Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology

Want to read about archaeology in our state? Check out the journal “Indiana Archaeology” (on.in.gov/archaeo-pubs) to learn about sites, archaeology outreach projects, past archaeological investigations, and more. The journal began in 1997, and through the years many authors have contributed important articles on various archaeological subjects.

Per state statute (Indiana Code 14-21-1-12), one of the duties of the DHPA is to develop a program of archaeological research and development, including the publication of information regarding archaeological resources in the state. This journal is one of the ways that our office continues to address that mandate.

Did you know Indiana has shipwrecks? We know of 14 shipwrecks in Lake Michigan waters from the mid-nineteenth century and early twentieth century. These were cargo vessels that carried people and supplies, such as: timber, sand, stone, coal, train cars, and agricultural products to various destinations across the Great Lakes. Indiana has two shipwreck preserves (J.D. Marshall and Muskegon). J.D. Marshall was a wooden steamer built in 1891 that originally hauled lumber then was converted into a sand sucker. The Marshall sprang a leak due to a heavy load, turned over, and sank in 1911. It became Indiana’s first shipwreck preserve in 2013. The Muskegon was built in 1872 as a passenger and cargo freighter and also was converted into a sand sucker. Sand has been a needed resource for construction and industry.

The Muskegon sank in 1910 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 for its innovative technology and contribution to Indiana’s nautical history. This shipwreck site became the second shipwreck preserve in Indiana and was dedicated in 2013. On July 18th, 2024, Indiana University’s Center for Underwater Science invited several agencies and the public to celebrate the Muskegon. The National Register of Historic Places plaque was unveiled. By preserving Indiana’s archaeological resources, we can learn about them for years to come. Recreational diving is a fantastic way of exploring the past, but please follow the laws and be safe. Dr. Henry, Professional Archaeologist says that the best preservation motto is “Take only photos; leave only bubbles.”

For more information:
DNR: Lake Michigan Coastal Program: Indiana Shipwrecks
Center for Underwater Science: Indiana University

Dr. Henry, Professional Archaeologist, DHPA’s archaeology mascot, visited the Indiana Department of Transportation Cultural Resource Office (INDOT CRO) archaeology laboratory where Amy Swenson (left), recent archaeology intern with INDOT CRO and Rebekah Turner (right), recent DNR DHPA archaeology intern, shared information about comparative chert collections they have been organizing this summer. Dr. Henry is excited about the prospects of collaborations between INDOT and DHPA in creating a searchable GIS-based chert reference collection! Thank you to Amy and Rebekah for their hard work on this project!

UPCOMING EVENT: Starve Hollow SRA Archaeology Day
Saturday, September 14
10:00am - 2:00pm - Forest Education Center at Starve Hollow SRA

Join Starve Hollow SRA for historical day as they venture into the past! Retired Indiana Conservation and local collector, Phillip Nale will be showcasing his collection of artifacts. Indiana DNR Division of Forestry AJ Ariens, Forest Archaeologist will also be sharing her historical knowledge.

https://events.in.gov/event/starve-hollow-sra-archaeology-day?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=State+of+Indiana

UPCOMING EVENT:
Archaeology Day at the Dubois County Museum
Saturday, September 14, 2024: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Dubois County Museum, 2704 Newtown Street, Jasper, IN 47546
www.duboiscountymuseum.org

University of Southern Indiana Professor Michael Strezewski will be speaking on "The Mann Site, Indiana's First Capital". Derrick Haas and Kenny Hochgesang, local collectors, will be on hand to help identify artifacts.
*Note: Entrance Fee of $5 to the Museum

Industrial archaeological sites help us better understand early Hoosier efforts at brick and tile manufacturing, iron casting, lime burning, leather processing, and more. For example, in southern Indiana commercial lime burning in Clark County began when settlers in the Utica area first exploited the extensive limestone deposit that lay along the falls region of the Ohio River. During these early years, settlers calcinated lime using the log heap method. As demand for quicklime increased it became necessary to improve the efficiency of the lime-burning process. Developed during the mid-to-late nineteenth century, vertical kilns were built according to either the “mixed feed” or “separate feed” design. The large vertical kilns of Utica represent the apex of the area’s lime-burning industry. These kilns helped transform the Utica lime industry in a significant enterprise, paralleled only by a handful of lime-burning districts in the state. They were used by the last lime-manufacturing companies of Utica, who finally ceased production during the first or second decade of the twentieth century.

Read additional information regarding the Utica lime industry at https://www.in.gov/indot/files/Lime-Kiln-Brochure-January-2013.pdf.

Upcoming Archaeology Month programs!

Archaeology Day at the Williams House
We are excited to offer a public archaeology day at the historic Williams House located in Coxhall Gardens! The Williams House, built in 1865 by the John Williams family, is one of the oldest Italianate homes in Hamilton County. HCPR is teaming up with the University of Indianapolis to look at any potential underground deposits surrounding the Williams House and help us answer questions related to the house's construction. This is your chance to visit an open archaeological excavation and learn more about the science and methodology of archaeology!

I Want to be an Archaeologist When I Grow Up!
What is like to be an archaeologist? What kind of training is required? See some tools of the trade while an archaeologist answers these questions and more for your budding scientist.

Flint Knapping Demonstration
In celebration of Archaeology month, we welcome back flintknapper Kevin Wyckoff. Kevin will demonstrate flint knapping using both traditional and modern techniques and tools. He will also help interested individuals learn how to make their own tools on a budget. Kevin specializes in making Mississippian arrowheads but has experimented making a wide variety of stone stools. Stop by to learn more about this fascinating skill!

