Ruby, Bret J. (Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana University,
Bloomington)
EXCAVATIONS AT THE MANN SITE (12 Po 2): 1964-1977
The Mann site (12 Po 2) is a large multicomponent complex of mounds, geometric
earthworks and habitation debris located in Posey County, extreme southwestern
Indiana. By far, the most extensive of the occupations dates to the late Middle
Woodland Mann phase (ca. AD 150-400), however a significant late prehistoric Mississippian
occupation is also present. James H. Kellar directed four seasons of excavation
at the Mann site between 1964 and 1977 with the support of the Indiana Historical
Society, Indiana University, and the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology.
This paper summarizes the nature of the excavations and features encountered with
a particular focus on the Middle Woodland occupation.
The Mann site complex occupies a high flat terrace bordered on the south by an
adjoining apron of low terrace overlooking Cypress Slough and the Ohio River floodplain
beyond.
The 1964 excavations were intended to identify stratified deposits having potential
to provide chonological control over the site occupations. Accordingly, excavations
were conducted at the southern terminus of the site complex on the sloping transition
between the low terrace apron and Cypress Slough. Midden deposits extending up
to three feet below surface were encountered and contained evidence of both Mann
phase and Mississippian occupation debris. No evidence of stratification could
be defined in the field. Preliminary analysis of ceramic type distributions indicates
that the Woodland and Mississippian deposits are largely mixed, however selected
portions of the midden may preserve intact stratified deposits. Several shallow
and irregular basin-shaped pits of probable Middle Woodland origin were encountered
below the midden deposit. These contained high densities of burned rock and are
interpreted as cooking/heating facilities.
The 1966 excavations were targeted at the identification of Middle Woodland habitation
structures and features. These excavations were conducted on the low terrace flats
north of the transition to Cypress Slough. Block excavations encountered both
Mann phase and Mississippian pit features. No house structures were identified.
In general, the Mann phase features were shallow and irregular basins, although
one large irregular feature extended from three to five feet below surface. High
densities of burned rock and ash again suggest the use of cooking/heating facilities.
A test trench was placed to the south of the block units. Midden deposits within
an apparently backfilled borrow pit feature were excavated to a depth of more
than 10 feet below surface. These deposits contained both Mann phase and Mississippian
habitation debris. Preliminary analysis of ceramic type distributions indicates
that this feature may preserve intact stratified deposits.
The 1967 excavations again sought evidence of Mann phase habitation structures
and features, this time farther north on the high terrace flats. Both Mann phase
and late prehistoric features were encountered, including a complete Mississippian
wall trench house. Again the Mann phase features tended to be shallow and irregular
basins. At least one conical refuse-filled feature of probable Mann phase origin
extended to almost 6 feet below surface, and may represent a large storage feature.
The 1977 excavations were conducted near the northern terminus of the site complex
where surface debris distributions suggested pure Middle Woodland deposits. No
Mississippian features or artifacts were recovered. One Middle Woodland feature
was encountered in each of two test trenches. The first feature was a circular
straight-sided and refuse-filled pit feature, at least three feet in diameter
and extending nearly three feet below surface. This may have served as a storage
facility. The second feature was a basin-shaped cooking/heating facility, nearly
10 feet wide along its major axis and containing alternating layers of burned
limestone and habitation debris to a depth of nearly three feet below surface,
suggesting a very large cooking/heating facility.
The Mann site excavations document a high density of Mann phase habitation debris,
cooking/heating and storage facilities in all four areas sampled. This stands
in sharp contrast to the paucity of midden accumulation and features which characterize
other small Mann phase sites in the region, as well as comparably sized mound
and earthwork complexes in south-central Ohio and the Midsouth. This review indicates
that further analysis of the horizontal and vertical distribution of Mann phase
artifacts recovered in the 1964-1977 excavations holds tremendous potential for
coming to a better understanding of this unique pattern. [return to 1991 abstracts menu][continue to next]