THE KRAPP SITE - ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF A MULTI-COMPONENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS
The Krapp site is interpreted as a multi-component site with a primary occupation dating to the Rosewood Phase of the Late Woodland period in OíFallon, Illinois. The site is situated on a dissected upland bluff which overlooks the Ogle Creek, a tributary of Silver Creek which drains into the Kaskaskia River within the Illinois Upland region approximately 11 kilometers east of the bluff edge overlooking the American Bottom. Archaeological investigations conducted by Environmental Compliance Consultants, Inc. in 1998 resulted in the identification and complete excavation of 61 prehistoric features distributed across an approximate 153 m by 43 m area. In addition to the substantial Rosewood phase component, a number of prehistoric features contained temporally diagnostic materials which dated those features to the Patrick phase of the Late Woodland period, the Sponemann phase of the transitional Late Woodland/Emergent Mississppian period, and the Stirling Phase of the Mississippian period. The most apparent aspect of the Krapp site feature plan is the variability in feature arrangement within clusters. Six spatially distinct occupational clusters were identified within the Rosewood phase occupation. While there exist differences between clusters in terms of artifact density, feature arrangements and sizes, and the presence of structures or evidence of structures, whether these differences are the result of special activities areas or coterminous occupations is equivocal. However, the ceramic and lithic assemblage and the analysis of the faunal and floral remains indicate a relatively homogeneous inventory and points to the suggestion that the Rosewood seasonal occupation was a single community or a reoccupation by a small household within a short duration of several years. This is additionally supported by the complete lack of feature superposition at the site. Later use of the site by Late Woodland Patrick phase, Transitional Sponemann phase, and Mississippian groups is represented by scattered pit features suggesting that later occupations were less intensive or of a markedly shorter duration. Archaeological investigations in association with the Krapp site were conducted prior to the construction of the Lincoln Farm residential development proposed by Lincoln Farm Developers, Inc.
STONEGATE SITE (11S1141) LOCATED IN ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Excavations by Environmental Compliance Consultants, Inc. at the Stonegate Site (11S1141) revealed 18 prehistoric pit features clustered on the flat surface of projecting upland ridge overlooking the West Fork of Richland Creek, in St. Clair County, Illinois. Clustering of pits is common at Late Woodland sites in the upland areas of the American Bottom. Artifacts recovered during feature excavations indicated that the site's occupation dated to the Patrick Phase of the Late Woodland period. Investigations are placed into a regional context of Patrick Phase settlement and subsistence.
THE JOHN HOLMES FARMSTEAD - A PRE-CIVIL WAR FARMSTEAD IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
The archaeological data recovery excavations at the John Holmes Site in Washington County, Illinois, provided a glimpse of John Holmes family who emigrated from Vermont to the southern Illinois frontier between 1847 and 1857. Archaeological investigations conducted by Environmental Compliance Consultants, Inc., in 2005 resulted in the identification and complete excavation of six subsurface features, including one historic cellar, one bulkhead or keyhole associated with the cellar, a well, a livestock pen, a circular pit, and a shallow basin of unknown function. Mitigation of the site was deemed necessary prior to construction activities associated with the development. Archaeological data recovery at the John Holmes Site was required in order to mitigate the adverse effects of the Prairie State Energy Campus by Peabody Energy Corporation of St. Louis, Missouri, and to comply with current legislation regarding the management and protection of cultural resources. Specifically, this project was promulgated by the Illinois State Agency Historic Resources Preservation Act (20 ILCS 3420, as amended, 17 IAC 4180) which requires a review of all state funded, permitted, or licensed undertakings for their effect on cultural resources.
