Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University
Abstract
Abstracts are made available for research purposes. To view the full report, please contact the staff of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology (www.gbl.indiana.edu).At the request of Johnson, Smith, Pence, Densbom, Wright, and Heath Attorneys at Law (JSP) of Indianapolis and Pinnacle Gaming of Verdi, Nevada, the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University (GBL), conducted a Phase IA surface archaeological reconnaissance of approximately 76 acres proposed for development in Switzerland County, Indiana. The land within the study area will be developed as a portion of a golf course associated with a proposed hotel and river boat gambling casino. The purpose of the reconnaissance was to locate any archaeological resources within the proposed development area and to assess the potential of those resources for inclusion on the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures (IRHSS) and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The archaeological reconnaissance (field survey) of the area proposed for development was conducted between April 15 and April 28, 1999 by GBL archaeologists Andrew A. White, Amanda S. Roth, Craig D. Byron, and Lee T. Fennimore. The boundaries of two previously recorded sites (12 Sw 345 and 12 Sw 349) were expanded to include portions of the sites that extend into the area surveyed during the present reconnaissance. Two of the previously undocumented sites (12 Sw 387 and 395) are of historic period Euroamerican origin; eight are of primarily prehistoric origin. The assemblages from several of the prehistoric sites also contain isolated historic artifacts. These isolated artifacts ( clear bottle glass, whiteware, etc.) are not associated with any structural remains or any notable scatter of historic artifacts, and are not considered archaeological sites. Of the 10 prehistoric sites examined during the reconnaissance, seven are small and/or extremely sparse scatters that are unlikely to contain intact subsurface deposits. No further archaeological investigations are recommended for these seven sites. The remaining three prehistoric sites (12 Sw 345, 349, and 394) have the potential to provide significant information relevant to the study oflocal, state, and regional prehistory. Avoidance is recommended for sites 12 Sw 345, 349, and 394. Though these three sites are in areas that will be developed as a golf course, it is the GBL's understanding that these three sites will not be adversely affected by golf course construction. Should plans change so that 12 Sw 345, 349, and 394 will suffer impacts, these sites should undergo Phase II archaeological testing prior to earth-moving
