Technical Reports

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12588/1128

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Archaeological Monitoring of the CKT M171 Pole Replacements Project in Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2024-04-03) Wigley, Sarah
Beginning in August of 2020 through April of 2021, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) conducted archaeological monitoring of 20 CPS Energy (CPS) pole locations west of downtown San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas in response to a request from Adams Environmental, Inc. (AEI). The project area encompassed 42 pole locations. The project area is located on City of San Antonio (COSA) right of way (ROW) property. At the municipal level, the property falls under COSA’s Unified Development Code (UDC) (Article 6 35-630 to 35-634). The project also required review by the Texas Historical Commission (THC) under the Antiquities Code of Texas. CAR obtained Texas Antiquities Permit No. 9426 prior to the beginning of fieldwork. Sarah Wigley served as the Project Archaeologist and Dr. Raymond Mauldin served as the Principal Investigator during the fieldwork portion of the project, while Cynthia Munoz served as Principal Investigator during the report production. The broad area in which the poles were located spans 152 ha. (377 acres) bounded by Ruiz Street to the north, El Paso Street to the south, Navidad Street to the west, and Colorado Street to the east, although only the ROW portions are included within the project area. Twenty of the 42 poles were monitored. After consultation with CPS, it was determined that the remainder of the pole holes were excavated without notifying the CAR. CPS informed the THC that this occurred. THC determined that no action was required regarding the permit violation. Cultural resources of concern included nearby historical sites as well as the potential for deposits related to the Battle of Alazàn Creek. No evidence of intact cultural deposits or cultural features was observed during monitoring. The CAR does not recommend any further work. All records generated during the course of this project are curated as accession number 2790.
Archaeological Investigations for VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority Underground Storage Tank Replacement, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2024-03-20) Wigley, Sarah
From March to September 2023, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), in response to a request from VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority (VIA-MTA) conducted archaeological monitoring of trench excavation in support of the replacement of existing underground storage tanks and associated utilities at 1720 North Flores Street, San Antonio, Texas. As the project area is located on VIA-MTA property, the project required compliance with the Texas Antiquities Code, and review under the Unified Development Code of the City of San Antonio (Article 6 35-630 to 35-634). The project was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 30836. David Yelacic, former CAR Director, served as the Principal Investigator and directed the fieldwork until his departure from the CAR in August of 2023. Following his departure, Leonard Kemp assumed the role of Principal Investigator and Sarah Wigley served as the Project Archaeologist. The project area, spanning 0.07 hectares (ha; 0.2 acres), is located east of San Pedro Creek within the current VIA-MTA bus parking lot at the Via Metro Center. Potential resources of concern included the San Pedro Acequia 41BX337), as well as the potential for prehistoric resources associated with the San Pedro Creek. Cultural material dating to the early twentieth century was recovered from one trench. No other artifacts or cultural features were recorded. However, based on the sensitivity of the area, the CAR recommends monitoring of any future ground-disturbing activities that have impacts below the hardscapes within the project area. All artifacts collected and records generated during this project were curated at the CAR curation facility on the UTSA Main Campus under Accession Number 2826.
Archaeological Monitoring of Emergency Repair of a Sewer Line at Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, Bexar County
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2024-02-12) Paige, Jonathan; Wigley, Sarah
On April 11, 2022, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) was contacted by the City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation (COSA-OHP) to request an archaeological monitor for emergency excavation and repair of a sewer line constructed directly on top of the Upper Labor Acequia (41BX2043) in Brackenridge Park in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. Brackenridge Park is owned by the COSA. Any work that might damage or displace archaeological or historical sites on public municipal property in San Antonio is subject to regulatory review at both the municipal and state level. At the municipal level, the property falls under the City of San Antonio’s Unified Development Code (UDC) article 6, sections 35-630 through 35-634. At the state level, the project requires review by the Texas Historical Commission (THC) under the Antiquities Code of Texas. David Yelacic initially served as the Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Permit number 31147. Cynthia Munoz stepped in as Principal Investigator when Yelacic left the CAR. Sarah Wigley served as the Project Archaeologist. The excavation to expose the sewer line was performed by the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department on April 11, and 12, 2022. CAR monitored all ground disturbance on the 0.08 ha (0.02 acres) project area. The excavated deposits were all disturbed by the initial installation of the sewer line. No cultural features or intact cultural deposits were documented. Based on these findings, CAR recommends no further work, though given the rich archaeological resources within Brackenridge Park, archaeological investigation should precede any ground disturbances within the park in the future. All records generated during this project were prepared for curation in accordance with THC guidelines, and are permanently curated at the CAR at University of Texas, San Antonio under accession number 2764.
