Archaeological Monitoring of Utilities Placement for OkTex Utility Construction Inc., San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Abstract

Archaeological monitoring of hand-excavated trenching was completed between May 31 and June 1, 2018, by staff of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Center for Archaeological Research (CAR). This archaeological work was in response to a request from OkTex Utility Construction, Inc. (OkTex). Two-hundred-and-forty five linear meters (lm) of fiber optic cable was installed along Aurelia and Yucca streets in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The work was completed within the purview of the Antiquities Code of Texas, and required a Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8450. The Project Archaeologist was José Zapata, and Paul Shawn Marceaux, CAR Director, served as Principal Investigator. As pointed out by the City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation (COSA OHP), a 1921 document shows the Cavalry (sic) Cemetery within the Area of Potential Effect (APE). A review of the Bexar County Deed Records (BCDR) located a 1945 plat showing a 1.53-acre plot (BCDR 3347:337-339). In addition, the Texas Archeological Sites Atlas shows the footprint of a cemetery within the APE. Based on the indicated perimeters, the cemetery would have been located within the southwest quadrant of the APE. Local and State agencies were involved in the project, including the COSA OHP, the Texas Historical Commission (THC), and the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). The goal of the construction monitoring was to identify and document any prehistoric and/or historic archaeologythat might be impacted by the trenching activities. No artifacts or archaeological features were encountered, and no additional ground disturbance is required within this area of potential effect (APE). All field notes, maps, and photos have been prepared for permanent curation at the CAR in accordance with Texas Historical Commission (THC) guidelines.