Archaeological Survey of Three Land Parcels and Shovel Testing of Four Sites at Camp Bowie, Brown County, Texas

Pedestrian survey and shovel testing of three land parcels and shovel testing of four previously identified archaeological sites in Camp Bowie, Brown County, Texas, was performed by the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio during October and November of 2001. This work, conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 2310, was undertaken as a result of recommendations from Wormser and Sullo-Prewitt (2001) following their archaeological survey and site recording efforts. Three areas of Camp Bowie were surveyed and shovel tested. Parcel 1 is 74 acres (30 ha) in extent and 46 shovel tests were excavated in this area. One new site (41BR522) was identified at the northern margin of this survey area. 41BR522 is a small burned rock midden site. Seven additional shovel tests were excavated on this site. One Late Prehistoric projectile point fragment was recovered during shovel testing of 41BR522. Excluding the units on 41BR522, only three shovel tests within Parcel 1 contained subsurface lithics. All of these artifacts represent isolated finds (IF). One additional shovel test had a single animal bone that may not be cultural and is considered an IF. Parcel 2 covers 64 acres (26 ha) and 33 shovel tests were placed within this area. None of the shovel tests in Parcel 2 produced any subsurface archaeological material. Parcel 3 is 62 acres (25 ha) and 43 shovel tests were excavated in this part of Camp Bowie. One shovel test produced two heat-fractured lithics that are not unambiguously cultural in origin. 41BR522 is recommended for additional testing to determine its State Archeological Landmark (SAL) and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility. None of the other areas of the three survey parcels contain cultural resources that are considered SAL or NRHP eligible. In the event of deep or extensive excavation of the alluvial soils in Parcel 1, archaeological monitoring is recommended to identify any potential impacts to resources below the 60 cm depth investigated by this project. Normal military use of this area may proceed without further consultation with the Texas Historical Commission (THC). In response to recommendations by Wormser and Sullo-Prewitt (2001), four previously recorded archaeological sites were revisited (41BR248, 41BR467, 41BR469, and 41BR471). Site 41BR248 could not be relocated. No surface or subsurface artifacts were identified at the plotted site location. Four shovel tests were excavated within the identified site location, but no cultural materials were encountered. Either naturally fractured local chert has been mistaken for cultural artifacts or the plotted location is not correct for 41BR248. Four shovel tests were excavated in 41BR467, a low-density lithic scatter. No artifacts were recovered from the shovel tests. Four bifaces and two cores were recovered from the surface of this site. Six shovel tests were placed on 41BR469, a low-density lithic scatter. One shovel test contained a single subsurface flake. 41BR471 is a small, relatively dense lithic scatter. Four shovel tests were excavated on this site. One shovel test contained a single lithic. There were no other indications of subsurface archaeological deposits. Surface artifacts included one Late Prehistoric projectile point. Surface visibility at these sites exceeded 30 percent and the number of shovel tests is considered sufficient to determine the significance of these cultural resources. 41BR248 could not be identified at its previously plotted location, if this site still exists –it requires relocation and testing. Additional examination is recommended for 41BR471. Following re-examination and testing, no further characterization of 41BR467 and 41BR469 is considered necessary. With the exception of 41BR471 and 41BR248, no further archaeological work is recommended and scheduled use of this area may proceed without further consultation with THC. Two additional sites, re-examined in February of 2001 to determine their SAL and NRHP eligibility, are also included in this report (41BR392 and 41BR523). Two shovel tests were excavated in 41BR392 to examine a prehistoric burned rock midden at this previously identified historic site. One Middle Archaic Bulverde point was recovered from the surface of 41BR392. 41BR523 is a World War II-era live grenade court. This site was described but no shovel tests were considered necessary. Further testing is recommended for the burned rock midden component of 41BR392. No additional archaeological work is considered necessary on 41BR523 and that location is recommended for archaeological clearance. Recommendations from this project are that the SAL and NRHP eligibility of 41BR392, 41BR471, and 41BR522 is unclear in the absence of additional testing efforts. These sites should be protected and avoided until additional examination can determine their SAL and NRHP eligibility status. 41BR248 could not be located with the information currently available. Additional evaluation of this site is still required in relation to previous recommendations by THC. Sites 41BR467, 41BR469, and 41BR523 are considered ineligible as SAL or NRHP properties and no additional archaeological characterization is considered necessary. The three survey parcels examined during this survey and testing project do not contain any significant cultural properties (other than 41BR522 at the periphery of Parcel 1) detectable through shovel testing methods. Parcel 1 is located on deep alluvial soil that could contain deeply buried archaeological deposits. Archaeological monitoring is recommended to identify any potential cultural resources below the 60 cm depth investigated in Parcel 1 if significant excavation of this area is planned. Normal military use of these areas may proceed without further consultation with THC

Archeological Testing of Sites 41GD113 and 41GD114 in Goliad County, Texas

Archeological testing of two previously identified prehistoric archeological sites in Goliad County, Texas, was performed by the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Testing examined 41GD113 and 41GD114 to determine their potential eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and whether they warranted designation as State Archeological Landmarks (SAL) . The work was performed for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on July 24–August 2, 2002. Archeological testing was performed in relation to a proposed highway realignment to avoid the Noble Cemetery currently adjacent U.S. Highway 59. These investigations were conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 2899, with Dr. Raymond P. Mauldin serving as Principal Investigator. 41GD113 is a Late Archaic site that is a palimpsest deposit of multiple, probably short-term, occupations. Five backhoe trenches and seven 1-x-1-m test units were excavated on this site. Geoarcheological investigations identified the site as a floodplain setting subject to periodic, fine, low-energy deposition. No intact features were identified, although fire-cracked rock was present and is almost certainly derived from cultural thermal use. A single late stage biface fragment, three flake tools, one core, and a relatively small debitage assemblage (n=866) was recovered. Most of these lithics came from two excavation units within intact deposits and another from a highly disturbed context. No diagnostic artifacts were encountered. The few faunal remains recovered cannot be unambiguously associated with past human activity. The portion of 41GD114 within the TxDOT right-of-way was extensively mechanically disturbed prior to these testing efforts. Three backhoe trenches and two 1-x-1-m test units were excavated on this site. Soils in the test units were shallow and encountered bedrock or gravel deposits at approximately 60 cm below surface. No tools or diagnostic artifacts were recovered and only 65 pieces of debitage were collected from controlled excavations. Subsequent to laboratory analyses, natural gravels, gastropods, and mussel shell remains from 41GD113 were discarded. All of the magnetic susceptibility samples from 41GD113 and 41GD114 were discarded following analysis. The entire assemblage from 41GD114 also was disposed of after analyses and will not be curated. All discarded materials were disposed of following proper artifact disposal procedures with the pre-approval of TxDOT and the Texas Historical Commission. All other materials and samples from 41GD113 were curated at the CAR permanent curation facility. Following the field investigation and analyses by CAR, neither 41GD113 nor 41GD114 is considered to be eligible for nomination for NRHP listing nor warrant designation as a SAL. Based on this testing effort no additional archeological investigations are considered necessary and it is recommended that construction of the proposed highway bypass be allowed to proceed

Analysing speeding behaviour: A multilevel modelling approach

This paper examines the variability in speeding for 147 motorists over a five-week period using data collected from Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. A multilevel modelling approach is employed to decompose speeding behaviour into four major levels of variation, namely: inter-individual variation, temporal variation, trip-level variation, and segment level variation. Initially, we estimate a null model (i.e., excludes the explanatory variables) to assess the variations at each level. Results suggest that the driver is more of a factor in speeding as the speed limit increases but that the majority of variation in speeding goes unexplained. This is followed by progressively including explanatory variables (e.g., age, gender, vehicle type, trips purpose etc) at each of the four levels to assess how much more of the variation in speeding can be explained. Results suggest that the reduction in unexplained variance in speeding varies markedly by speed zone, indicating the disproportionately different impacts of explanatory factors

