Ancestral Caddo Ceramic Vessels from Sites in the Upper Neches River Basin in Anderson and Cherokee Counties, Texas

Late Caddo period sites belonging to the Frankston phase (ca. A.D. 1400-1680) and the Historic Caddo Allen phase (ca. A.D. 1680-1800) are common in the upper Neches River basin in East Texas, including habitation sites as well as associated and unassociated cemeteries. As is well known, ancestral Caddo cemeteries have burial features with associated funerary offerings, most commonly ceramic vessels. In this article, we document 34 ancestral Caddo ceramic vessels in the collections of the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin (TARL) from six different sites in the upper Neches River basin, including the Ballard Estates (41AN53, n=4 vessels), O. L. Ellis (41AN54, n=15), Lee Ellis (41AN56, n=1), Dabbs Estate (41AN57, n=3), A. H. Reagor (41CE15, n=3), and John Bragg (41CE23, n=8 vessels) sites. Our first purpose is to put on record these ceramic vessels from six poorly known ancestral Caddo sites in order to better understand the history of Caddo settlement in the upper Neches River basin, including the history of burial interments at these sites. The second purpose is much broader, and is part of an effort to establish an East Texas Caddo ceramic vessel database that can be employed for a variety of research purposes. The synthesis of the stylistically diverse Caddo ceramic wares in different recognized ancestral communities across the Caddo area, including the upper Neches River basin occupied by a Hasinai Caddo group, would seem to be tailor-made for studies of ancestral Caddo social networks and social identities that rely on large regional ceramic datasets. The formal and statistical assessment of the regional variation in Caddo ceramic assemblages is currently being assembled in a Geographic Information System by Robert Z. Selden, Jr. (Stephen F. Austin State University), and the assemblages include the vessels from the six sites discussed herein. This is based on the delineation of temporal and spatial divisions in the character of Caddo ceramics (i.e., principally data on decorative methods, vessel forms, defined types and varieties, and the use of different tempers) across East Texas sites and other parts of the Caddo area, and then constructing networks of similarities between ceramic assemblages from these sites that can be used to assess the strength of cultural and social relationships among Caddo communities in the region through time and across space. The identification of such postulated relationships can then be explored to determine the underlying reasons for the existence of such relationships, including factors such as the frequency of interaction and direct contact between communities, the trade and exchange of ceramic vessels, population movement, and similarities in the organization of ceramic vessel production. In conjunction with a database on 2D/3D-scanned Caddo ceramic vessels from East Texas sites, the East Texas Caddo ceramic vessel database is made part of a digital database where comprehensive mathematical and quantitative analyses of morphological attributes and decorative elements on vessels can be conducted. Queries to such a combined database of vessels and sherds should lead to better understandings of regional Caddo ceramic stylistic and technological attributes and their spatial and temporal underpinnings. The results of past and current instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and petrographic analysis of Caddo Area ceramics, including East Texas (where there is a robust INAA database) can also be explored as a means to corroborate production locales, and establish the chemical and paste characteristics of local fine ware and utility ware ceramics in assemblages of different ages. These in turn allow the evaluation of the possible movement of ceramic vessels between different Caddo communities in East Texas and the broader Caddo world

Archeological Investigations for the FM 270 Shared Use Path from Henderson Avenue to South of the HL&P Hot Water Canal, Harris and Galveston Counties, Texas

