Results of Survey Excavations at 317 East Second Street, Bloomington, Indiana

Abstract

In May, 2004 the Glenn A. Black Laboratory Office of Cultural Resources Management (GBL-OCRM) conducted an archaeological survey at 317 East Second Street, Bloomington, Indiana. Indiana University is considering new construction at 317 East Second Street and wished to have the area examined for possible archaeological deposits. An electrical resistivity survey was conduced by Glenn A. Black Laboratory (GBL) staff on Feb. 27, 2004. The resistivity survey revealed the possibility of subsurface structural features in the project area and subsurface testing was recommended. Testing was done by excavating 13 50 cm x 50 cm units spaced every five meters in a portion of the project area where a soil anomaly was indicated by the resistivity survey. The purpose of the excavations is to determine if intact subsurface features are present in the project area. Fieldwork was conducted on May 5, 2004 by Melody Pope, Bryan Will, Josh Wells, Bob Adkins, and Eldridge Doubleday. The project area had not been previously surveyed by professional archaeologists. Though a few historic artifacts were recovered, due to the lack of diagnostics and low probability of intact subsurface features, no further archaeological reconnaissance is recommended provided that ground disturbing activities for the proposed project are restricted to the surveyed area. Wylie House is a National Register Property and though cultural resource clearance has been recommended for the immediate project area, the surrounding grounds have the potential for intact deposits of historic cultural materials.