Cultural Resources Investigation of the Wild Rice River - South Branch and Felton Ditch Flood Control Project Area, Clay and Norman Counties, Minnesota

摘要

The goal was to locate, identify, and evaluate historical and prehistoric cultural resources within the project area and to make specific recommendations as to the potential need for further testing. A thorough and comprehensive literature search and records check was conducted at the Office of the State Archaeologist, State Historic Preservation Office, Moorhead State University, Norman County Historical Society, Clay County Historical Society, Norman and Clay County Soil Conservation Service as well as the Mankato State University Library. Additionally, several interviews were conducted with professional archaeologists knowledgeable of the project, county historical society and Soil Conservation Service personnel, local collectors and several landowners. Ground surface reconnaissance was conducted at a 15 meter interval on the 100' corridor of the 65.5 linear miles included in the project. Also, 104 subsurface shovel tests were placed in areas (1) where the ground cover did not allow for adequate visual examination; (2) which had a high potential for site location; and (3) as a verification of the surface reconnaissance results. No cultural material was recovered as a result of either the ground surface reconnaissance or the shovel testing. Based upon these results, no significant cultural resource will be altered, damaged, or destroyed as a result of proposed construction activities.