corrections

OVEMBER 2007, VOLUME 9, NUMBER 2

ARCHEOLOGY IN TEXAS

www.thc.state.tx.us

Revisiting La Junta de los Ríos

New Data from Archeological and Human

Osteological Investigations

William A. Cloud and Jennifer C. Piehl

he Center for Big Bend Studies (CBBS), Sul Ross State University, conducted

excavations in 2006 at the Millington site, a large village in Presidio County

within the La Junta archeological district. In the Eastern Trans-Pecos region

of Texas and adjacent portions of northeastern Chihuahua, the term La Junta

or La Junta de los Ríos refers to the confluence of the Rio Grande and Río

Conchos, two of only three rivers found within the vast Chihuahuan Desert. The rivers

breathe life into otherwise arid and inhospitable areas of the geologically diverse landscape.

Modern-day human populations have tended to cluster along the two rivers, with a

concentration just below their junction at the sister cities of Presidio, Texas, and Ojinaga,

Chihuahua. During late prehistory, select portions of these environs were also a focus

of cultural activities as Indian villages with sedentary or semisedentary lifeways and

economies incorporating agriculture sprang up by approximately A.D. 1200 and persisted

until the late 18th century.

Background

Over 65 years ago, J. Charles Kelley developed a cultural construct known as the Bravo

alley aspect to encompass the long-lived occupation of the La Junta village sites. The

area containing the villages was defined as the La Junta archeological district (Kelley

et al. 1940). The district (F

igure 1) is contained within a roughly triangular area formed

by Cuchillo Parado, Chihuahua, and Ruidosa and Redford, Texas (Kelley 1952:259).

Through his findings in the district, Kelley was able to divide the aspect into three

phases: La Junta (ca. A.D. 1200–1450), Concepción (ca. A.D. 1450–1684), and Conchos

(ca. A.D. 1684–1760). Kelley’s pioneering efforts in the district in the 1930s and 1940s

included extensive excavations at three sites: Millington (41PS14), Loma Alta (41PS15),

and P

olvo (41PS21).

Located at the southeastern edge of P

residio, the Millington site was listed on

the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 as part of the La Junta archeological

district. The four

-acre “heart” of the site became the property of the T

exas Historical

Commission (THC) in 1986 and a State Archeological Landmark in 1987. At the time

of the THC purchase, a fence was erected around the property, and signs in both English

and Spanish provided information about the site’s importance to the archeology of the

area and legal protections afforded it. Although city roads and a federally funded housing

project affected adjacent areas at that time, state and federal designations and signage

have

helped protect most of the site over the years. However, several human interments

were

accidentally uncovered in an adjacent roadway in 2003 during an attempt to refurbish

IN THIS ISSUE

Revisiting La Junta

de los Ríos 1

CURRENT

NEWS AND EVENTS

Indianola Investigations:

Phase 2 8

San Antonio’s

Main Plaza 10

TPTF Grants 10

TAM Contributors 11

Archeology Awards 13

Five Curatorial

Facilities Certified 14

REGIONAL AND

STEWARD NEWS

RA Reports 15

TASN Workshop 19

LOOKING AHEAD

Upcoming

Archeological Events 21

TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

• TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION • CURRENT ARCHEOLOGY IN TEXAS

old water line. The CBBS, in consultation with the THC and

the city of Presidio, documented the disturbances at that time,

returning to the site in 2006 for more substantive work.

With funding from the THC’s Texas Preservation

Trust Fund, the city of Presidio, and the CBBS Trans-Pecos

Archaeological Program (TAP), the 2006 investigation

concentrated on salvaging the burials exposed by the backhoe

while exploring several other features also revealed by the

disturbance. In addition, the site was mapped with a Total Data

Station (TDS), an extensive provenienced surface collection

was completed, and several areas of the site were explored

through geophysical means (i.e., ground penetrating radar

and

conductivity) in an effort to identify buried features. F

ive

human burials and portions of three structures were uncovered,

allowing an update to, and reassessment of La Junta architec-

ture, mortuary practices, and health.

Architecture

In the 1930s and 1940s, Kelley excavated 22 houses at

Millington, 13 at Loma Alta, and 3 at P

olvo, allowing identifi

cation of three architectural traditions (Kelley 1985). These

houses were constructed over or within pits and were thought

to have had flat-topped roofs and roof entrances; most had

jacal superstructures.

The La Junta phase is represented by a majority of

the previously excavated structures. During this phase, three

types of houses have been identified: a single example of a

multiroomed structure constructed in a shallow pit, rectangular

structures, and circular structures. The multiroomed structure

had adobe floors and a tier of five rooms arranged in an east-

west direction that resulted from accretion (F

igure 2). Because

its walls were of adobe, built directly from the floor, Kelley

believed the structure had been built fairly early in the El Paso

Figure 1. Map showing the La Junta archeological district as defined by J. Charles Kelley

A JUNTA DE LOS RÍOS • 3

phase tradition, the product of a colony from the Jornada

Mogollon region (Kelley 1985, 1986). However, Mallouf

(1999) has suggested the La Junta phase may have originated

with a hunting and gathering society either indigenous to the

region or intrusive from the Southern Plains, rather than from

a direct linkage with sedentary peoples of the Jornada Branch

of the Mogollon. If the latter theory is correct, the multi-

roomed structure at Millington may have been a native copy

of an El Paso phase structure. At this point, the origins of this

structure, and for that matter the La Junta phase, remain very

much open to debate.

Dominant houses during the La Junta phase were

rectangular

, were built within or over pits, and encompassed

10–21 sq m. These small, isolated houses had

jacal superstruc

tures placed within the pits, with the single exception of a

house from P

olvo, where adobe bricks formed the walls begin

ning at ground surface (Shackelford 1951, 1955). Floors were

of puddled adobe or tramped gravel, occasionally with low

adobe curbs around their periphery (Figure 3). Jacal super-

structures were anchored by both large and smaller interior

posts; walls were of a pole framework with some mud/daub

plastering. Circular to oval structures used at this time were

relatively small, with diameters smaller than 3 m. They had

tramped gravel floors and framework posts arranged around

the periphery of the floor. It appears they were built over

the pit, with pole walls starting at ground.

During the Concepción phase, houses were larger

but very similar to those of the La Junta phase, with both

rectangular and circular to oval varieties represented. R

ectan

gular houses were dominant, either isolated or in east-west

tiers, and about twice the size of those of the preceding phase.

ramped gravel or packed refuse served as floors within the

Figure 2. Drawing of a La Junta phase structure at the Millington site (41PS14) with a tier of rooms

4 • TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION • CURRENT ARCHEOLOGY IN TEXAS

pits, and adobe was not used at all. Circular houses had

diameters of about 3.7–5.5 m and numerous supporting posts,

compared with those of the La Junta phase (Kelley 1985, 1986).

Kelley had much fewer data from this phase than from

the preceding ones. Nevertheless, he maintains (Kelley 1985)

that most of the dwellings used during the Conchos or Mission

phase continued the Rectangular House tradition, though pits

were gradually eliminated. Circular to oval pit structures with

a number of support posts were possibly used as well.

During the 2006 Millington site investigation, portions

of three structures were uncovered. One of these was in a pit

60–80 cm deep and partially obscured by superimposition.

Lacking a prepared floor, the structure contained several

burned vertical posts and burned roof fall, including several

layers of fibrous material (possibly grass), river cane, probable

willow shoots, larger sticks or poles, crisscrossed materials,

daub, and mud-dauber nests. Radiocarbon analysis of the

roof fall provided a La Junta phase date of A.D. 1290–1410.

It remains unknown whether this was a house or perhaps a

ramada attached to a house; the latter occurrence has been

documented in one instance at Millington.

The second structural remnant uncovered in 2006

was a rock wall that spanned a distance of 1.6 m across one

unit (Figure 4). The 40 cm high wall was made principally

of small vesicular basalt boulders, with fallen stones, charcoal,

and charcoal-laden sediments on either side. A charcoal sample

from its base yielded a date of A.D. 1730–1810, suggesting

the wall was built during the middle to late Conchos phase or

perhaps after that phase. Several large, untyped sherds from a

shallow bowl with an interior red painted design were found

on either side of the wall and conjoin, but additional research

will be needed to identify this previously unrecognized pottery.

Further excavation will be required to determine the type

of wall structure. Importantly, this is the first evidence of

a stone-based structure from a Bravo Valley aspect site.

The last structure uncovered in 2006 was a house

constructed in a pit ca. 30 cm deep. It contained a subfeature

that had not been reported previously: an adobe backing on

the original ground surface, adjacent to and angled away from

the pit — possibly a rainwater deflector (Figure 5). The floor

of the structure was hardened and appears to originally have

been puddled adobe several centimeters thick; however, its

patchy, irregular surface and lack of burned wall or roof fall

suggest the superstructure was salvaged after abandonment,

and the floor subsequently eroded before the pit was filled.

