Archaeologists have often speculated about the role of soil in the selection of prehistoricarchaeological site locations. These locations may be temporary or permanent settlements as well as isolated finds resulting from transient activities such as hunting. As an ecological factor, it would seem evident that soil played some part in the decision-making process. A review of recent literature reveals limited studies in this area. Several different approaches to the problem have been attempted. Recent research in the Central Indiana Wabash and Maumee drainages has been used develop a predictive model for this selection process based on the location of 890 sites on specific soils. The model has been tested with additional sites from various counties throughout Southern Indiana.The predictive model is based on the percentage of the original 890 sites which were located on each soil and on the resulting probability of finding additional sites on similar soils. The percentage of sites on each soil drainage class from the very poor to the excessively drained classes creates a curve similar to a normal curve. The test sites from the southern part of Indiana create a similar curve. / Department of Anthropology

Archaeological investigations rarely focus on streets and street related features. This thesis adds to the literature on this topic by discussing the archaeological excavation of the James F.D. Lanier State Historic Site. The excavation explored the integrity of First Street and its related components. Phosphate testing was also utilized to aid the identification of early street surfaces. The excavation revealed massive disturbance of the street due to landscaping activities. Possible street surfaces as well as intact features such as a section of concrete, streetside rain gutter, brick sidewalk, and fence base stones revealed that not all was destroyed. / Department of Anthropology

Doctorat en philosophie et lettres / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished