By: Amanda Balough, Christine Thompson, and Kevin C. Nolan
Principal Investigators: Christine Thompson and Kevin C. Nolan
Reports of Investigation 93 Volume 1, Applied Anthropology Laboratories, Ball State University
PDF of Report, Redacted Version
Abstract
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) at Ball State University conducted a data enhancement project for archaeological resources in Benton County, Indiana for a FY2015 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant #18-15FFY-03). This Historic Preservation Fund grant project investigated the archaeological resources of Benton County, Indiana with a focus on the northern half of the county. Approximately 841.29 acres (340.46 hectares) of agricultural land were surveyed and 85 new archaeological sites were recorded. The survey recovered 81 prehistoric artifacts and 442 historic artifacts from twelve parcels of land within Benton County. No human remains were discovered as a result of this grant project. Cultural periods that are represented in the artifact assemblage include precontact components dating to the Late Archaic, Middle Woodland, and possibly the Early Archaic, in addition to 54 Historic components. The average site density recorded for the project area for precontact sites was one site per 20.03 acres and for historic sites was one site per 15.58 acres.