Hovey Lake
UPDATES 2003-2005
Geophysical Surveys
(1 - 2)

Recent Excavations
(1 - 2 - 3)
GALLERY
Artifacts
(1 - 2)

Field and Lab
(1 - 2)
 
Learn more about
Indiana Archaeology Month at Hovey Lake HERE!
Research at the Hovey Lake site in 2003-2005 is supported by: a grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under the Transportation Enhancement Program, Indiana University, and private contributions. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) administers the TE grant. Also contributing to the research project are: Indiana Geological Survey, Indiana University - Bloomington Department of Anthropology, the Indiana State Museum, University of Southern Indiana, University of Evansville, Indiana State University, and community groups and volunteers.

U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration

Indiana Department of Transportation      IU-Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington - Department of Anthropology
IU-Bloomington Anthropology Dept.
Last Updated 9.6.2004

























 

 

Excavation Update

From 1996-2001, Indiana University's test excavations focused on the residential area and the question of a central plaza.

Test units explored portions of several houses and pit features. Testing also sampled two parts of the central plaza, where houses were not found.
Map of the project area.
Map of the project area.
Ground Penetrating Radar image of edge of Central plaza
Ground Penetrating Radar image of
edge of Central plaza
Click images to enlarge. (Opens in new window)
 
In 2003-2005, research was designed to check whether a fortification wall surrounded the residential area of the village. A distinct soil stain seen in a 1953 aerial photo suggested both the central plaza and a palisade wall. Palisade walls were found at the earlier Mississippian Angel site, as well as many Mississippian towns, but were unknown for the large villages of the late Mississippian Caborn-Welborn culture.
Aerial photo of site. Dotted lines indicate boundaries of central plaza, and probable location of fortification wall.
Aerial photo of site. Dotted lines indicate boundaries of central plaza, and probable location of fortification wall.
 
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys across portions of the Hovey Lake site showed distinct anomalies that suggested houses as well as a possible palisade wall at the far southeast end of the village's residential area.
Dr. Nelson Schaffer, Indiana Geological Survey, uses Ground Penetrating Radar at the Hovey Lake site to search for anomalies beneath the ground surface, such as pit and wall features.

Ground Penetrating Radar image of southeastern edge of site. Click to enlarge. (Opens in new window)
Ground Penetrating Radar image of
southeastern edge of site.
Click to enlarge. (Opens in new window)
 
One person sitting with clipboard, while a person standing with a mallet is coring.
 The first exploration below the surface involved 1-inch diameter soil cores. Test excavations in 2003-2004 uncovered portions of a prehistoric house, and beneath that wall features of a projecting bastion built onto the exterior of the palisade wall.
Pink flags mark locations where there are soil cores into deep cultural features
Soil core near palisade, showing first and second cores into a shallow house basin which has a burned floor.
Soil core near palisade, showing first and second cores into a shallow house basin which has a burned floor.
 
Like other Mississippian sites, bastions were probably placed at intervals along the main palisade wall. They would have held elevated platforms to help archers have a clear shot at any attacking enemies. The bastion walls must have been massive. They probably were about 16 feet tall, because they had building trenches more than 4 feet deep. The trenches held upright wooden posts placed about 1 foot apart.
Excavation map of rebuilt bastion. Click to enlarge. (Opens in new window)
Excavation map of rebuilt bastion.
Click to enlarge. (Opens in new window)
 
Excavation of house and pit features overlying palisade and bastion wall trenches, Blocks 12 and 8, Chad Ryan Thomas and Jonathon Criss.
Excavation of house and pit features overlying palisade and bastion wall trenches, Blocks 12 and 8,
Chad Ryan Thomas and Jonathon Criss.
 
Ground Penetrating Radar image of southeastern edge of site, with interpretive overlays. Click to enlarge. (Opens in new window)
Ground Penetrating Radar image of
southeastern edge of site, with interpretive overlays.
Click to enlarge. (Opens in new window)
In 2005, additional soil cores were made to trace the main palisade wall. These "micro-excavations" revealed a series of deep cultural deposits that formed a line which coincided with the long, linear GPR anomaly. The 2005 test units uncovered portions of the main palisade wall and showed that one bastion was rebuilt in approximately the same location, but encompassed a smaller area. Also, a second house was found to have been built over the ruins of the main palisade wall.