THE MCBRIDE CEMETERY - ELEVEN MID-19TH CENTURY BURIALS
The eleven human burials associated with a nineteenth century homestead site near Marissa, Washington County, Illinois, were excavated in 2005 under the supervision of bioanthropologist Dawn Cobb from the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, Illinois. Archaeological, archival, and skeletal analysis of the McBride family burials from rural Washington County, Illinois provided idiosyncratic data regarding the deaths, mortuary treatments, and funerary customs used during the interring of these eleven individuals. At the request of the McBride descendents, the Prairie State Generating Company, LLC arranged for the reburial of the eleven individuals associated with the McBride Cemetery in the Old Salem Cemetery in Lively Grove Township. Generously, the Prairie State Generating Company, LLC provided new headstones for each of the eleven burials. In addition, the seven original grave markers recovered from the cemetery were repaired and placed adjacent to the appropriate headstones. Excavation of the historic Euro-American graves was initiated by Prairie State Generating Company, LLC located in St. Louis, Missouri, in an effort to mitigate the adverse effects of construction activities associated with the Prairie State Energy Campus in Washington County, Illinois.
THE EAST ST. LOUIS MOUND GROUP WITHIN THE AMERICAN BOTTOM
One of five major Mississippian mound groups located in the northern portion of the American Bottom, the East St. Louis Group may have contained as many as 45 mounds and nearly rivaled Cahokia in terms of size and importance. However, rapid urban expansion and development of the region during the late 19th century has obliterated much of the above-ground evidence of this significant Mississippian town and mound center to a point where, by 1870, only 15 mounds were still evident. Today, only two or three mounds are visible. However, recent excavations (the current study included) have demonstrated that mound bases and sub-mound features are preserved in some areas of the East St. Louis urban area under fill and rubble deposits.
Archaeological mitigation of a portion of a prehistoric habitation site known as Metro-East Mounds or East St. Louis Mound Group (Site 11S706) in East St. Louis, Illinois was conducted by ECC, Inc. archaeologists in 1999. Mechanical excavations of the MetroLink impact area within the East St. Louis Mound Group exposed approximately 4,237 square meters of more than 226-hectare site, or less than 0.2 percent of the site area. While only a minutely small portion of the site was examined during this investigation, this study identified a portion of this quasi-urban city under a yard of 19th and 20th century historic deposits and infilling. These investigations uncovered a portion of a swale or borrow pit filled with a sheet midden of prehistoric trash dating to sometime around A.D. 1050. One of the most important results from this study is the conclusion that the elements which comprise typical Mississippian townscapes, such as plazas, borrow pits, and mounds, do remain (although deeply buried) at the East St. Louis Mound Group.
The only prehistoric feature encountered during investigations of the MetroLink extension (aside from the midden deposit) was a shallow curvilinear wall trench with relative small posts. Overall, the lithic artifact assemblage recovered from the East St. Louis Mound Group, exhibits a typical Mississippian lithic pattern of maintenance and recycling of large bifaces (which were likely manufactured elsewhere) and expedient flake tool production. While the ceramic assemblage consists primarily of shell-tempered jars exhibiting dark-slipped exteriors dating to the Stirling phase. In addition, seven Ramey Incised jars were identified. Archaeological investigations were conducted prior to the construction of the proposed eastward expansion of the MetroLink light rail system from its eastern terminus in East St. Louis to Mid-America Airport in Mascoutah. This proposed project consisted of a 26-mile-long light-rail alignment and associated park-and-ride facilities.
THE FRENCH VILLAGE SITE - ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF A PORTION OF THE MISSISSIPPIAN HABITATION SITE IN ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS
The archaeological data recovery excavations at the French Village Site were conducted prior to the construction of the proposed eastward expansion of the Metro Link light rail system from its eastern terminus in East St. Louis to Mid-America Airport in Mascoutah. The French Village Site is situated on the floodplain of Schoenberger Creek within a side valley overlooking the Mississippi River floodplain. The work was undertaken in 1999 prior to construction activities associated with the 26 mile long light rail alignment and associated park-and-ride facilities.