Camp Maxey V Archaeological Testing of Seven Sites on the Camp Maxey Training Facility, Lamar County, Texas

From May to June 2002, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR), The University of Texas at San Antonio, under contract with Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG), conducted National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and State Archeological Landmark (SAL) eligibility testing at selected sites within the Camp Maxey training facility in north Lamar County, Texas. The purpose of the current investigations was to assess, through excavation of backhoe trenches, shovel tests, and excavation units, the archaeological significance and NRHP and SAL eligibility of seven prehistoric sites (41LR137, 41LR214, 41LR222, 41LR225, 41LR233, 41LR244, and 41LR254) determined potentially eligible during a previous survey effort. This work was performed under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 2809 issued to Dr. Steve A. Tomka, Principal Investigator for the current testing phase of continuing contractual obligations of archaeological investigations at Camp Maxey through TXARNG. All seven sites are considered ineligible for NRHP listing or SAL designation

Archeological Testing of Sites 41GD113 and 41GD114 in Goliad County, Texas

Archeological testing of two previously identified prehistoric archeological sites in Goliad County, Texas, was performed by the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Testing examined 41GD113 and 41GD114 to determine their potential eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and whether they warranted designation as State Archeological Landmarks (SAL) . The work was performed for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on July 24–August 2, 2002. Archeological testing was performed in relation to a proposed highway realignment to avoid the Noble Cemetery currently adjacent U.S. Highway 59. These investigations were conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 2899, with Dr. Raymond P. Mauldin serving as Principal Investigator. 41GD113 is a Late Archaic site that is a palimpsest deposit of multiple, probably short-term, occupations. Five backhoe trenches and seven 1-x-1-m test units were excavated on this site. Geoarcheological investigations identified the site as a floodplain setting subject to periodic, fine, low-energy deposition. No intact features were identified, although fire-cracked rock was present and is almost certainly derived from cultural thermal use. A single late stage biface fragment, three flake tools, one core, and a relatively small debitage assemblage (n=866) was recovered. Most of these lithics came from two excavation units within intact deposits and another from a highly disturbed context. No diagnostic artifacts were encountered. The few faunal remains recovered cannot be unambiguously associated with past human activity. The portion of 41GD114 within the TxDOT right-of-way was extensively mechanically disturbed prior to these testing efforts. Three backhoe trenches and two 1-x-1-m test units were excavated on this site. Soils in the test units were shallow and encountered bedrock or gravel deposits at approximately 60 cm below surface. No tools or diagnostic artifacts were recovered and only 65 pieces of debitage were collected from controlled excavations. Subsequent to laboratory analyses, natural gravels, gastropods, and mussel shell remains from 41GD113 were discarded. All of the magnetic susceptibility samples from 41GD113 and 41GD114 were discarded following analysis. The entire assemblage from 41GD114 also was disposed of after analyses and will not be curated. All discarded materials were disposed of following proper artifact disposal procedures with the pre-approval of TxDOT and the Texas Historical Commission. All other materials and samples from 41GD113 were curated at the CAR permanent curation facility. Following the field investigation and analyses by CAR, neither 41GD113 nor 41GD114 is considered to be eligible for nomination for NRHP listing nor warrant designation as a SAL. Based on this testing effort no additional archeological investigations are considered necessary and it is recommended that construction of the proposed highway bypass be allowed to proceed

Archaeological Survey of Huntsville State Park and Excavations in 41WA47 Walker County, Texas