Archaeological Investigation for the Bulverde Road Phase II Improvements, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2023-10-04) Wigley, Sarah
On June 12, 2023, through June 22, 2023, CAR-UTSA (Center for Archaeological at the University of Texas at San Antonio) staff completed an archaeological survey of a 1-kilometer (km) section of right-of-way (ROW) along Bulverde Road in northeastern San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. This work was carried out in advance of the Bulverde Road Phase II Improvements project in response to a request from the City of San Antonio (COSA). The project includes updates to paving, drainage and utilities within the project area. The survey, conducted under the requirements of COSA’s Unified Development Code (UDC) (Article 6 35-630 to 35-634) and the Antiquities Code of Texas, was carried out under Antiquities Permit No. 31149. Sarah Wigley served as the Principal Investigator for the project and directed the fieldwork. A pedestrian survey with shovel testing was conducted to revisit two previously recorded sites (41BX1787 and 41BX2204) within the project area, as well as to identify any previously unrecorded cultural resources. At approximately 30-meters (m) wide, the project area spans 3 hectares (ha; 7.4 acres). CAR excavated 19 shovel tests (STs) within the project area. CAR encountered no cultural features during the investigation, and the only cultural material recovered was modern trash. The survey results indicate that the portions of sites 41BX1787 and 41BX2204, previously recorded within the project area, were destroyed by subsequent construction. The CAR recommends no further work. All records associated with this project are permanently curated at the CAR under accession number 2750 in accordance with Texas Historical Commission (THC) guidelines. Artifacts collected were discarded with the concurrence of the THC and the City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation (COSA-OHP).
Archaeological Monitoring of the Excavation of a Burial Plot for an Archdiocese Reburial at Mission San Juan (41BX5), San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2023-07-26) Munoz, Cynthia
On December 8, 2022, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted archaeological monitoring at Mission San Juan (41BX5) in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The monitoring was performed in response to a request from the Archdiocese of San Antonio for monitoring the excavation of a pit for the reburial of mission related human remains. As the mission is a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), excavations on the property are subject to the Texas Antiquities Code and require review by the Texas Historical Commission. The work was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 30937. Cynthia Munoz served as Principal Investigator on the project and Michelle Carpenter served as Project Archaeologist. Archaeological work consisted of monitoring the hand excavation of one pit measuring approximately 1.8 m (6 ft.) long by 1.2 m (4 ft.) wide by 0.5 m (1.7 ft.) deep. Approximately 1.1 cubic meters (40.1 ft3) of sediments were manually excavated. No cultural features were encountered during monitoring. Low densities of faunal bone, floor tile, and bottle glass were noted. All records generated during this project were curated at the CAR in accordance with THC guidelines in CAR Accession No. 2700. No artifacts were collected.
Archaeological Investigations for VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority Bus Charging Station, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2023-06-06) Wigley, Sarah; Yelacic, David
From October to December 2022, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), in response to a request from VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority (VIA-MTA) conducted archaeological monitoring for proposed development at 1720 N. Flores Street in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. Monitored activities included trenching for electrical conduit and boreholes for canopy piers/supports. As the project area is located on VIA-MTA property, the project requires compliance with the Texas Antiquities Code and review under the Unified Development Code of the City of San Antonio (Article 6 35-630 to 35-634). The project was conducted under Antiquities Permit No. 30822. David Yelacic, CAR Director, served as the Principal Investigator, and Sarah Wigley served as the Project Archaeologist. The project area, spanning 2.7 acres (1.1 ha), is located immediately east of San Pedro Creek, within the current VIA bus parking lot at the VIA Metro Center. The primary concern was the known presence of the San Pedro Acequia (41BX337) within the project area (Cox 1986), as well as the project area’s proximity to San Pedro Springs Park (41BX19; Mauldin et al. 2015). Sparse historic materials were recovered during the course of archaeological monitoring. No cultural features were recorded and no evidence of the San Pedro Acequia was encountered. However, based on the sensitivity of the area, the CAR recommends monitoring of any future ground-disturbing activities that have impacts below the pavement within the project area. All artifacts collected and records generated during the course of this project are curated in accordance with THC guidelines at the CAR under accession 2714.
Intensive Survey Associated with Improvements to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2011) Thompson, Jennifer L.
