INVENTORY AND ANALYSES OF FORT QUIATENON (12 T 9) COLLECTIONS, 19871990.
Fort Ouiatenon in Tippecanoe County (1717-1791) was the first European post within
Indiana, the most southwestern point in French Canada. Archaeological investigations
were undertaken there from 1968-1969 by the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology
at Indiana University-Bloomington, from 1971-1973 by persons associated with the
Tippecanoe County Historical Association, and from 1974-1979 by Michigan State
University. In connection with recent research by Neal Trubowitz on Native American
villages contemporary with the fort, the Glenn Black Laboratory loaned the 1968-1973
collections in their care to Indiana University Indianapolis. From 1987-1990,
Trubowitz directed students and volunteers (notably from two archaeology classes
and members of the Indianapolis Amateur Archaeological Association) in inventory,
cleaning and rebagging, and analyses of these collections. Over 1700 hours of
work plus supplies and mileage valued at over $10,500.00 were contributed to this
project. Student studies were made on samples of beads, European ceramics, glass,
gunflints, lead ball amununition, nails, and white clay pipes. Trubowitz completed
a more detailed report on the white clay pipes and Native American stone pipes.
Other experts examined samples of metal artifacts, European ceramics, and faunal
remains. The collections were retumed to Bloomington in 1990, where the cleaning,
rebagging and cataloging are being continued. The inventory procedures over the
3 1/2 year loan are outlined and research results are summarized. Major contributors
are acknowledged for their assistance with an important research data base whose
potential is just beginning to be realized. [return to 1990 abstracts menu][continue to next]