In June of 2014, AmaTerra Environmental, Inc. (AmaTerra) carried out an intensive archeological investigation of the Texas Department of Transportation’s proposed bicycle and pedestrian shared use path along Farm-to-Market (FM) 270 in Harris and Galveston Counties, Texas (CSJ: 3312-01-008 and 3312-02-012). The proposed project extends from Henderson Avenue to approximately 1,000 feet south of the Houston Light & Power (HL&P) Hot Water Canal and entails the construction of a 16-foot wide shared use path, which includes two bridges: one over Clear Creek and a second bridge over the HL&P Hot Water Canal. The total project length is approximately 1.1 miles and will require approximately 0.54 acres of newly proposed Right-of-Way (ROW). AmaTerra conducted the archeological survey under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 6912. Archeological investigations involved a pedestrian survey, the excavation of 15 shovel tests, and the excavation of six backhoe scrapes across the Area of Potential Effects (APE). Three archeological sites, 41GV53, 41GV78, and 41GV152, were revisited during field investigations. Site 41GV53 is situated on a prominent knoll overlooking Clear Creek. The site, a Prehistoric shell midden, is bisected by FM 270 with site components present on both sides of the roadway and extending into the Clear Creek Nature Preserve. Site components were observed within shovel tests and backhoe scrapes placed at the outside edge of the existing ROW. AmaTerra recommends that intact deposits associated with Site 41GV53 at the edge of the ROW and on the Clear Creek Nature Preserve may be eligible for NRHP/SAL listing. However, within the actual footprint of construction (see Appendix), there is no evidence that artifacts, features, or deposits relating to Site 41GV53 are intact. Site 41GV78 has been completely destroyed through the construction of FM 270, and no further archeological investigations at this site locale are warranted at this time. Site 41GV152, an historic period site containing structural and domestic debris, is also bisected by FM 270 and likely extends into the Clear Creek Nature Preserve. Archeologists observed brick fragments, tabby-like mortar, hand blown glass shards, a plain porcelain sherd, and oyster shell within two shovel tests and backhoe scrapes 3 and 4. AmaTerra recommends that the overall NRHP/SAL eligibility of Site 41GV152 is still undetermined, but that within the FM 270 ROW, there are no archeological deposits that could contribute to eligibility. Based on the results of field investigations, no additional archeological investigations within the proposed APE are warranted at this time. No artifacts were collected during this survey

Archeological Survey Of Two Miles Associated With The Proposed Extension Of McCart Avenue And McPherson Road, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas

In May of 2017, AmaTerra Environmental, Inc. (AmaTerra) conducted an intensive archeological survey in advance of the proposed extension of McCart Avenue and McPherson Road, in southern Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. The total project length is approximately two miles, or about 69 acres in size, within new Right-of-Way to be acquired by the City of Fort Worth. AmaTerra conducted the archeological survey under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8027. Archeological investigations consisted of a thorough pedestrian survey and the excavation of 45 shovel tests throughout the Area of Potential Effects (APE) where access was available. Field archeologists observed multiple landscape modifications primarily associated with transportation and urban development. No new archeological sites were identified during field investigations. However, investigators did record a historic-age farmstead at 9455 West Cleburne Road characterized by nine historic-age buildings or structures. Ultimately, the farmstead was recommended as not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or as a State Antiquities Landmark. Based on the results of this survey, no additional archeological investigations within the proposed APE are warranted at this time. No artifacts or features were observed during the survey. All records, project notes, and photographs will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University-San Marcos

