Rockshelters as unique cultural resources and distinct archaeological sites : a study of two rockshelters in Perry County, Indiana

Rockshelters are unique cultural resources whose diversity has been studied worldwide. In Indiana, this diversity has been overlooked and rockshelters have been classified as temporary habitation sites (Sieber et al. 1989). This characterization obscures a true understanding of what rockshelters were used for and has recently been shown as an inadequate means of interpretation of rockshelter utilization (Martin 2000, Water 2002). Through an examination of the depositional environments, preservation, artifacts, and various components found within rockshelters, this thesis will show the diversity found in these sites. An analysis of two rockshelters, 12-Pe-319 and 12-Pe-320, that have not been previously reported on will be used in this evaluation.