Center for Archaeological Research
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The Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) was established in 1974 to conduct archaeological research throughout Texas and the surrounding regions; carry out archaeological surveys and excavations for federal, state, and local agencies as required by legislation and executive order; provide public and private sector assistance and guidance regarding cultural resource management; provide students training opportunities in archaeological field and laboratory methods and technical writing; and disseminate to the general public information about the prehistory and history of Texas and San Antonio.
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Item 10th Street substation excavation of the Acequia Madre (41 BX 8), San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1985) Cox, I. WaynneThe acequias or irrigation systems were an important factor in the early history of San Antonio. One of the earliest of these was the Acequia Madre (41 BX 8) or Mother Ditch. Recently, proposed construction by City Public Service at the 10th Street Substation was expected to encounter the course of the acequia, thus requiring archaeological investigation. Excavation of a section of the acequia with a backhoe and archival research revealed new information about the history of this ancient waterway.Item 1975 Archaeological investigations at Old Ursuline Academy, San Antonio, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1977) Katz, Paul R.Archaeological investigations were conducted at Old Ursuline Academy (41 BX 235), presently the Southwest Craft Center, during the month of October, 1975. This work was necessitated by planned renovations to the dormitory building, one of the complex of nineteenth century buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places (Figs. 1, 2). The nature of the renovation would consist of excavating below the present floor of the dormitory basement so that air conditioning ducts and blower units might be installed; transformation of this basement from a storage place into a series of functional rooms and galleries; construction of a new entryway into the basement from the south (Figs. 2, 3); and the construction of a French drain along the south side of the dormitory to prevent flooding of the basement area (Fig. 2). Archaeological excavation units were located in those areas to be most severely disturbed by construction activities: two units in the dormitory basement and three units in the courtyard close to the south wall of the dormitory (Fig. 2). Preliminary analysis of the excavation data showed significant parallels with the 1974 Texas Historical Commission investigations (Clark 1974), permitting a clearance letter to be written almost immediately. Subsequent detailed analyses led to the postulation of a number of activity pat-terns and foci, with the conclusion that the dormitory courtyard portion of the site can provide a degree of scientific and historic data far in excess of the space that it occupies relative to the rest of the site.Item The 1979 Archaeological Survey of Portions of the Choke Canyon Reservoir in Live Oak and McMullen Counties, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1981) Roemer, Erwin, Jr.The Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, conducted an intensive surface survey aimed at location and evaluation of cultural resources in portions of the Choke Canyon Reservoir in Live Oak and McMullen Counties, Texas. The survey was conducted between May and September 1979. The area examined consists of approximately 8400 acres (3400 hectares) located in areas not previously available for survey. A total of 94 archaeological sites, 86 low density scatters, and 20 isolated finds was recorded. This total includes 16 historic sites or site components and 14 sites containing Late Prehistoric materials. The remaining prehistoric sites are either Archaic or of an unidentified cultural period. A total of 32 sites is recommended for further field evaluations. Site recording and preliminary evaluation took precedence, and minimal artifact collections were made. The previous work in the area by the Texas Historical Commission and Texas Tech University strongly influenced survey methodology and evaluation. Concluding interpretations present a discussion of the current state of settlement system investigations and an affirmation of the basic cultural models presented by earlier workers.Item 1999 excavations at Mission Rosario(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2000) Nickels, David L.Mission Nuestra Senora del Rosario founded in 1754, is located four miles west of modem-day Goliad, Texas. Established for the Karankawa Indians, it was finally abandoned in 1808. Archaeological investigations have been conducted at the site in the 1940s, 1970s, and 1990s. This body of work, the most recent, was conducted by the Center for Archaeological Research at The University of Texas at San Antonio (CAR) (UTSA) under the auspices of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). In July through September 1999, CAR excavated 105 units, cleared some above-ground walls, and probed for buried walls or foundations. A geophysical survey complementing the archaeological investigations was conducted by Baylor University geophysicists. Archival research combined with extensive field mapping using an electronic Total Data Station has resulted in a visual synthesis of mission features and the previous investigations associated with them.Item 1999 Reburial at Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Antonio, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2001) Tomka, Steve A.; Zapata, José E.On November 15, 1999, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR), The University of Texas at San Antonio, returned 122 curation boxes containing human remains of between 103 and 125 individuals to Monsignor Balthazar Janacek, Archdiocese Director, Old Spanish Missions. These remains had been obtained during two previous Witte Memorial Museum excavations at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Subsequently, CAR returned the majority of the burial goods associated with these human remains to Monsignor Janacek. CAR then entered into an agreement with the Archdiocese of San Antonio to locate and monitor the excavation of the two reburial areas that were to coincide with two previously excavated areas. The location and monitoring of the reburial areas began on November 22, 1999. The reburial of the human remains and associated artifacts occurred on November 27, 1999. Present at the reburial ceremony were representatives of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, the National Park Service, the American Indians of Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, a member of CAR, and members of the press and public.Item 41 BX 68: A prehistoric quarry-workshop in northern Bexar County, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1978) McGraw, A. Joachim; Valdez, FredDuring late February and early March of 1978, personnel from the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, conducted intensive mapping and limited subsurface testing of the prehistoric quarry-workshop site of 41 BX 68. Investigations of the site, located near the intersection of FM 1604 and Elm Creek in northern Bexar County (see Fig. 1), were conducted under the terms of a contract (Purchase Order No. 40-7442-8-426) with the Soil Conservation Service. Located near proposed Floodwater Retarding Structure 11, portions of the extensive site will soon be altered or critically damaged by modification. Preliminary observations of the site indicated large areas were relatively undisturbed since the original aboriginal activity had taken place (Brown et al. 1977). Intact, relatively undisturbed concentrations of lithic debris were noted (see Fig. 2). The frequency, distribution and association of these materials were considered to be of unusual value in identifying intra-site activity areas. The intent of the current investigation was to formulate a preliminary description of the site and identify various aspects of lithic technological processes and their intra-site relationships in a prehistoric south central Texas quarry-workshop area.Item 41MV120: a stratified late archaic site in Maverick County, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1998) Vierra, Bradley J.This report presents the findings of the data recovery program conducted at site 41MV120. The excavation was conducted under a contractual agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation under Texas Antiquities Pennit number 1622. A total of 9,147 lithic artifacts, 30,903 g of fire-cracked rock, 1623 g of mussel shells, 457 g of snails, 43 macrobotanical samples, 79 historic artifacts, and 15 bones was recovered from these excavations. 41MV120 is a stratified Late Archaic site dating from ca. 2200-1200 B.P. It was periodically inundated by floodwaters from the Rio Grande which buried a series of occupational levels. The site appears to represent a long-term pattem of redundant reuse. It presumably reflects a short-term campsite from which local terrace gravels were used for core reduction and tool production. Several species of aquatic and tenestrial resources were exploited while residing at the camp, including shellfish and medium-to small-sized animals.Item A Cultural Resource Inventory of 550 Previously Surveyed Acres on Camp Swift, Bastrop County, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2012) Munoz, Cynthia M.From November 2011 to January 2012, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) conducted an intensive archaeological reconnaissance survey of 550 acres of previously surveyed land located on the Texas Military Forces’ (TXMF) Camp Swift Facility in north-central Bastrop County, Texas. The work was performed to fulfill contract requirements with the TXMF’s Adjutant General’s Office. The survey was conducted under the requirements of Section 