The primary archaeological manifestation that occurred here during this time period is known as the Oliver Phase. However, there are other Late Prehistoric components reported within the study area. The Oliver Phase can best be described as village dwelling horticulturalists inhabiting the White River drainage of central Indiana during the Late Prehistoric period. This geographical location places it between the cultures centered around the lower Great Lakes and the Fort Ancient and Middle Mississippian occupations of the middle and lower Ohio Valley. This phase is characterized by considerable diversity both in settlement size, form, and location and in ceramic style.
Bowls are infrequent, but exhibit thick walls and are deeper than they are wide.
Crude miniature vessels have also been recovered from some sites. Temper is mostly grit, but sand and, more rarely, shell are also present. Surface treatment consists of fine, parallel cordmarking and fabric roughening. Appendages consist of vertical nodes on cambered rim vessels and, more commonly, constricted, or v-shaped, strap handles. Ceramic decoration is similarly diverse.