Archaeological Survey for Proposed Dale 69/12.47 kV Substation and 69 kV Tap Line, Spencer County, Indiana

Abstract

At the request of Hoosier Energy REC, Inc., the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University (GBL) conducted a Phase Ia archaeological survey of proposed Dale 69/12.47 kV substation and 69 kV tap line for Spencer County (Carter Township), Indiana. The property surveyed is located 2.5 miles northeast of Dale, Indiana. A right-of-way allowance of 15 feet (5m) was applied to either side of the tap line segment. A total of 24.6 acres were surveyed; 0.4 acres were subject to overview. The purposes of survey were 1) to identify and document all 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 on July 26, 29-31, October 28-31, and November 1, 6-8, 2002 by GBL archaeologists Johnie Sanders, George Mankowski, Robert Adkins, John Cracraft, Michael Darland, Alyc Helms, Holly Hilton, David Higgins, and Bryn Neuenschwander. Fieldwork was suspended on July 31 at the request of landowners and resumed on October 28 after their crops had been harvested. Six previously unrecorded archaeological sites, 12 Sp 1074-1075 and 12 Sp 1077-1080 were documented during the survey. Sites 12 Sp 1074 and 12 Sp 1080 represent isolated finds of lithic debitage. Sites 12 Sp 1077-1079 represent low density scatters of chipped stone debitage. Site 12 Sp 1075 consists of a somewhat higher density scatter of chipped stone debitage, two cores, and a few small fragments of calcined bone. No further archaeological investigation is recommended for sites 12 Sp 1077-1080. However, due to the apparent higher frequency of lithic materials and presence of organic materials, further archaeological investigation is recommended for site 12 Sp 1075 to determine if intact deposits are present and, if so, their extent. Also, due to the close proximity of site 12 Sp 1074, it is the opinion of the GBL-OCRM that the area between the two sites should be further investigated as well.