A Hidden Landscape: Interpreting Buried Archaeological Site Potential in the White River Valley, Indiana

Abstract

A model for buried site potential has been developed and presented here following extensive geoarchaeological investigations conducted along the White River valley in Indiana. Backhoe-trenching efforts identified 35 buried archaeological sites dating from the Late Archaic through postcontact periods. Buried archaeological sites were found primarily in soils classified as inceptisols, with fewer found in soils classified as mollisols and entisols. Geochronological dating and artifact analysis suggest that after 3000 BP the White River valley transitioned from lateral to vertical accretion, providing landforms suitable for precontact occupation.