1989, the Archaeological Resources Management Service Ball State University conducted a reconnaissance level survey of 550 acres located within and adjacent to the Wabash River Valley in Huntington and Wabash Counties, Indiana. Additional survey was conducted in 1990 and 1991 on areas of expanded right-of-way within the original project area. The field reconnaissance located 188 archaeological sites. Twenty-one of the sites located by those surveys were subjected to archaeological testing.This study examines data from the survey and testing and presents a distribution of sites and human settlement across the study area. The study also develops a site typology which is used to address settlement pattern questions for the study area. / Department of Anthropology

The Upper Wabash Drainage over the last few years has become an area which has provided archaeologists with vital data concerning prehistoric settlement patterns. One time period which has not been well represented is the Archaic Period. Many questions have been unanswered about Archaic settlement patterns within the region. This study examines data from archaeological survey and presents a model for both Early and Late Archaic settlement within the Upper Wabash drainage. The information generated by this analysis will provide a better understanding of the Archaic period within this region. The study will also prove to be useful as a reference for future research as well as an important mechanism for resource management. / Department of Anthropology

Red ochre, an iron-oxide mineral has been found in prehistoric sites worldwide, in many types of sites. It has been noted as being present, but has not been afforded the status of artifact with the same level of analysis as other artifacts such as ceramics or lithics. McCullough’s Run, a multi-component prehistoric cemetery in Indiana contained red ochre with cremation burials. By treating red ochre as more than incidental to the site, but as an artifact, new information about mortuary behavior was learned. The red ochre was from locally or regionally available materials, and was placed with the deceased during cremation. Therefore, red ochre must be treated as an artifact for comparing, contrasting information intraand inter-site. / Red ochre as an artifact -- What exactly is red ochre? -- Setting the stage -- The site : McCullough's Run, Bartholomew County, Indiana, 12B1036 -- Red ochre : the artifact. / Department of Anthropology

The purpose of this study was to question the frequent use of field dependenceindependence (FDI) measures in past cross-cultural learning styles research, to illustrate generalizations this research has made about minority groups, and to examine applications of cross-cultural learning styles studies to composition. In the Part I of the study, 101 undergraduates (37 African-American, 47 Anglo-American, and 17 Hispanic) completed Witkin's Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) (designed to measure FDI) and Kolb's Learning Style Inventory (LSI) (an instrument never used in cross-cultural learning styles research). An ANOVA determined a significant difference among mean GEFT scores for ethnicity and gender, results consistent with past research. Results of the LSI, which introduced a new definition of learning styles, however, produced no significant differences among cultural groups. In Part II of this study, six students (one female and one male from each cultural group) volunteered for case studies. The test results and case studies illustrate that past FDI studies have made inaccurate generalizations of minority groups and have ignored individual differences within cultural groups. Further use of Kolb's LSI in future research and in teaching composition is explored. / Department of Anthropology

An archaeological survey of Fayette County, Indiana was conducted under a Department of the Interior Historic Preservation Fund Survey and Planning Grant administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. The reconnaissance covered 747.3 acres by systematic survey.Prior to the survey, only 102 sites were on record in Fayette County. The systematic survey, collector interviews and background research identified 275 new sites. A total of 252 sites were identified through the systematic survey, while 23 sites were identified through collector interviews, background research and non-systematic field survey. A total of 4081 prehistoric and 13 historic artifacts were recovered. Site density for Fayette County was compiled from the systematic survey of the county and sites not found in conjunction with the systematic survey were not included. Overall site density for Fayette County is 1 site per 2.97 acres with an average of 15.66 artifacts per site and 5.28 artifacts per acre. Site densities for the Dearborn Upland were also compiled with an overall site density of 1 site per 2.64 acres. / Department of Anthropology

