Phase Ia Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey of a Proposed Fiber Optic Cable Corridor, Monroe County, Indiana

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Date
2004-07
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Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University
Abstract
On 22, 23, and 25 June 2004, the Glenn A. Black Laboratory Office of Cultural Resource Management (GBL-OCRM), Indiana University, conducted a Phase Ia archaeological survey of a proposed fiber optic cable corridor under contract with Smithville Telephone Company, Inc. The proposed Area of Potential Effect (APE) is comprised of approximately 5,120 m² (0.5 hectares) and is located in Monroe County, Polk Township, Section 6. Background research and field survey were conducted to: (1) identify and document all cultural resources in the project area; (2) provide an evaluation of National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (IRHSS) eligibility for all identified cultural resources within the project corridor; and (3) provide recommendations for mitigation if avoidance of NRHP- or IRHSS-eligible sites is not possible. This survey was conducted in compliance with the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) (32 CFR 229). Visual surface inspection and shovel testing were conducted within the project boundaries. Shovel tests were excavated on a 10 m x 10 m grid within the proposed APE. A total of 467 m2 (0.5 hectares) were subjected to shovel testing and 132 shovel probes were excavated. Fieldwork was conducted on 22, 23, and 25 June 2004 by GBL archaeologists Bryan Will, Lauren Matisoff, Amy McCabe, Bob Adkins, Zarko Tankosic, Tom Pellman, and Valentin Milkov. No previously recorded archaeological sites are located within the current APE. Three new archaeological sites (12MO1255, 12MO1256, and 12MO1257) were recorded during the GBL-OCRM field investigations. The project corridor and surrounding area appears to have been considerably altered by human intervention throughout the years. The construction of Lake Monroe has likely accelerated the erosional processes within the project corridor and adjacent landforms. The continual fluctuation of pool levels combined with the slope of the corridor landforms appears to have contributed to a considerable amount of surface erosion within the APE. Several push piles (displaced mounds of dirt) were observed throughout the corridor as well as large stumps and felled trees scattered about, perhaps evidence of logging in the area. Also, prior to the construction of Lake Monroe, 1958 aerial photographs indicate agricultural activity within the project corridor. These combined factors may explain the paucity of artifacts recovered in a region, based on DHPA and GBL-OCRM site records, that was otherwise heavily utilized by prehistoric populations. Due to the paucity of artifacts recovered combined with the lack of subsurface deposits and features, it is the opinion of the GBL-OCRM that the current level of investigation has exhausted the research potential of sites 12MO1255, 12MO1256, and 12MO1257. Therefore, sites 12MO1255, 12MO1256, and 12MO1257 are recommended ineligible for the NRHP and archaeological clearance is recommended. However, if artifacts, cultural features, and/or remains that might prove to be human are discovered during earth-moving activities, the State Historic Preservation Officer at the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA), Indiana Department of Natural Resources, should be contacted immediately.
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Abstracts are made available for research purposes. To view the full report, please contact the staff of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology (www.gbl.indiana.edu)
Keywords
archaeological report
Citation
Will, Bryan, and Melody Pope. 2004. "Phase Ia Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey of a Proposed Fiber Optic Cable Corridor, Monroe County, Indiana," Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology Report of Investigation 04-07
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Digital reproductions of reports from the Glenn A. Black Laboratory are made available for noncommercial, educational, and research purposes only. Copyright is reserved for the Trustees of Indiana University.
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Technical Report