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966. The survey was performed under interagency cooperation agreement TX11-ENV-09, with Dr. Steve Tomka, CAR Director, serving as Principal Investigator, Dr. Raymond Mauldin, CAR Assistant Director, serving as Project Manager, and Cynthia Moore Munoz serving as the Project Archaeologist. The work was conducted in advance of proposed improvements to the facility and in response to a large wildfire. The improvements will consist of an expansion of approximately 39 acres to an existing dropzone. Because the wildfire burned off most of the vegetation on 1,454 acres of the facility leaving high ground visibility, a resurvey of a portion of the area was also conducted. The goal of the pedestrian survey was to identify and document prehistoric and historic archaeological sites that may be impacted by the dropzone improvement or exposed and/or affected by the wildfire. This report summarizes the results of the fieldwork and provides recommendations regarding the management of cultural resources located on the project area. Pedestrian reconnaissance and 265 shovel tests were used to search for cultural resources on the 550 acre project area. Thirty-six isolated surface finds, including debitage, tools, a projectile point, a core, glass, ceramics, and a brick, were documented. Seven previously recorded sites were revisited. Ten new sites were identified during this survey. The CAR requested and was assigned trinomials (41BP859-868) for the sites. The TexSite records are on file at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL). The ten new sites include two prehistoric surface scatters (41BP861 and 862), three prehistoric surface scatters with buried material (41BP859, 865, and 866), one buried prehistoric site with no visible surface scatter (41BP867), and four historic surface scatters (41BP860, 863, 864, and 868). Six of the ten sites (41BP860, 861, 862, 864, 867, and 868) were recommended by the CAR as not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The remaining four sites (41BP859, 863, 865, and 866) were assessed as unknown with further investigations recommended. Following laboratory processing and analysis, and in consultation with the TXMF’s Adjutant General’s Office, all sediment samples were discarded. This discard was in conformance with Texas Historical Commission (THC) guidelines. All remaining archaeological samples collected by the CAR, along with all associated artifacts, documents, notes, and photographs, were prepared for curation according to THC guidelines and are permanently curated at TARL at the University of Texas in Austin.Item A cultural resource survey for Medina Electric Cooperative, Inc., in Uvalde, Medina, and Frio counties, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1982) Frkuska, Augustine J.; Frkuska, Elizabeth G.The Center for Archaeological Research (CAR), The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), under contract with Alexander Utility Engineering, Inc., (letter dated May 5, 1980), conducted an archaeological survey for the Medina Electric Cooperative, Inc. Although the CAR was contracted in May 1980, at the request of Medina Electric Cooperative, Inc., the actual survey was not carried out until February 25-March 1, 1981. The survey, which was conducted in three neighboring south Texas counties (Fig. 1), was concentrated along proposed electrical distribution lines at D'Hanis in Medina County, north of Uvalde in Uvalde County, and southwest of Pearsall in Frio County. General supervision of the project was provided by Dr. Thomas R. Hester, Director, and Jack D. Eaton, Associate Director, of the CAR-UTSA. The project was carried out by Augustine and Elizabeth Frkuska, Center staff archaeologists. The survey methods were based upon the guidelines for site survey presented in Field Methods in Archaeology (Hester, Heizer, and Graham 1975:13-36). Any artifacts observed along the proposed routes were recorded as to their location and association with their environment. The areas surveyed were restricted in width since the majority of the proposed distribution lines followed public road right-of-ways, including areas just inside private property fronting along the road. Holes are to be excavated at predetermined intervals to set the utility poles, and in certain areas along the route there are to be anchor pins for the distribution lines. In addition, electrical system substations are to be constructed. This would involve the landscaping and fencing of designated areas along each of the proposed lines. All field information was recorded on standard forms. Photographs were taken of distribution line routes and potential sites. Selected artifacts were collected from the surface of sites and stored in paper bags labeled with a temporary site number. The site was then located and marked on a 7.51 United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map. All artifacts and collected data were processed according to standard archaeological procedures. Interpretations presented in this report are based on information obtained from the field survey and literature research. The information is presented under the names given to the distribution line routes and substations by the Medina Electric Cooperative, Inc. The areas surveyed for the Medina Electric Cooperative, Inc., are encompassed by the south-central Texas region. Five major chronological periods are recognized for this area of Texas. These periods are: (1) Paleo-Indian (ca. 9200 B.C.