Field School at Sites 12WB90 and 12WB120 1981-1984

This collection consists of those artifacts found during surveys conducted in 1981 and a subsequent field school excavation conducted in 1983 by Ball State University. The collection primarily consisted of artifacts from sites 12WB90 and 12WB120, but while processing another site was found, 12WB132. More information on 12WB132 can be found in the “Sorting and Rehousing” section.

Site 12WB90 was initially recorded by William Wepler during a reconnaissance survey of the Mississinewa Reservoir that he led in 1981. The site is located on the north shore of the reservoir, near the dam, on a south-facing erosional ridge. In the spring of 1981, a controlled surface collection was carried out along a four meter transect in the eroded portion of the site. On August 23, 1981, the site was visited to review erosional damage from unusually high water in early summer. It was agreed that a more extensive controlled surface collection should be carried out at the site (Wepler 1982).

The erosional problem at 12WB90 played a significant role in justifying a revisit to the site by the Ball State University 1983 field school. The field school excavations were led by B.K. Swartz, Jr. in the summer of 1983. The focus of the field school was primarily 12WB90, but 12WB120 was also examined.

There are archival records dating from 1981 through 1984, hence why the investigation name has the date range 1981–1984. However, the archives suggest that archaeological work for this investigation was only performed during 1981 and 1983, which is why these are given as the years of investigation. While processing, a few artifacts were found with dates of collection in 1980 and 1982. For more information on these artifacts please see the “Sorting and Re-housing” section.

The digital materials in this project were processed by the Veterans Curation Program (VCP), and include the artifact database, select artifact photographs, artifact report, finding aid, oversized material database, and scanned asset key. Additional digital materials held by the VCP include an accession file, additional artifact photographs, document folder listing, excavation permits and proposals, excavation unit records, extensive excavation photographs, field notes, field notebook scans, hand drawn site maps, initial data sheet, level summary records, notes, oversized material labels, preliminary report, participating student information, photo material spreadsheet, records removal sheets, site survey notes, slide labels and a topographical map draft. For additional information on these materials, refer to the Finding Aid.