Archaeological Services

• A Phase I archaeological survey for HEN/LUC-6/24-24.140/0.00 (PID 17893) examined an approximately 1,799 acres (728 ha) study area. The proposed undertaking was the construction of a four-lane divided highway replacement for the existing two- and three-lane roadway along which U.S. 24 was routed.
• Data from a previously conducted literature review and two existing predictive models of the area were used to develop a testing strategy minimizing survey efforts in areas unlikely to produce important information. Stream valleys, bluff margins, dune fields, and locations where early buildings were documented were determined to be likely to contain important archaeological sites and the testing strategy concentrated on these areas.
• The results of the survey corroborated the existing predictive models and improved our understanding of site distribution. The survey data suggests increasing the survey coverage of bluff margins at stream confluences will increase the identification of prehistoric sites with important data in the region.

Some of the artifacts collected during the U.S. 24 relocation project.

• Purpose of investigation to satisfy the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACOE) responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the Programmatic Agreement for the Modernization of the Lower Monongahela River Navigation System (Lower Mon Project).
• The project was designed by USACOE to supplement previous Phase II investigations at site 36AL480. Investigations consisted of background research, review and incorporation of information from previous Phase II work at the site, block excavations in six pre-selected areas, analysis and curation of materials recovered from these excavations, and completion of a Phase II technical report.

Overview of Block 6, showing stepped-back benches after removal
of the upper 4 m (13.1 ft) of fill and natural strata.

• In August 2003, ASC Group, Inc., conducted a Phase Ia archaeological literature review and reconnaissance survey of the 1,282-acre Sugar Camp Hollow, Shircliff Hollow, and Fallen Rock Hollow project area in the Hoosier National Forest in Perry County, Indiana.
• In consultation with the Forest Service, ASC Group designed a scope of work that deviated from standard Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology guidelines due to severe erosion in the project area. This revised methodology resulted in a much reduced field effort and considerable cost savings to the client.
• Eroded areas in the uplands, as indicated by the presence of pine trees planted to reforest the area, were subjected to visual inspection only. During visual inspection, areas that were determined to have the potential to contain intact archaeological deposits were flagged and recorded using GPS. The field crew returned to these areas later to conduct testing according to standard field methods.
• Nineteen archaeological sites were identified, including three historical archaeological sites, two prehistoric archaeological sites, and fourteen rockshelters.
• None of the rockshelters yielded any artifacts; however, the investigations were hampered by the presence of extensive rockfall in each rockshelter. One of the historical archaeological sites was recommended to be potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It was also recommended that the rockshelters be managed as archaeological resources until it can be determined whether or not archaeological deposits are present below the rockfall.

Documenting a rockshelter in the Hoosier National Forest.

• ASC Group, Inc. conducted a Phase I archaeological and cultural-historic (architectural history) survey for the proposed Bowling Green Bypass Extension from KY 185 to the intersection of Seventh Street and College Street (KYTC Item No. 3-310.00) in Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky. The proposed project is approximately 2,633 ft. in length and bisects a historic neighborhood.
• One city block was designated as an historical archaeological site, 15WA116. The site encompasses slightly over five acres and is a historically predominantly African-American residential block that also includes a Coca-Cola bottling plant, and a church, which was originally an African-American Baptist Church. In addition to these two buildings, the block contains 22 extant dwellings. A review of historic maps indicated that five of the dwellings, or previous dwellings with similar footprints, were at least partially in place by 1895. A total of 435 artifacts were recovered at the site, providing a mean occupation date of 1913. Excavations conducted with the assistance of mechanical equipment indicate the presence of sealed deposits, possibly including privy deposits, dating to the early twentieth century. Phase II archaeological investigations were recommended.
• The cultural-historic survey identified 32 historic architectural resources within the area of potential effect. One of these resources, a filling station, was recommended to be individually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It was also recommended that the remaining resources might be significant as a working class African-American neighborhood dating to the first half of the twentieth century, although additional contextual research is necessary.

Frame houses at 15WA116.