Hickson, Rob

Assistant Coordinator, Western Illinois Field Station

Address and Contact Information

209 Nuclear Phys Laboratory
M/C 571
23 Stadium Dr.
Champaign,  

Education

B.A. Anthropology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
B.A. History, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Professional Affiliations

Midwest Archaeological Conference
Illinois Archaeological Survey
Illinois Association for Advancement of Archaeology

Research Interests

Robert Hickson has over 27 years experience in Midwestern North American archaeology. His interests and professional focus center on lithic technology, Early Archaic cultures, historic arms-related material culture, and Arc GIS applications to archaeology including proficiency in field data collection employing GPS and state of the art total station technologies.

Current Projects

Working with probable Early Holocene/Late Pleistocene biface caches from Fulton County, Illinois.
Working with distributional studies of specific historic arms-related artifact types in west-central Illinois.

Selected Publications

Nolan, David J., Robert N. Hickson, Steven R. Kuehn, and Mark C. Branstner
2012
 Preliminary Examination of Archaeological Remains from Fort Johnson and Cantonment Davis: Two War of 1812-era Military Posts at the Des Moines Rapids of the Mississippi River. Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology 37(2):257–298.

Hickson, Robert N.
2012
 Bayonets in the Wilderness: An Intriguing Presence in the Archaeological Record at Fort Johnson and Cantonment Davis. Illinois Antiquity 47(3):22.

Branstner, Mark C., and Robert N. Hickson
2011 
Archaeological Investigations at Site 11T511 (Danz Site), for the FAU 6775 Grange Road/Summit Drive IL 8 to US 24 Project, Tazewell County, Illinois. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. 327. Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Hickson, Robert N., and David J. Nolan
2011
 Archaeological Investigations at Site 11MG269 (Nancy French) for the US 67 Arenzville Rd to IL 100 Interchange Segment, Morgan County, Illinois. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. 361. Illinois State Archaeological Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Monroe, Robert W., David J. Nolan, and Robert N. Hickson
2011
 Archaeological Investigations at Site 11JY516 (Lester Long) for the Illinois Rt. 3 improvements project, Jersey County, Illinois. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. 359. Illinois State Archaeological Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Hickson, Robert N.
2010
 Flint And Steel On The Frontier Of West Central Illinois: A Common Necessity With An Ephemeral Archaeological Signature. Illinois Archaeology 22:83–98.

Branstner, Mark C. and Robert N. Hickson
2010
 Archaeological Investigations at Site 11SG1295 (Greenwood Site) for the TR283 (Mansion Road) Roadway Realignment and Culvert Replacement Project, Sangamon County, Illinois. Archaeological Testing Short Report No.332. Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Branstner, Mark C., Steven R. Kuehn, David J. Nolan, and Robert N. Hickson
2009
 Archaeological Investigations at Site 11MG268 (Frozen Ground) for the US 67 Jacksonville Bypass North to Arenzville Road Project, Morgan County, Illinois. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. 275. Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Branstner, Mark C., David J. Nolan, and Robert N. Hickson
2009
 Archaeological Investigations at Site 11BR429 (Excelsior Site) for the Brown County WetlandMitigation Bank Project, Brown County, Illinois. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. 277Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Nolan, David J. with contributions by Richard L. Fishel, Robert N. Hickson, and Julieann Van Nest
2009
 Prehistoric Landscape Utilization in the Uplands of West Central Illinois. Research Reports No. 98. Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Hickson, Robert N. and David J. Nolan
2009a
  Half-Cocked: An Archaeological Perspective of Frontier-Era Flintlock Firearms in Rural West Central Illinois. Illinois Antiquity 44(3&4):33–38.

2009b Archaeological Investigations at Site 11BR428 (Waynette Mason Site) for the Brown County Wetland Mitigation Bank Project, Brown County, Illinois. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. 278. Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Hickson, Robert N., Robert W. Monroe, and David J. Nolan
2008 
Bifurcated Base Projectile Point Assemblages from Two Sites in Jersey County, Illinois. Illinois Archaeology 20:150–167.

Branstner, Mark C. and Robert N. Hickson
2008 
Archaeological Investigations at Site 11MG389 (Not Unusual Site) for the TR-54 and TR-147 Renning and Perbix Roads Replacement Railroad Crossings Project, Morgan County, Illinois. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. 260. Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

2008 Archaeological Investigations at Site 11GE675 (Rimfire) for the FAP 310-US 67 House Demolitions Project. Parcel 8414003 (Contract 76A70 No.2), Greene County, Illinois. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. 272. Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Nolan David J. Nolan and Robert N. Hickson
2008 
Archaeological Investigations at Site 11BR441(Fire Swamp) for the Brown County Wetland Mitigation Bank Project. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. 259. Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Hickson, Robert N.
2007 
Middle Woodland Massey Phase Exotic Artifacts. Illinois Antiquity 42(3&4):13.

