Cultural Resources Phase I Survey – Tarlton Training Site

Lawhon and Associates staff served as principal investigator for a Phase I archaeological survey of approximately 45.7 hectares (113 acres) at the Ohio Army National Guard Tarlton Training Site in Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, Ohio.  Fieldwork followed work plan guidelines which divided the project area into areas with lower and higher probability for containing archaeological sites.  The division was based on an archaeological literature review of the project area and vicinity, aerial photographs, soil survey data, and budget.  Field methods included visual inspection of the entire project area and shovel probe/shovel test pit excavation of the high probability areas.  A number of disturbances and large areas of slope limited the ability to locate archaeological sites. Only two prehistoric archaeological sites, 33FA1682 and 33FA1683, were identified.  Both of these sites were small lithic scatters with no temporal affiliation due the lack of recovered diagnostics.  Site 33FA1682 contained three flakes, one each from three shovel test pits.  The portion of 33FA1683 found within the project area may have been the result of erosion from an adjacent higher landform just outside the project area.  Thus, the portion of the site within the project area likely contained little significance and integrity due to its redeposited state.  Neither site was recommended for the National Register of Historic Places.