-6000 B.C.), (2) Pre-Archaic (ca. 6000 B.C.-3500 B.C.), (3) Archaic (ca. 3500 B.C.-A.D. 1000), (4) Late Prehistoric (ca. A.D. 1000-Historic contact), and (5) Historic (the period of historic European intrusion). The prehistoric occupation in south-central Texas is represented by all chronological periods. The sections describing the previous archaeology for each of the surveyed areas refer to this chronology.Item A geoarcheological survey of the proposed Plainview Hike and Bike trail, Hale County, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2008) Frederick, Charles D.; Thompson, Jennifer L.; Córdova, Karla J.In March of 2005, the Texas Department of Transportation issued work authorization #575-01-SA005 to the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at the University of Texas at San Antonio to conduct a survey of areas affected by proposed improvements to the Plainview hike and bike trail in southern Plainview, Hale County, Texas. The survey was conduced under Texas Antiquities Permit #3707 between March 31 and April 7, 2005. Steve Tomka and Raymond Mauldin served as Principal Investigators. Trail construction included 2.0 miles of additional construction and 1.3 miles of improvements to existing trails. The Right-of-Way is 50 feet and extends from one to three feet below ground surface. Archeological services included a pedestrian survey, excavation of fifty-five auger tests placed no more than 100 m apart, and twenty-one Gradall trenches. Two of these trenches exposed the stratigraphy of Running Water Draw near the Plainview Site, 41HA1. Bulk samples were collected for OSL dating, diatoms analysis, and lithologic analysis for further examination of the age and stratigraphic context of the Plainview Site, which is a State Archeological Landmark, a National Landmark, and a National Register of Historic Places property. Site 41HA12 was re-examined with 10 mechanical auger tests and 1 trench, which found only recent alluvial and cultural deposition. No additional archeological sites were recorded. This report includes descriptions of the fieldwork, results of the special analyses performed on bulk sediment samples collected, and a discussion of the geomorphology of Running Water Draw with specific focus on the results from trenches excavated near the Plainview Site. The single artifact and all documents and photographs generated from this project are curated at the Center for Archaeological Research at The University of Texas at San Antonio.Item A Guide to Ceramics from Spanish Colonial Sites in Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2008) Fox, Anne A.; Ulrich, Kristi M.AUTHORS’ PREFACE: The descriptions of ceramic types in this publication are compiled primarily as an aid to archaeologists working at missions and presidios in Texas, though it will also help those investigating town and ranch sites occupied during the eighteenth century. It was written with the help of numerous site reports done by archaeologists throughout the twentieth century who have valiantly wrestled with the problems of type identification and dating. The senior author has had the privilege of working with many of them throughout this period, and has developed an intense interest in ceramic identification. Additional help has come from researchers who have created and refined the ceramic typology over the years, from John Goggin in 1968 to Kathleen Deagan in 1987. The research of Florence and Robert Lister (1974, 1975, 1976a, 1976b, 1978) has contributed priceless information on the identification and origins of majolicas. Researchers working on Spanish colonial sites in Texas become aware that there are ceramic types that Goggin or Deagan do not describe. This is partly because the authors did not have access to Texas collections (Goggin 1968:81–83) or were limiting their typologies to the Caribbean area (Deagan 1987). At first, we avoided the problem by designating types with no known names as “Type A, Type B, etc.” The senior author has taken her courage in both hands and started to use descriptive names, especially for the coarse wares that have generally been ignored (see Fox 2002:203–219; Gilmore 1974:55–69) as well as the majolicas found on Texas sites that existed into the nineteenth century. This has also increased our appreciation of the work of archaeologists working in California and Arizona, whose Spanish sites lingered even later than those in Texas did. They also have been looking for ways to refer to the later types (see Barnes 1980:192–110; Barnes and