Found within a pit in the floor was a human interment cov-

ered with cobbles. A bone collagen date of A.D. 1160–1290

was obtained from the burial, effectively dating the structure

to the early La Junta phase.

In sum, two, possibly three different forms of archi

tecture are represented in the three structural remnants

documented at the Millington site during the 2006 CBB

investigation: a pithouse, a pithouse or ramada, and a stone-

based structure. The first two structural remnants, both dating

to the La Junta phase, are varieties previously excavated at the

site; the stone-based remnant, dating to or immediately after

the Conchos phase, is the first such structure to be documented

at La Junta. Since the goals of this project were primarily aimed

at salvage of the affected burials, only two excavation units

were used to investigate each of these structures. Thus, much

more excavation and analysis of associated materials is needed

to properly identify and categorize these habitations.

Interments

The interments ex

cavated in 2006 numbered 5:1 early adoles

cent, 2 adult males, 1 female, and 1 adult of indeterminate

sex. Radiocarbon dates on bone collagen from three of the

burials place them within the La Junta phase, with one date

Figure 3. Photo of a rectangular La Junta phase structure excavated at

the Millington site (41PS14) in the late 1930s

(Note the adobe curb on the periphery of the floor.)

Figure 4. View of a stone-based structure uncovered at the Millington

site in 2006

extending into the Concepción phase. Three of the individuals

were interred in pits, one in a midden, and one beneath the

floor of the pithouse. All of the individuals were placed in a

flexed or partially flexed position, supine, or on the side with

no consistent orientation. These burial characteristics are

consistent with Kelley’s (Kelley and Kelley 1990; Kelley et al.

1940) findings in the La Junta district, including the use of

intrusive pits, the predominance of flexed interments, and the

lack of a consistent orientation for the interred individuals.

None of these five burials was accompanied by mortuary

goods, a situation typical of the La Junta phase.

The only direct association between a burial and a

structure is the interment of a female beneath the floor of

the pithouse just described. This individual was covered with

cobbles, a mortuary practice rare in La Junta contexts but

similar to cairn burials and rock shelter or cave interments

from the Archaic through Historic periods (Cloud 2002;

Jackson 1937; Hamilton 2001; Kelley et al. 1940). Another

unusual feature, found in two of the Millington burials, is

the use of upright stones to define a portion of the pit border.

These stones are associated with the western pit edges of

Burials 1 and 2, which contain an early adolescent and a

male 30–40 years of age. While upright slabs are known as

elements of some Archaic and Late Prehistoric cairn burials,

their presence in a Bravo Valley aspect context, marking burials

lacking cairn construction, is the first known example of this

practice. The La Junta pit defining stones are also much smaller

than cairn slabs. Thus, while correlates for informal cobble

cairns and pit defining stones are present in the eastern

Trans-Pecos, the specific forms these mortuary elements take

at Millington and their association with pithouse village

occupation represent previously unknown aspects of regional

Late Prehistoric mortuary practices.

To identify patterns in both mortuary practices and

health, Piehl analyzed a larger sample of La Junta interments,

which included 14 adults and 11 subadults The position of

individuals in these interments is consistently flexed. A strong

preference (75%) is shown for tightly or partially flexed indi-

viduals in a supine position, though three individuals were

interred in a flexed position on their sides. Orientation of the

interred individuals is more varied. At first glance, orientation

patterns seem to be opportunistic or random. When intercar-

dinal directions are included in the cardinal direction cate-

gories, however, a clear preference for north and south over

east and west can be seen. Sixty-nine percent of individuals

with known orientations were interred with the head either to

the NW/N/NE or SW/S/SE, while the three remaining individ-

uals were placed with the head to the west. A distinct division

occurs by sex, whereby all adults interred with head in the

northern quadrant are male and all those in the southern

quadrant are female. This is a previously unrecognized pattern

in La Junta region mortuary treatment.

The mortuary practices at Millington and other village

sites in the La Junta archeological district provide one line of

evidence relevant to the question of the origins of La Junta

village society. The typical La Junta pattern of placing most

interments below structure floors, and less frequently in mid-

dens, differs from mortuary practices in the Jornada-Mogollon

region, which has been postulated as the region from which

individuals and cultural practices moved to form the La Junta

village tradition. Interments in the Jornada-Mogollon region

are usually separated from habitation sites and were only rarely

placed beneath house floors (Miller 1992). The individuals

these interments are positioned on the right or left sides, or

upright, while La Junta village interments usually contain

individuals placed in a supine flexed position, or less commonly

on the side. Particularly given the demonstrated conservatism

in mortuary practices in all cultures of the eastern Trans-Pecos,

these fundamental differences between the two regions

strongly suggest that the La Junta village development is

not derivative of the Jornada-Mogollon cultural area. While

only one line of evidence, the mortuary practice data do not

support an argument centering on migration from one region

to the other as the basis for village development in the La

Junta district.

Piehl conducted osteological analysis on the 5 individ

uals excavated in 2006, as well as on 12 individuals previously

excavated from La Junta village contexts. This skeletal sample

comprises 5 subadults and 12 adults. Several health trends

can

be discerned in this sample: activity patterns, susceptibility

environmental and health stressors, and dietary adequacy.

All adults in the sample display joint degeneration,

most severely expressed in the vertebrae and lower extremities

(Figure 6). Males show more severe arthritic changes in the

hip, knee, and ankle, while severe female arthritis is concen

trated in the wrist and the cervical vertebrae. Trauma patterns

coincide with joint degeneration, concentrated in the lower

extremities of males and usually healed by time of death.

Figure 5. View of a pithouse subfeature uncovered at the Millington

site in 2006

A JUNTA DE LOS RÍOS • 5

All three male adults show trauma in the bones of the lower

leg and/or foot, while female trauma is located with less

consistent patterns in the arm and the ribs. These indications

suggest different activity patterns in males and females that

led to trauma and joint degeneration, as well as typical

responses to labor and travel in the local rugged terrain.

Evidence of nonspecific infection is present in all

individuals except 1 child and in most cases is slight and

healed. Systemic infection was present in 1 infant and 1

adult

male; in the infant, the infection was active and probably

contributing cause of death. Females in this sample tend to

have localized infections, while male infections are located on

the arms and legs. Although preservation often limits bilateral

observation, infections in males may more often be systemic.

Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH), a dental indicator of non-

specific childhood stress, is present in 75% of adults (Figure 7).

Children are less frequently affected, but the one child with

LEH shows multiple defects on each tooth, indicating at least

six separate episodes of stress. Of those individuals showing

hypoplastic defects, multiple defects are usually present on at

least one affected tooth. The age of formation of LEH in the

La Junta sample is concentrated in children 2–5 years of

age,

with the majority formed at 4 or 5 years of age. LEH may

coincide with the age of weaning and other health stressors

in the La Junta communities. The evidence from skeletal

and dental nonspecific pathologies indicates moderate health

stressors during the lives of most individuals, with the excep-

tion of a few systemic or severe stressors.

Stable isotope analysis on six adults indicates a

mix

ed diet with an emphasis on C3 plants and terrestrial

meat, limited consumption of desert succulents, and less than

25% contribution from maize (Figure 8). These results are

surprising, given archeological and historical evidence for

maize agriculture and desert succulent processing at Millington.

Dental attrition rates in these populations are lower than the

rates for populations relying heavily on desert succulents.

This finding supports the isotopic results. Rates of dental

caries, abscess, and antemortem tooth loss likewise support

the other dietary evidence. The incidence rate for this sample

of individuals is lower than the rate for populations relying

either on maize, which tends to produce high rates of caries,

or on desert succulents, which leads to higher rates of ante-

mortem loss. Cranial porosity is present in 78% of this sample.

Generally, it is healed in adults and active in subadults. While

the etiology of cranial porosity is debatable, the consensus is

that it is associated with iron deficiency anemia or other

nutritional deficiencies, and suggests that diet was not always

adequate for individuals in this sample. These combined

data indicate a dietary pattern significantly different from

that expected for the La Junta villagers and suggest greater

complexity in subsistence strategies. Neither maize nor desert

succulents

were dietary staples for these individuals, nor were

they heavily

exploiting nearby riverine resources.

Conclusion

The recent Millington site investigation revealed the presence

of appreciable cultural features and deposits in the roadway

east and outside of the fenced, THC-owned portion of the

site. It is of great significance that these features were found

to be intact despite the fact city maintenance crews have been

grading this unpaved road over the years. Project findings

were shared with the city manager in order for future road

grading plans to take into account the need to protect this

area of the site.

The work at Millington has served to revitalize

research into the distinctive La Junta cultures, allowing new

perspectives to be made concerning the architecture, mortuary

customs, diet, and health of the inhabitants. Although this

was not the first investigation of this site, it was the first to

be done at Millington using modern field and analytical tech

niques. Radiocarbon data from both the structures and burials

have helped provide a solid chronological framework for the

findings, which heretofore was completely lacking at this site.

