Initial Implementation of the Archaeological Resources Survey Plan for Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center (DO 0521), Martin and Greene Counties, Indiana

Abstract

At the request of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology Office of Cultural Resource Management (GBL-OCRM), Indiana University, is implementing the Archaeological Resource Survey Plan (White et al. 2001) at Crane NSWC in Martin and Greene Counties, Indiana (SAIC Delivery Order 0521). This report presents a summary of fieldwork and analysis for the first iteration of this work, and includes a brief summary of the development of the ARSP, methods employed during this survey, results of the survey, cultural context, site descriptions, a discussion of site distribution relative to local topographic/geomorphic zones, and the test implications of the new data for the current model. Implementation of the Crane ARSP will eventually include comprehensive analysis drawing together data from multiple investigations. The Archaeological Resource Survey Plan (ARSP) was developed by Andrew White of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology Office of Cultural Resource Management, Indiana University, at the request of Comarco Systems, Inc. The ARSP is intended to satisfy a Department of the Navy requirement to bring the base into compliance with federal cultural resource preservation legislation. This report represents the results from the initial implementation of the ARSP as outlined by White et al. (2001). The fieldwork and documentation associated with the initial iteration of the ARSP was carried out in accordance with the ARSP as previously approved by the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA), Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Further implementation of the ARSP is intended to both evaluate and refine the initial predictive model (White et al. 2001), with the goal of improving its effectiveness as a tool for identification and management of cultural resources within the area encompassed by NSWC Crane. The first iteration resulted in the refinement of logistical issues for implementing survey and site evaluation in rugged upland settings. Overall, many of White’s suggestions for improvements to the model that were incorporated in the first iteration were successful, particularly regarding the visual survey and identification of historic sites and topographic zone refinement. The first iteration of the survey also raised new concerns about sampling strategies (random and judgmental) and the need for resolution of other factors related to scale and quality of data recovery necessary for predictive modeling and other preservation issues. A research context for evaluating and implementing future iterations is introduced that weaves together goals of cultural resource management, preservation, and archaeological research relevant to a unique physiographic region of the southern Midwest.