Archaeological find in Spring Mill State Park's Pioneer Village

Visitors to Spring Mill State Park can now delve even deeper into its 1800s history with the recent discovery of undisturbed deposits in the ground underneath the floor of the Leather Shop in the Pioneer Village.

"While the current cabin is not original to the Pioneer Village, we have always believed that there was a building at this same location in the 1800s," said Jill Vance, interpretive naturalist for the park. "Thus far, the excavation work seems to support that."

This archaeological work was conducted under Indiana Code 14-21-1, Indiana's historic preservation and archaeology statute.

The park has constructed a walkway in the Leather Shop so that visitors can view the site whenever the Pioneer Village is open. On Oct. 9 and 10, they will also be able to watch the archaeologists at work.

"Additional work days, that the public can watch, will be scheduled for the winter and spring," Vance said.

The year-long research project will conclude with "Archaeology Weekend" in June 2010. At this event, park visitors will be able to participate, hands-on, in the excavation under the guidance of professional archaeologists. 

Archaeologists April Sievert, with Indiana University-Bloomington, and Melody Pope, from the University of Iowa, made the discovery and will oversee the excavation work.