There's an ongoing archaeological dig near the Ohio-Indiana border. What exactly are they looking for?Just off of U.S. Route 50, tents line State Line Road as archaeologists use shovels, trowels and hand tools in a delicate search for artifacts.They're searching for remnants of a prehistoric Native American culture. The area is believed to be the site of a large village of the Fort Ancient people, who inhabited the Ohio River valley from 1050-1275 CE. The dig is taking place in what's known as the State Line Archeological District, which is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.In order for a road project to begin, archaeologists must excavate the area to ensure proper historical documentation.ASC Group, Inc., an archaeological consulting firm, is conducting the excavation, working in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Transportation. It's technically the third phase in an archaeological mitigation excavation, prior to the installation of an improved intersection at U.S. Route 50 and State Line Road. The excavation project is part of the compliance process for the National Historic Preservation Act, intended to preserve historic and archaeological sites in the United States.Throughout the summer, archaeologists will be working in the area, excavating test units, blocks and trenches on a 1-meter checker board grid, and recording where the artifacts are recovered within the site. Back dirt has been screened, recovering small pieces of ancient populations. Features such as storage pits, hearths and house foundations are carefully recorded in place, and sample soil is removed for specialized analyses to determine details about the kinds of plants ancient people used. The State Line Site is a Woodland period mound center (100-500 CE) and the Fort Ancient period (1050-1275 CE) village site. While the site has been known since the late 19th century, only limited archaeological investigation has been done to date. Researchers say the site poses a great significance, and is key to understanding Native American cultures. Some evidence at the site points to early use of maize, researchers say, and consumption of waterfowl and turkey. There's also evidence that the Fort Ancient peoples of the Ohio Valley and the Mississippian peoples from further west had contact.
There's an ongoing archaeological dig near the Ohio-Indiana border. What exactly are they looking for?
Just off of U.S. Route 50, tents line State Line Road as archaeologists use shovels, trowels and hand tools in a delicate search for artifacts.
They're searching for remnants of a prehistoric Native American culture.
The area is believed to be the site of a large village of the Fort Ancient people, who inhabited the Ohio River valley from 1050-1275 CE. The dig is taking place in what's known as the State Line Archeological District, which is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
In order for a road project to begin, archaeologists must excavate the area to ensure proper historical documentation.
ASC Group, Inc., an archaeological consulting firm, is conducting the excavation, working in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Transportation.
It's technically the third phase in an archaeological mitigation excavation, prior to the installation of an improved intersection at U.S. Route 50 and State Line Road.
The excavation project is part of the compliance process for the National Historic Preservation Act, intended to preserve historic and archaeological sites in the United States.
Throughout the summer, archaeologists will be working in the area, excavating test units, blocks and trenches on a 1-meter checker board grid, and recording where the artifacts are recovered within the site.
Back dirt has been screened, recovering small pieces of ancient populations. Features such as storage pits, hearths and house foundations are carefully recorded in place, and sample soil is removed for specialized analyses to determine details about the kinds of plants ancient people used.
The State Line Site is a Woodland period mound center (100-500 CE) and the Fort Ancient period (1050-1275 CE) village site.
While the site has been known since the late 19th century, only limited archaeological investigation has been done to date.
Researchers say the site poses a great significance, and is key to understanding Native American cultures. Some evidence at the site points to early use of maize, researchers say, and consumption of waterfowl and turkey. There's also evidence that the Fort Ancient peoples of the Ohio Valley and the Mississippian peoples from further west had contact.
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