Phase II archaeological testing of the Wesley Chapel Gulf area was conducted in June and July 2004 by six Ball State Anthropology students, including the author, for the Hoosier National Forest. This fieldwork was aimed at assessing the significance of two sites, 120r382 and 120r384, located by the previous surveys. These two sites were considered potentially eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places because of the data they may provide.The purpose of the research is to determine how this unique natural feature was utilized by prehistoric cultures and to assess its role within the regional archaeological context. The research builds upon data recovered during the previous archaeological surveys of the land immediately surrounding the gulf and tests the conclusions of those investigations with recent data from two archaeological sites, 120r382 and 12Or384. Analysis of the cultural material recovered during the 2004 fieldwork illuminates the prehistory of the Wesley Chapel Gulf area and enhances the interpretation of its role in prehistoric settlement patterns within the Hoosier National Forest region. / Department of Anthropology

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Theoretical background -- Environmental setting -- Prehistory within the Upper Wabash River Valley -- Data sets -- Results -- Discussion and conclusion. / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Department of Anthropology

The Crib Mound Site (12 Sp 1-2) is a shell mound that contains a major Mid-Late Archaic element. This site has been largely destroyed over the past few decades as a result of erosion by the Ohio River, development, artifact collecting and blatant looting. Collections of artifacts from the mound, and much of the relevant information about the site, are located in the private sector. Only minimal artifact representations from Crib Mound reside in universities or museums.This site has received little in-depth professional investigation or study. Although it is one of several significant multi-component archaeological sites in the Lower Ohio Drainage with an indication of a significant Mid-Late Archaic component, it has not been accurately incorporated into discussions of Mid-Late Archaic settlement systems. The underlying reason for this omission relates to the information from the site not having been systematically recorded or synthesized into a usable format for archaeological research.This thesis analyzes, documents and evaluates the chronologically sensitive data from Crib Mound as a means of defining the mound's relationship to other (already documented) Mid-Late Archaic sites that are found in the region of theLower Ohio River Basin. This research also explores the relationship between tradition and phase (as it existed in this area), perhaps identifying an earlier phase or phases that can be distinguished from within the tradition. All information from the Crib Mound Site is integrated into the regional prehistory by either expanding on the anomaly of the mound or by clarifying and supporting the mound's relationship with the current regional settlement patterns. / Department of Anthropology

Archaeological test excavations were conducted at 12Vi194 (Northwood Site) in a portion of the site where residential development is planned or has taken place. Thirty four 2x2 m units were excavated to the base of midden deposits, exposing eight features. Six of these features proved to be of aboriginal origin, with their terminal function as refuse pits. Materials recovered from the site span some 4000 years, from the Late Archaic period through the Late Woodland period. The majority of materials, as well as all aboriginal features, date to the late Middle Woodland Allison-LaMotte culture (AD 100-600), and include ten Lowe Flared base projectile points, 1700+ pieces of lithic debris, 4500 ceramic sherds, a vast quantity of floral and faunal debris, and the remains of one badly deteriorated human interment (pre-natal infant).The investigations at this site were carried out to assess the significance of the deposits. Based on the quantity of artifacts, size and density of pit features and well defined midden deposits, this site is considered significant and therefore eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places (see Appendix). Due to developers plans on this and adjacent sites, a management plan outlining future impacts and lternatives is also provided. / Department of Anthropology

The wane of the North American Fur Trade (ca. 1800-1850) was the result of resource depletion, military action, social unrest, increased European settlement and the increased proximity of diverse cultural groups. The effects of these occurrences upon the residents of Aussom Cabin Site have been analyzed. Both historical and archaeological analyses were utilized, offering a verified and accurate account of the demise of the fur trade and its effect upon a specific population.Attention is paid to the development of the fur trade industry, as well as to the manner in which it affected regional lifeways. The location of the Aussom Cabin, both chronologically and socially, within this process has been explicated. The chain of occupation at the site has been established, the morphology of the cabin, and the lifeways of its inhabitants have been surmised. The manner in which the cabin was razed and the depositional integrity of the Aussom Cabin have also been determined. / Department of Anthropology