While the results represent a relatively small step forward,

further work planned by the Center for Big Bend Studies at

various La Junta sites should facilitate a greater

understanding

of the cultures that lived in this remote location.

William A. Cloud, RPA, Senior Project Archaeologist, and

Jennifer C. P

iehl, PhD, R

esearch Associate, are with the

Center for Big Bend Studies at Sul Ross State University.

• TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION • CURRENT ARCHEOLOGY IN TEXAS

Figure 6. Location and severity of arthritis in adults from the Millington

site (41PS14)

References

Cloud, William A.

002 The Rough Run Burial: A Semi-Subterranean Cairn Burial

from Brewster County, Texas.

Journal of Big Bend Studies

14:33–84.

Hamilton, Donny L.

001

rehistory of the Rustler Hills: Granado Cave

University of

Texas Press, Austin.

Jackson, A.T.

1937 Exploration of Certain Sites in Culberson County, Texas.

Bulletin of the Texas Archaeological and Paleontological Society

9:146–192.

Kelley, J. Charles

1952 The Historic Indian Pueblos of La Junta de los Rios, Part 1.

New Mexico Historical Review 27(4):257–295.

1985 Review of the Architectural Sequence at La Junta de los Rios.

In P

roceedings of the Third Jornada Mogollon Conference,

edited by M. S. Foster and T. C. O’Laughlin.

The Artifact 23

(1 & 2):149–159.

1986

Jumano and Patarabueye, Relations at La Junta de los Rios.

Anthropological Papers No. 77. Museum of Anthropology,

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Kelley, J. Charles and Ellen A. Kelley

1990

Presidio, Texas (Presidio County) Water Improvement Project,

An Archaeological and Archival Survey and Appraisal

. Blue

Mountain Consultants, Fort Davis.

Kelley, J. Charles, T. N. Campbell, and Donald J. Lehmer

1940

The Association of Archaeological Materials with Geological

Deposits in the Big Bend Region of Texas

. Sul Ross State

eachers College Bulletin 21(3). Alpine, Texas.

Mallouf, Robert J.

1999 Comments on the Prehistory of Far Northeastern Chihuahua,

the La Junta District, and the Cielo Complex.

Journal of Big

Bend Studies

11:49–92.

Miller, Myles R.

1992

The Transitional Period in the Southern Jornada Mogollon:

Archaeological Investigations in the North Hills Subdivision,

Northeast El Paso, Texas

. Research Report No.1. Batcho and

Kaufmann Associates, El Paso.

Shackelford, William J.

1951

Excavations at the Polvo Site in Western Texas. Unpublished

Master

’s thesis, Department of Anthropology, University of

Texas, Austin.

1955 Excavations at the Polvo Site in Western Texas.

American

Antiquity

20(3):256–262.

Figure 7. Incidence and age of occurrence of linear enamel

hypoplasias in L

a Junta individuals

Figure 8. Stable isotope results from the Millington site (41PS14)

A JUNTA DE LOS RÍOS • 7

• TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION • CURRENT ARCHEOLOGY IN TEXAS

Indianola Investigations:

Phase 2

The port of Indianola on Matagorda Bay once dominated

maritime traffic on the central Texas coast. At one time

rivaling Galveston as the major port city of Texas, Indianola

existed only a few decades before it was devastated by hurri-

canes in 1875 and 1886. After the 1886 storm, the city was

abandoned, and the remains of the port facilities gradually

collapsed into the bay. The Texas Historical Commission

conducted a marine remote-sensing survey of the port during

the fall of 2006 as phase 1 of a project to investigate the

archeological

remains. The survey electronics included both a

magnetometer

and a side-scan sonar. The survey area covered

1384 acres (560 hectares) of bay bottom and was designed to

include the locations of the three major wharves of the port.

In the latter part of June, the second phase of the

Indianola research project was completed. This phase concen-

trated on determining the sources of selected magnetic anomalies

recorded during the initial remote-sensing survey in fall of

2006. The magnetometer data proved to be the most useful, as

very few objects were recorded protruding above the bottom

in the side-scan sonar data. The magnetometer data were

processed to produce a magnetic contour map of the survey

area (Figure 1). Several locations within the limits of the sub-

merged port were identified for diver investigations, including

five magnetic anomalies scattered across the survey area and

specific sections of the linear anomalies which identified the

locations of the three major wharves that dominated the port

in the 1870s.

Figure 1. Magnetic contour map of the Indianola survey area with anomalies selected for investigation during the initial diving investigations

CURRENT NEWS AND EVENTS

CURRENT NEWS AND EVENTS • 9

During Phase 2 of the project, THC staff and marine

stewards dived on various anomalies over a 10-day period.

The divers found the soft bottom sediments to be surprisingly

deep at some locations, which meant the objects generating

the magnetic anomalies were completely buried, some in excess

of 7 ft. This finding was consistent with the lack of targets

protruding above the bottom in the side-scan sonar images.

The sediment was too deep for the excavation tools at hand,

so the sources of the anomalies at those locations remain

unidentified until appropriate tools are available.

At other locations, the protrusion of anomaly sources

through the bottom sediment was sufficient for a diver to locate

them by touch along the bottom in the zero visibility waters.

One object that protruded only slightly above the bottom was

a steam boiler. Since the boiler lay nearly horizontal, divers

were able to uncover enough of it to determine that it was

nearly 30 ft long and about 4.5 ft in diameter. At another

location near the end of one of the long wharves from the

1870s, divers found the remains of a platform scale used to

weigh freight. The iron frame of the platform with an iron

wheel at each corner was found first. Its identity remained

a mystery until the balance beam on which the weights were

hung was found next to the platform (Figure 2). This type of

scale was invented in 1830 by Thaddeus Fairbanks, and the

company that bears his name (Fairbanks Scales) is still in

business. Whether this was a Fairbanks scale or one from a

competitor has yet to be determined. A similar scale from a

slightly later period is shown in Figure 3.

The remains of several wooden pilings used to support

the piers were found buried in the sediments. The pattern of

the piling locations indicates that they remain in their original

locations. The upper ends of the pilings were very rough, as if

the pilings had been broken off at or just below the bottom of

the bay. It may be possible during future investigations to

establish the exact size, location, and alignment of the wharves

by following lines of pilings. Other artifacts observed by the

divers include unidentified iron objects, chunks of coal, glass

and ceramic bottles, and fragments of ceramic dishes.

The work completed thus far has given us a clear

picture of the site’s state of preservation and the difficulties

we might encounter during future underwater investigations.

This work also provides a solid foundation from which to

determine the direction and extent of future investigations at

this intriguing site. The analysis and write up of the data and

artifacts are now underway.

The investigations at Indianola were funded in part

by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration, Office of Ocean Exploration.

Steve Hoyt

Marine Archeologist

THC Archeology Division

Figure 2. Balance beam from the platform scale

Figure 3. Illustration of a platform scale from Sears, Roebuck & Co,

Catalog No. 117, 1908

10 • TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION • CURRENT ARCHEOLOGY IN TEXAS

TPTF Grants

Awarded to

TAM 2007

Archeology Fairs

The Texas Historical Commission

(THC) once again approved earmarking

$10,000 from the available Texas

reservation Trust Fund (TPTF) grant

funds for the

purpose of supporting

Texas Archeology

Month (TAM) arche-

ology fairs with pass-through grants.

Six applications, requesting a total of

$6,100, were received in response to a

call for applications. All six applications

were approved for funding with avail

able TPTF fiscal year 2007 grant funds.

These grants funded the following

TAM events:

Farmers Branch Archeology Fair

2007

($2,000). The city of Farmers

Branch/F

armers Branch Historical P

ark

in Dallas County hosted this event in

concert with the Dallas Archeological

Society

, Anthropology Club at Southern

Methodist University

, and the University

of North Texas Anthropology Student

Association. The Archeology F

air took

place on October 13 and featured special

educational exhibits, demonstrations, and

hands-on activities such as parfleche

bag

and pinch pot making.

3rd Annual Archeology Day at Berry

Springs ($1,100). The Williamson

County Historical Museum sponsored

fun-filled day of tours, hands-on

activities, and demonstrations

for all

ages on October 13. Cosponsors were

Williamson County, the Williamson

County Historical Commission, and

the American Archeology Group LLC.

The event was held at Berry Springs

Park & Preserve, located north of

Georgetown.

2nd Annual Dime Box Archeology

air

($1,000). The Dime Bo

x Indepen

dent School District in Lee County

sponsored an archeology fair on school

grounds that involved presentations on

Texas archeology, primitive technology

demonstrations, and an array of activities

and exhibits. The fair took place on

October 5.

chaeology F

air at the Nightengale

chaeological Center

($500). On

October 13, the Lower Colorado River

uthority

, with the aid of the Llano

Uplift Archeological Society, held tours

of the prehistoric site on the grounds of

the Nightengale Archaeolog

ical Center

in Kingsland, Burnet County.

