Meadows, William (Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University)
THE PLESS SITE (12 LR 370) A MULTICOMPONENT HISTORIC AND
PREHISTORIC SITE IN LAWRENCE COUNTY INDIANA
The Pless Site (12 LR 370) is a multicomponent historic and prehistoric site located
approximately two miles south of . Bedford, in Lawrence County, Indiana. The site
is situated upon a small knoll between two cave-fed springs that join the White
River below the site. An extended and controlled surface survey was undertaken
by the author, who also is the owner of the site, as part of an archaeological
class project, and as a measure to preserve the continually exposed data. The
exposed and gridded portion of the site measured 82 by 135 feet.
Through historic remains, ethnographic records, and personal communication with
previous landowners, the locations of a house site, a trash pit, and a possible
tool- or work-shed were delineated. The date of this historic cabin was estimated
to be between 1860 and 1910. Foundation stones, structural debris, and a large
charred area indicated the position of the cabin. A large quantity and variety
of structural, interior, tool, clothing, agricultural, and metal remains were
recovered. Maker's marks from four plate sherds produced English manufacturing
dates between 1850 to 1880. One coin dated 1904, and a suspenders clip dated June
7, 1881, were also found.
Prehistoric remains, which were abundant, ranged from the Early Archaic through
the Late Woodland periods. The lithic remains recovered consisted of sixty-one
worked chert tools, two pitted nutting stones, one full grooved axe, chert cores,
and debris. Chert types in this collection included Harrison County, Harrodsburg,
Holland, Dupes Folley, Knobs, and both non-heattreated and heat- treated Indian
Creek. Projectile point types, fifteen in all, comprised, for the most part, Kirk,
Matanzas, Ledbetter, several Early Woodland forms, and Madison types.
Pottery remains consisted of 153 sherds which were largely plain or Cord marked,
grit-tempered types. Two decorated Oliver type rims and three possible Ft. Ancient
sherds were recovered. Despite agricultural disturbances, distinct concentrations
of stone tools, pottery, faunas remains, and historic remains were clearly distinguished.
Thus the several prehistoric and the historic component at this site can be separated
analytically and spatially. [return to 1987 abstracts menu][continue to next]