By: Amanda Balough, Christine Thompson, Matthew P. Purtill, and Kevin C. Nolan
Principal Investigators: Christine Thompson and Kevin C. Nolan
Reports of Investigation 99 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 FY2016 Historic Preservation Fund Grant (Grant #18-16FFY-03). This Historic Preservation Fund grant project investigated the archaeological resources of Benton County, Indiana with a focus on the southern half of the county. A total of 928.36 acres (375.69 hectares) of agricultural land was surveyed and 115 new archaeological sites were recorded. The survey recovered 102 prehistoric artifacts and 2161 historic artifacts from 13 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 Historic components. The average site density recorded for the project area for precontact sites was one site per 14.07 acres and for historic sites was one site per 13.65 acres.