Fragments may be remains of American Indians

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This was in our paper today. Thought someone may enjoy reading this if they haven't already.

Fragments may be remains of American Indians

04/21/05

Associated Press

LOUISVILLE -- Bone fragments unearthed at a planned development site turned up what archaeologists believe are the 5,000-year-old remains of two American Indians.

The remains, accompanied by trash pits, charcoal, carbonized seeds and tools, suggest a camp used by nomadic hunters who might have gathered medicinal herbs and food in the area around 3000 B.C., said David Pollack, a Kentucky Heritage Council archaeologist and site-protection manager.

Indian tribes have been notified of last week's find in southern Jefferson County. The Army Corps of Engineers also is involved in handling the site.

Spear tips and burned rock were found several years earlier at the 55-acre site near Interstate 65 that is slated for a Wal-Mart, restaurants and condominiums, officials said.

Archaeologists hired by developer Hagan Properties are still working to determine the scope and significance of the find -- and if more remains exist beyond a one- to two-acre section.

Pollack said state officials might ask the developer to preserve the burial area. If that can't be done, he said, the remains likely will be moved in consultation with tribes such as the Shawnee and Cherokee. Such finds rarely halt building projects, he said.

Kevin Flanery, president of Hagan Properties, said he wants to wait until a final report is delivered before deciding how to proceed. Construction hasn't begun.

Security guards have been posted at the site to keep out trespassers.

Artifacts such as pottery shards, spear tips or stone tools 1,000 to 6,000 years old are common in the Louisville area, where a large population of Indians once lived, said Jay Stottman, an archaeologist with the Kentucky Archaeological Survey.