Archaeological Survey for Proposed Replacement of a Small Structure Over Little Indian Creek (Conn Ditch), INDOT Project ST-147-5(H), Des. 9966050, Cass County, Indiana

Abstract

At the request of Indiana Department of Transportation, the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University (GBL) conducted a Phase Ia archaeological survey of proposed replacement of a small structure over Little Indian Creek (Conn Ditch) on US 35 approximately one mile north of SR 16 in Cass County (Boone Township), Indiana. The property surveyed is located north of Royal Center, Indiana. A total of 1.9 acres were surveyed. Approximately 0.1 acres west of US 35 and north of Little Indian Creek were disturbed by the construction of the railroad track to the west and were therefore subject to overview. A total of 0.3 acres on both sides of US 35 and on either side of Little Indian Creek were greater than 30 percent slopes and were therefore subject to overview. In total, 0.4 acres were subject to overview. 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 was conducted on September 11 and 13, 2002 by GBL archaeologists Johnie Sanders, Robert Adkins, John Cracraft, Michael Darland, and Alfredo Minetti. No previously unrecorded archaeological sites were documented during the survey. No further archaeological investigation is recommended. Cultural resource clearance is therefore recommended for the proposed replacement of a small structure over Little Indian Creek (Conn Ditch) provided that all earth-moving activities are restricted to the currently delineated project area boundaries.