Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Location for a New Transmissions Transfer Station and its Associated Easements, Lawrence County, Indiana

Abstract

At the request of Hoosier Energy REC, Inc., the Glenn A Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University (GBL) conducted Phase Ia archaeological reconnaissance-level survey of the proposed locations for a new transmissions transfer station and two associated temporary construction/access easements southeast of Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana. The proposed project area occupies a total of approximately 67 acres of floodplain and rolling upland south of the East Fork of the White River. Each portion of the project area was staked by Hoosier Energy prior to the beginning of survey. 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 began November 27, 2000, and continued intermittently until February 4, 2001. The extended period of performance for the project resulted from inclement winter weather and scheduling fieldwork during the holiday season. Fieldwork was supervised by Mary E. Pirkl; crew members included Rex Garniewicz, Olga Kalentzidou, George Mankowski, Melody Pope, Daniel Seib, Mike Strezewski, Julie Wells, Josh Wells, Andy White, and Tim Wright. Seven previously unrecorded archaeological sites (12 Lr 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012) were recorded during survey of the proposed project area. To summarize, it is the opinion of the GBL that sites 12 Lr 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, and 1011 most likely do not have the potential to contribute information significant to the understanding of Indiana prehistory in the region. It is highly likely that Phase Ia archaeological reconnaissance-level survey has exhausted the research potential of these sites. No further archaeological investigation is recommended. Cultural resource clearance is therefore recommended for sites 12 Lr 1006-1009, and 1011. It is the opinion of the GBL that sites 12 Lr 1010 and 12 Lr 1012 have the potential to contain additional subsurface information about prehistoric lifeways in the area. The GBL recommends avoidance of those portions of the project area containing these sites. If avoidance is not possible, the GBL recommends that each site undergo limited Phase II testing in order to determine the presence, nature and extent of subsurface cultural deposits at each site.