Archaeological Survey of the Proposed German Substation Site, southeast of Taylorsville, Bartholomew County, Indiana

Abstract

At the request of Hoosier Energy REC, Inc., the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University (GBL), performed a cultural resources survey of the proposed location for the German Substation site, Bartholomew County, Indiana. The proposed area of impact encompasses a 64m x 64m area, but the GBL surveyed a 90m x 90m area to ensure adequate coverage. A total of 4 acres was surveyed. The purposes of the survey were to 1) identify and document cultural resources in the proposed project area; 2) if cultural materials were discovered, assess their potential for inclusion in National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (IRHSS); and 3) make recommendations pertaining to the significance and future treatment of cultural resources within the project area. Fieldwork was done February 8, 1999 by GBL archaeologist Patrick K. O'Brien. One prehistoric archaeological site, 12 B 1296, was discovered. Only a small portion of the site lies within the proposed substation site; one piece of debitage was found in this area. The east-central portion of the site situated on top of the hill contains moderate artifact densities, and may have the potential to yield subsurface deposits. It is therefore recommended to be potentially eligible for inclusion on the NRHP and the IRHSS. The portion of the site within the proposed substation site, however, is recommended to be a non-contributing part of this potentially eligible site; cultural resource clearance is recommended for this portion of the site provided that all construction and earth-moving activities are confined to the specified substation site. Should any additional space south of the currently proposed site be required for construction of the substation, the portion of 12 B 1296 currently outside the proposed project area boundary should be further investigated and documented by qualified professional archaeologists. With the above stipulation, cultural resource clearance is recommended for construction of the proposed German Substation in Bartholomew County, Indiana. However, if human bone, or bone that might prove to be human, is discovered during earth-moving activities, all work should stop. The State Historic Preservation Officer at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, should be contacted immediately.