average site density recorded for the project area for precontact sites was one site per 15 acres and for Historic was one site per 13.85 acres. This article will concentrate on the Prehistoric results of this project.
Archaeological Investigations of the Northern half of Newton County, Indiana
Indiana Archaeology, 2018
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories at Ball State University conducted a data enhancement project for archaeological resources in Newton County, Indiana for a FY2015 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant #18-15FFY-05). This grant project investigated the archaeological resources of Newton County, Indiana with a focus on the Kankakee River, Beaver Lake, and the northern half of the county. Approximately 856.1 acres (ac) (346.45 hectares [ha]) of agricultural land were pedestrian surveyed, which included 7.1 ac of resurveyed area, and 76 new archaeological sites were recorded. The survey recovered 525 prehistoric artifacts and 1,761 historic artifacts from nine parcels of land within Newton County. No human remains were discovered as a result of this grant project. Cultural periods that are represented in the artifact assemblage include Early Archaic, Late Archaic, Late Archaic/Early Woodland, and Late Woodland/Late Prehistoric components that were documented from the precontact era, in addition to Historic components. The average site density recorded in the project area for precontact sites was one site per 42.45 ac. The average site density recorded in the project area for historic sites was one site per 13.69 ac.
Reports of Investigation, 2015
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) at Ball State University conducted a data enhancement project for archaeological resources in Jasper County, Indiana for a FY2014 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant #18-14-FFY-02). This Historic Preservation Fund grant project investigated the archaeological resources of Jasper County, Indiana with a focus on major waterways such as the Iroquois and Kankakee Rivers in the southern half of the county. Approximately 900 acres (364.22 hectares) of agricultural land were surveyed and 112 new archaeological sites were recorded. The survey recovered 209 prehistoric artifacts and 307 historic artifacts from seven parcels of land within Jasper County. No human remains were discovered as a result of this grant project. Cultural periods that are represented in the artifact assemblage include Middle Archaic, Late Archaic, and Late Woodland/Late Prehistoric components that were documented from the precontact era, in addition to Historic components. The average site density recorded for the project area for precontact sites was one site per 15 acres and for Historic sites was one site per 13.85 acres.