Paleo-Indian/Early Archaic Settlement Patterns in Southcentral Indiana: Final Report

Abstract

This report documents the results of an archaeological reconnaissance conducted intermittently between July 15, 1983 -June 15, 1984 within and adjoining the karstic Mitchell Plain physiographic province of southcentral Indiana. The primary objective of the project was the documentation and comparison of Paleo-Indian and Early Archaic settlement patterns in a five-phase research trajectory. This final report is being submitted in compliance with Department of Natural Resources Guidelines for Historic Preservation Archaeological Survey Projects. In-field research has consisted primarily of collector interviews and the recording of collections with occasional in-field examination of accessible sites. Numerous collectors have been consulted, with some 200 diagnostic Paleo-Indian projectile points, fragments and preforms representing 56 sites or activity loci, being assigned field specimen numbers. Over 150 unifacial tools of Paleo-Indian and Early Archaic affiliation were intensively analyzed. In all, 112 prehistoric sites were recorded or resurveyed during the project. A total of 10 in-field weeks have been conducted with the remaining time spent in laboratory research, records checks and collection analysis. Confidentiality of site locational information was promised to several of the informants and is hereby requested with regard to report dissemination.