May 1972; Cohen-Williams 1992:119–130; May 1975). The University of Texas at San Antonio Center for Archaeological Research (UTSA-CAR) is the curation facility for a large number of collections from Spanish colonial sites in Texas, which has facilitated the study necessary for producing this manuscript. The illustrations have drawn examples from these collections, plus a generous contribution from the large ceramic collection at Presidio La Bahía at Goliad. Much of the problem of identification is due to the small size of sherds recovered from most sites and, therefore, the difficulty of identifying types. Hopefully, these illustrations will help to fit a small sherd into the overall pattern of a type and from this to recognize comparative dating of deposits. This is a step in the development of Texas archaeologists’ ability to recognize and date ceramics from Spanish colonial sites. It is does not pretend to be the “be all and end all” on this subject. While primarily intended to be a manual for archaeologists working at Colonial sites in Texas, this publication will also serve as an introduction to Spanish colonial ceramics for those just beginning in historic archaeology in the state.Item A History of the Barrio de Laredo, 1741-1860(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2024-04-16) McKenzie, Clinton M. M.The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) was contracted by Adams Environmental, Inc. (AEI) and CPS Energy (CPS) to provide this archival review as alternative compliance with the Texas Antiquities Code, administered by the Texas Historical Commission Archaeology Division (THC) and Chapter 37 of the Municipal Code of the City of San Antonio, administered by the City of San Antonio’s Office of Historic Preservation (OHP). This alternative compliance is mitigation of a violation of the preceding statutory requirements in the public right-of-way along Flores and El Paso Street next to San Pedro Creek. That violation consisted of unauthorized excavation by the contractor working for CPS Energy. This occurred within an area specifically flagged for archaeological compliance by CPS Energy, the THC, and OHP under Texas Antiquities Permit (TAP) Number 9700. Cynthia Muñoz served as the Principal Investigator and Clinton McKenzie served as the Project Archaeologist. All three reviewing parties proposed that the UTSA-CAR provide a brief report on the affected area in a separate document (McKenzie 2023). Further mitigation was required for the violation and a study of the wider area of the historic Barrio de Laredo, also referred to as Laredito, was proposed as suitable mitigation. The production of an archival-historical report on the Barrio de Laredo provides CPS Energy, THC, OHP, and others with published research on an area often impacted by development and currently lacking holistic archival research. This report will inform and support the review of impacts within the historic Barrio de Laredo area through an examination of land ownership undertaken from the first recorded grant in 1741 to 1860. The 1860 limitation is a direct result of the time and budgetary constraints incumbent on original research as well as the fact that post-1860 land assembly data is more readily available to researchers. Further, 1860 represents a turning point for the Laredito area because of changing land uses and the fractionation of originally large parcels into smaller holdings. The report also examines the location of presidial and municipal improvements constructed in the Barrio de Laredo during the Spanish Colonial period, including the first Black Powder Magazine, and an associated guard tower, and the presence of a community corral and municipal slaughterhouse (rastro). The report also traces the existence of a Spanish Colonial acequia system that transited north-to-south through the blocks on the east side of Laredo Street. Lastly, population studies and the demographics of the Barrio de Laredo are examined through analysis and comparison of the 1809 and 1820 census documents. The report includes nine appendices of supporting documents and data: Appendix A: Extant Chain of Title for the Project Area Appendix B: Revised Leal Index of Neighborhood of Laredo Street Properties Appendix C: First Page of the 1809 Census of the Barrio de Laredo Appendix D: 1809 Barrio de Laredo Census Household Data Appendix E: 1809 Barrio de Laredo Census Heads of Households and Reported Property Appendix F: 1809 Barrio de Laredo Census Prior Place of Residence and Date of Arrival Appendix G: 1820 Barrio de Laredo Census Household Data Appendix H: 1817 List of Confiscated Rebel Property Appendix I: (Copy) Letter Report Documenting Compliance Failure and Providing Archival Historical Report in Lieu of Archaeological Monitoring Associated with CPS Energy Electrical and Gas Utility Work on Guadalupe St. Near Flores St. in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio. Letter Report, No. 173. McKenzie, C. M. M., October 2023.Item A Linear Pedestrian Archaeological Survey