Phase Ia Archaeological Survey for Bridge 81, Hardy Mill Road over Fourteen Mile Creek, 2.5 miles South of intersection of SR 356 and Hardy Mill Road

Abstract

At the request of R.W. Armstrong & Associates, Inc., the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University (GBL) conducted a Phase Ia archaeological reconnaissance survey for a bridge replacement on Hardy Mill Road over Fourteen Mile Creek (Des. No. 0088570). The project area is approximately 1.06 acres in size. A visual overview was conducted for 0.3 acres that were not tested due to slope and previous disturbance. The remaining 0.76 acres were tested by a combined shovel probe/auger probe methodology. The purposes of survey were 1) to identify and document all cultural resources in the project area, 2) to evaluate the eligibility of any sites found 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 December 20, 2001 and January 14, 2002 by GBL archaeologists George Mankowski, Kris Suthers, Daniel Seib, Johnie Sanders, and Krista Jordan. Only modern historical material was recovered during the archaeological survey. No significant or diagnostic artifacts were recovered during the survey. Additionally, two auger probes, placed on either side of the West Fork of Fourteen Mile Creek, indicate no evidence for deeply buried cultural deposits. Therefore, cultural resource clearance is recommended for the project area provided that all earth-moving activities are restricted to the currently defined project area boundaries.