THE RUBRA SITE - ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF A ROSEWOOD PHASE LATE WOODLAND HABITATION SITE IN ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS
The Rubra site is a multiple-component site with an intact occupation dating to the Rosewood Phase of the Late Woodland period located near Belleville, Illinois. The site is situated on a bluffcrest overlooking Schoenberger Creek, a tributary of the Mississippi River which enters the floodplain of the American Bottom. Archaeological investigations conducted by Environmental Compliance Consultants, Inc. in 1998 resulted in the identification and complete excavation of nine shallow pits consisting of three storage pits, three hearths, two refuse pits, and one multi-function (hearth/refuse) pit. The dispersed and haphazardly arrangement of the Rubra features on the bluff edge coupled with the absence of evidence of structures is similar to other Rosewood phase sites in the region. Archaeobotanical materials from the Rubra site suggested a limited use of this upland location by small groups of Rosewood phase people engaged in specific extractive activities that did not incorporate significant use of plant resources, other than wood gathered for fuel. Although the dataset derived from excavations at the Rubra site was not as extensive as similar site excavations from the region, it does add to a growing body of early Late Woodland investigations and allows researchers to more fully address the range of settlement types and differences in cultural material assemblages of similar Rosewood phase special-use sites, such as Rubra, in relation to large, seemingly more long-term habitation sites, such as the Rosewood and Krapp sites. As such, the usefulness of the Rubra, Krapp, and Rosewood site assemblages to broadly characterize the early Late Woodland period in the interior Illinois uplands overlooking the American Bottom has inherent difficulties because of the sample sites and the idiosycrantic nature of all archaeological sites. However, investigation of the Rubra sites has allowed an opportunity to examine a poorly understood period of Illinois and upper Midwest prehistory on which the results of future investigations can be built and, because of which, different interpretations can be made.
Archaeological investigations associated with the Rubra site were conducted prior to the construction of the proposed eastward expansion of the Metro Link light rail system from its eastern terminus in East St. Louis to Mid-America Airport in Mascoutah. This proposed project consists of a 26-mile-long light rail alignment and associated park-and-ride facilities. Specifically, this project was promulgated by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. (as amended in 1980); Executive Order 11593; and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 which requires federal agencies to inventory and protect significant historic and cultural properties on lands under their jurisdictional, administrative, or permitting control.
THE 78TH STREET SITE - ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF A PORTION OF A MIXED COMPONENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE LOCATED WITHIN THE AMERICAN BOTTOM
Archaeological investigations conducted in 2005 resulted in the identification and complete excavation of the portion of the 78th Street Site situated along the south side of East State Street between Pershing Streets and 79th Street in East St. Louis, Illinois. This collaboration was undertaken by Fever River Research, Incorporated and Environmental Compliance Consultants, Incorporated. This multi-component historic and prehistoric archaeological site is situated on a relatively level terrain within the floodplain of the Mississippi River adjacent to the mouth of Schoenberger Creek. During the mitigation of the historic component of the site by Fever River Research, Inc., five cellars, eight privies, one cistern, one well, six miscellaneous pits, and several stone perimeter foundations, all of which were arranged in three distinct feature concentrations or clusters were identified. The predominate historic occupation at the site, fronting East State Street, appears to represent a circa 1840 through 1850s rural service center operated by the Boneau family. Archaeological remains associated with this component of the site include the Boneau family residence, a post office, a roadhouse/tavern, and an ox mill. The second historic component associated with the site was located on the southern periphery of the project boundaries. This component consisted of several large stone piers and a large, deep pit indicating the presence of another structure and associated activity areas that date to the first half of the nineteenth-century. The third historic component consisted of two small cellars and several shallow pits along the western boundaries of the project area. This component contained circa 1800 artifacts.
During the mitigation of the prehistoric components of the site by Environmental Compliance Consultants, Inc., six structures and over 100 pit features were identified representative of the Mississippian and the Oneota Traditions. The archaeological signature of the Mississippian component of the site consisted of four wall-trench structures, two post-structures, and 100 pit features dating to the Lohmann Phase (A.D. 1000-1050) and Stirling Phase (A.D. 1050-1100). In addition, two human burials and two pit features associated with the Groves or Vulcan Phase (circa A.D. 1300-1400) of the Oneota Tradition were identified and excavated.
