An Intensive Pedestrian Survey for Fort Sam Houston Linear Park Trail in Bexar County, Texas

Date

2016

Authors

Figueroa, Antonia L.

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Publisher

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

Abstract

In October of 2014 and May 2016, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) conducted an archaeological survey of the 5.4-km Fort Sam Houston Linear Park Trail for Bain Medina Bain, Inc. The archaeological work included a 100 percent pedestrian survey of the proposed trail along with shovel testing and backhoe trenching. The principal goal of the survey was to identify and document all prehistoric and/or historic archaeological sites that may be impacted by the proposed park trail. The survey, conducted under the requirements of the Texas Antiquities Code, was performed under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 7031 with Dr. Paul Shawn Marceaux serving as Principal Investigator and Antonia Figueroa serving as Project Archaeologist. During investigations, CAR staff excavated 87 shovel tests and three backhoe trenches. Site 41BX305 was revisited, and one new site, 41BX2058, was documented. At site 41BX305, 10 shovel tests were excavated, and as a result, the site boundaries were extended. Archaeological work conducted in the 1970s indicated a Middle Archaic component at the site. Although significant prehistoric material was recovered in the current investigations, no diagnostic artifacts were identified. The highest frequency of artifacts occurred beyond depth of impacts associated with the proposed trail. Further work at the site was not recommended. The CAR staff identified site 41BX2058 during the current survey and excavated eight shovel tests to define the site. The presence of historic and prehistoric material, as well as evidence of animal burrowing, indicate the site has been disturbed, and further work on the site was not recommended. The CAR recommended installation of the proposed Fort Sam Houston Linear Park Trail proceed as planned. However, CAR recommended monitoring during future utility installation near the parking lot of John James Park. Artifacts and records generated during this project were prepared for curation according to Texas Historical Commission (THC) guidelines and are permanently curated at the CAR at UTSA.

Description

Keywords

archaeological investigation, archaeology, Texas archaeology, archaeological surveying, excavations, Bexar County, San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston

Citation

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