Catharine A. Carson (1960-2022)
Archaeologist Catharine A. Carson held a B. A. in anthropology, with a concentration in archaeology and a minor in geology, from Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne. She also completed graduate level courses in archaeology, anthropology, and geology at Ball State University.
Cathy had decades of archaeological experience in Indiana. Her research interests included precontact archaeology of the Midwestern U.S., lithic analysis, chert and other raw material identification and sourcing, geoarchaeology, and public outreach in archaeology. Her hobbies included genealogy, baking, fishing, bird watching, and more. Publications she authored include numerous cultural research management reports, journal articles, and more, including the first archaeological description of Kenneth chert.
Through the years, she worked at cultural resource management firms, including Landmark Archaeological and Environmental Services, Inc. and ASC Group, Inc. For over 3 ½ years she was the Records Check Coordinator at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology in Indianapolis. Cathy also was employed for a number of years as a part-time interpreter for the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department at Strawtown Koteewi Park and The Taylor Center of Natural History before relocating to Florida in 2019.
Cathy was an Indiana Archaeology Council member for many years, serving in various roles, and she is missed by her colleagues and many friends.