Two archaeological field efforts were performed at Huntsville State Park, Walker County, Texas in May and July 2001. An archaeological survey examined the areas to be impacted by rehabilitation and expansion of roads, parking areas, campground pullouts, and utilities (160 acres/65 ha). Additional testing and limited mitigation was performed at 41WA47, a previously identified archaeological site. This work was conducted by the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio in contractual agreement with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPW) under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 2610. During the archaeological survey, three previously unidentified sites (41WA264, 41WA265, and 41WA266) were recorded. None of these appear to merit designation as official State Archeological Landmarks (SAL) or listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). No additional archaeological testing is recommended for these sites. Shovel testing conducted in the vicinity of a previously recorded site, 41WA228, identified a significantly larger site extent. Archaeological materials from shovel tests here were moderately abundant and extended to the basal depths of testing (~60 cm below ground surface) in several of the units. However, at least a portion of the existing cultural material on-site has been severely impacted by previous road construction and park facilities improvements. Given the increased site size, the SAL and NRHP eligibility of the site remains unknown. While the proposed road improvements will impact the cultural deposits falling in the immediate vicinity of the road, it is recommended that TPW Cultural Resource Coordinator, Art Black, monitor construction within the impact area and halt work if and/or when cultural deposits and features are encountered –to evaluate the nature and significance of the deposits in consultation with the Texas Historical Commission. The second portion of archaeological field efforts, the examination of site 41WA47, involved three work efforts: 1) shovel testing was performed to assess the previously identified boundaries of the site, locate deep deposits that have not been subject to extensive erosion, and produce additional information about spatial variation in the archaeological deposit; 2) a 28-m (92-ft) long backhoe trench was excavated to provide geomorphic and stratigraphic information about site formation and cultural deposition; and, 3) controlled excavation of nineteen 1 x 1-m units was performed in four areas of the site as a limited mitigation effort. Charcoal samples from one block excavation produced a chronosequence of six AMS dates, indicating multiple occupations between ~1900–1500 BP (AD 50–450) and 500–400 BP (AD 1450–1550). Abundant lithics (n=3,717) included a large number of diagnostic projectile points (n=36). Ceramics (n=471) and highly fractured bone (n=1,264) also were relatively abundant. Excavation data strongly suggest good to high integrity of these deposits. Paleobotanical recovery identified charcoal, carbonized hickory nutshells, and abundant but heavily weathered phytoliths. The site has already been designated a SAL. Results of this investigation indicate 41WA47 possesses a very significant potential for research on site formation, multiple occupation dynamics, technology, and subsistence. The proposed road construction will affect several portions of 41WA47. Erosion caused by park facility construction and maintenance has impacted parts of the site. Heavy park visitation has also initiated significant erosion around camping facilities located within the site. Because of the scientific value of 41WA47 and the ongoing degradation, the following actions are recommended to protect the significant cultural deposits of the site: 1) Remove campground pullouts 63, 64, and 65 from camping use and return those areas to a natural state; 2) Prevent the digging of temporary barbecue/roasting pits by park visitors restricting fires to designated fire rings and barbecue stands, and restrict ash and charcoal disposal to designated areas; and, 3) Identify erosion control measures for the site to stabilize the ground surface preventing further erosion and impact to the buried deposits

Phase I Archaeological Survey of a 10-acre Habitat for Humanity Tract in Laredo, Webb County, Texas

On December 7, 2004, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) conducted a Phase I intensive pedestrian archaeological survey of a 10-acre portion of Tract 4 in the Las Blancas Subdivision located near Laredo in Webb County, Texas, for Habitat for Humanity of Laredo. The proposed development consists of the construction of low-income housing within this parcel. Twenty shovel tests were excavated along 20-meter transects and in areas considered to have high or moderate probability of buried cultural materials. In addition, two backhoe trenches were excavated in alluvial deposits along the eastern margin of the project area overlooking Blancas Creek. The survey resulted in the identification of one archaeological site, 41WB633, an apparent lithic procurement locality. Site 41WB633 covers approximately 6.4 acres and extends beyond the survey area. The core area with the highest density of surface materials measures approximately 65 x 45 meters and contains early reduction stage bifaces, cores, and lithic debitage scattered across the surface. Only one of the 20 shovel tests (ST 10) placed within the site recovered subsurface materials buried in Levels 1–3, at 0–30 cm below surface. Neither of the two backhoe trenches excavated within the boundaries of the site yielded subsurface materials. The geoarchaeological investigations indicate that the prehistoric lithic artifacts show no evidence of alluvial or colluvial abrasion and only minimal patination was observed on a few pieces. This suggests that they are not the product of significant high-energy redeposition. Although the surface gravels may have been formed by colluvial or eolian processes, the fresh, undamaged edges of the lithics indicate that events concentrating the gravels probably occurred prior to deposition of the archaeological materials. Given the lack of isolable archaeological deposits at 41WB633, the overall low density of cultural materials, and the absence of a comprehensive research context within which such lithic procurement sites can be interpreted, CAR recommends that the site does not merit designation as a State Archeological Landmark and does not warrant nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Therefore, it is CAR’s recommendation that the construction work associated with the development of this 10-acre portion of the Las Blancas Subdivision proceed as planned. Because the property was privately owned at the time of the fieldwork, and no state funds will be employed in the construction effort, no Texas Antiquities Committee permit was necessary for this undertaking. The artifacts collected during the survey will be curated at CAR unless otherwise requested by the landowner. All project-associated documents are curated at the Center for Archaeological Research at The University of Texas at San Antonio

