Archaeological Survey for a Proposed Borrow Pit B-25329 at Rocky Point Perry County, Indiana

Abstract

At the request of Erber & Milligan Construction, the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University (GBL) conducted Phase Ia archaeological reconnaissance survey for a proposed borrow pit site (B-25329). The project area is located at Rocky Point, approximately 5.5 miles east of Cannelton on the Ohio River, Perry County, Indiana. The project area comprises approximately .25 acres of a steep south-facing slope (> 25 degree slope). The purposes of survey were 1) to identify and document all 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 on June 27, 2001 by GBL archaeologists Melody Pope and Jamie Aprile. At the time of the field reconnaissance, it was determined that a Phase Ia shovel probe survey would not be required due to the steep grade of the project area. However, exposed surfaces in the project area were visually surveyed because of the high frequency of occurrence of prehistoric sites in the area and the possibility of eroded cultural deposits to occur in the project area. This procedure resulted in the identification of one previously unrecorded archaeological site (12 Pe 1165). Due to the disturbed context and paucity of materials recovered, the site is not likely to contribute information significant to understanding Indiana prehistory in the region. Cultural resource clearance is therefore recommended for the project area provided that all earth-moving activities are restricted to the currently defined project area boundaries.