2000 Rockshelter Survey and Testing in the Proposed Branchville Archaeological District, Hoosier National Forest, Perry County, Indiana

Abstract

Additional archaeological investigations of rockshelters within the Bear Hollow and Oil Creek regions of the proposed Branchville Archaeological District of the Hoosier National Forest in Perry County, Indiana were conducted during the summer of 1999. Approximately 2.6 linear miles of cliff line and 92 acres of hillslopes, plateau tops and bottomlands were surveyed within the proposed Branchville Archaeological District in search of rockshelter sites for this project. A total of 17 previously recorded rockshelter sites were resurveyed and 83 new rockshelter site were discovered and recorded. One of these newly discovered rockshelters had petroglyphs associated with it. Archaeological test excavations were also conducted at sites 12-Pe-355 and 12-Pe-478 within Bear Hollow. The survey, resurvey and testing of these sites resulted in better documentation and understanding of the prehistoric cultural resources within the proposed Branchville Archaeological District. In addition, information collected from these sites aided in the ongoing focused and systematic research of rockshelter resources within the Hoosier National Forest.