DNR: 'Archaeology is Happening in Indiana, Just About Every Day in Some Capacity'

WNIN | By Tim Jagielo

Published September 8, 2023 at 1:21 PM CDT

Archaeologist Victoria Swenson is screening grave shaft soil located under Vine Street in Evansville. During an underground infrastructure project in April, several graves were discovered likely dating from the 1800s. She's checking for nails or any 'mortuary goods' that might have been buried with the individual. Behind her is the work site for the underground utility work. This site wasn't open to the public, but it's an example of how archaeology can happen in unexpected places. — Archaeologist Victoria Swenson screening grave shaft soil located under Vine Street in Evansville. During an underground infrastructure project in April, several graves were discovered likely dating from the 1800s. She's checking for nails or any 'mortuary goods' that might have been buried with the individual. Behind her is the work site for the underground utility work. This site wasn't open to the public, but it's an example of how archaeology can happen in unexpected places.

September is Indiana Archaeology Month — the annual celebration of Indiana archaeological sites, and includes dozens of events statewide. Two events will be happening locally, including one on September 9.

Saturday is Archaeology Day at the Dubois County Museum and will feature a lecture by Dr. Michael Strezewski of University of Southern Indiana.

Museum Exhibit Chairman Cheryl Sermersheim said artifacts from local collectors Kenny Hochgesang and Derrick Haas will also be on display.

Here is the event page.

“We've got a lot of archaeological pieces, a lot of different arrowheads and stones and things like that. And then we've done a lot of other things from early days here of Dubois County,” she said, adding that their facility is 56,000 square feet.

The Angle Mounds State Historic Site in Evansville, according to Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, "Angel Mounds State Historic Site is one of the best-preserved, pre-contact Native American sites in North America. Built between A.D. 1000 and 1450, the town was occupied by more than 1,000 people who were part of the Mississippian culture, and included earthen mounds built to elevate important buildings." — The Angel Mounds State Historic Site in Evansville, according to Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, "Angel Mounds State Historic Site is one of the best-preserved, pre-contact Native American sites in North America. Built between A.D. 1000 and 1450, the town was occupied by more than 1,000 people who were part of the Mississippian culture, and included earthen mounds built to elevate important buildings."

September 16 is another local event — the first public viewing of famed archaeologist Glenn Black's Home in Evansville at the site of the Angel Mounds excavation.

Mike Linderman is Western Regional Director for State Historic Sites.

“Glen Black was the archaeologist that worked in Angel mounds from 1939 until his death in 1964. And he conducted 95 percent of all the excavations that occurred out here,” he said.

“… starting with a crew of 177 WPA workers during the Roosevelt administration, and then eventually evolved into IU field schools of archaeology with students being here, every summer, up until about 1969.”

Linderman says Black was also a pioneer in opening worksites to women — even fighting with Indiana University at the time to allow them. “Today when you look at a field school, the other 80-percent of the students involved will be women on a field school operation, so he was very forward thinking.”

Black developed better dig site technology with his magnetometers. This new tech brought him across the country to various digs to educate how to use the technology.

This event is a one-time opportunity to see Glenn Black’s home. Here’s the event page.

State Archeologist Amy Johnson said, "Archaeology is happening in Indiana, just about every day in some capacity."

While not open to the public, major underground utility work was halted right in downtown Evansville due to the discovery of human remains near the old courthouse, likely from a 19th century graveyard there.

“Indiana has some really, really unique sites,” Johnson said. “Angel Mounds is one of those down in Evansville. But we also have some sites and site types, and cultures that were unique to Indiana and the Midwest. So Archaeology Month provides an opportunity to start to explore those cultures and those sites.”

You can learn more about the statewide program, including how to get a commemorative poster at the Indiana DNR website.

Johnson said aside from exploring Indiana’s history, she hopes that Archaeology month can also inspire interest in the field as a career.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WNIN to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Give to grow our local reporting today. Donate now.