THE SULLIVAN FARMS GRAVES - SITE 11S1495 - LOCATED IN ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS
The two human burials associated with a nineteenth century homestead in Swansea, Illinois, were excavated in 2003 under the supervision of Kimberly D. Williams from the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Archaeological, archival, and skeletal analysis of the William and Susannah Forquer burials from rural St. Clair County, Illinois, provided idiosyncratic data regarding the deaths, mortuary treatments and funerary customs common for rural farmers during the late 19th century. Excavation of the two historic Euro-American graves was initiated by Sullivan Farms, LLC located in Fairview Heights, Illinois, in an effort to mitigate the adverse effects of the proposed residential subdivision located within the subject parcel.
PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE 11MS2049 LOCATED IN MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
R.L.P. Development Co. Inc. of Edwardsville, Illinois, granted the contract to conduct a Phase II National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility evaluation of prehistoric archaeological site 11Ms2049 (Lange Site) in Madison County, Illinois in 2003. Based on the few temporally diagnostic artifacts recovered during the phase I survey, site 11Ms2049 appeared to date to the Mississippian period of the American Bottom. Mechanical excavation of four test trenches exposing a total of 49.53 square meters during phase II testing exposed two features and twenty-one miscellaneous post-molds, which were presumed and treated as structures. Phase II site evaluations allowed archaeologists to gather sufficient data to determine that 11Ms2049 warrants inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. As such, site avoidance or further investigations were recommended in order to prevent impacts to archaeological deposits at site 11Ms2049.
PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE 11WM325 LOCATED IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Design Architects, Inc. of Marion, Illinois, granted the contract to conduct a Phase II National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility evaluation of prehistoric archaeological site 11Wm325 in Williamson County, Illinois in 2003. Based on the few temporally diagnostic artifacts recovered during the phase I survey, site 11Wm325 appeared to date to the Woodland period Crab Orchard Tradition. Mechanical excavation of nine test trenches exposing a total of 142.1 square meters during phase II testing exposed five sub-surface features. Phase II site evaluations allowed archaeologists to gather sufficient data to determine that 11Wm325 warrants inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. As such, site avoidance or further investigations were recommended in order to prevent impacts to archaeological deposits at site 11Wm325.
PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE 11MO1065 LOCATED IN MONROE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
New Hanover Land Trust of Columbia, Illinois, granted the contract to conduct a Phase II National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility evaluation of prehistoric archaeological site 11Mo1065 in Columbia, Monroe County, Illinois in 2006. Based on the few temporally diagnostic artifacts recovered during the phase I survey, site 11Mo1065 appeared to date from the Archaic to Woodland periods of the American Bottom. However, mechanical trenching at site 11Mo1065 during phase II testing failed to produce intact cultural deposits. Although the artifacts encountered during the controlled surface collection included a moderate assemblage of lithic material including chert tools and projectile points, all were derived from a plowzone context. The lack of prehistoric features at the site further suggested that either the prehistoric utilization of this site (if any) did not result in the excavation or construction of storage, structural or waste disposal facilities, or that on-going agricultural activities coupled with erosion has considerably depleted the plowzone associated with the site. As such, no further work was suggested for this site.
HISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE 11MS2181 - THE LIGON SITE - LOCATED IN MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
R.L.P. Development Co. Inc. of Edwardsville, Illinois, granted the contract to conduct a Phase II National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility evaluation of historic archaeological site 11Ms2181 in Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois in 2005. Based on the presence of a log structure and timber framed barn dating to the Pioneer period, an outhouse and residential structure pre-dating the civil war, and a garage and four outbuildings/sheds all dating to the late 19th or early 20th centuries, site 11Ms2181 was a possible candidate for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under criterion ìC.î Archaeological investigations at the Ligon site extensively investigated the domestic yard of both the residence and log structure and the farm-related areas of the site. These investigations failed to identify evidence of deposits derived from the initial pre-Civil War era occupation. As the Ligon site is comprised of a complex of buildings that by themselves, many of the structures are not unique and offer little information regarding their construction and use. However, as a whole, the Ligon farmstead reflects a degree of conservatism toward 19th century farming practices that is unparalleled in Pin Oak Township and, possibly, Madison County, and has the ability to yield important information regarding the establishment and use of a middle 19th through early 20th century farmstead established by an ethnic German family in the outer districts of Madison County, Illinois. As such, site avoidance or further investigations were recommended in order to prevent impacts to archaeological deposits at site 11Ms2181.
PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE 11MS2187 LOCATED IN MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
R.L.P. Development Co. Inc. of Edwardsville, Illinois, granted the contract to conduct a Phase II National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility evaluation of prehistoric archaeological site 11Ms2187 in Glen Carbon, Madison County, Illinois in 2005. Based on the scatter of lithic artifacts recovered during the phase I survey, site 11Ms2187 appeared to represent an unknown prehistoric site. However, mechanical trenching at site 11Ms2187 during phase II testing failed to produce intact cultural deposits. Although the artifacts encountered during the controlled surface collection included including a small Cahokia-style arrowhead and two stone cobbles, all were derived from a plowzone context. The lack of prehistoric features at the site further suggested that either the prehistoric utilization of this site (if any) did not result in the excavation or construction of storage, structural or waste disposal facilities, or that on-going agricultural activities coupled with erosion has considerably depleted the plowzone associated with the site. As such, no further work was suggested for this site.
PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE 11MS2188 LOCATED IN MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
R.L.P. Development Co. Inc. of Edwardsville, Illinois, granted the contract to conduct a Phase II National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility evaluation of prehistoric archaeological site 1111Ms2188 in Glen Carbon, Madison County, Illinois in 2005. Based on the few temporally diagnostic artifacts recovered during the phase I survey, site 11Ms2188 appeared to date to the Mississippian period of the American Bottom. Mechanical excavation of sixteen test trenches exposing a total of 856 square meters during phase II testing exposed a large, rectangular house basin. Phase II site evaluations allowed archaeologists to gather sufficient data to determine that 11Ms2188 warrants inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. As such, site avoidance or further investigations were recommended in order to prevent impacts to archaeological deposits at site 11Ms2188.
HISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE 11MS2190 LOCATED IN MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
R.L.P. Development Co. Inc. of Edwardsville, Illinois, granted the contract to conduct a Phase II National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility evaluation of historic archaeological site 11Ms2190 in Glen Carbon, Madison County, Illinois in 2005. Based on the scatter of historic artifacts coupled with the presence of a structure with the vicinity of site 11Ms2190 on the 1861 historical atlas, site 11Ms2190 appeared to represent the remains of a mid 19th century occupation. Mechanical excavation of seven test trenches exposing a total of 320.6 square meters during phase II testing revealed an intact historic occupation dating from the middle to late 19th century. In addition to numerous historic artifacts including undecorated whitewares, flowblue whiteware plate/platter fragments, redware, saltglazed earthenware, glass, and brick fragments, limited excavations during phase II testing exposed a privy, three circular stains, and three limestone foundation piers, a soft-mud brick slab, three square postmolds, and a bulkhead entrance way all associated with a cellar and structure. Site 11Ms2190 represents a rural farmstead established in the mid 19th century that continued in operation until at least 1906. As such, site avoidance or further investigations were recommended in order to prevent impacts to archaeological deposits at site 11Mo2190.
PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE 11S1088 LOCATED IN ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Southwestern Illinois Hotels, Incorporated of Fairview Heights, Illinois, granted the contract to conduct a Phase II National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility evaluation of prehistoric archaeological site 11S1088 in St. Clair County, Illinois in 1999. Based on the lack temporally diagnostic artifacts recovered during the phase I survey, site 11S1088 appeared to date to an unknown prehistoric period. Mechanical excavation of eight test trenches exposing a total of 247.1 square meters during phase II testing exposed two features, five post-molds, and a moderate amount of artifacts dating to the transitional period between the Emergent Mississippian and initial Mississippian Periods. Phase II site evaluations allowed archaeologists to gather sufficient data to determine that 11S1088 warrants inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. As such, site avoidance or further investigations were recommended in order to prevent impacts to archaeological deposits at site 11S1088.