Additional

offerings included flintknapping and

pottery making demonstrations as well

as activities such as spear throwing,

food processing, and simulated archeo-

logical excavations.

Rendezvous by the River Archeology

Celebration, K

err County

($500).

The Riverside Nature Center hosted a

day of archeological activities at its

facility in Kerrville on October 20.

Members of the Hill Country Archeo-

logical Association, the Texas Master

Naturalist-Hill Country Chapter, and

the Riverside Nature Center educated

attendees about the cultural and natural

resources of the region.

The Jornada Mogollon Conference

($500). The El Paso Museum of Archae-

ology hosted a number of events,

activities,

and public presentations

commemorate Texas Archeology Month

and the 30th anniversary of the founding

of the El Paso Museum of Archaeology.

Among the special events was the 15th

annual Jornada Mogollon Archaeological

Conference, which took place on

October 12 and 13. The TPTF grant

supports the public lecture component

Interesting Archeological

Clues Found Under

San Antonio’s Main Plaza

Over the last nine months, PBS&J archeologists have been

investigating within and just outside Main Plaza in San

Antonio and have made some intriguing finds. The city of

San Antonio decided in early 2006 that Main Plaza, estab-

lished in 1735, was in need of a facelift. When the city

announced their initial plans for this renovation, no previous

archeological investigations had ever occurred within the

plaza, and little was known or had been published about its

historic use. Archival research was needed to determine what

the potential was for this 272-year-old urban landscape to

contain significant archeological deposits. No one was sure

exactly what kind of modern impacts had occurred in the

plaza that might have destroyed potentially significant

archeological deposits.

Initial archival research produced evidence that most

of the plaza was a wide, flat, open, treeless area with a dirt

surface for at least the first 150 years. One of the only major

impacts to the interior of the plaza was the construction of

an amphitheatre in the center in the mid-1920s. Main Plaza’s

Spanish Colonial design is a classic example of the 1573

Laws of the Indies (

Leyes de Indias) configuration for a plaza.

It was meant to function as the open intersection of eight

roads. The four-sided perimeter of a Laws of the Indies plaza

was usually the location of major religious and commercial

structures; archival research clearly shows Main Plaza’s

perimeter lined with commercial buildings, the main Catholic

URRENT NEWS AND EVENTS • 11

cathedral, hotels, corrals, and many other structures. It was

therefore logical to infer that the perimeter areas and the road

beds radiating out from the plaza would be the areas most

likely to contain potentially significant archeological deposits.

This theory indeed proved to be true.

To date, the interior of the plaza has not produced

a single significant archeological deposit. We now know most

of the interior of the plaza had the majority of its pre-20th-

century ground surface scraped away, possibly during the

late-1920s construction of the amphitheatre. However, just

off

the southeastern corner of the plaza (Old Dolorosa Street

at Dwyer), the first week of investigations produced a major

archeological find. In-depth laboratory analysis is still under-

way to confirm the details, but there is a strong possibility

the feature discovered was a small portion of an earthenwork

entrenchment that was part of the defensive fortifications

Mexican General Cos constructed as part of the Battle of

Bexar, approximately a year before the Battle of the Alamo.

Other finds adjacent to the plaza include a mid-

to late-1840s

vintage latrine pit filled with many whole bottles

and a possible

well shaft that may have been originally exca

vated and back-

filled with trash in the late 1830s or early 1840s.

Because these archeological investigations are part

of the ongoing construction activities at Main Plaza, it is too

dangerous for the public to view the discoveries as they are

being excavated. Nevertheless, the Texas Historical Commission

hopes the findings will be published next year, so more details

of the investigations will be available to the public.

Mark Denton

Director, State & Federal Review Section

THC Archeology Division

of the conference, which included a

special presentation on her career in

archeology by Jane Holden Kelley, Ph.D.,

Professor Emeritus

of the University of

Calgary in Canada.

Rio Grande Delta Historic &

cheological Fair

($500). The newly-

formed Rio Grande Delta Archeological

Society partnered with the Palo Alto

Battlefield, Historic Brownsville Museum,

and others to hold the first TAM fair in

Brownsville, Cameron County. The event

was held October 13.

Organizations interested in participating

in TAM 2008 are encouraged to consider

applying for a TPTF grant during the

next grant cycle. An announcement and

call for applications will be posted on

the THC website in early 2008.

atricia A. Mercado-Allinger

State Archeologist

THC Archeology Division

Generous Contributors

Make a Difference for

TAM 2007

Partnerships form the foundation for the annual observance of Texas

Archeology Month (TAM). Thanks to the initiative of numerous organiza-

tions and the dedication of a host of volunteers TAM becomes a reality

during the month of October each year. Key TAM partners include the

Texas Archeological Society, Council of Texas Archeologists, and members

of the THC’s Texas Archeological Stewardship Network.

Local and regional archeological societies, county historical com-

missions and societies, museums, state and federal agencies, and private

archeological consulting firms play important roles in the planning and

execution of over 80 TAM events in communities across the state. TAM

events such as lectures on recent archeological discoveries, special exhibits,

guided tours of archeological sites, and the multifaceted and family-oriented

archeology fairs all help foster a greater appreciation for Texas’ rich and

varied archeological legacy, the significance of the state’s archeological

sites to our understanding of Texas’ past, the importance of employing

proper archeological techniques in the investigations of these sites, and

the contributions of professional and avocational archeologists to our

archeological knowledge.

To help publicize the varied TAM events offered each year, THC

staff compiles and produces the T

exas Archeology Month Calendar of Events

The calendar, which provides an important promotional item for event

sponsors, is printed and distributed statewide. The 2007 calendar cover

art features the logo of the El Paso Museum of Archaeology. The THC

Continues on following page.

12 • TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION • CURRENT ARCHEOLOGY IN TEXAS

website (www.thc.state.tx.us) also features an online version of the calendar

and periodic updates on event and contribution information.

Pat Mercado-Allinger

Organizations

Archeological & Environmental

Consultants, L.L.C.

Blanton & Associates, Inc.

Briscoe Consulting Services

Council of Texas Archeologists

Coastal Environments, Inc.

GTI Environmental, Inc.

Historic Preservation Associates

Milam County Historical

Commission

PBS&J

Prewitt & Associates, Inc.

Texas Archeological Society

Individuals

Stephen & Linda Austin

Brian Babin

Ed Baker

Laura Beavers

in honor of Ellen Sue Turner

Steve Black

Jay & Jerrylee Blaine

in memory of Francis Stickney

Maureen Brown & Jeff Durst

Jim Bruseth & T

oni T

urner

Bob & Mickey Burleson

Dominick J. Cirincione

Al Davis

Wilfred & Bobbie Dietrich

Karen Fustes

Margaret Howard

Bryan Jameson

Paul Katz

in memory of Susana R. Katz, PhD

Tammy Kubecka

in honor of F

t T

enoxtitlan

Graham B. Luhn, FAIA

Andrew Malof

Nelson F. Marek

Pat Mercado-Allinger

in honor of Teddy Lou Stickney

Tom Miller

in honor of Arabella V. Miller

addie E. Patterson

Elton & Kerza Prewitt

Sandy Rogers

Calvin Sanders

May & Jim Schmidt

Shirley R. Sloat

in memory of Greg Sloat

Dee Ann Story

Pam & Phil Stranahan

Ellen Sue Turner

Mark & Sandra W

alters

J. Ned Woodall

Woody & Kay Woodward

2007 TAM Calendar of Events cover

art, representing a Mexican Casas

Grandes ceramic polychrome jar

ca. 1200–1400 A.D.

This image is

the logo of the El Paso Museum of

Archaeology

. Image provided by Jason

Jurgena, museum curator.

URRENT NEWS AND EVENTS • 13

Ellen Sue Turner received the Curtis D.

Tunnell Lifetime Achievement Award

in Archeology at a ceremony during the

Texas Historical Commission’s Annual

Historic Preservation Conference in

Lakeway on April 13, 2007. Named

in honor of former Texas State Archeol-

ogist and THC Executive Director

Curtis Tunnell, this award recognizes

outstanding lifetime efforts in archeo-

logical research and preservation. It is a

befitting acknowledgement of Turner’s

many noteworthy accomplishments.

Fascinated with archeology

since childhood, Turner was finally able

to pursue her interest actively after her

children were grown. She received a

B.A. in anthropology (with a concentra-

tion in archeology) from the University

of Texas at San Antonio in 1978. Dedi-

cated to archeological preservation,

Turner has spent many years recording

sites. She has served as Southern Texas

Archaeological Association (STAA)

chair and Texas Archeological Society

president. She worked tirelessly with

Jefferson County residents to docu-

ment important artifact finds for the

McFadden Beach site project. Turner

also remains active as an advisor

for ongoing STAA surveys and archeo-

logical field investigations.