Marmon Mok Architecture contracted with the Center for Archaeological Research at The University of Texas at San Antonio (CAR-UTSA) to perform an intensive archaeological survey of backhoe trenches (BHT) on the remaining undeveloped portions of Lot 12, Block 3, NCB 13814 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, to assess the impact of the proposed construction on an acequia lateral projected to run through the lot. The Area of Potential Effect (APE) is on the remaining lot east of the Grand Hyatt Hotel and north of the Convention Center Exhibit Hall “D” in a grassy area near the intersection of Market and Bowie Streets. The lot is scheduled for development as an outdoor event space with landscaping, masonry retaining walls, restrooms, and drinking fountains. The greatest impact to the project area will be the removal of 1 m (3 ft.) of soil to stabilize the ground surface for construction. Numerous utilities cross the project area, many witnessed in backhoe trench walls. Four backhoe trenches were excavated and two construction trenches were examined on June 1, 2011. No cultural materials or remnants of the acequia were observed in any of the trenches. The archaeological trenches were excavated to 1.5 m (5 ft.) below the surface. The two existing construction trenches that were excavated to 0.9 m (3 ft.) below the surface by SpawGlass Construction Company were also examined by CAR. Jennifer Thompson served as Project Archaeologist. Dr. Steve Tomka served as the Principal Investigator. The project was conducted under Texas Antiquities Committee (TAC) Permit No. 5952.
Construction Monitoring of the Theo Avenue Realignment Project, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2012) Dickey, Cynthia M.; Ulrich, Kristi M.
From January through April 2011, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) conducted construction monitoring associated with the realignment of a segment of Theo Avenue between the San Antonio River and Mission Road. The construction monitoring occurred under contract with the San Antonio River Authority (SARA). The ground-disturbing activities included new roadway surface grading, drainage pipe installations, tree removal and relocation, baseball field demolition, and pier drilling for the Mission Concepciόn Portal. Construction monitoring took place under Texas Antiquities Committee Permit No. 5845. No prehistoric or historic cultural materials were identified during the monitoring activities, which followed an intensive pedestrian archaeological survey of the project area under a separate permit. All project-generated documentation is permanently curated at the CAR facility.
Archaeological Monitoring of Subsurface Electrical Lines at Fort McKavett State Historic Site (41MN2), Menard County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2011) DiVito, Nathan; Ulrich, Kristi M.
On February 7 and 8, 2011, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at the University of Texas at San Antonio, was contracted by the Texas Historical Commission under permit number 5873 to conduct archaeological monitoring of mechanical excavations of two trenches intended to house electrical lines at Fort McKavett State Historic Site. The Fort McKavett State Historic Site is located at the intersection of FR 864 and 1674, twenty-two miles southwest of the City of Menard, situated in southwestern Menard County, Texas. During the course of the project, the Area of Potential Effect (APE) was surveyed prior to excavation. Given the occupation history of Fort McKavett, the project area had the potential to produce significant cultural deposits and features. The mechanical excavation of the trenches was photo documented and the back-dirt inspected. A small number of temporally diagnostic artifacts were collected. No significant historic features were documented or impacted. As a result, the CAR does not recommend that further investigations be conducted in the area of potential effect. However, the CAR does recommend long-term monitoring of future improvement-related activities to continue at the site.
Archaeological Investigations of Room 17, the Church at Mission San Juan Capistrano (41BX5), San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2011) Thompson, Jennifer L.
In February and March 2011, the Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio (CAR-UTSA) re-excavated trenches first excavated by Mardith Schuetz in 1968 at two locales outside Room 17, the mission church, at Mission San Juan Capistrano in the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park (SAMNHP). Schuetz’s Trench 2 was located at the corner of a buttress and the east wall on the north side of the north door of the church. Trench 5 was behind the church, approximately 15.6 feet south of the west wall window at the corner of the wall and a buttress. The excavation occurred to assess the condition of the foundation ahead of restoration efforts to be conducted by Ford, Powell, and Carson, Architects and Planners, Inc. The 1968 excavations were also conducted to expose the foundation. At that time, the matrix was backfilled without being screened. Therefore, the current excavations through the disturbed deposits did not proceed in controlled levels. However, all excavated deposits were screened for temporally diagnostic artifacts, which were collected and taken for curation at CAR-UTSA. Disarticulated human remains were recovered from the matrix screened from Trench 2. These were in a disturbed context that had been excavated in 1968. As per discussion with Susan Snow of the SAMNHP, the remains will be reinterred in the approximate location where they were found. No intact burial pit was present. The remains will be housed temporarily at CAR-UTSA until re-interred. The work was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 5880. Steve A. Tomka served as Principal Investigator and Jennifer L. Thompson served as the Project Archaeologist.
