An Archaeological Reconnaissance of Quarry and Workshop Sites in the Vicinity of Harrison County, Indiana

Abstract

This study involved the collection of survey data regarding the locations and characteristics of upland prehistoric chert quarry and workshop sites in Harrison County, Indiana. The focus of attention was on sites dating from ca. 1,500 B.C. to A.D. 600 which relate directly to the manufacture of non-utilitarian "ceremonial" and other chert artifacts that were traded across the Midcontinent to large and important prehistoric centers. Pedestrian reconnaissance was conducted in conjunction with collector interviews and records reviews to identify important areas of lithic procurement and manufacture. The project also assembled information on private collections from target sites that will be available for future analysis. A total of 56 previously undocumented sites were recorded, and 8 sites already on record were resurveyed. Two of the new archaeological sites date to the Euroamerican period; the remaining sites date from prehistoric periods. Overall, the project produced a total of 64 site records. A total of 50 sites were surveyed in the field, the remaining 14 site records were compiled from collector interviews. Approximately one square mile of the Harrison County uplands was intensively surveyed by means of pedestrian traverse.