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, we are highlighting the 25th site from LaGrange through Martin County.
LaGrange County 12-L-25: This is one of 130 sites that were documented by the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology as part of a survey of LaGrange County in 1990 (Schurr 1991). This particular site consisted of a single broken projectile point and a small amount of fire cracked rock (FCR).
Lake County 12-La-25: This is a site that was collector reported by Phil Dickey of Miller, Indiana in 1963. In 1964, Donald Flatt collected a slate bannerstone from the site (drawing of artifact below).
LaPorte County 12-Le-25: This is a high-density archaeological site that appears to be related to the Middle Woodland (c. 200 BC - AD 600) time period. Located near the Kankakee River, the site has yielded cord-marked and plain grit-tempered pottery, some shell-tempered pottery, projectile points, a bladelet and drill, and other lithic artifacts.
Lawrence County 12-Lr-25: This site is simply four lithic flakes that were identified as a result of a survey that took place for the realignment of County Road 32 in 1985.
Madison County 12-M-25: This site was recorded by Ball State University archaeologists in 1963. Unfortunately, the site form does not include the materials that were identified at the site.
Marion County 12-Ma-25: This site has been recorded near the White River in Marion County. Unfortunately, the site form does not include the materials that were identified at the site.
Marshall County 12-Mr-25: Recorded in 1959, this site yielded a good quantity of pottery and burned stone. One pottery sherd has been attributed to the Early Woodland (c. 1000 - 200 BC) period.
Martin County 12-Mn-25: This is a possible mound site that was recorded in 1945, but the location has never been verified by professional archaeologists.
DHPA website - The DHPA website is going through a conversion, editing, and other changes. Over the next few months, you might see differences such as:
- Updated information on the pages, new graphics and photos, and new collections of topics.
- Information currently located on several pages will be combined into one page, making it more easily accessible.
- The URL names will change to name-based URLs instead of number-based. So, dnr.IN.gov/historic/2798.htm will now be dnr.IN.gov/historic/UGRR for information on the Underground Railroad in Indiana.
This is happening now, so if you can’t find a resource, page, or the information you are looking for, contact our Director of Special Initiatives, Jeannie Regan-Dinius jrdinius@dnr.IN.gov, or 317-234-1268, for assistance.
Reminder for qualified professional archaeologists - For archaeological short reports which are dated 2021, the current form (State Form 54566, R2/11-20; forms.IN.gov/Download.aspx?id=9540) must be used (not previous versions of the archaeological short report form). If you have questions concerning the use of the Indiana Archaeological Short Report, please do not hesitate in contacting a member of the DHPA’s Archaeology Team.
Also, since posting the updated instructions for the short report form, we have received some additional questions regarding the following:
- For Watershed- The Subbasin Name (it is the fourth level) should be provided.
- When a report is documenting a records check and reconnaissance, the RESULTS and RECOMMENDATIONS sections for both the records check and reconnaissance must be completed.
Submission of Projects for Review - The DHPA has made some changes in the submission process for Section 106, IC 14-21-1 and other federal and state regulatory review requests. We continue to require and process paper hard copy submissions and mail as received, and we understand that in some cases electronic review may be necessary for applicants and reviewers due to mandatory actions and remote work conditions.
To provide maximum flexibility, we request that all submissions to DHPA be provided in BOTH electronic and paper copies. Send the electronic copy to Miriam Burkett at dhpareview@dnr.IN.gov. The paper hard copy of the submission can be mailed as usual to 402 W. Washington Street, Room W274, Indianapolis, IN 46204. For State and National Register nominations, continue to follow standard procedures.
The Review Request Submittal, Application for Certificate of Approval (state project) and other review forms can be located on our website at dnr.IN.gov/historic.
We request that the electronic copy of the review submission include the appropriate form(s). Acceptable format for the attached documents, reports, photos, and plans is Portable Document Format (PDF). Please note that there is a 35 MB size limit for the electronic email copy of the submission. If your submittal is larger than 35 MB, try to minimize or reduce the size or quality. If necessary, the submission may also be split into two or more emails. For each message, be sure to reference in your subject line 1 of 2, 2 of 3, etc., if sending more than one email for a single review. Photos, maps, plans or other drawings/ graphics shall also be in PDF format and COLOR if possible. Please do not send each photograph as a separate file. If a different format is necessary for a particular type of review, we will contact you. Continue to submit structures and archaeological information as separate reports. These reports can be attached to the same email message if size allows, but we ask that there be one PDF of the Historic Property Report AND a separate PDF for the Archaeology Report. If the collective review materials are too large to reasonably be transmitted via email, we will continue to review based on the hard copy alone.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we adjust to some changes in our work processes. Please stay safe and healthy!
Outreach-
* The Archaeology Team contributed content to Public Archaeology Notes, Issue # 8. This occasional newsletter is a collaborative effort by a consortium of individuals representing a variety of interested groups: the Society for American Archaeology (SAA), the SAA’s Public Education Committee (PEC), the PEC’s Network of State Coordinators, the SAA’s Public Archaeology Interest Group (PAIG), the American Institute of Archaeology (AIA), and others. See issues of the newsletter and sign up to receive future editions at us12.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=186f6c1a3fb71c6c1fe2f3b7c&id=098cf72bf9.
* Check out this new video from the Society for American Archaeology on the importance of teaching archaeology: youtu.be/63iEg2UzJIg.
Archaeology Publications - If you have an interest in industrial archaeology, check out 200 Years of Soot and Sweat, The History and Archaeology of Vermont's Iron, Charcoal, and Lime Industries.
The Vermont Archaeological Society has also scanned volumes of the Vermont Journal of Archaeology. There are many interesting articles on a broad range of archaeology topics, including precontact archaeology, industrial history, underwater archaeology, and the history of Vermont archaeology.
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.
