What Services Does Archaeological Consultants of Ossian Provide?

Archaeological Consultants of Ossian is a cultural resource management firm based in Muncie, Indiana, that has specialized in archaeological surveys and records checks since 1988. It handles Phase Ia reconnaissance surveys, Phase II testing, literature reviews, record searches, and subsurface testing for development projects across Indiana and several neighboring states. If you need a records check or survey to clear a project for permitting or construction, this firm is set up to do that work and quotes jobs on request.

Core Services

The firm's stated service lines cover the typical sequence of a cultural resource investigation:

• Phase Ia reconnaissance surveys — initial field survey to identify whether archaeological sites are present in a project area.
• Records checks / literature reviews — searches of existing site records and documentation before or alongside fieldwork.
• Phase II testing — more intensive investigation of sites identified during reconnaissance, used to evaluate significance.
• Subsurface testing — shovel testing and related methods to detect buried deposits.
• Archaeological surveys generally, plus environmental and cultural resource support for development projects.

Project Types Handled

According to the firm, it has conducted more than 200 field projects per year since 2003. Sectors and project types it names include:

Principal Investigator and Credentials

Larry Stillwell is the founder and principal investigator. He has conducted archaeological fieldwork in Indiana since 1988 and has authored at least 800 field survey reports within Indiana alone. His background:

• B.A., University of Maryland; M.A., Ball State University.
• Former Staff Archaeologist at Ball State University and Assistant Director of the Contract Archaeology program at Indiana-Purdue University at Fort Wayne.
• Member of the Indiana Archaeological Council.
• Certified in both field archaeology and historic archaeology.
• Certified to conduct archaeological investigations in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and Illinois.

That multi-state certification matters if your project crosses a state line or if you are choosing a consultant for work outside Indiana.

Contacting the Firm for a Quote

The firm asks that you contact it directly for a quote; it states that its rates are reasonable, its service reliable, and its turnaround time exceptional. Contact details from the site:

• Phone: (765) 730-0524
• Fax: (765) 289-6425
• Mail: P.O. BOX 2374, Muncie, IN 47307

When you reach out, it helps to have the project location, acreage, and the review or permitting deadline ready, since those determine whether a records check alone is sufficient or a Phase Ia survey is needed.