A Decade of Celebration ~ Centuries of Discovery

Indiana has a rich and varied archaeological history, as well as a great history of archaeological investi- gations. The individuals who have conducted archaeological research, excavations and more have included a wide range of individuals. Professional archaeologists, avocational archaeologists, students, geologists, and many others have helped contribute to our knowledge about the past. Join us as we examine some of the early discoveries of archaeology, and those who made them, in the Hoosier state!

Charles Alexander Lesueur, a French naturalist and artist, conducted the first archaeological investigations in our state. This image shows his notes, in French from 1828, and his rendering of prehistoric pottery at the important Bone Bank site in southern Indiana.

Early publications sometimes included discussions about archaeological sites and features. These descriptions and information are still important today. The images below are from the 1870s.

Some early reports sometimes included maps of earthwork complexes. These can provide information about the size and condition of the sites in the late 1800s.

This image shows one of the earliest excavation efforts, in 1896, at the Crib Mound site in southern Indiana. Early images such as these can allow us to glimpse how some sites were investigated in the late 1800s.

Early archaeological studies provided us with much information. Often included was information regarding collections of artifacts which private individuals had from the relevant county.

In the early twentieth century, archaeological investigations were being conducted at various locations around the state. This image shows Harry M. Stoops examining a mound site in 1928.

Early investigations of mound and earthwork sites recorded much important information. Photographs and site maps such as those shown (from 1928) still provide archaeologists with valuable data today.

Two of the early pioneers of archaeology in Indiana were Warren K. Moorehead (left) and E.Y. Guernsey. Two of the early pioneers of archaeology in Indiana were Warren K. Moorehead (left) and E.Y. Guernsey. They are shown in 1931 in southern Indiana looking for archaeological sites to be investigated. They are shown in 1931 in southern Indiana looking for archaeological sites to be investigated.

Eli Lilly, famous founder of the Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical Company, is shown taking a soil sample at the Angel Mounds site (left), and looking over a site in Mr. Lilly was instrumental in saving Angel Mounds (now a State Historic Site and currently Indianas only archaeological National Historic Landmark). Mr. Lilly was keenly interested in archaeology, wrote important archaeological publications, and supported archaeological and historic preservation projects for decades. His legacy to archaeology continues in many ways.

Dr. James H. Kellar at an archaeological investigation in the late 1940s. Dr. Kellar, later the first Director of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology at Indiana University, was involved in many important archaeological projects.

Glenn A. Black, for whom the archaeology laboratory at Indiana University was named. Mr. Black was a pioneering figure in Indiana archaeology. He is shown in the field, and drafting a site map in 1950 of the famous Angel Mounds.

Women were involved in many of the early archaeological investigations in our state. Frances Martin is shown investigating a basin-shaped firepit feature (1950) and working in a rock shelter in the late 1950s with James Kellar.

Laboratory work and all of the many types of analyses which must be conducted are critical parts of the archaeological process. Emily Blasingham is shown in her office, ca. 1966, working on Yankeetown prehistoric ceramic materials which were recovered from Indiana.

Robert E. Pace (wearing hat in photo below) founded the Anthropology Laboratory at Indiana State University in He was active in Indiana archaeology through the late 80s conducting major excavations. He was instrumental in founding the Wabash Valley Archaeological Society for avocational archaeologists and taught anthropology and archaeology at ISU until his retirement in 1987.

The important archaeological work goes on today. However, the science would not be what it is now in our state were it not for the earlier work of so many others, obviously more than can be included in this brief presentation. We owe them all a huge debt of gratitude! To find out more about the early years of archaeology in Indiana, go to the following locations, and others:

Sources of images: Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana Univ. Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana Univ. Indiana Historical Bureau Indiana Historical Bureau Emily Blasingham Emily Blasingham Museum, collection Le Havre, France Museum, collection Le Havre, France Sixth Annual Report of the Geological Survey of Indiana Cox (1875) Sixth Annual Report of the Geological Survey of Indiana Cox (1875) Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology Lori Burns, Woodburn Graphics Lori Burns, Woodburn Graphics Indiana State University Indiana State University PowerPoint presentation compiled by Amy L. Johnson, Archaeology Outreach Coordinator, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, 2005.