Archaeological Reconnaissance of Approximately 198 Acres for the Development of Flatwoods Park, Northwest of Ellettsville, Monroe County, Indiana

Abstract

At the request of Monroe County Parks and Recreation, the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology at Indiana University (GBL) conducted a Phase IA archaeological surface reconnaissance of approximately 198 acres for the proposed development of Flatwoods Park, a regional county park in Richland Township, two miles northwest of Ellettsville, Monroe County, Indiana. The purposes of the archaeological reconnaissance 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 the 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 performed from September 8-22, 1998 by GBL archaeologists Patrick K. O'Brien, Wendy L. Natt, Mary E. Pirkl, Amanda S. Roth, Craig D. Byron, and Charles E. Bair. During the survey, five prehistoric sites (12 Mo 1126 and 12 Mo 1130-1133) and one historic site (12 Mo 1129) were recorded within the project area. Due to the paucity and low informational value of surf ace artifacts at these sites, 12 Mo 1 13 0, 1131, and 113 3 are recommended to be non-significant and ineligible for inclusion on the NRHP and the IRHSS. The relatively high density and kinds of surface artifacts at 12 Mo 1126 and 12 Mo 1132 suggest that significant buried deposits may exist at both sites. Both sites are therefore recommended to be potentially significant and eligible for inclusion on the NRHP and the IRHSS. Limited subsurface testing is recommended for both 12Mo 1126 andl2Mo 1132 prior to any earth-moving at either of these locations. The historic site, 12 Mo 1129, is the cellar remains of a farmhouse, two standing grain bins, and two concrete outbuilding foundations. Due to the relatively recent age (post-1930) and extremely disturbed condition of the site, it is recommended to be non-significant and ineligible for inclusion the NRHP and the IRHSS.