in Olmos Basin Park, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2014) Wigley, Sarah; Munoz, Cynthia M.; Smith, StephenIn April 2014, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) completed a linear archaeological survey along a 1.3-km proposed trail system in Olmos Basin Park for Adams Environmental, Inc. on behalf of the City of San Antonio (COSA). The survey, conducted under the requirements of the Texas Antiquities Code, was performed under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 6834, with Dr. Raymond P. Mauldin serving as Principal Investigator and Stephen Smith serving as Project Archaeologist. The work was conducted in advance of the proposed improvements. Pedestrian survey with shovel tests and backhoe trenches were used to search for cultural resources with the project right of way (ROW). The survey identified two new archaeological sites (41BX2008 and 41BX2009) and revisited one previously recorded site (41BX1426). All three sites contained buried prehistoric material in the form of lithic debitage, cores, and burned rock. Site 41BX2008 contained one lithic tool, as well as an historic component consisting of ceramics and glass. No features or temporally diagnostic prehistoric artifacts were identified on the project area. The density and depth of buried prehistoric material at all three sites suggest that they possess potential for future research. Therefore, the CAR recommends the sites be listed as having unknown eligibility with research potential on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) until testing to determine eligibility status can be completed. Because the surface impact from the proposed trail will range from 0-15 cm below surface (cmbs) in the area of 41BX1426, 0 cmbs in the area of 41BX2008, and 0-12 cmbs in the area of 41BX2009, it will not affect the deeply buried cultural deposits. The CAR recommends that construction of the proposed trail proceed as planned. In a letter dated June 24, 2014, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) agreed with these recommendations. The COSA Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) also concurred with the CAR’s recommendations. Artifacts collected and records generated during this project were prepared for curation according to Texas Historical Commission guidelines. They are permanently curated at the CAR at UTSA.Item A Pedestrian Archaeological Survey of the Laurens Lane Hike and Bike Connection at the Salado Creek Greenway, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2013) Munoz, Cynthia M.In August 2013, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) conducted a pedestrian archaeological survey of the Laurens Lane connection trail to the Salado Creek Greenway located in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, to fulfill contract requirements with the City of San Antonio Department of Parks and Recreation. The survey was conducted under the requirements of the City of San Antonio Unified Development Code Chapter 35 and the Antiquities Code of Texas. The survey was performed under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 6640, with Dr. Steve Tomka, CAR Director, serving as Principal Investigator and Cynthia Moore Munoz serving as the Project Archaeologist. The work was conducted in advance of construction of a multi-use greenway trail proposed by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of San Antonio. The proposed trail runs 0.4 km from Ira Lee Road at Laurens Lane to the existing greenway trail. This report summarizes the results of the fieldwork and provides recommendations regarding the management of cultural resources located in the project area. Pedestrian reconnaissance, site revisits, and shovel tests were used to search for cultural resources within the project right-of-way (ROW) and on City-owned land parcels immediately adjacent to the ROW. No isolated artifacts, features, or new sites were observed within the project area. Surface and subsurface cultural materials were noted in the area of both previously recorded sites located in the ROW (41BX475 and 41BX476). Because of the spatial relationship of positive shovel tests and surface artifacts between previously recorded sites 41BX474, 41BX475, and 41BX476, the CAR concludes that the three sites be combined into one site. The density and depth of buried prehistoric material on 41BX474/475/476 suggest that the site possesses potential for future research; therefore, the CAR recommends that the site be listed as potentially eligible on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The CAR suggests that either the western half of the proposed Laurens Lane connection trail be moved to an alternate location or that construction of the trail be delayed until further testing of 41BX474/475/476 focused on determining NRHP eligibility is completed. The CAR also suggests that the installation of the eastern half of the proposed alignment proceed as proposed. Artifacts collected and records generated during this project