Archaeological Survey for the Proposed Widening of Michigan Road, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Abstract

At the request of Paul I. Cripe Inc., the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University (GBL) conducted Phase Ia archaeological reconnaissance survey for the proposed widening of Michigan Road between the White River and Cold Spring Road. The project area consists of an 878m (2880') long, 23m (75') wide right-of-way corridor along the eastern edge of Michigan Road. A total of approximately 7.7 acres was surveyed. 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. Additionally, one of the project goals was to determine the presence of site 12 Ma 5 within the proposed project corridor. If present, the nature and extent of those deposits were to be documented and evaluated according to the above-listed criteria. Fieldwork was conducted February 21, 2000 by GBL archaeologists Mary E. Pirkl, Devin W. Fishel, Scott J. Shirar, and Lee T. Fennimore. No cultural materials were discovered during survey. The lack of surficial and near-surface cultural materials within the proposed project area does not preclude the possibility of their existence at depth in the vicinity of project area. However, cultural resource clearance is recommended for the proposed project area provided that all earth-moving activities and impacts are restricted to the current project area boundaries.