Beyond peer observation of teaching

OBJECTIVE To summarize the evidence on effectiveness of translational diabetes prevention programs, based on promoting lifestyle change to prevent type 2 diabetes in real-world settings and to examine whether adherence to international guideline recommendations is associated with effectiveness. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Bibliographic databases were searched up to July 2012. Included studies had a follow-up of ≥12 months and outcomes comparing change in body composition, glycemic control, or progression to diabetes. Lifestyle interventions aimed to translate evidence from previous efficacy trials of diabetes prevention into real-world intervention programs. Data were combined using random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression considering the relationship between intervention effectiveness and adherence to guidelines. RESULTS Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. The primary meta-analysis included 22 studies (24 study groups) with outcome data for weight loss at 12 months. The pooled result of the direct pairwise meta-analysis shows that lifestyle interventions resulted in a mean weight loss of 2.12 kg (95% CI -2.61 to -1.63; I(2) = 91.4%). Adherence to guidelines was significantly associated with a greater weight loss (an increase of 0.3 kg per point increase on a 12-point guideline-adherence scale). CONCLUSIONS Evidence suggests that pragmatic diabetes prevention programs are effective. Effectiveness varies substantially between programs but can be improved by maximizing guideline adherence. However, more research is needed to establish optimal strategies for maximizing both cost-effectiveness and longer-term maintenance of weight loss and diabetes prevention effects

Novel instructionless eye tracking tasks identify emotion recognition deficits in frontotemporal dementia

BACKGROUND: Current tasks measuring social cognition are usually 'pen and paper' tasks, have ceiling effects and include complicated test instructions that may be difficult to understand for those with cognitive impairment. We therefore aimed to develop a set of simple, instructionless, quantitative, tasks of emotion recognition using the methodology of eye tracking, with the subsequent aim of assessing their utility in individuals with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). METHODS: Using the Eyelink 1000 Plus eye tracker, 18 bvFTD and 22 controls completed tasks of simple and complex emotion recognition that involved viewing four images (one target face (simple) or pair of eyes (complex) and the others non-target) followed by a target emotion word and lastly the original four images alongside the emotion word. A dwell time change score was then calculated as the main outcome measure by subtracting the percentage dwell time for the target image before the emotion word appeared away from the percentage dwell time for the target image after the emotion word appeared. All participants also underwent a standard cognitive battery and volumetric T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Analysis using a mixed effects model showed that the average (standard deviation) mean dwell time change score in the target interest area was 35 (27)% for the control group compared with only 4 (18)% for the bvFTD group (p < 0.05) for the simple emotion recognition task, and 15 (26)% for the control group compared with only 2 (18)% for the bvFTD group (p < 0.05) for the complex emotion recognition task. Worse performance in the bvFTD group correlated with atrophy in the right ventromedial prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices, brain regions previously implicated in social cognition. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, eye tracking is a viable tool for assessing social cognition in individuals with bvFTD, being well-tolerated and able to overcome some of the problems associated with standard psychometric tasks

Pedestrian Survey and NRHP Eligibility Testing of Sites within a Proposed Detention Facility in Webb County, Texas

The Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) of The University of Texas at San Antonio was contracted by MACTEC Engineering & Consulting, Inc. (hereafter, MACTEC) to perform Phase I archaeological survey and Phase II testing prior to the construction of a detention facility in Webb County, Texas. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requires federal agencies to take into consideration the effects of proposed undertakings on cultural resources within the Area of Potential Effect (APE). While the proposed undertaking is being developed by The GEO Group, Inc. on privately owned property and is funded by private resources, the anticipated use of the facility by the United States Marshals Service makes this project a federal undertaking as defined under 36 CFR part 800.16(y). As such, the project must comply with Section 106 of the NHPA. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is the reviewing agency for the project. In December, 2004, CAR conducted an intensive survey of the APE for the proposed construction of the detention facility. The survey followed MACTEC’s preliminary cultural resources assessment and included pedestrian survey with shovel testing within an approximate 160-acre tract, and backhoe trenching of selected locations within the approximate 30-acre APE of the proposed undertaking. Eleven field sites were defined as a result of the intensive survey (Field Site 1 [41WB634], Field Site 2, Field Site 3 [41WB636], and Field Sites 4–11). Subsequently, Phase II investigations were conducted by CAR to evaluate National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility and State Archeological Landmark (SAL) designation for eight of the originally identified field sites (numbers 2 and 5–11). The Phase II investigations included the hand excavation of test units as well as mechanical auger testing. Based on the combined results of the Phase I survey and Phase II investigations, seven sites were reported to the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory and assigned trinomials (41WB634 through 41WB640). Site 41WB639 was identified as containing archaeological components with significant research potential and therefore is recommended eligible for nomination to the NRHP and for formal designation as a SAL. The site contains a Middle Archaic component buried between 100 cm and 130 cm below surface that may yield information on a regional level. Based on the findings within the proposed project area, the site is interpreted as eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criterion D. Likewise, the site is interpreted as having the potential to contribute to a better understanding of the prehistory of Texas, and therefore eligible for SAL designation based on Criterion 1. Given the depth of the component and the shallow nature of the anticipated disturbances in the vicinity of the site (two feet or about 60 cm below surface), no construction impact is likely to effect the buried component and no further work is recommended at the site. However, in the case that construction parameters are changed and anticipated impacts reach below two feet (60 cm) in depth, data recovery efforts are recommended at the site. In addition, site 41WB634 was identified during the survey as having some research potential, although the NRHP and SAL eligibility of the site has not been determined. According to present construction plans, the site falls outside of the facilities footprint and will not be disturbed by construction activities. No additional archaeological investigations are recommended at the present time. The site contains a temporally unassigned, shallowly buried (10–50 cm below surface) archaeological component. If at a future date the facilities footprint is relocated or hitherto unanticipated subsurface disturbances are planned in the vicinity of this site, Phase II testing is recommended to establish the NRHP eligibility of the site. Finally, archaeological components buried at a depth of 70 cm below surface or deeper have been identified at sites 41WB637, 41WB638, and 41WB639. The NRHP/SAL eligibility of these deposits has not been fully assessed. However, the impacts of activities above these sites will consist of the planting of a grass cover and will otherwise be limited to foot traffic and therefore will be consistent with the guidelines set in the Intentional Burial of Sites as defined by the Texas Historical Commission. Therefore, no adverse affects will come to the deeply buried deposits at sites 41WB637, 41WB638 and 41WB639. The cultural materials recovered during these investigations were processed at the CAR laboratory. Following analysis, several artifact classes possessing little scientific values were discarded in consultation with MACTEC and the landowner. These artifact classes included snail shells, unburned rocks, heat spalls, modern glass, plastic, and unidentified metal fragments. In all instances, discarded materials were documented and their counts included in the report and curation documentation. All data was entered into Access and Excel spreadsheets, and copies of electronic and paper records were submitted to the client. All artifacts, including human remains, were returned to the landowner and all copies of project records are permanently curated at the Center for Archaeological Research