Ask an Expert - Collection Identification Day
Join professional archaeologist, Jeff Plunkett for an afternoon of collection identification. Guests are encouraged to bring in their own personal collections to have identified by a professional archaeologist.

Fun with Atlatls
An atlatl is a tool used to throw darts and predates the bow and arrow. Bring a friend or just yourself and see if you would be able to bring home dinner using an atlatl. No experience necessary!

For more information: https://www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/1301/Archaeology-Month---September

ARI Adventure Trek: Journey of an Artifact | The Archaeological Research Institute Our volunteer opportunities range from working alongside staff archaeologists, pursuing your own historic and archaeological research or helping up with general ARI operations and events.

An archaeological site is an instance of past human behavior or activity, where humans conducted some activity and left evidence of it behind. The presence or occurrence of one or more artifacts or features indicates an archaeological site.

Archaeological features are defined as non-portable evidence of past human behavior, activity, and technology. Historical features can be house foundations, mill races, trash pits and dumps, dams, and others.

This image shows a brick cistern which was archaeologically investigated several years ago in Indianapolis. Before modern plumbing, cisterns were a common way to collect and store water for later use. Archaeologists document these types of features to help gain a comprehensive understanding of the sites at which they are discovered. It is extremely important to record and recover the information from its original location, provenience, and context. If features and artifacts are removed, disturbed, or destroyed without detailed mapping and recording, then the patterns of the past cannot be determined.

Dr. Henry, Professional Archaeologist (the DHPA’s archaeology “mascot) heard our archaeologists talking about the theme of this year’s Archaeology Month, and he also got interested in the early archaeology survey publications. He enjoys learning more about archaeological and historical resources in the state. Everyone can follow Dr. Henry’s adventures at www.facebook.com/INdhpa ( ) to see what kinds of places he gets to visit! If you are interested in having him visit your organization, please let us know by emailing [email protected].

Applications are now available on the Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology’s website for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) matching grant program for FY2025. Eligible applicants include local governments, non-profit organizations (including churches), and educational institutions. These competitively selected grants can assist communities with preparation of local design guidelines or preservation plans, nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, plans and specs to be used on future rehabilitation projects, and repairs to buildings that are already listed in the National Register. Grant applications and program information is on the DHPA’s website at https://www.in.gov/dnr/historic-preservation/financial-assistance/grants/apply/. Please reach out to the grants staff (Malia Vanaman or Steve Kennedy) with questions.

Grants may be requested up to $50,000 or $75,000 depending on the category and typically require a 1:1 match. Applicants must have their local matching funds on-hand when they apply. Awarded projects would begin in Summer 2025 and be completed by Summer 2027. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, October 4, 2025, proposals must be received by the DHPA staff prior to the deadline.

Do you want to make a direct contribution to Indiana archaeology? Consider the Archeology Preservation Trust Fund. Artifacts, burial objects, and other items of archaeological significance are still buried in Indiana soil. Often times, homeowners stumble upon them when making improvements to their property. The Fund was created to help preserve these archaeological finds.

After discovery of an item, Indiana law requires that work in the immediate area be stopped to comply with Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology-approved plans to excavate or secure the site from more disturbance. Sometimes, the work takes time and involves costs to the homeowner. Donations to the Archeology Preservation Trust Fund helps owners to carry out those plans and ensure that discoveries are properly secured. Find out more about donating at https://www.in.gov/dnr/historic-preservation/about-us/.

On September 7, The Taylor Center of Natural History and the University of Indianapolis will be hosting a Public Presentation about the Williams House.
The Archaeology Department at the University of Indianapolis has been conducting research at the Williams House, located at Coxhall Gardens, for the past two years. Learn about what they have discovered in this public lecture.

Date: Saturday, September 7
Time: 1:00 pm
Ages: School-aged children and Adults
Cost: Free
Location: The Taylor Center of Natural History at Strawtown Koteewi Park
Pre-registration: Not Required

Next week: History Come to Life

What was colonial life like in Indiana several hundred years ago? Talk to traders, farmers, and military personnel about their lives and see some of the tools they used living in Indiana during the 1700s.

Saturday, September 7 | 12-3p | McMillan

The DHPA’s most requested archaeology outreach document, “Early Peoples of Indiana”, has been revised/updated, and to start off Archaeology Month, the new edition is now available at on.IN.gov/archaeo-pubs! This document is designed to provide an introduction to the rich, varied, and complex nature of the indigenous cultures who once inhabited Indiana, as well as early historic peoples, and to inform the reader about the science of archaeology. Printed copies of the booklet are anticipated later this year.

Governor Eric Holcomb has proclaimed that September is Indiana Archaeology Month! This month marks the 29th anniversary of a statewide event to celebrate archaeology in our state. The DHPA coordinates the event to encourage learning about Indiana archaeology. Universities, museums, organizations, and individuals throughout the state host a variety of programs. These can include archaeological laboratory open houses, artifact identifications, lectures on archaeological topics, archaeological excavations, and more. Archaeology Month helps Hoosiers learn more about the discipline of archaeology, Indiana archaeological sites, and laws protecting those sites. A goal is to increase public awareness and to minimize myths and misconceptions commonly associated with the science.

We hope to see you at some of the archaeology events which will be taking place! Check out our webpage (https://www.in.gov/dnr/historic-preservation/public-outreach/archaeology-month/) for information on events and commemorative posters.