Of her numerous published

works, the best known is the widely

used and referenced

A Field Guide to

Stone Artifacts of Texas Indians Turner

co-authored with Dr. Thomas Hester.

He observed that it was Turner’s idea

to tackle such a major undertaking,

noting, “. . . it’s always been clear to

me that the book would have never

been published, or a second edition

prepared, without Sue’s enthusiasm

and very hard work.”

Patricia A. Mercado-Allinger

Tunnell Lifetime Achievement Award

Presented to Ellen Sue Turner

Jay Blaine Receives Prestigious

Society for American Archeology Crabtree Award

THC Commissioner Jane Barnhill and

Executive Director Larry Oaks present Ellen

Sue Turner with the Curtis D. Tunnell

Lifetime Achievement Award in Archeology.

On April 27, 2007, TASN member Jay

C. Blaine received the Crabtree A

ward.

Named after the late Don Crabtree,

who

made enduring contributions to

lithic

technology studies and replication, this

award is the

highest honor for avoca-

tional archeolo

gists.

o be considered

eligible for this recognition, the nominee

must demonstrate accomplishments that

help advance the understanding of the

archeological record at the local, regional,

or national level.

Among Blaine’s noteworthy

achievements is the identification and

conservation of metal artifacts recovered

from the 18th-century New Spain

mis

sion, presidio, and provincial capital

of Los A

daes. He has also consulted on

the excavation and interpretation of a

Coronado Expedition campsite in the

Texas Panhandle. His help with the

interpretation and conservation of

funerary artifacts

recovered from the

Freedman’s Cemetery

in Dallas was

invaluable. He is currently assisting

the

Texas Historical Commission’s La Salle

Projects with the identification and

analysis of small arms from the Belle

shipwreck and the metal artifacts from

Fort St. Louis.

Numerous professional archeol-

ogists have benefited from Blaine’s

Photo by Doug Taylor, courtesy of the Texas Archeological Society

4 • TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION • CURRENT ARCHEOLOGY IN TEXAS

knowledge

of Spanish and French colonial period artifacts,

especially materials

deriving from Louisiana, Oklahoma, and

Texas. To the benefit of the discipline, he has authored and

co-authored a large number of articles, reports, and book

reviews. His identifications and interpretations have also

been cited in print by many researchers. The Crabtree Award

represents the latest and well-deserved acknowledgement of

Blaine’s archeological accomplishments.

Patricia A. Mercado-Allinger

The Curatorial Facility Certification Program (CFCP) has

certified five facilities to date. The Centennial Museum in

El Paso and the Brazoria County Historical Museum in

Angleton were certified at the April 2007 quarterly meeting.

Two facilities will be considered for certification at the

upcoming quarterly meeting in October. Five additional

facilities remain to be certified during the upcoming year.

The program is open to any Texas museum or repository

wishing to acquire additional state held-in-trust archeolog-

ical collections.

Four curatorial facilities were chosen to submit full grant

applications for the 2008 Texas Preservation Trust Fund

grants. The grant funds will aid in the curation of held-in-trust

collections. Grant recipients will be notified in November.

All museums and repositories holding state held-in-trust

collections are encouraged to apply for grant funds.

Elizabeth Martindale

Curatorial Facility Certification Program Coordinator

THC Archeology Division

New

Issue

the

Steward

Coming

Soon

In 1984 the Texas Archeological Stewardship Network

(TASN) was formed to help the Archeology Division

(AD) preserve the archeological heritage of T

exas, a

state that covers 266,807 square miles divided into

254 counties. One of the most innovative and successful

programs of its kind, the TASN has been a model for

similar programs in other states.

Stewards are highly trained and motivated

avocational archeologists who donate countless hours

and travel thousands of miles in support of the AD’s

goals. Just a few examples of their efforts include

salvage

excavations of threatened sites; site discovery,

recording,

and monitoring; acquisition of protective

designations for important sites; and documentation

of artifact collections. They also assist landowners with

the preservation of cultural resources on their lands and

the State

Marine Archeologist with the investigation and

protection

of historic shipwrecks in Texas waters.

The purpose of the Steward is to publish

individual TASN reports that highlight samples of their

experiences and discoveries. Highlights of the upcoming

issue include the following:

• the fascinating story of why and how the whole town

of Elysian Fields in Harrison County was moved;

• a detailed account of a U.S. cavalry encounter with

hostile Indians at the Gregg Battle Site in Randall County

as described in the journal of one of the cavalrymen; and

• a comprehensive report on the uses American Indians

made of native Texas plants.

Volume 7 of

the Steward is scheduled for publication

this fall.

Susan Hammack

Texas Archeology Month Coordinator, Division Editor

THC Archeology Division

Five Curatorial Facilities Now Certified

REGIONAL AND STEWARD NEWS • 15

REGIONAL AND STEWARD NEWS

Mountain/Pecos & Plains

During this reporting period, stewards in the Plains and

Mountain/Pecos regions drove more than 9000 miles and

contributed more than 1620 hours to conduct steward

activities.

Stewards distributed appro

ximately 365 pieces

of educational materials and gave presentations to about

300 people. They also assisted 69 landowners, other

individuals, and agencies. They recorded 9 new sites,

monitored or investigated 72 other sites, worked on

getting 8 artifact collections analyzed or otherwise docu-

mented, and assisted with getting one site designated as

a State Archeological Landmark.

Regional

Archeologists’ Reports

REGIONS 1 & 2 •

BRETT CRUSE

6 • TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION • CURRENT ARCHEOLOGY IN TEXAS

Alvin Lynn drove more than 3150 miles and spent

306 hours conducting steward-related activities during this

reporting period. Alvin continues to work on his book on

Kit Carson and the sites he has documented in the panhandle

and eastern New Mexico that are related to Carson’s 1864

campaign. During this reporting period, Alvin also assisted

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) with the

ongoing survey of the 1874 Battle of Palo Duro Canyon

site in Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

Marisue Powell hosted another group of students

and parents from Andrews ISD at her Mott Creek Ranch in

Motley County in April. Science teacher and fellow steward

Rick Day organized the program and trained the students at

a prehistoric site located on the ranch. The students learned

to excavate, record, sort, and identify artifacts from the

excavations.

Joe Rogers monitored or investigated 3 significant

sites, provided assistance to 22 landowners or other individuals,

and made presentations to more than 100 people. In May, Joe

helped Regional Archeologist Brett Cruse and other volunteers

with the ongoing excavations at the Indian Springs site

(41RB81) in Roberts County.

Rolla Shaller assisted TPWD archeologists and volun-

teers with an ongoing metal detector survey in Palo Duro

Canyon State Park to trace the route of the 1874 Battle of

Palo Duro Canyon. In May, Rolla participated in the dedication

of the historical marker for the 1872 Colonel John I. Gregg

Battle Site marker just outside of Canyon.

Jack Skiles also filled his calendar with steward activities

this period. He monitored 4 significant sites, gave presentations

to 64 people, and assisted 4 organizations.

Cynthia Smyers has been trying to record sites in the

Midland-Odessa area ahead of all the oil and gas explorations

currently taking place there. She recorded 7 new sites and

monitored or investigated 22 other sites during this reporting

period.

eddy Stickney

worked with the T

exas Archeological

Society (TAS) Rock Art Task Force recording rock art at five

different locations in the P

anhandle (and drove more than

1200 miles to do so). In June she assisted with the teacher’s

workshop at the T

AS field school. On top of all that, T

eddy

assisted 5 landowners, other individuals, and other agencies

during this reporting period.

Several ongoing investigations on the M-Cross Ranch

in Roberts County have kept

Doug Wilkens occupied. They

include the work at the Indian Springs site and other sites on

the ranch. Doug also monitored or investigated 16 sites during

this reporting period and analyzed or documented 2 private

collections.

Forts/Hill Country & Lakes/Brazos

Over the past five months, significant fieldwork was accom-

plished in a number of locations across Central and North

Texas. A large number of surveys were done as part of THC’s

landowner-assistance effort, a service that allows landowners

with known sites or high-probability areas (e.g., ranches or

farms with significant frontage on major creeks, springs, or

rivers) to receive site documentation and assessment services

at no cost and with no obligation. This type of investigation

was done in the following counties: Bandera, Blanco, Edwards,

Falls, Gillespie, Hays, Kendall, and Kimble. Stewards

provided

vital support for nearly all these surveys.

More focused projects are ongoing in Falls County

(

Sarahville de Viesca, Bull Hill Cemetery, and Jones Cemetery)

and in Milam County (41MM18). At the April 2007 annual

meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Regional

Archeologist Dan Potter summarized research involving

bedrock

mortars of the Edwards Plateau. Most recently, the

THC archeological staff visited the old Nashville Cemetery

and the unrecorded site of Nashville on the Brazos. Dan

hopes 2008

will see updated documentation of this site as

well as the nearby

and related Tenoxtitlan site, located in

Burleson County.