Intensive Pedestrian Archaeological Survey of the Loop 1604 San Antonio River Access Park, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2010) Figueroa, Antonia L.; Perez, Jason B.; Ulrich, Kristi M.
The Center for Archaeological Research at The University of Texas at San Antonio performed an intensive pedestrian survey of the Loop 1604 San Antonio River Access Park, Bexar County, Texas. The work was conducted for the San Antonio River Authority (SARA). During the survey of 3.05 acres conducted by CAR, seven shovel tests and three backhoe trenches were excavated. No sites were identified within the project area and the CAR recommends that the proposed plans for the Loop 1604 San Antonio River Access Park can proceed as planned. The project was performed under Texas Antiquities Permit # 5717 with Dr. Steve Tomka serving as Principal Investigator and Antonia L. Figueroa serving as Project Archaeologist. No artifacts were recovered and all project related documents are curated at the Center for Archaeological Research.
Cultural Resources Monitoring for the Carnahan Canal Wall Stabilization Project, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2019-11) Figueroa, Antonia L.
In January of 2019, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Center for Archaeological Research (CAR), in response to a request from the City of San Antonio, Office of Historic Preservation (COSAOHP), conducted archaeological monitoring for the Carnahan Canal Stabilization Project in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The project area is located on Brackenridge Park, which is owned by COSA, and the work is subject to the Texas Antiquities Code. The archaeological monitoring was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8735, and the COSA-OHP and the Texas Historical Commission (THC) reviewed the project. Paul Shawn Marceaux served as the Principal Investigator, and Antonia L. Figueroa served as Project Archaeologist. The project area measures 0.57 hectares (1.4 acres). The project was conducted in two stages. Stage 1 included the removal of the collapsed portions of the canal wall and the vegetation that had fallen into the canal. Stage 2 involved the stabilization of the canal bank with a combination of soil, gabion rock, and concrete powder. During this stage, the bank was graded, dressed with topsoil, and covered with grass seed and fertilizer. No cultural material was collected during the project. CAR recommends no further work for the project. However, if any future impacts occur along the canal banks, archaeological monitoring should be required. All records generated during the project were prepared in accordance with Federal Regulations 36 CFR Part 79 and THC requirements for State Held-in-Trust collections.
Intensive Pedestrian Survey for the Majestic Ranch Apartments, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2019) Wigley, Sarah
In May of 2019, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted an intensive pedestrian survey of the proposed location for the Majestic Ranch Apartments development in northwest San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The work was conducted in response to a request by Poznecki-Camarillo, Inc. in order to fulfill the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the City of San Antonio’s Unified Development Code. The project was located on private property; therefore, the project did not fall under the Antiquities Code of Texas or require an Antiquities Permit. Dr. Paul Shawn Marceaux served as Principal Investigator, and Sarah Wigley served as Project Archaeologist. CAR surveyed a six-hectare (14.8-acre) project area located at 4862 Callaghan Road and 118 Woodside Drive. No artifacts or cultural features were encountered during shovel testing. The entire project area was found to be disturbed. The CAR recommends that construction proceed as planned. All records generated during this project were curated at the CAR in accordance with Texas Historical Commission guidelines.
Archaeological Investigations of the Monterrey Park Improvements, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2019-10) Figueroa, Antonia L.
On March 4, 2019, The University of Texas at San Antonio Center for Archaeological Research (CAR), in response to a request from the City of San Antonio (COSA), conducted archaeological investigations in the form of exploratory backhoe trenching in advance of proposed improvements to Monterrey Park located in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The Monterrey Park Improvements Project was funded by the COSA and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). The project was located on COSA property, and therefore, it was conducted under the Antiquities Code of Texas. Archaeological work was performed under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8798. Due to federal funding received by TPWD for the project, compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) was also required. The COSA’s Office of Historic Preservation (COSA-OHP) and Texas Historical Commission (THC) reviewed the project. Paul Shawn Marceaux served as the Principal Investigator, and Antonia L. Figueroa served as the Project Archaeologist. The archaeological investigations were concentrated along Zarzamora Creek. Archaeological investigations conducted by CAR resulted in the excavation of four backhoe trenches along the creek bank. During backhoe trenching, no cultural material or archaeological sites were encountered. CAR recommends no further work, and improvements in this part of the park can proceed as planned. All project related materials, including the final report, are permanently stored at the CAR curation facility.
