Prehistoric Life, Labor, and Residence in Southeast Central Texas: Results of Data Recovery at 41HY163, the Zapotec Site, San Marcos, Texas

This report presents the results of archaeological investigations and analyses of the Zapotec site, 41HY163, in Hays County, Texas. Excavations conducted by the Center for Archaeological Studies, Texas State University-San Marcos from August, 2007 to February, 2008, under contract with the City of San Marcos, were required to offset negative impacts to the site as a result of the City’s construction of the Wonder World Drive Extension north from Hunter Road to Ranch Road 12. Initially self-funded by the City, the Federal Highway Administration agreed to reimburse the City for some construction costs. Accordingly, archaeological investigations were required under provisions of the Texas Antiquities Code, as well as Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Excavations and analyses were conducted under Antiquities Permit Number 4569, Jon C. Lohse, Principal Investigator

National Register Evaluation of Eight Sites at Camp Swift Army National Guard Training Center, Bastrop County, Texas: Swift V

The Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG) conducts military training on Camp Swift, an approximately 11,500-acre tract in northern Bastrop County, Texas. The TXARNG is responsible for complying with federal legislation regarding the assessment and management of environmental and cultural resources. An earlier cultural resources assessment by the Center for Archaeological Studies (CAS), Texas State University-San Marcos, conducted under compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NRHP), identifi ed 11 sites deemed potentially capable of contributing meaningful information on the record of prehistoric human occupation at Camp Swift. In particular, Criterion D of National Park Service Rule 36 CFR Part 60, addressing sites or properties that have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history, is often used for assessing the potential NRHP eligibility of Camp Swift prehistoric sites. These 11 sites were shown by survey and shovel tests to contain or potentially contain signifi cant cultural deposits including intact burned rock features. Eight of these sites (41BP105, 41BP111, 41BP113, 41BP118, 41BP121, 41BP471, 41BP491, 41BP528), containing robust deposits but no specifi c features, were selected for more extensive examination before recommendations for additional research could be fi nalized. This work was carried out by CAS archaeologists in October of 2005. The remaining three (41BP91, 41BP100, 41BP471) will be examined in more detail through a combination of hand-excavated units and backhoe trenching in a future effort. The current report describes the results of work carried out at the eight sites, evaluates those fi ndings in a local and regional culture historical framework, and provides recommendations to the TXARNG for treatment of those sites so that they can fulfi ll their Section 106 obligations

Archaeological Investigations on the Herd Ranch in Western Menard County, Texas

In the summer of 2009, the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University (CAS) conducted an archaeological survey and limited testing of portions of the Rafter Z Ranch and Saba Ranch (collectively referred to as the Herd Ranch) in western Menard County, Central Texas. This work was privately funded by the Herd family, who has long maintained a sincere interest in identifying, understanding, and preserving the very many historic and prehistoric resources on their property. The Herd Ranch is located along the north bank of the San Saba River, due east of historic Fort McKavett and approximately 20 miles west of the town of Menard, Texas. This report presents the results of the CAS survey, as well as limited test excavations at two sites

Underwater Archaeology at 41HY147, the Terrace Locality at Spring Lake

Underwater investigations conducted at Spring Lake in the 1970s and 1980s by the late Dr. Joel Shiner contributed to our overall understanding of the archaeological record in Central Texas and its relationship to prehistory in North America. His work not only produced abundant evidence for early Paleoindian occupations associated with freshwater spring sites but also helped to demonstrate a nearly continuous sequence of occupation spanning more than 13,000 years, from Clovis times through the Spanish Colonial era and into the historic period. Using field notes and correspondences held in the records and collections repository at the Center for Archaeological Studies, Texas State University-San Marcos, we reconstruct a history of Shiner’s work at the lake and present new analytic data about the temporally diagnostic artifacts comprising the 41HY147 collection. Results are discussed in the context of regional findings elsewhere. In addition to detailed descriptions of this collection, we have given special attention to preparing high quality illustrations of many of these artifacts, most of which are presented to the public for the first time in this report. Publication of the findings from this early research at Spring Lake illustrates the significance of this site in the cultural landscape, and provides a sound basis for the ongoing and future scientific investigations here. The report was undertaken as an alternative mitigation measure to help offset potentially unavoidable impacts to important cultural resources at Spring Lake that may have occurred as part of the recently completed Section 206 aquatic ecosystem restoration project at the headwaters of the San Marcos River conducted jointly by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and Texas State University