were prepared for curation according to Texas Historical Commission guidelines and are permanently curated at the CAR at UTSA.Item A preliminary archaeological and historical assessment of the proposed Tenneco pipeline, Hidalgo to Victoria Counties, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1979) Hester, Thomas R.This report constitutes a preliminary assessment of the archaeological and historical resources along the proposed route of the natural gas pipeline being planned by Tenneco, Inc. The report is submitted in partial fulfillment of a contract between Tennessee Gas Pipeline (Division of Tenneco, Inc., Houston) and The University of Texas at San Antonio, Center for Archaeological Research. Submitted separately to Tennessee Gas Pipeline is a large strip map showing the location of the proposed pipeline; on this map are plotted all historic and prehistoric sites known to exist at the time of the completion of this preliminary assessment. As the text of this report indicates, a number of areas remain to be intensively surveyed and investigated. The research reported here followed guidelines set forth in a letter from Mr. William Such (Tennessee Gas Pipeline) of August 1, 1977. The scope of work outlined in his letter has been fulfilled. Known archaeological and historical resources have been assembled, limited field inspections have been made, and recommendations are contained herein for future archaeological and historical work. It is our present belief that the problem areas identified in this report will not necessitate the development of plans for any alternate pipeline routes. I served as Project Director during this assessment. Thomas C. Kelly conducted the field inspections and collaborated on the general archaeological assessment. Studies of known archaeological resources were done by A. Joachim McGraw and Fred Valdez, Jr. Elizabeth Cantu Frkuska prepared the historical sections. Research bibliographies also accompany this report, prepared by Valdez (pre-history) and Frkuska (history). Thomas R. HesterItem A preliminary archaeological survey for the Conquista Project in Gonzales, Atascosa, and Live Oak Counties, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1979) McGraw, A. JoachimDuring late February and early March 1979, an archaeological and historical survey of the Jacobs, Tom Retzloff and Smith-Stridde properties in Gonzales, Atascosa and Live Oak Counties was conducted. These properties are leased by the Continental Oil Company. The purpose of the survey was to evaluate the archaeological and historic potential of these properties before the leases are extensively modified by proposed uranium mining operations. The survey was conducted under the terms of a contract between Continental Oil Company's Project, as represented by Mr. Morris Merritt and Mr. Charles Salsman, and Dr. Thomas R. Hester, Director, Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio. The field survey was conducted by A. Joachim McGraw and Herb Uecker, Technical Staff Assistants of the Center, and under the general supervision of Dr. Hester. A detailed examination of artifacts collected during the survey was initiated following field operations. Four separate areas were surveyed during field investigations (see Fig. 1): the Jacobs property in southeastern Gonzales County; the adjacent Smith and Stridde properties in northern Live Oak County; and the Tom Retzloff property in eastern Atascosa County. Each locality was specifically identified on USGS 1:24,000 scale topographic maps. At each location, the survey consisted of a series of transects that encompassed both upland and lowland areas. For convenience in the field, the study areas were often divided into quadrants determined by distinctive topographic features such as drainages, high upland areas, etc. These quadrants were then transected individually to insure more complete survey coverage and for better field control, especially in areas of dense brush where map correlations were difficult. Research methodology generally followed the guidelines presented in Hester, Heizer and Graham (1975). Site designations were determined by the type and amount of artifactual materials on the surface, and collection of materials during the survey was limited to diagnostic or otherwise significant artifacts. Representative random judgment samples (Redman 1974; McGraw and Valdez 1978) were collected from sites where large quantities of lithic debitage were exposed. Special surface collections were made at these sites to enhance the perspective of prehistoric lithic characteristics in the study area. Elevations and distances of sites to water sources and other natural resources were also important considerations in site descriptions. Data on the newly discovered sites were recorded on standard site survey forms used by the Center for Archaeological Research, and all collected materials were placed in paper or plastic bags and labeled as to site number, date, type of collection, name of collector and other pertinent site