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Archaeological Investigations of the Construction of New Visitor Center for High Falls State Park, Monroe County

Report Number
3272
Year of Publication
2005
Abstract

High Falls State Park (Figure 1) in Monroe County plans to construct a new visitor center on a new location near the existing facility. The new visitor center will be built on an eroded crest overlooking the dam. There was good surface visibility throughout the area, which has been disturbed by erosion, landscaping and intersecting roads. Bedrock is exposed in some locations. Three shovel tests were placed at 10 meter intervals along the long axis of the crest. All three tests were negative for cultural artifacts and all demonstrated a complete absence of topsoil. A sparse lithic scatter was discovered on the crest and was designated 081905-01. The site is on a high crest that overlooks a shoals area that now supports a concrete dam. Most of the artifacts were collected from the crest, which is heavily eroded and shows evidence of light grading. A few picnic tables and trash cans were scattered over the area. Artifacts were collected from between the park roads and from a picnic area across the road to the south. Artifacts were analyzed in the field and, with the exception of diagnostic artifacts and tools, were returned to the site. Diagnostic materials were analyzed and photographed and left with an existing interpretive display at the park.