Archeological Survey Investigations at Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk County, Texas

An intensive cultural resources survey was conducted at Martin Creek Lake State Park by the Center for Archaeological Studies and Archeological & Environmental Consultants, LLC in June 2010 under contract with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Although previous investigations had been carried out in the park, no comprehensive survey had been completed that would allow TPWD and park management personnel to appropriately manage the park’s cultural resources in accordance with state law. During the 2010 survey, the park was stratified into areas with high, medium, and low probability of containing archaeological sites. A total of 423 shovel tests were excavated in these areas; four new sites were documented and nine previously reported sites were revisited and assessed. These 13 sites reflect historic era occupations in the park dating from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s and prehistoric occupations that include Late Archaic, Woodland, and Caddo components

Cultural Resources Survey of Fairfield Lake State Park, Freestone County, Texas

Fairfield Lake State Park occupies 1,460 acres in Freestone County, approximately five miles northeast of Fairfield, Texas. The land was acquired for lease by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) from Texas Utilities in the 1970s. Under provisions of the Texas Antiquities Code, TPWD is responsible for managing any possible cultural resources on park land. In an effort to begin building an inventory of sites, a cultural resource survey of the park was conducted by Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) in 1996 under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 1698, granted to Dr. James E. Corbin. The SFA crew that performed the 1996 fieldwork recorded or revisited a total of 34 sites in the park’s 1,460 acres. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, this initial assessment was never completed; all of the fieldwork was performed, but analysis, curation, and the completion of the report went unfinished. In 2008, TPWD contracted the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University-San Marcos (CAS) to complete the project. Working under contract with TPWD and the reactivated Permit No. 1698, CAS revisited and reassessed each of the 34 sites, recorded an additional site, completed the report, and finalized the analysis and curation of all documents and artifacts recovered in 1996 and 2008. Fieldwork was performed in June of 2008 by Gregory J. LaBudde, Project Archaeologist, David M. Yelacic, CAS Archaeologist, and Jon C. Lohse, who served as the Principal Investigator for the CAS work

Results of Archaeological Survey and Limited Archival Research of Fairfield Lake State Park, Freestone County, Texas

Following the 2008 reassessment, TPWD contracted CAS to carry out a systematic survey of the 1,460-acre park, excluding previously recorded sites, inundated terrain, and areas of modern disturbance that resulted from park infrastructure developments. The purpose of the survey was to ensure a complete inventory of cultural resources within the park. The effort included pedestrian survey and excavation of 215 shovel tests, as well as archival research to identify historic structures that may have once been present, but that were now razed and that could be considered potential sites. An additional element of this project involved some archival research to determine whether 41FT630, the abandoned cemetery, had ever been platted at the Freestone County Clerk’s office, as required under Chapter 711 of the State of Texas Health and Safety Code. Archival and field work was performed in April and May of 2009 by Julian A. Sitters, Project Archaeologist, Sarah Scogin, CAS Staff Archaeologist, and Jon C. Lohse, who served as Principal Investigator. No new sites were recorded during this project, and CAS found no indication that 41FT630 has ever been platted. Available records indicate that it likely represents a freedmen descendant community cemetery, containing individuals who were probably slaves or immediate descendants of freed slaves. CAS recommends archaeological survey and oral interviews concerning this site before it is legally platted at the County Clerk’s office in Fairfield, Texas

