Phase Ia Archaeological Survey for Road Replacement on SR 42 from 0.2 km east of SR 39 to 0. 73 km west of SR 267, Morgan County, Indiana

Abstract

At the request of the Indiana Department of Transportation, the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indian a University (GBL) conducted a Phase Ia archaeological reconnaissance survey of the proposed location of Road Replacement on SR 4 2 from 0.2 km east of SR 39 to 0. 73 km west of SR 267 in Morgan County, Indiana. The project corridor is approximately 57.4 acres in size. Of that total, 1.7 acres (3% of the total corridor) were subjected only to an over view and were not tested due to slope. The remaining 55.7 acres (97% of the total corridor) were surveyed. A systematic visual survey was conducted over 4 acres (7% of the testable corridor). The remaining 51.7 acres were shovel probed (93% of the testable corridor). The purposes of the survey were 1) to identify and document all of the cultural resources in the project area, 2) to evaluate any sites found with regard to their eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places ( NR HP) and the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (IRHSS), and 3) to make recommendations for the protection of significant and potentially significant sites. Fieldwork was conducted from March 3, 2 001 to May 11, 2001, by GBL archaeologists Melody K. Pope, G. Mankowski, K. Suthers, A. Gelman, S. Person, J. Aprile, D. Seib, and E. Kuns. Thirteen previously unrecorded archaeological sites (12 Mg 277-289) were documented during the survey. All of the sites represent isolated finds o r low density artifact scatters. No features or structures w ere located during the survey. Due to low density and paucity of cultural materials, it i s the opinion of the GBL that Sites 12 Mg 277-289 are not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (IRHSS). Cultural resource clearance is therefore recommended for the proposed Road Replacement on SR 42 from 0.2 km east of SR 39 to 0.73 km west of SR 267 in Morgan County, Indiana, provided that all earth-moving activities are restricted to the currently defined project area boundaries.