Intensive Pedestrian Survey of the Leon Creek Greenway Trail from Levi Strauss Park to the Lackland Corridor Monument, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2019) Kemp, Leonard
The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Center for Archaeological Research (CAR), in response to a request from Bain Medina Bain, Inc., conducted an intensive pedestrian survey of an extension for the Leon Creek South Greenway Trail from Levi Strauss Park to the Lackland Corridor Monument in northwest San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The project is located on property owned by the City of San Antonio (COSA) and includes public funding. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) granted Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8527 to Paul Shawn Marceaux, CAR Director, who served as the Principal Investigator, and Leonard Kemp served as the Project Archaeologist. The Area of Potential Effect (APE) consists of approximately 3.4 km (2.1 miles [mi.]) of proposed trail divided into three segments for discussion purposes. Segment 1 of the proposed trail runs 0.64 km (0.39 mi.) adjacent to Leon Creek south from Levi Strauss Park and crosses U.S. Hwy. 90. Segment 2 continues west 2.2 km (1.4 mi.) to the Lackland Corridor Monument (under construction) at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 90 and W. Military Drive (Segment 2). Segment 3 begins at the southern portion of Segment 1 at U.S. Hwy. 90 and runs east 0.55 km (0.34 mi.) to Mateo Camargo Park. Fieldwork was conducted on August 20 and 22, 2018. CAR surveyed the 3.4 km (2.1 mi.) of proposed trail and excavated 24 shovel tests. All shovel tests were negative for cultural materials with the exception of three shovel tests that contained modern debris. This material was not collected, but it was noted on the shovel test form. CAR recommends that the construction of the extension of the Leon Creek Greenway from Levi Strauss Park to the Lackland Corridor Monument proceed as it will not impact any previous or new archaeological sites or features. However, in the event that construction reveals archaeological deposits, work should cease, and the City Archaeologist of COSA Office of Historic Preservation and/or THC should be notified. If in the event that a Section 404 Permit is required because the construction is located near a waterway, CAR will consult with the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Archaeological Monitoring Associated with the Installation of Conserved Cannon in the Alamo Complex, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2018) Zapata, José E.
Between February and June 2018, in response to a request from the Alamo Trust, Inc., staff of the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) performed archaeological monitoring of six hand-excavated holes prior to the construction of a series of concrete supports for the installation and display of six historic period cannon at Mission San Antonio de Valero, The Alamo (41BX6), in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The Area of Potential Effect (APE) was limited to the east side of the 1934 Alamo Arcade. The installation of the conserved cannon took place beneath the midpoint of six arches along the east side of the arcade. Six holes were hand-excavated by Alamo staff, while CAR staff monitored the progress and screened the soils. The Project Archaeologist was José Zapata, and Sarah Wigley assisted with the fieldwork and artifact analysis. Paul Shawn Marceaux, CAR Director, served as the Principal Investigator. This project fell under the Antiquities Code of Texas and required review by the Texas Historical Commission (THC) and the Texas General Land Office (GLO). Archaeological monitoring was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8335. The cannon installations were completed with a minimal amount of disturbance and no adverse impacts to resources within the APE. All field notes, photos, and artifacts have been prepared for permanent curation at the CAR, in accordance with THC guidelines.
Archaeological Investigations for the Paso Real Subdivision Flood Mitigation Project, Cameron County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2018) Zapata, José E.
On November 2 and 3, 2017, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) completed archaeological testing in advance of a flood mitigation project in Cameron County, Texas. Archaeological testing was in response to a request from Cameron County, which is proposing to install a drainage system to alleviate flooding in the Paso Real Subdivision. The County is applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding. As part of the project review, the Texas State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) requested archaeological investigations prior to the commencement of the project. The work was completed within the purview of the Antiquities Code of Texas and was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8103. The Project Archaeologist was José Zapata, and Dr. Paul Shawn Marceaux served as Principal Investigator. The scope of work (SOW) for the project required a pedestrian survey of a 5.5-m (18-ft.) wide by 289.5-m (950-ft.) long area of potential effect (APE) and the excavation of three exploratory backhoe trenches. The results of the survey and testing were negative. The CAR recommends the project will result in No Historic Properties Affected and that the project proceed as planned. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) concurred with these recommendations on February 27, 2018. All field notes, maps, and photos have been prepared for permanent curation at the CAR in accordance with THC guidelines.