Another Look at the Snipes Site (41CS8) on the Sulphur River, Cass County, Texas

The Snipes site (41CS8) was excavated by Jelks in 1952 as part of the River Basins Surveys (RBS) program administered by the Smithsonian Institution in cooperation with the National Park Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Bureau of Reclamation. Snipes was one of three sites excavated by the RBS prior to the inundation of a large part of the lower Sulphur River valley by Texarkana Reservoir, now Lake Wright Patman. The Snipes site was apparently occupied during at least some part of the Woodland period (ca. 500 B.C.- A.D. 800), mainly during the latter part of the period, and can be considered a component of the Fourche Maline Culture on the basis of the artifacts recovered from both habitation archaeological deposits and burial features. Other artifacts in the collection attest to the use of the Snipes site during Late Archaic and post-A.D. 900 ancestral Caddo times, as we will discuss below. The site was estimated to cover ca. 6-7 acres of an upland landform about 1.6 km south of the Sulphur River, and was marked by a scatter of lithic artifacts, mussel shell, animal bones, charcoal, pottery sherds, etc. Excavations were done in a series of 5-ft. squares dispersed across a 300 x 200 ft. area; according to Jelks, “additional squares were opened adjacent to the most productive test squares.” The archaeological deposits ranged from ca. 8-38 cm in thickness from the surface, and had been well disturbed by plowing. Apparent midden deposits marked by “a great deal of carbon and grease” were identified in several parts of the excavations. During the work at the site by Jelks, nine prehistoric burials were excavated there, including three (Burials 7-9) that were discovered an unknown distance northeast of Burials 1-6 during the last round of work at the site. Jelks reported that traces of human remains from adults of unknown sex were present in Burials 6 and 7, but failed to mention if such was the case for Burials 8 and 9. However, since Burial 8 was reported to have contained two individuals, and the orientation of the heads was recorded, human remains (again, probably from adults, although not noted) were obviously preserved in this burial as well, but apparently not recovered. For Burial 9, Jelks simply noted that preservation “was poor.” Burials 6, 7, and 8 contained individuals that were placed in graves in an extended supine (i.e., on their back) position. Burial 8 had two individuals in extended supine position. The position of the deceased individual in Burial 9 was not recorded. Burial 6 had a Coles Creek Incised, var. Stoner bowl by the right shoulder of the deceased, and one small bowl each had been placed as a funerary offering in Burials 7-9; in two instances, the small bowls were by the left shoulder of the deceased. Two other vessels were funerary offerings in Burial 1 and a separate burial feature excavated by I. B. (Bogey) Price after the main RBS investigations

Additional Archaeological Investigations of the Propised Fulton Mansion Visitor\u27s Center, Fulton Mansion State Historic (41AS79), Rockport, Aransas County, Texas

The Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University-San Marcos conducted additional archaeological investigations for the proposed Fulton Mansion State Historic Site (41AS79) Visitor’s Center, Aransas County, Texas, between October 19 and November 13, 2009 on behalf of the Texas Historical Commission Historic Sites Division. Investigations of the Area of Potential Effect are a continuation of testing investigations begun by Ringstaff in 2007 (Ringstaff 2008). Work was carried out by Carole Leezer as Project Archaeologist, Julian A. Sitters and Sarah Scogin as Archaeological Technicians, and Jon C. Lohse as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 5420. Investigations included backhoe trench excavation, test unit excavation, shovel test unit excavation, and monitoring of internet cable installation. Three deposits of faunal remains were encountered during backhoe trench excavations and fully excavated during test unit excavations. Remains consisted primarily of green sea turtle (Cheloniidae). Additional shovel test units were excavated in the area where a proposed irrigation system will be installed. A total of 20 shovel test units were excavated across the front and side lawns of the mansion property to determine whether the modern fill layer identified by Ringstaff (2008) in the footprint of the proposed Visitor’s Center was also present in this location. A fill layer was noted in locations of a previous driveway. No intact cultural deposits or features were encountered during shovel test excavations with the exception of three culturally modified clam shell pieces. Their recovery from the bottom of a shovel test unit at 31 cm below surface suggests a high probability for prehistoric cultural remains in this area below this depth. Archaeological monitoring of an internet cable installation was also conducted. No intact significant cultural features were encountered. All collected cultural materials were prepared for curation; temporarily, at the Center for Archaeological Studies, Texas State University-San Marcos, and permanently curated at the Texas Historical Commission

Archeological Survey of the FM 723 Expansion Project from Avenue D to FM 1093, Fort Bend County, Texas

