ROI015, An Archaeological Survey on The Wabash Moraine: A Study Of Prehistoric Site And Artifact Density In The Upper Wabash Drainage

Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc.

ROI015, An Archaeological Survey on The Wabash Moraine: A Study Of Prehistoric Site And Artifact Density In The Upper Wabash Drainage

Summary

This is the tDAR Project page that represents Reports of Investigation 015 from the Applied Anthropology Laboratories, Ball State University. The Archaeological Resources Management Service at Ball State University received a grant from the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc., to provide an archaeological evaluation of 900 acres of land in southwestern Allen County, Indiana. The evaluation was to be carried out through a literature review and a field survey. The literature review was to generate predictions of the type, density, and significance of the archaeological resources contained within the study area. Environmental information revealed that the area contained a relatively flat to gently rolling terrain. No permanent streams or lakes occurred within the study area although the poorly drained soils would have ponded seasonally. Archaeological surveys of similar terrain revealed that archaeological sites would be found in a frequency of one to approximately two acres of land while artifact densities were expected to be low. The field reconnaissance was carried out as a systematic survey of cultivated fields. After 250 acres had been surveyed, the results were evaluated and compared against the scope of the project. Only 54 sites had been recorded and the majority consisted of single artifacts. No prehistoric site contained more than 31 artifacts. The density of sites within the area surveyed was one to every 4.6 acres; the artifact density was one to 1.8 acres. Given the low site and artifact density and the similarity of the topography throughout the project area, it was determined that additional survey would not be useful and the field portion of the project was ended with a 27.7% sample. Assuming that the survey was representative of the entire 900 acre property, only 195 sites and 500 artifacts would be expected to be recovered during a 100% survey of the study area. The Wabash Moraine study area was found to be most similar to till plain areas without permanent water sources in terms of site density, artifact density, and period of occupation. The distribution of the sites and the types of artifacts present suggested that the study area had been an important resource extraction locale for the prehistoric inhabitants of the region even though the resources appeared to have been dispersed and of limited quantity. None of the sites contained significant archaeological resources worthy of nomination to the State or National Register although the information collected during the course of the project was judged to be invaluable for determining regional patterns of subsistence and settlement. Further systematic study of all environmental zones was recommended.

3D models of the artifacts recovered from Report of Investigations 015, An Archaeological Survey on The Wabash Moraine: A Study of Prehistoric Site and Artifact Density in The Upper Wabash Drainage, can be viewed using the following link: https://skfb.ly/oWCt6

Cite this Record

ROI015, An Archaeological Survey on The Wabash Moraine: A Study Of Prehistoric Site And Artifact Density In The Upper Wabash Drainage. ( tDAR id: 463001) ; doi:10.48512/XCV8463001