Several public programs were offered over this period.

Two of these support Texas Archeology Month, which took

place in October.

Del Barnett handed out volumes of THC archeological

materials in and around Goldthwaite. Del continues to be

involved

in the planning and development of a Goldthwaite

museum on

native plants and prehistoric Native American

plant economy in the Mills county area.

Mary Lee Bartlett inspected two collections in the

Abilene area.

Joe Binetti conducted a private-land survey

in Boerne.

Jay Blaine logged well over 1000 miles as he moved

about the state with

Jerrylee analyzing collections and offering

workshops. Jay continues to be a superb resource for other

stewards, THC staff, and a wide range of professional arche-

ologists seeking conservation and identification of historic

period artifacts. Recently, Jerrylee, Jay, and Dan spent a day

classifying and describing Spanish colonial artifacts from THC

work at 41MM18. Jay received the 2007 Crabtree A

ward at

this year’s meeting of the Society for American Archaeology,

a notable recognition for Jay and for the T

ASN as well.

David Calame’s accomplishments this reporting period

are remarkable: 28 sites recorded, 10 additional sites monitored,

and 25 collections either assessed or analyzed. Ex

cellent work!

EGIONS 3 & 4 •

DAN POTTER

EGIONAL AND STEWARD NEWS • 17

Kay Clarke logged over 4500 miles in her stewardship

activities, which included 10 presentations and 2 workshops

given in the Central Texas region. Among numerous examples

Kay’s valuable assistance to her region’s landowners is docu-

mentation of the historic Jacob’s Well cemetery near Wimberley

Jose Contreras drove more than 1000 miles assessing

collections, recording sites, and conducting surveys. Jose also

assisted Frank Binnetti and Dan with the private-land survey

in Boerne.

Roy Craig worked on a site investigation and assisted

3 landowners. His stewardship also included distributing stacks

of THC educational materials in his region.

Eric De Laughter kept busy, too. He monitored 5

sites, helped a landowner, and assessed a private collection.

Karen and Mike Fulghum gave 3 public presentations

and, like Roy, blanketed their region with massive amounts

of THC educational literature. These two stewards have an

unflagging commitment to increasing archeology awareness in

Central Texas.

R.C. Harmon of Sherman gave 10 presentations and

2 workshops, monitored 4 sites, and investigated 2 sites.

His site investigations included mapping, testing, and surface

inspection/collection. As always, R.C. remains one of our best

stewards for public outreach and education.

Doris Howard of Llano County continued her

volunteer work at the Nightengale Archaeological Center.

She also kept busy as a private-land surveyor with the Llano

Uplift Archeological Society and worked with Dan on THC

landowner-assistance projects.

Bryan Jameson recorded 5 new sites and provided

a great deal of assistance to landowners, groups, and other

individuals in the region. In March, Bryan helped the Make

a Wish Foundation realize the dream of a terminally ill

14-year-old boy. Blind and confined to a wheelchair, the boy

was taken to the Bell County Museum, where Bryan helped

him “be” an archeologist that day as he used the museum’s

specially

-constructed educational ex

cavation facility. Congrat-

ulations to both Bryan and the Bell County Museum for

sharing the fun of archeology

Jan and Paul Lorrain monitored 3 sites and assisted

several folks in the Dallas area. Also in North T

exas,

Bonnie

McKee gave a presentation to an audience of 45 and assisted

several landowners and groups.

In pursuit of his steward goals, Gary McKee knows

no bounds… or boundaries. Most recently, he distributed

about 100 THC educational packets in Burleson County,

mapped the Rabb Cemetery in Fayette County, and assisted

with a site in Bastrop County.

Clint McKenzie of Bexar County, one of our new

stewards, has assisted a number of landowners and groups

during this period. He monitored 10 and investigated 9 sites.

Nick Mor

gan

continues his stewardship in Bastrop.

His main project is the Joyful Horse site (41BP691).

Laurie Moseley announced the founding of the Parker

County Archaeological Society. Laurie also remains active in

such stewardship activities as site monitoring and documenta-

tion in the Parker County area. He has given a number of

talks and workshops around the state in the past months.

Nearby, in Ft. Worth, Glynn Osburn assessed a collection and

assisted a landowner.

Ona B. Reed recently traveled more than 2200 miles

to take care of TASN projects that included monitoring sites

and responding to landowner requests. According to Ona B.,

during all those miles many of the events she participated in

were visited also by floods, tornadoes, “and worse.” [NOTE:

Dan adds, “This has indeed been one of the wettest years on

record in most parts of the state, which has no doubt hindered

many survey efforts. When surveys have been conducted out

in the field during this reporting period, grass cover has been

much more abundant than usual and has obscured sites.”]

Larry Riemenschneider spent quite a bit of time out

at old Fort Chadbourne in Bronte, Coke County. In February,

Larry completed a report (filed with the THC) on excavations

at Officers Quarters #2. He has also participated in Chad-

bourne outreach events. Larry was gearing up for the Concho

Valley Archeological Fair, held October 13, during Texas

Archeology Month.

Fieldwork and collections work had May and Jim

Schmidt traveling all over their region the past few months.

They managed to stay put long enough, though, to prepare

for an Austin archeology fair held in October, Texas Arche-

ology Month.

Jimmy Smith also put in some miles monitoring/

assessing sites and documenting collections. Jimmy has helped

several landowners, agencies, and organizations in the process.

Frank Sprague monitored one site and gave one pre-

sentation. He also assisted several landowners in the Hamilton

County area with matters concerning private-land history or

archeology.

aul Stein of San Antonio recorded a new site and

documented or monitored a number of others. Paul has had

health problems this past year but hopes to be more mobile

and active soon.

Alice Stultz, now in T

ravis County

, has an article on

Native American plant usage accepted for publication in

the

Steward. That issue is scheduled for publication this fall. In

addition, Alice has assisted a number of landowners and given

a public program.

Art Tawater participated in an interesting site assess-

ment of a shelter in Palo Pinto County, continued testing at

41HM54, and helped document a large collection of Caddo

Pottery and artifacts at the Gregg County Museum.

New steward, Buddy Whitley

, recorded a new site

recorded in San Saba County. Welcome aboard Buddy!

The active duo of Kay and W

oody W

oodward recorded

6 new sites in the Hill Country and mapped or at least investi

8 • TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION • CURRENT ARCHEOLOGY IN TEXAS

gated several others. They gave presentations to about 120

folks and assisted more than 20 landowners and organiza-

tions. Woody and Dan recently swapped GPS units to see

if they could get either one to work.

Finally, Bill Young continues to spend quite a bit of

time, sweat, and money addressing issues related to historic

cemeteries in Navarro County. Bill makes sure, however, to

save enough time and energy to keep writing history articles

for the Corsicana newspaper. Bill’s years of accomplishments

working with Navarro County’s historic cemeteries have

been of tremendous archeological benefit to his region.

Forest/Independence/Tropical

The stewards in Regions 5 and 6 can always be counted upon

to deliver a tremendous amount of effort in this area of the

state. Several have received formal recognition of the signifi

cant contributions they have made in supporting archeological

efforts in these regions.

As always, Pat and Beth Aucoin of Harris County

have been very active during this reporting period. Both have

been busy

searching for the French site of Champ d’Asile,

reported to be located

some

where along the Trinity River in

Liberty County. Most recently

their efforts have focused on an

archival search for clues to the location of this lost but highly

significant site.

Bill Birmingham of Victoria County remains active

analyzing and documenting several artifact collections donated

to the Museum of the Coastal Bend. This assignment has

turned out to be a daunting one that has gone on for years

now, but Bill remains devoted to completing task. In addition

to his work at the museum, Bill has also continued his work

with the ongoing research at the McNeal-Gonzales site located

on the Guadalupe River in Victoria County.

Jimmy Bluhm of Victoria County was recently

honored with his second Norman G. Flagg Certificate of

Outstanding Performance at the Annual TASN Meeting for

his meritorious work on the McNeal-Gonzales site (41VT141)

in Victoria County. Jimmy remains extremely busy with the

ongoing excavations at this site. This past summer Jimmy

arranged for Dr. Michael Bever of the University of Texas at

Austin to conduct a summer field school at the site and made

sure the students received a full assortment of educational

opportunities offered by local experts on the archeology and

history of the area. Jimmy also continues to devote a tremen-

dous amount of time processing and cataloguing artifacts from

the site of 41VT141 and other sites at the Museum of the

Coastal Bend in Victoria.

Pat Braun of Aransas County continues to make a

significant contribution to the project at the McNeal-Gonzales

site in Victoria County. She travels from Rockport to Victoria

to help update the database that holds all the excavation records.

She has also been working with several landowners in Aransas

and R

efugio Counties to record historic and prehistoric sites.

Pat was recently honored with her second Norman G. Flagg

Certificate of Outstanding P

erformance at the Annual TASN

Meeting in Austin.