Data Recovery and Analysis at the Texas State University Ticket Kiosk Project, Located at 41HY160, Spring Lake, Hays County, Texas

This report describes the results of data recovery-level archaeological investigations carried out under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 5938 at State Antiquities Landmark 41HY160. The purpose of the project was to offset the impact to cultural deposits at the site stemming from the installation of service utilities for a new restroom facility and ticket kiosk at The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, (formerly the River Systems Institute) at Texas State University-San Marcos (TxSt). Sponsored by TxSt, the Center for Archaeological Studies excavated a 1×2 meter unit and monitored construction activities. Resulting cultural materials and other archaeological evidence were analyzed and are discussed in the report

A Precise Chronology of Middle to Late Holocene Bison Exploitation in the Far Southern Great Plains

In regions on the margins of the Great Plains grasslands, documenting the intermittent history of bison exploitation has presented challenges to archeologists. Chronologies based on archeological associations have long been useful in regional research, but can be imprecise and of inadequate resolution for constructing precise sequences of prehistoric events. Here, we present a record of directly dated bison from archeological contexts spanning the last 6000 years on the very southern extent of the Great Plains. This study includes 61 specimens from archeological contexts that were dated by XAD purified AMS radiocarbon, with reported errors of only 15-20 14C years for most dates. The resulting record of bison exploitation for this area defines four main periods (Calf Creek, Late Archaic 1 and 2, and early Toyah) during which bison were exploited. Several dates also indicate an early historic presence of bison; this period may represent a late facet of the Toyah horizon. This study adds significant chronological resolution to the regional record of bison in parts of Texas and begins to help correlate cultural chronologies with important climatic data. It also points to the research value of obtaining additional directly dated bison samples from temporally and geographically diverse archeological contexts in our study area and beyond

Results of Cultural Resources Survey for the Spring Lake Section 206 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project, Texas State University-San Marcos, Hays County, Texas

The Center for Archaeological Studies (CAS) at Texas State University-San Marcos conducted intensive archaeological survey and subsurface testing investigations of the Area of Potential Effect (APE) of the Spring Lake Section 206 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project (SLAERP). The SLAERP proposes to restore the aquatic ecosystem components of Spring Lake and riparian corridor/grassland habitat located directly adjacent to the lake to a more natural condition within the constraints of existing land uses. This work will be conducted under Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, which provides authority for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to restore aquatic ecosystems. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the USACE, Texas State University-San Marcos (TxState), and the Texas Historical Commission (THC) regarding the Spring Lake Aquatic Restoration Project required CAS to develop and implement a subsurface testing program to determine the extent of intact cultural deposits within the project area. A testing program was developed and implemented by CAS that included both terrestrial and underwater investigations. Terrestrial investigations consisted of pedestrian survey, shovel test excavation, test unit excavation, auger pit excavation and backhoe trench excavation. Underwater investigations included limited reconnaissance survey, test unit excavation and the extraction of sediment cores. Investigations were conducted within or adjacent to State Archaeological Landmarks 41HY160 and 41HY165. Neither site was adequately delineated prior to this undertaking, and the work reported here results in modified site boundaries within the APE. New site boundaries demonstrate nearly continuous deposits across the APE, confirming that these sites actually represent a single extensive complex of archaeological deposits associated with the freshwater springs that presently form Spring Lake. Based on pending impacts as indicated in the 65 percent project design documents together with the results of the survey, six areas were identified as “Archaeologically Sensitive,” as they contained or possess a high probability to contain cultural deposits that would be negatively impacted by proposed demolition, modifications, and construction. Each of these archaeologically sensitive areas is linked with either 41HY160 or 41HY165, although, given the continuous nature of deposits in the APE, CAS concludes that distinctions between these trinomials are less meaningful than previously believed. CAS recommended the development of mitigation efforts to offset the loss of important information from these areas