Project Highlights for Corn Island Archaeology
Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Smithland Hydroelectric Power Plant Site
In 2008, a Phase I near-surface archaeological survey of 300 acres in Livingston County, Kentucky proposed for construction of the Smithland hydroelectric power plant was undertaken by CIA. The hydro plant will be sited on the Kentucky shore at the existing Smithland Locks and Dam. The project area of potential effects (APE) encompassed 200 acres of privately-owned land proposed for spoil and 100 acres of land held in fee by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) proposed for construction. Both tracts are situated on the floodplain and terraces of the Ohio River. The area is occasionally to frequently flooded and the private land has been annually cultivated. The archaeological project entailed the systematic examination of the ground surface augmented by shovel probing. As a result of the field investigation, five archaeological sites were documented and one previously recorded site was revisited. Investigation of the latter, site 15LV141, yielded no diagnostic artifacts, but the site could not be ruled ineligible for listing to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The moderately dense artifact scatter encountered at this site, as well as the sites' potential for containing buried deposits, were considered sufficient factors to warrant additional evaluation. The remaining five sites were found to be ineligible for listing to the NRHP.
Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Cannelton Hydroelectric Power Plant Site
In 2008, CIA conducted a Phase I archaeological investigation of three separate parcels totaling approximately 148 acres (60 hectares) along the Ohio River in Hancock County, Kentucky at the Cannelton Locks and Dam. The property is planned for construction of the Cannelton hydroelectric plant. The archaeological investigation included 80 acres of private land proposed to receive spoil and 68 acres of federally owned property managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The privately owned property was situated on high ground, while the federal property was situated on floodplains and terraces adjacent to the Ohio River. The investigation consisted of ground surface inspection, shovel test excavation, augering, as well as backhoe trenching and plowzone stripping. The potential for deeply buried cultural deposits within the project area was found to be non-existent.
As a result of the field investigation, three archaeological sites were identified. Site 154HA30 produced a moderate amount of prehistoric artifacts dating from the Early Archaic to the Late Woodland time periods as well as a moderate amount of historic material dating to the late nineteenth/early twentieth century. Although large portions of the site are disturbed, an area concentrated around several historic foundations appeared intact and has the potential to contain buried intact prehistoric cultural deposits. The diagnostic artifacts recovered and the potential for intact cultural deposits indicates the site has the potential to enhance the understanding of prehistoric occupation of the area. It was recommended that site 15HA30 be avoided by project impacts or subjected to additional Phase II archaeological investigation. Site 15HA31 produced a small amount of prehistoric cultural material from disturbed contexts. A single diagnostic Late Archaic artifact was recovered. No intact cultural deposits were observed. Due to the small amount of cultural material recovered as well as the disturbed nature from which they came, Site 15HA31 iwa not considered eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and no further archaeological investigation was recommended. Site 15HA29 produced a moderate amount of prehistoric lithic debitage and one utilized flake tool. A possible feature was documented below the disturbed plowzone at the site, indicating the possibility of intact cultural deposits at the site. It was recommended that the site be avoided by project impacts or subjected to additional Phase II archaeological investigation.
Phase II Investigation of the Socrates Maupin Homeplace, Madison County, KY
September 2009, site 15MA312 was evaluated by means of a Phase II archaeological investigation for eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places. The site, recorded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District in 1999, is located at the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) in Madison County, Kentucky. The Phase II evaluation consisted of a ground surface inspection and the excavation of 1-x-1-meter test units as well as archival research. The ground surface inspection revealed the presence of stone foundations, presumably associated with a cabin, and the remains of a springhouse located on the hillside. Test unit excavation further explored the foundations. The excavations produced a variety of residential artifacts dating from the early 1800s through the mid-twentieth century. Although the midden was relatively shallow, the artifact density was high. Artifacts included a blue glass bead, wrought nails, and a variety of ceramics.
The site is believed to have been occupied by several families during its history, notably the Maupins (from 1866 to 1890) and later by the Gibbs (1890-ca. 1937). Archival evidence suggests the site was occupied by the Socrates Maupin family as early as 1866. It had been acquired from Daniel C. Maupin; the date of acquisition by Daniel Maupin is uncertain. The farm was sold to the Gibbs family around 1890; therefore, the Maupin family owned the property for at least some 24 years, who sold the property to the Federal government in the early 1940s. Due to the recovery of early artifacts and the lack of many objects post-dating the early twentieth century, the occupation of the site was likely terminated much earlier than the 1937-1942 seizure of the property by the Federal government for the purpose of constructing the BGAD. Based on some artifact types (wrought nails, ceramics, metal utensils), the beginning date of the occupation may have occurred in the early to mid 1800s.
It was concluded that the site meets eligibility requirements for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. It is recommended that the site be avoided and protected.
Phase II Investigation at the Jonathan P. Estill Homeplace, Madison County, KY
During the summer of 2009, Phase II archaeological investigations were conducted of site 15MA160 at the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) in Madison County, Kentucky. Site 15MA160 is a nineteenth through twentieth century historic farmstead and residence, with a minor prehistoric component. Archival research indicates the site was associated with the Estill family. Colonel James Estill, for whom Estill County was named, was an early explorer and pioneer of the region; site 15MA160 is located in the general vicinity of an Estill's Station associated with his brother, Samuel. Although the property changed hands several times during its history, research indicated the farmstead was occupied by James Estill's grandson Jonathan P. Estill beginning in the 1840s and the family of James' sister Abigail prior to that time.
During the Phase II investigation, several structures were identified through ground surface indications, geophysics, historic aerial photography, and excavation. At least two residential structures were documented, along with two barns and six other outbuildings. Aside from the main residence, a possible series of cabins was identified that might be associated with an African American occupation. The site was found to contain numerous artifacts and features associated with occupations spanning over one hundred years, dating at least to the 1840s through 1940, and possibly longer. Because the site is associated with a notable pioneering family and is an example of mid-nineteenth farming in rural central Kentucky, it is considered eligible for listing for the National Register of Historic Places. It is recommended that the site be avoided by all construction and protected.
