Archaeological test excavations at 41 MV 57: the Seco Mines project, Maverick County, Texas

Date

1977

Authors

Frkuska, Augustine J.
Frkuska, Elizabeth Cantu
Brown, David O.
Hester, Thomas R.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Abstract

In mid-February, 1977, an archaeological field team from the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, conducted investigations at prehistoric site 41 MV 57 in Maverick County, Texas. The site is located along a tributary of Seco Creek and is to be modified by the installation of a sewage collection system (the Seco Mines Project). In order to evaluate the site prior to the initiation of this project, it was deemed necessary to carry out a program of intensive surface survey, mapping, and controlled test excavations. This work was carried out under the terms of a contract with the Maverick County Commissioner's Court, facilitated by the firm of Bryant-Curington, Inc. (Austin) and the Texas Water Quality Board. The site had been originally documented by Hayden Whitsett, archaeologist for the Texas Water Quality Board, during a survey of the Seco Mines project area in late 1976 (Whitsett 1976a). Whitsett's evaluation of this site led to a recommendation for further study (Whitsett 1976b). The Center for Archaeological Research was contacted, and a research plan for work at the site was submitted (Hester 1977) after a visit to the site by Dr. Thomas R. Hester and Fred Valdez, Jr., in January, 1977. After receiving authorization to proceed with fieldwork at 41 MV 57, a field team consisting of Augustine Frkuska, Elizabeth Frkuska, and David Brown was sent to the site. The investigations conducted by this team were under the general supervision of Dr. Thomas R. Hester (Director of the Center) and Jack D. Eaton (Research Associate of the Center). The 1977 fieldwork was oriented toward two main tasks: (1) to evaluate, via intensive surface survey and test pitting, a previously identified archaeological site in terms of its significance and possible eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places; (2) to record and map any archaeological materials at the site that might be destroyed by the proposed Seco Mines Project.

Description

Keywords

archaeological investigation, archaeology, Texas archaeology, Maverick County, Seco Mines

Citation

Department