Nolan David J. and Robert N. Hickson with appendices by Mary King and Michael Kolb
2007 
Archaeological Investigations at Site 11BR442 (Horseshoe Pond) for the Brown County Wetland Mitigation Bank Project. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. 232. Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Nolan David J., and Robert N. Hickson
2006 
Archaeological Investigations at Site 11A1542 (Ed Walch Site) for the FA 1597/IL 96 Project. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. 216. Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

2004 Archaeological Investigations at Site 11MG175 (The Missed Point Site) for the FA 310 (US 67) Project. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

2003 Archaeological Investigations at Site 11MP277 (The Windy Hill Site) Archaeological Testing Short Report for the Windy Hill Site (11MP277) for the TR 477, Borrow 4/4 Project. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. 97. Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Hickson Robert N., and David J. Nolan, with an Appendix by Mary Simon
2003 
Archaeological Investigations at Site 11ST344 for the TR 10/TWP Road (Borrow 1/1) Project. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. 91 . Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Hickson Robert N., and David J. Nolan
2002 
Archaeological Investigations at Site 11MG190 (The Both Sides Site) for the FA 310 (US 67) Project. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. 85. Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Nolan David J., Robert N. Hickson, and Amy K. Graham
2002 
Archaeological Investigations at Site 11A1483 (Winslow #1 Site) for the FAS 1597 (IL 96) Project. Archaeological Testing Short Report. Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Hickson Robert N., Robert Mazrim, and David J. Nolan
2002 
Archaeological Investigations at Site 11MG165 (The Lost Homesite Site) for the FAS 1597 (IL 96) Project. Archaeological Testing Short Report No. Illinois Transportation Archaeological Research Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Nolan David J., and Robert N. Hickson
1993 
Buried Upland Sites: Some Practical Considerations for Archeologists and Cultural Resource Managers. Illinois Antiquity (28)4:4–11.

Atwell, Karen A., Robert Hickson, and Dan Goatley
1993 
Phase II Investigations of Six Prehistoric Archeological Sites in Macoupin County near the Town of Hettick, Illinois. Center for American Archeology, Contract Archeology Program, Kampsville, Illinois, Report of Investigation No. 206.

Hansen, Eric G. and Robert N. Hickson (editors)
1993 
Progress Report on the FAP 407-Route 336 Project: Archeological Survey Completion and Site Testing. Center for American Archeology, Contract Archeology Program, Kampsville, Illinois, Report of Investigation No. 197D. Submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Katz, Susana R., Robert N. Hickson, and Julieann Van Nest
1992 
Archeological and Geological Investigations along the Interior Uplands Portion of the Central Illinois Expressway. Center for American Archeology, Contract Archeology Program, Kampsville, Illinois (in press).

Hickson, Robert N. and Susana R. Katz (editors)
1992 
Progress Report on the FAP 407 Route 336 Archeological Survey and Prehistoric Site Testing Along the Priority Quincy to Mendon Alternate Segment in Adams County, Illinois. Center for American Archeology, Contract Archeology Program, Kampsville, Illinois, Report of Investigation No. 197C. Submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Hickson, Robert N.
1991 
Progress Report on the FAP 407 Archeological Survey of the Priority Alternate Segment Combination E-1 Route 336 Quincy-to-Carthage Segment Adams and Hancock Counties. Center for American Archeology, Contract Archeology Program, Kampsville, Illinois, Report of Investigation No. 197B. Submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

1990 Progress Report on FAP 407 Archeological Surveys Route 336 Quincy to Carthage Segment Hancock and Adams Counties. Center for American Archeology, Kampsville Illinois, Contract Archeology Program, Report of Investigation No. 197A. Submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Katz, Susana R. and Robert N. Hickson
1988 
Archeological Reconnaissance of Pike County Water District No. 1 Phase 3 Expansion. Center for American Archeology, Contract Archeology Program, Kampsville, Illinois, Report of Investigation No. 192.

Selected Papers Presented

2012 “Fort Johnson and Cantonement Davis: Excavation Notes and Material Recoveries” (with Mark C. Branstner). Paper presented at the Illinois State Historical Society, Illinois History Symposium, East Peoria, Illinois. 27 April 2012.

2012 “Fort Johnson and Cantonement Davis: Excavation Notes and Material Recoveries” (with Mark C. Branstner). Paper presented at the Society for Historical Archaeology Conference, Baltimore, Maryland. 5 January 2012.

2011 “Fort Johnson and Cantonement Davis: Excavation Notes and Material Recoveries” (with Mark C. Branstner). Paper presented at the Midwest Archaeological Conference, LaCrosse, Wisconsin. 15 October 2011.

2009 “Recent Investigations at War of 1812-era Military Sites in Warsaw, Illinois” (with David J. Nolan and Mark C. Branstner). Paper presented at the Midwest Archaeological Conference, Iowa City, Iowa. 15 October 2009.

2007 “Investigations at the White Bend Site (11HA938): Helton and Hemphill Horizons of the LaMoine Valley, Hancock County, Illinois” (with Richard L. Fishel). Paper presented at the Midwest Archaeological Conference, South Bend, Indiana. 5 October 2007.

2006 “Building a Regional Chronology: A Review of Recent Excavations in the LaMoine River Basin of Western Illinois” (with Richard L. Fishel and David J. Nolan). Paper presented at the Midwest Archaeological Conference, Urbana, Illinois. 13 October 2006.

2002 “Middle Woodland and Early Late Woodland Remains from the Upper Reaches of the Sandy Creek Drainage” (with D. Nolan). Paper presented at the 2002 Illinois Archaeological Survey Workshop, Bloomington, Illinois.

1988 “Archeological Survey of the Interior Uplands of Pike County, Illinois” (with Susana R. Katz Ph.D.). Paper presented at the 33rd Annual Midwest Archeological Conference, Urbana, IL.

LDAP Details for Hickson, Rob