Phase Ia Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey of Proposed Intersection Improvements on SR 62 at Decker Road, Vesta Road/Oscar Long Road, Bull Creek Road/Brooks Road and Salem Church Road/Dave Carr Road to Sycamore Drive, respectively, in Clark County, Indiana.

Abstract

At the request of the Indiana Department of Transportation, the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Office of Cultural Resource Management, Indiana University (GBL-OCRM) conducted an archaeological records review and survey of Intersection Improvements on S.R. 62 in Clark County, Indiana. A total of approximately 5.1 acres were surveyed. Approximately 1.0 acres were subject to an overview. The records check was completed on June 4, 2002 by GBL archaeologist Johnie Sanders. The records review indicated that three previously documented archaeological sites were located within a 1-1/2-mile radius of the project area in the Fourteen Mile Creek and Yankee Creek drainages. A small number of diagnostic artifacts indicate that these sites are of Archaic or unknown affiliation. According to GBL site files, no previously known sites are located within the project area. The purposes of 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 (NRHP) 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 June 11, 12, 14, 17-20, and 24, 2002 by GBL archaeologists Johnie Sanders, George Mankowski, Kip Andres, Bob Adkins, Amy Haluska, Ruth Heronomus, Nicole Palmer, Sean Person, David Higgins, and Bryn Neuenschwander. Five previously unrecorded archaeological sites, 12CI633-637, were recorded during the survey. The newly recorded sites represent low density scatters of prehistoric and Euro-American artifacts (Appendix A). No features or structures were located by the survey. Based on the paucity of materials recovered, it is the opinion of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory that no further archaeological work is required. Cultural resource clearance is therefore recommended for the proposed intersection improvements provided that all earth-moving activities are restricted to the currently defined project area boundaries.