Phase Ia Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey for Proposed Added Travel Lanes on SR 62 from SR 56 to East Junction to Bridge over Big Clifty Creek in Jefferson County, Indiana

Abstract

From May 20-29,2003, the Glenn A. Black Laboratory Office of Cultural Resource Management (GBL-OCRM), Indiana University, conducted a Phase la archaeological survey of the proposed added travel lanes on SR 62 from SR 56 to east junction to bridge over Big Clifty Creek in Jefferson County, Indiana, under contract with the Indiana Department of Transportation. The project area is approximately 4.3 km (2.7 mi) long and is located in Jefferson County, Madison (Sections 19,20,30, and 31), and Hanover (Section 6) Townships. Background research and field survey were conducted to: (1) identify and document all cultural resources in the project area; (2) provide an evaluation of National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (IRHSS) eligibility for all identified cultural resources within the project corridor; and, (3) provide recommendations for mitigation of NRHP- or IRHSS-eligible sites if avoidance is not possible. This survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act, as amended. The field survey consisted of pedestrian inspection of the entire project area. Shovel testing was conducted within the new right-of-way. Shovel probes were excavated at 10m (32 ft) intervals along transects on either side of SR 62 and SR 256. No previously recorded archaeological sites are located within the project area. The field investigation resulted in the identification of two new prehistoric archaeological sites, 12JE517 and 12JE518. It is the opinion of the GBL-OCRM that neither site is eligible for the NRHP and IRHSS, and no further archaeological investigation is recommended for either site. Cultural resource clearance is therefore recommended for the proposed added travel lanes, provided that all earth-moving activities are restricted to the currently delineated project area boundaries. However, if artifacts, cultural features, and/or human bone, or bone that might prove to be human, are discovered during earth-moving activities, the State Historic Preservation Officer at the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA), Indiana Department of Natural Resources, should be contacted immediately.