During this reporting period, T

om Middlebr

ook

Nacogdoches County recorded an interesting historic period

site in downtown Nacogdoches. The Pocket Park Site

(41NA303) is located on the Plaza Principal, one of the early

military plazas in the downtown district. Excavations are

yielding a vast array of artifacts covering the first five decades

(1779–1830) of Nacogdoches’ history. Tom delivered an

excellent presentation on this work at the site at the TASN

workshop held in Austin in early August.

Johnney and Sandra P

ollan

of Brazoria County

continue to be a driving force behind the Brazoria County

Antebellum Plantation Survey

. They both continue to update

Site survey at Herff Falls on Cibolo Creek near Boerne, Texas

REGIONS 5 & 6 •

JEFF DURST

EGIONAL AND STEWARD NEWS • 19

the ever-growing compendium of data on the Plantation Period

in Brazoria County. Along with their efforts recording these

plantation sites, they also remain devoted to supporting the

Brazosport Museum of Natural Science in Lake Jackson.

As president of the Valley of the Caddo Archeological

Society in Lamar County, Rick Proctor gives presentations and

helps train new members of the society. Rick was recently elected

to serve on a committee that will determine the feasibility

establishing a new history museum for the city of Paris, Texas.

Sandra Rogers of Walker County never fails to make

a stellar contribution to the TASN, the TAS, and numerous

other groups. During this reporting period, Sandra gave public

archeology presentations in Matagorda, Palestine, Lake Jackson,

and Huntsville. She also helped organize the TAS Ceramics

Academy in Nacogdoches and is an active contributor to the

U.S. Forest Service “Passport in Time” excavations in Crockett.

Sandra has also been recording many of the lost and forgotten

cemeteries in East Texas. She was recently honored with her

second Norman G. Flagg Certificate of Outstanding Performance

at the TASN Meeting in Austin.

Mark Walters of Smith County was honored last

August for his outstanding contribution to the preservation

archeological sites in Texas. He received his second Norman

G. Flagg Certificate of Outstanding Performance at the Annual

TASN Meeting in Austin Mark recorded an amazing 47 new

sites during this past year and nominated 9 sites for State

Archeological Landmark designation. Mark’s other accom-

plishments this year include his assistance hosting the 14th

Annual East Texas Archeological Conference in Tyler. In

addition, Mark coauthored the TAS Tyler Academy Report

and published an article in the

Journal of North East Texas

Archaeology.

The annual Texas Archeological Stewardship Network

ASN) workshop took place in A

ustin August 4-5, 2007. An

anonymous donor and the Lower Colorado River Authority

provided generous support for the workshop. As usual, it was

a weekend packed with information, activities, and opportu-

nities for stewards and THC staff alike. This year’s training

comprised presentations on the THC’s historic cemetery

preservation programs by Gerron Hite and Anne Shelton of

the History Programs Division, an overview of past efforts

to adopt unmarked burial protection legislation in Texas by

Archeology Division Director Jim Bruseth, and an introduc-

tion to human osteology by Gary Rutenberg, Ph.D.

Steward Workshop 2007:

A Time for Training and Recognition

Continues on following page.

Stewards Kay Woodward, Joe Hudgins, and Walter Horton examining

materials during the afternoon osteological exercise

Jim Bruseth and Pat Mercado-Allinger present Byran Jameson with the

Norman G. Flaigg Certificate for exemplary stewardship

0 • TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION • CURRENT ARCHEOLOGY IN TEXAS20 • TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION • CURRENT ARCHEOLOGY IN TEXAS

Tom Adams

Beth Aucoin

Pat Aucoin

Del Barnett

Jerry Bauman

Frank A. Binetti

Bill Birmingham

Jay Blaine

Jim Blanton

Jimmy Bluhm

Pat Braun

Dan Brown

David Calame, Sr.

Kay E. Clarke

Jose Contreras

Julian Cranfill

Robert Crosser

Glenn Dolese

Robert Everett

Patsy Goebel

Richard (Dick) Gregg

R. C. Harmon

Nolan Harrist, Jr.

Patti Haskins

Max Hibbitts

Marilyn Horton

Walter Horton

Doris Howard

Joe Hudgins

Bryan Jameson

Rick Jarnagin

H. (Don) Keyes

Sheldon Kindall

Doug Kubicek

Jan Lorrain

Paul Lorrain

John Luce

Alvin Lynn

Enrique Madrid

Nelson Marek

Bonnie McKee

Gary McKee

Clint McKenzie

Nick Morgan

Laurie Moseley III

Doug Nowell

Glynn Osburn

Johnney Pollan

Sandra Pollan

Russell Potocki

Marisue Potts

Rick Proctor

Ona B. Reed

Larry Riemenschneider

Larry Ripper

Louis (Pinky) Robertson

Joe D. Rogers

Sandra E. Rogers

Jim Schmidt

May Schmidt

Rolla Shaller

Jack Skiles

Jimmy Smith

Cynthia Smyers

Tom Speir

rank Sprague

Teddy Lou Stickney

Alice Stultz

Deborah Summers

Art Tawater

S. Evans Turpin

Mark Walters

Doug Wilkens

Kay Woodward

Woody Woodward

Bill Young

Jimmy Bluhm (Victoria)

at Braun (Rockport)

David Calame (Devine)

Kay Clarke (Leander)

Bryan Jameson (Benbrook)

Larry Riemenschneider (Miles)

Sandra R

ogers (Huntsville)

Rolla Shaller (Canyon)

Mark Walters (Tyler)

Kay Woodward (Kerrville)

oody Woodward (Kerrville)

Norman G. Flaigg Certificates were also presented to the top 10 percent performers in honor of their outstanding

performance during the same reporting period:

Patricia A. Mercado-Allinger

The workshop provides a venue for acknowledging

the many accomplishments by members of the TASN.

tewards reported astonishing contributions from February

006 and January 2007 that added up to 20,016 volunteer

hours; 107,028 miles traveled; 13,957 educational materials

distributed; 215 sites recorded; archeological talks given

to 6322 people; and 1444 individuals assisted.

pecial certificates of appreciation were presented to

the following stewards for their volunteer efforts:

THC Archeology Brochures Available

The Archeology Division of the

Texas Historical Commission

offers 12 free educational

brochures on topics ranging from

What Does an Archeologist Do?

to Ar

tifact Collecting in T

exas

A special folder designed to hold

the brochures is also available.

To request brochures, call

512/463-6090.

OOKING AHEAD • 21

LOOKING AHEAD

MONTHLY 2007

Travis County Archeological Society (TCAS) Monthly Meeting.

he TCAS meets at a local restaurant each month and often features

guest speakers. Second Thursday each month. Information:

http://travis.txarch.org/.

SEPTEMBER 10–DECEMBER 8, 2007

Universal Forum of Cultures Monterrey 2007. Every four years,

this global forum brings citizens from varied cultures, languages, and

religions together in an intercultural dialogue on the most urgent

matters in the global agenda. This year’s event will draw approxi-

mately 1.5 million visitors to Monterrey and is mostly free of

charge. Monterrey, Nuevo Leﬁn, Mexico. Information: foruminfo@

monterrey 2007.org, www.monterreyforum2007.org/index.php.

NOVEMBER 6, 2007

Southwest Texas AIA Lectures. Dr. Greg Warden of Southern

Methodist University will lecture on Etruscan topics: Mugello Valley

Archaeological Project, Poggio Colla. 7:30 p.m. Trinity University

Chapman Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas. Information: http://

travis.txarch.org/.

NOVEMBER 9 & 10, 2007

Center for Big Bend Studies Annual Conference. The focus will

be on prehistoric, historic, and modern cultures of the Borderlands

Region of the United States and Mexico. Guest speakers include

Jefferson Morgenthaler and William A. Cloud. Alpine, Texas.

Information: 432/837-8179, [email protected].

NOVEMBER 10, 2007

Spanish Tracks & Trails. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. This event includes talks,

exhibits, and demonstrations of crafts of the Spanish Texas frontier

of the 1700s. Mission Espíritu Santo de Zuniga State Historic Site,

Goliad State Park, Texas. Information: 361/645-3405.

NOVEMBER 16 & 17, 2007

El Paso Archaeological Society Book Sale. Friday noon–4 p.m., all

day Saturday. El Paso Museum of Archaeology.Donations accepted

daily 9 a.m.

–

4 p.m. El Paso, T

exas. Information: Mary Russell 915/

751-0360.

VEMBER 23, 2007

Karankawa Thanksgiving. Learn about the native people of the Gulf

Coastal Bend and their way of life. 7 p.m. Goose Island State Park

(10 miles northeast of R

ockport in Aransas County). Information:

361/729-2858.

VEMBER 28–DECEMBER 2, 2007

106th American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting.

This year’s theme is “Difference, (In)Equality & Justice.” Washington

D.C. Information:www.aaanet.org/mtgs/mtgs.htm.