In June 2015, AmaTerra Environmental, Inc. began an intensive archeological survey for the Farm-toMarket (FM) 723 expansion project, north of the City of Rosenberg, Fort Bend County, Texas (CSJ# 0188-09-040). Work was delayed due to a lack of right-of-entry (ROE) into portions of the project area. After ROE was granted, archaeological survey was completed in late August of 2017. The total project length is approximately 9.3 miles, or about 228.11 acres, of which 97.9 acres are proposed new Rightof-Way (ROW). AmaTerra conducted the archeological survey under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 7293. Archeological investigations consisted of a pedestrian survey, the manual excavation of 199 shovel tests, and the mechanical excavation of eight backhoe trenches throughout the Area of Potential Effect (APE). Field archeologists observed numerous landscape modifications, including, but not limited to, transportation, agricultural, and residential activities. A prehistoric archeological site, 41FB352, and a historic period archeological sites, 41FB353, were recorded during field investigations; neither is recommended as eligible to the National Register. However, Site 41FB352 within the APE is situated in close proximity to a historic family cemetery, the Briscoe Family Cemetery and it is possible that unmarked graves may be present within the APE at this location. As backhoe scraping was not permitted on this property during the survey, it remains unknown whether graves are present in the APE. Based on the results of field investigations, no additional archeological investigations are warranted for any portion of the APE accessed during this survey. However, a number of properties within the APE were not surveyed due to a lack of right-of-entry. AmaTerra recommends that survey be conducted in these parcels, as well as further investigations for unmarked graves in the portion of the Briscoe Family Cemetery parcel that overlaps the APE.No artifacts were collected during this survey and project records will be curated at the Texas Archaeological Research Laboratory in Austin

41VN63: A Late Archaic-Woodland Period Site in the Upper Sabine River Basin, Van Zandt County, Texas

Site 41VN63 is a multiple component Late Archaic (circa [ca.] 5000-2500 years B.P.) and Woodland period (ca. 2500-1150 years B.P.) site on an upland landform in the upper Sabine River basin. The site was recorded by James Malone (1972) during the archaeological survey of then-proposed Mineola Reservoir on the Sabine River; the reservoir has not been built. Malone described the site in 1971 as being located on an upland ridge on the southeast side of Caney Creek, and covered a 20 x 50 m area. He noted and/or collected from the site surface chert, quartzite, and petrified wood lithic debris (n=28) and cores (n=11) . Malone also mentioned finding flake tools as well as plain pottery sherds at the site, but no such artifacts were mentioned in Malone’s tabulations. This collection has yet to be examined at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin. Shortly thereafter, Bob D. Skiles learned of the site and, with the permission of the landowner, conducted surface collections there on several occasions over the next two years, and recorded the site as GS-1 in his site recording system. In the late 1980s, Skiles loaned Perttula the artifacts he had collected from the site, and they were studied and documented at that time. Now, this many years later, the results of those analyses are provided in this article

An Ancestral Caddo Site (41CS125) on the Sulphur River at Lake Wright Patman, Cass County, Texas

ln December 2017, AmaTerra Environmental lnc. conducted an intensive archeological survey of 41CS125, a previously reported ancestral Caddo site at Lake Wright Patman in Cass County, Texas. The work was done at the request of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District in advance of a proposed bank stabilization pro}ect. The site was occupied from the Late Paleoindian period through historic times with extensive occupations during the Formative to Early Caddo and Late Caddo periods. Artifacts recovered in the investigations included both arrow and dart points, lithic debitage, bifaces, ground stone, a celt fragment, pitted stone, ceramic sherds, a ceramic bead, charred organic material, unidentified bone fragments, and 19th century historic domestic materials. While the site has been adversely affected through alluvial erosion and looting, survey results indicate that intact components of the site still exist along the northern and western periphery of the landform

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

Coles Creek Incised Sherds from 41CS125

In An Ancestral Caddo Site (41CS125) on the Sulphur River at Lake Wright Patman, Cass County, Texas by Julian A. Sitters and Timothy K. Perttula in Volume 2019 https://doi.org/10.21112/ita.2019.1.4https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/ita_images/1013/thumbnail.jp