Archaeological Phase Ia Reconnaissance Survey for Proposed Lawrence County Recreational Park, Lawrence County, Indiana

Abstract

At the request of Abate of Indiana, Inc., the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology Office of Cultural Resource Management, Indiana University (GBL-OCRM) conducted a Phase Ia archaeological reconnaissance survey for a proposed recreational park site located west of SR 37 on the Lawrence/Monroe County border, 1,300 feet east of Popcorn Creek, Lawrence County, Indiana. The total project area covers approximately 28.5 acres. 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 from March 5th to March 7th, 2002 by GBL archaeologists Melody Pope, Daniel Seib, George Mankowski, Johnie Sanders, Krista Jordan, Nicole Palmer, Phil Gordon, Jessica White, and Alyc Helms. Three previously unrecorded archaeological sites (12 Lr 1053-1055) were documented during the survey. All of the sites represent isolated finds or low density artifact scatters. Two prehistoric sites were discovered, 12 Lr 1053 and 12 Lr 1055. The remaining site, 12 Lr 1054, contained only historic artifacts. Due to low density of cultural materials and the lack of reliable context, it is the opinion of the GBL that sites 12 Lr 1053-1055 are not eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (IRHSS). Cultural resource clearance is therefore recommended for the proposed recreational park site, provided that all earth-moving activities are restricted to the currently defined project area boundaries.