The statute (IC 14-21-1-34) that created the Fund provides that the division may conduct a program with this fund to assist private homeowners who have accidentally discovered an artifact, burial object, or human remains and who need assistance to comply with an approved plan to excavate or secure the site from further disturbance. For more information, go to http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/2764.htm.
Archaeology Site of the Month - In honor of the 25th anniversary of a statewide celebration of Archaeology, we are highlighting the 25th recorded archaeological site for each county in Indiana! This focus will span all 92 counties over the next year. Archaeological sites are each given a unique, sequential identification number as they are recorded. This helps archaeologists keep track of the artifacts that come from the site, and differentiates it from other sites in the area. The numbering system tells archaeologists what state and county a site comes from, and what the specific number in that county belongs to the site. For example, Angel Mounds is archaeological site 12-Vg-1, meaning it is from Vanderburgh County (Vg), Indiana (12), and is the first documented site in that county (1). In this newsletter, the Sites of the Month are brought to you by the letter “H,” as we will be highlighting the 25th site from Hamilton through Huntington County.
Hamilton County, 12-H-25: First professionally investigated in 1962, this is a precontact village site that has produced a wide variety of artifacts, including pottery sherds, animal bone, lithic materials and triangular points.
Hancock County, 12-Ha-25: Ball State University documented this historical artifact scatter in 1978 as a result of investigations completed for reconstruction of County Road 300N.
Harrison County, 12-Hr-25: Originally recorded in 1966 as yielding “30 lithic samples,” this site was revisited by Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc. in 2008 and was not relocated. This is a common phenomenon in archaeology and suggests that the site was not substantial and was collected in its entirety in 1966.
Hendricks County, 12-He-25: This is a collector-reported site that yielded a stone axe and two projectile point fragments.
Henry County, 12-Hn-25: This precontact village site, also known as the Van Nuys Site, is located at the Wilbur Wright Fish & Wildlife Area. The site was first professionally recorded by a 1967 Ball State University archaeological fieldschool. Since then 12-Hn-25 has been the focus of two Historic Preservation Fund grants, the first in 1998 (McCord 1998), and more recently in 2018 (Szmutko et al. 2019). The site is multicomponent, but its most dominant cultural period appears to be the Late Woodland Albee phase. It was determined that the site was eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, but it has not yet been listed in the Register.
Howard County, 12-Ho-25: This is another collector-reported site that produced projectile points and hammerstones.
Huntington County, 12-Hn-25: The Big Bangs Mound is a Middle-Late Woodland mound located within the J. Edward Roush Fish and Wildlife Area. The site has yielded pottery, lithic debris, and a humpback knife. Unfortunately, the site has been severely damaged by erosion and park activities. If you would like to know more about mounds and earthworks in our state, check out the DHPA’s webpage on the topic: https://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/8688.htm.
SHAARD Tip - Did you know that you can adjust the transparency of any operational layer found on the layer list? See the images below for directions on how to manipulate this feature. This can be very useful when looking at an area that is crowded with sites.
Outreach-
*Assisting the Public - Our office receives requests to help members of the public with artifact identification, and we are pleased to assist. Director Beth McCord recently provided information on artifacts to a landowner. Her email providing details on the age, function, etc. of these precontact artifacts found on a family farm resulted in the response below from the landowner. These types of positive interactions with the public help make what we do so rewarding, and illustrate the importance of sharing information about the past.
“This has been the most fantastic information of my year! These artifacts will always remain with our family farm from where they were received... Amazement is the only word and feeling to describe the included detailed list of the artifacts. Everytime these artifacts are held or gazed upon, their energy still dwells within and is a reminder of the numerous stages of the past peoples sophistication and true connection to the sun, stars, unpolluted water, air, wildlife and the gift of the earth's bounty.
Thank you so kindly for investing your time and knowledge into this work. This information allows these artifacts to come full circle.”
*Dr. Henry, Professional Archaeologist was out and about these past few months. He’s had adventures in several counties in east central Indiana checking out historic cemeteries, bridges, and more. Make sure to follow our Facebook page to keep up with what Dr. Henry has been accomplishing! #drhenrydhpa
This information is distributed via email by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA). This is meant to provide information on current archaeological topics and issues in which the DHPA is involved. An archive of past Archaeology News issues is available. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our office at 317-232-1646.
Mission Statement: The Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology promotes the conservation of Indiana’s cultural resources through public education efforts, financial incentives including several grant and tax credit programs, and the administration of state and federally mandated legislation.
Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, 402 W. Washington St., Room W274, Indianapolis, IN 46204. www.IN.gov/dnr/historic, www.facebook.com/INdhpa
Indiana Archaeology Month (September) webpage - http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/3674.htm
#INArchaeoMonth
Find the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology on Facebook.
Compiled by Amy Johnson, State Archaeologist, Archaeology Outreach Coordinator, and Team Leader for Archaeology (December 2020). Text also provided by Rachel Sharkey and Jeannie Regan-Dinius. #ArchaeoNewsIN
