Archaeological Investigations at Site 12 Du 73, An Upland Mississippian Village in the White River Valley, East Fork: FINAL REPORT OF INVESTIGATIONS

Abstract

At the request of Crossroad Engineers, the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Office of Cultural Resource Management (GBL-OCRM) conducted Phase Ib and II archaeological investigations at site 12 Du 73 for environmental review compliance. Previous investigations had determined that Site 12 Du 73 was located in the area proposed for the replacement of the Portersville Bridge, Daviess County Bridge No. 183. Topographically, the project area is at the interface of a dissected upland and the flood plain of the East Fork of the White River.The Phase Ib/II work was designed to address four directives for site evaluation for the review process: (1) to identify and describe surface and subsurface deposits, (2) to evaluate the degree to which site deposits had been compromised by erosion and agricultural practices, (3) to refine the horizontal extent of the archaeological deposits within the project area, and (4) to evaluate the nature and importance of site deposits to be negatively impacted by construction operations with reference to criteria of eligibility for the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (IRHSS) and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Fieldwork was conducted from March 13 to June 20, 2002 by GBL-OCRM archaeologists Melody Pope (Principal Investigator), Jamie Aprile, Phillip Gordon, Krista Jordan, Amy McCabe, Nicole Palmer, and Johnie Sanders. The results of our investigation have determined that portions of site 12 Du 73 occur at or near the surface within the designated area of effect. Well-preserved structures, pit features, and midden deposits were documented in the central and eastern portions of the project area. Diagnostic and stylistic cultural materials recovered from the site deposits suggest that the occupation may be of Middle Mississippian, Angel phase affiliation (ca. AD 1100 to 1450). Due to the undocumented nature of an Angel phase Middle Mississippian cultural expression in the East Fork of the White River, and the generally well-preserved subsurface features and structures, it is the opinion of the GBL-OCRM that site 12 Du 73 has much to contribute to our understanding of the late prehistoric period and human activity at this location. In view of the potential research value and eligibility for nomination to the NRHP and the IRHS, the GBL-OCRM recommends avoidance of site 12 Du 73 if possible, or if not, mitigation of the proposed impact to the cultural deposits contained therein.