DECEMBER 2, 2007

GIS for Archaeology. This workshop condenses geographic informa-

ion system concepts and operations commonly used by the archeology

community into short lectures followed by hands-on samples using

ArcGIS software. Baylor Sciences Building, Waco, Texas. Information:

Shane Prochnow 254/710-2224, Shane_J_Prochnow@baylor.edu,

www.baylor.edu/csr/index.php?id=46773.

DECEMBER 21–24, 2007

Native Traditions and Folklore. Park staff and special guests share

information, crafts, music and folklore rooted in earth-based Native

American traditions. 1– 4 p.m. Government Canyon State Natural

Area, San Antonio, Texas. Information: 210/688-9055, educcmte@

hotmail.com.

JANUARY 9–12, 2008

Society for Historical Archaeology 2008 Conference on Historical

and Underwater Archaeology.

The conference theme is “The Public

Benefits of Historical Archaeology.” Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Information: www.sha.org/.

FEBRUARY 9, 2008

Ancient hunting and survival skills. Individual contestants and teams

compete, using ancient-style atlatls, hunting with rabbit sticks, and

starting a friction fires by hand. 1–4 p.m. Seminole Canyon State

Park and Historic Site (nine miles west of Comstock, Texas). Infor-

mation: Jack Johnson 432/292-4464, [email protected],

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/seminole_canyon/.

FEBRUARY 18, 2008

“The Art of Etruscan Art” Lecture. Dr. Jocelyn Penny Small of

Rutgers University is the guest speaker, hosted by Trinity University.

7:30 p.m. San Antonio, Texas.

ARCH

5 & 6, 2008

exas State Historical Association (TSHA) 112th Meeting.

TSHA

partners with the Hispanic Heritage of Texas Project to offer sessions

on all aspects of Texas History

. Omni Hotel, Corpus Christi, Texas.

Information: www

.tsha.utexas.edu/.

MARCH 7–9, 2008

50th Annual Caddo Conference. This Golden Anniversary of the

conference examines Caddo archeology, ethnography

, and history.

Northwestern State University

, Natchitoches, Louisiana. Information:

. Dayna Lee [email protected], www

.nsula.edu/regionalfolklife/.

ARCH

26–30, 2008

73rd Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Information: www.saa.org/

meetings/index.html.

Investigations at the Salt Well Slough Site, 41RR204, a Salt-Making

ite in Red River County, Texas.

y Nancy Adele Kenmotsu, with

contributions by Timothy K. Perttula. Archeological investigations

conducted along the middle Red River during the 1991 Texas

rcheological Society annual field school included excavation of a

suspected salt-making locale near Caddo village sites. The evidence,

especially characteristics of the ceramics collection and the presence

of ephemeral hearths, suggests that prehistoric Caddos produced

salt at the Salt Well Slough site. Texas Historical Commission Arche-

ological Reports 4. 34 figs., 32 tables, 146 pp. $15.00.

Finding Sha'chahdínnih (Timber Hill): The Last Village of the

Kadohadacho in the Caddo Homeland.

By Mark L. Parsons, James E.

Bruseth, Jacques Bagur, S. Eileen Goldborer, and Claude McCrocklin.

A combination of historical and archeological evidence conclusively

identifies the site of the last village of the Kadohadacho Caddo in

Marion County, Texas. Includes discussions of Kadohadacho history,

how the site was located and excavated, the results of artifact analysis,

and a macrobotanical analysis focusing on corn. Texas Historical Com-

mission Archeological Reports 3. 36 figs., 4 tables, 114 pp. $15.00.

Archeological and Archival Investigations of the Jonesborough Site

(41RR15), Red River County, Texas.

By Nancy G. Reese, with con-

tributions by Timothy K. Perttula. A comprehensive archival search

and critique of previous archeological work suggests an alternate

locality for Jonesborough, one of the earliest Anglo American frontier

settlement sites in Texas. Texas Historical Commission Archeological

Reports 2. 19 figs., 5 tables, 96 pp. $5.00.

Comparing Dimensions for Folsom Points and Their By-products

from the Adair-Steadman and Lindenmeier Sites and Other Localities.

By Curtis T

unnell and LeR

oy Johnson. Data for Folsom dart point

specimens from the Adair-Steadman and Lindenmeier artifact collec-

tions are summarized and compared. Comparison is also made with

certain dimensional variables published for F

olsom collections from

six other sites or locales. Texas Historical Commission Archeological

eports 1. 17 figs., 7 tables, 60 pp. $5.00.

The Life and Times of Toyah-Culture Folk as Seen from the

Buckhollow Encampment, Site 41KM16 of Kimble County

, T

exas.

By LeRoy Johnson. Office of the State Archeologist Report 38. 1994.

109 figs., 51 tables, 360 pp. $15.00.

Texas Archeology in the Classroom: A Unit for Teachers. Compiled

by THC staff. Includes background on archeology and ethnohistory

;

more than 20 activities, or lesson plans; and list of printed and

audiovisual resources. May be reproduced by nonprofits for educa-

tional use only

. 1998. Numerous illustrations, maps, 150 pp., photo

copied, punched

for 3-hole binder. $7.00.

How to Plan and Manage an Archeology Fair. Compiled by TARL

and THC staff. Includes planning, promotion, and activity instruc-

tions for sponsoring an interactive archeology event. 1999, revised,

Aug. 2000. 60 pp., photocopied, punched for three-hole binder.

0 cents per page.

rcheological Bibliography for the Central Region of Texas.

Compiled by Helen Simons and William E. Moore. Includes key

words, site number, and county indexes. 1997. 264 pp. $7.00.

The Steward: Journal of the Texas Archeological Stewardship Network

(formerly The Cache). Vols. 5, 4, and 3 still available. $5.00 each.

Copier reproduction of Vol. 6 available at 10 cents per page ($10.60).

Archeology in the Central and Southern Planning Region, Texas:

A Planning Document.

Edited by Patricia A. Mercado-Allinger,

Nancy A. Kenmotsu, and Timothy K. Perttula. 1996. 200 pp.,

punched for three-hole binder. $15.00.

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ustin, TX 78711-2276

For more information: 512/463-6090

Recent and Available

THC Archeological Publications

2 • TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION • CURRENT ARCHEOLOGY IN TEXAS

TEXAS ARCHEOLOGICAL STEWARDSHIP NETWORK

STEWARD NOMINATION FORM

Nominee's name _________________________________________________________ Home phone ( ________ ) __________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________ Work phone ( ________ ) __________________________________

City/County _____________________________________ Zip _____________________ Email address ___________________________________________

Please discuss any special areas of interest, expertise, or skill that make this nominee a good candidate for the steward-

ship network. If you have worked directly with the nominee, please describe what you did together. If more space is

needed, please continue your description on a separate sheet and include it when you submit your nomination.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

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exas Historical Commission

Archeology Division

P.O. Box 12276

Austin, TX 78711-2276

FOR MORE

INFORMA

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512/463-6090 fax: 512/463-8927

Current Archeology in Texas Staff

r. James E. Bruseth Director, Archeology Division

atricia A. Mercado-Allinger State Archeologist

teve Hoyt State Marine Archeologist

usan Hammack Editor

ill Martin, Brett Cruse,

Jeff Durst, and Dan Potter Contributing Editors

Roland Pantermuehl Graphic Designer

Donna McCarver Circulation Manager

Current Archeology in Texas is published semiannually by the

Texas Historical Commission (THC). Address correspondence

o Editor,

urrent Archeology in Texas

Archeology Division, P.O.

Box 12276, Austin, TX 78711-2276; fax 512/463-8927; or email

[email protected]. Portions of the newsletter (not

ncluding Current Research items) that are not copyrighted or

reprinted from other sources may be

reprinted without permission.

For information about alternate formats of this publication,

ontact the THC at 512/463-6096.

Thomas E. Alexander

Bob Bowman

Earl Brossard Jr.

Diane D. Bumpas

Donna D. Carter

A. Mario Castillo

John W. Crain

David A. Gravelle

Jon T. Hansen

Albert F. (Boo) Hausser

Lisa A. Hembry

Sarita A. Hixon

Gilbert E. Peterson, III

Thomas R. Phillips

Steve A. Tomka

Marcus W. Watson

John L. Nau, III, Chair

T.R. Fehrenbach, Emeritus

F. Lawerence Oaks, Executive Director

Texas Historical Commission

. BOX 12276 • AUSTIN, TX 78711-2276

Vol. 9, No. 2

www.thc.state.tx.us

Current Archeology in Texas is financed in part by a grant from

the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. How-

ever, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views

or policies of the Department of the Interior. All of the agency’s

public programs and activities are operated free from discrimina-

tion on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, gender, or

disability. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated

against should write to Office of Equal Opportunity, National Park

Service, 1849 C St., NW, Washington, DC 20240.

Would you prefer to read this

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Current Archeology in Texas is available

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