Assessment of Negative
Impacts on Archeological Sites Within Governor Nelson State Park
OBJECTIVE:
Park officials at Governor Nelson State Park are concerned with the possible destruction of unique archaeological sites within the area. We will examine the potential for sites being damaged due to park activities and environmental factors.
DESCRIPTION:
The location of Governor Nelson State Park was an ideal area for food gathering and ceremonial practices of prehistoric Native Americans. The ceremonial practices included the building of effigy and conical mounds. Effigy mounds are man-made earthworks in the form of various animal shapes, including birds, bears, turtles, and panthers. The mound building culture was a part of the Middle/Late Woodland tradition which dates back from 0 A.D. to 1000 A.D. The park has an unusually large panther effigy mound and several conical mounds located in the southern end of the park. These mounds have been identified by the park management as having the potential for being damaged. In addition to the mounds, there are several other significant archaeological sites located throughout the park area, ranging in time from 8000 B.C. to the historic era.
Governor Nelson State Park is located within the South Eastern Ridge and Lowlands geographical region. This area is characterized by deciduous forest, savannah, and prairie lands. The park consists of 422 acres on the Northwest shore of Lake Mendota in Dane county, Wisconsin. The park includes a 500-foot shoreline, 8.4 miles of hiking/cross country ski trails and other recreational facilities. The topography is a combination of former wetlands to the north with hilly terrain in the southern portion of the park.
We will use hydrological, land use, soil and archaeological site data to quantify and map the archaeological sites that are in danger of being damaged. We will define what could potentially damage the sites, and the level of danger the sites are in. The information gathered will enable park officials to better protect and manage archaeological sites within the park.
Felipe Avila
Collen Hermans
April Taylor
Contact information: favila13@hotmail.com