information. Several soil samples were taken at selected site locations when washes or other erosional features revealed buried deposits. These samples were taken primarily to (1) objectively distinguish soil zone colors using a Munsell color chart and (2) to identify other basic soil characteristics and associations through later laboratory research. Due to the widely distributed property areas across three counties of south Texas, a general research design was initiated prior to field survey operations to maximize data gathering efforts. The surveys were directed not only toward individual site identifications but also toward a description of the macro-environmental conditions in which the sites were located. Combined with background ethnographic and historical research, the research methodology was directed toward a preliminary description of intersite relationships and, if possible, toward an areal distribution of various prehistoric technological processes as reflected from the archaeological record on the surface (see Figs. 2,3). This concept of not only identifying sites but also viewing them within the perspective of cultural and environmental relationships was considered to more accurately reflect the character and importance of each archaeological site.Item A preliminary assessment of archaeological resources at Tobins Oakwell Farm, San Antonio, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1977) McGraw, A. Joachim; Valdez, FredA preliminary archaeological survey and assessment of the Tobins Oakwell Farm project area was conducted during August 22-24, 1977, by archaeologists from the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). The work was conducted within two nearby but separate areas adjacent to Salado Creek within the city limits of San Antonio, northern Bexar County. The investigation was performed under a contract between the Center and Ford, Powell and Carson, architects and planners. The intent of the survey was to locate any unrecorded archaeological sites in the study area before their destruction or alteration by planned developments. To determine the significance of the project area, the survey team from the Center followed the guidelines listed below: 1) determine if archaeological resources exist within the areas of land committed to the project, 2) identify, record and appraise the significance of any sites found, and 3) provide recommendations for further research if adverse impacts are anticipated. The field work was conducted under the direction of Dr. Thomas R. Hester, Director, Center for Archaeological Research, and Mr. Jack Eaton, Assistant Director.Item A reconnaissance of a channel dam site and flood area on the San Saba River, Menard County, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1985) Labadie, Joseph H.During December 1984, a reconnaissance was carried out along portions of the San Saba River west of Menard, Texas. The purpose of the study was to examine the location where a new channel dam will be constructed, and areas upstream, incl uding Presidio San SabA (41 MN 1), to determine what cultural resources might be affected by any water level change as a result of dam installation. The reconnaissance determined that construction of a new concrete dam to replace an earlier earthen dam of similar size will not impact any known cultural resources. The water level is not expected to be appreciably higher and, therefore, will not impact Presidio San Saba. However, during a visit to Presidio San Saba, it was noted that golf course sprinkler system trenches have recently been excavated across portions of the historic site by the County of Menard. This trenching has disturbed buried cultural resources.Item A reconnaissance of electrical transmission line rights-of-way in Bandera and Kerr Counties, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1987) Labadie, Joseph H.During January 1986, the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted a reconnaissance level survey for the Bandera Electric Cooperative, Inc. Approximately 98 km of electrical transmission rights-of-way were surveyed. Nine archaeological sites were identified. None of the sites were found to be potentially eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Construction activities in the vicinity of these sites will not adversely impact any of the nine sites.Item A reevaluation of a lithic procurement site (41BX63) in Converse, Bexar County, Texas(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1997) Gross, Kevin J.An archaeological survey of 35 acres in Converse, Texas, in northeastern Bexar County, relocated lithic site 4IBX63. Extensive shovel testing demonstrated that virtually no subsurface material was present. The surface site was collected and the chipped stone and raw material analyzed. The analysis suggests local chert cobbles were being selected for early and middle stages of tool manufacture at the site. A single diagnostic artifact, a Scallorn point, indicates that site use included the Late Prehistoric period.