A Linear Pedestrian Archaeological Survey in Olmos Basin Park, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

In 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.