ROI053, Rockshelter Survey and Testing in the Hemlock Cliffs and Mesmore Cliffs Areas of the Hoosier National Forest, Crawford County, Indiana, Volume Two

Nikki A. Waters; Donald R. Cochran

ROI053, Rockshelter Survey and Testing in the Hemlock Cliffs and Mesmore Cliffs Areas of the Hoosier National Forest, Crawford County, Indiana, Volume Two

Part of the ROI053, Rockshelter Survey and Testing in the Hemlock Cliffs and Mesmore Cliffs Areas of the Hoosier National Forest, Crawford County, Indiana project

Author(s): Nikki A. Waters; Donald R. Cochran

Year: 1999

Summary

An archaeological investigation of rockshelters in the Hemlock Cliffs and Mesmore Cliffs areas of the Hoosier National Forest in Crawford County, Indiana was conducted during the summers of 1997 and 1998. During the 1997 project, six previously recorded rockshelters were resurveyed, one previously unrecorded rockshelter was surveyed, two open sites (12-Cr-321 and 12-Cr-385) were tested, and one large rockshelter, (12-Cr-59, Indian Cave) was tested. In 1998, thirteen new rockshelters and two open sites were surveyed, six previously recorded rockshelters were resurveyed, and additional testing was conducted at 12-Cr-321 and 12-Cr-59. Although additional artifacts were only recovered from one previously recorded rockshelter, the survey and resurvey of rockshelters did result in better documentation of these sites. The 1997 testing of 12-Cr-321 and 12-Cr-385, recovered chipped stone artifacts, but no features were found. Site 12- Cr-385 was not considered potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and no additional work was conducted. Although the units excavated in 12-Cr-321 during 1997 did not encounter features, the portion of the site immediately in front of the entrance to Indian Cave appeared to have the potential for buried deposits, especially under the collapsed former entrance of Indian Cave. Additional excavation of this area was conducted in 1998, although units could not be excavated deep enough to determine the presence of an older, buried surface. Testing within Indian Cave in 1997 and 1998 revealed that at least one buried in situ cultural zone is present and a variety of artifacts, floral and fauna! materials were recovered. Although no intact burials were identified, fragmentary human remains were recovered from Zone VI and from a rodent run in the north of the shelter. Additional artifacts, floral and faunal materials were recovered from exposed zones; however, extensive looting and recreational activities may place them in a secondary context. In addition, analysis of the silt deposits within Indian Cave suggests that these exposed, silt-bearing zones are alluvial and colluvial in origin. Despite the small testing sample and the amount of disturbance, the site still appears to contain significant archaeological deposits and would therefore appear to be eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to the fieldwork, background research indicated that almost 800 rockshelters and caves are recorded as archaeological sites within Indiana, but fewer than 15 have been tested. The lack of excavation and analysis of rockshelters combined with the results of this project amply demonstrates the desperate need for systematic and focused research on these important sites.

Cite this Record

ROI053, Rockshelter Survey and Testing in the Hemlock Cliffs and Mesmore Cliffs Areas of the Hoosier National Forest, Crawford County, Indiana, Volume Two. Nikki A. Waters, Donald R. Cochran. 1999 ( tDAR id: 463995) ; doi:10.48512/XCV8463995