Archaeological Monitoring for the Espada Road Widening and Infrastructure Upgrades Project, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2018) Kemp, Leonard
From September 30, 2016, through October 19, 2017, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) conducted archaeological monitoring for the Espada Road Widening and Infrastructure Upgrades Project. The City of San Antonio’s (COSA) Transportation and Capital Improvements (TCI) Department contracted Poznecki-Camarillo, Inc. (PCI), who hired CAR to conduct the archaeological monitoring. The COSA’s Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) and TCI designated three areas within the Project Area to monitor, as recommended by an earlier study. CAR archaeologists did not find archaeological features or other artifacts that would warrant further investigation in any of the three areas. Espada Road construction was allowed to proceed without interruption. The archaeological monitoring was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 7789 issued to Dr. Paul Shawn Marceaux, the Principal Investigator, with Leonard Kemp serving as Project Archaeologist.
Archaeological Assessment of Three Locations on the San Antonio River, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2010) Meissner, Barbara A.
In May 2010, staff archaeologists from the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) conducted an assessment of three areas along the San Antonio River between Theo Avenue and Mission Road. This work was completed under Antiquities Permit No. 5622 and National Park Service Permit No. SAAN-2010-SCI-0001, under the oversight of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Texas Historical Commission, and the City of San Antonio. The Principal Investigator was Dr. Steve A. Tomka and the Project Archaeologist was Barbara A. Meissner. The three areas consisted of 1) the possible location of a remnant of the San José Dam, constructed in the mid-eighteenth century; 2) a location near the Poor Family Cemetery (41BX264) where concrete curb-like elements, reminiscent of a kind of grave decoration common in the later nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, had been observed; and 3) a location south of Concepción Park where prehistoric artifacts and a limestone rock alignment had been observed. Three backhoe trenches (BHTs) were excavated into the west bank of the San Antonio River to define the nature of the stone concentrations discovered during grading in the approximate location of the San José Dam. No evidence of a remnant of the San José Dam was encountered. The sediments consisted of fill and riprap placed on the bank during the rechannelization of the river to prevent erosion. Two BHTs were excavated in the vicinity of the fragments of concrete curbing noted on SARA-owned right-of-way. The trenches revealed a stratigraphy dominated by fill from surface to 3.0 m below surface, the terminal depth of the trenches. No evidence was found indicating that the Poor Family Cemetery extended into the SARA right-of-way. Two BHTs were dug in the area where prehistoric surface deposits were noted on the east bank of the San Antonio River, south of Concepción Park. The trenches revealed that the artifacts recovered and burned rock observed on the ground surface have been recently brought in and do not represent an in situ prehistoric site. The limestone rocks noted nearby appear to be part of the layer of rock riprap placed on the slope of the bank to retard erosion during flood events. As no evidence of significant prehistoric and/or historic deposits was found during these investigations, the CAR recommends that the grading along these three locations of the San Antonio River proceed as originally planned. However, due to the possibility that a remnant of the San José Dam is buried under the fill observed during this project, we recommend that an archaeological monitor be present during the remaining grading in the area. In addition, as the exact location of the boundaries of the Poor Family Cemetery is not known, we recommend that an archaeological monitor be present during grading in this area as well. As the prehistoric artifacts constitute a secondary deposit and the limestone rocks on the east bank of the river are riprap, we do not recommend additional archaeological investigations or monitoring on the east bank of the San Antonio River associated with these two deposits.
Archaeological Monitoring for the San Pedro Avenue, Main Avenue, and Navarro Street Roundabout Project, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
(Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2018) Figueroa, Antonia L.
From March 2017 to February 2018, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) conducted archaeological monitoring for the San Pedro Avenue, Main Avenue, and Navarro Street Roundabout Project in downtown San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. Adams Environmental, Inc., on behalf of the City of San Antonio (COSA), contracted CAR to conduct the archaeological monitoring in association with road and utilities improvements. The project fell under COSA’s Unified Development Code (UDC) (Article 6 35-630 to 35-634) and required review by the Texas Historical Commission (THC) under the Antiquities Code of Texas. The archaeological work was performed under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 7906. Dr. Paul Shawn Marceaux served as Principal Investigator, and Antonia L. Figueroa served as the Project Archaeologist. The fieldwork consisted of archaeological monitoring of excavations associated with San Antonio Water System (SAWS) utilities installation and COSA roadwork. Much of the project area has been subjected to vehicular traffic and has been impacted by previous utilities. No new archaeological sites were documented during the archaeological monitoring, and only modern material was observed. CAR recommends no further archaeological work and that improvements proceed as planned. Records generated during this project were prepared for curation according to THC guidelines and are permanently curated at the CAR.

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