Antonia L. Figueroa

Archaeological Investigations within San Pedro Springs Park (41BX19), San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

The University of Texas at San Antonio Center for Archaeological Research (UTSA-CAR) contracted with Adams Environmental, Inc. to provide archaeological services to Capital Improvement Management (CIMS) of the City of San Antonio (COSA) related to the archaeological investigation of selected areas of San Pedro Springs Park in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The CAR conducted archaeological testing at this National Register Site, 41BX19, from early December 2013 to mid-January of 2014. The goals of archaeological investigations were to identify and investigate any proto-historic and historic archaeological deposits associated with Colonial Period occupants of the area, including evidence of the first acequia and associated dam, and the location of the first presidio and villa. In addition, CAR was tasked with the investigation of any prehistoric cultural deposits encountered. This project was performed by staff archaeologists from the CAR. It was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 6727, with Dr. Steve Tomka serving as Principal Investigator (PI), and Kristi Nichols and Stephen Smith serving as Project Archaeologists. Dr. Tomka departed from UTSA shortly after the completion of fieldwork. At that time, Dr. Raymond Mauldin of CAR assumed PI responsibilities for the project. One hundred and eleven shovel tests, eleven 1-x-1 m test units, two 50-x-50 cm units, two backhoe trenches, and several auger holes were excavated during this effort. Minimal artifactual evidence of colonial occupants was noted during the archaeological investigations. Several Native American bone tempered sherds that could reflect either Late Prehistoric Leon Plain or Goliad ware were recovered. However, no Spanish Majolicas or lead glazed wares were uncovered, and no gunflints were identified in the lithic assemblage. Due to various utility lines and other obstructions, backhoe trenches to search for the acequia and associated dam could not be excavated. It is likely that areas proposed for investigation of the acequia and associated dam have been disturbed by aforementioned utility lines as well as earlier construction within the park. No evidence of the specific location of the first presidio or villa was located. Shovel testing and test units revealed the presence of historic and prehistoric use of the park, though mixing of historic and prehistoric material, as well as other disturbances (e.g., rodents), was common in the deposits. However, there was an increase in prehistoric material with depth as revealed in shovel testing results. Shovel testing located Feature 1, a burned rock feature that possibly was associated with a sheet midden, as well as several areas with high densities of prehistoric materials. Test excavations, based on these shovel tests, suggest that Feature 1 is a discrete feature that lies below a widespread, low-density distribution of burned rock. Shovel testing also identified a high-density cluster of lithic, bone, and burned rock. The excavation of a 1-x-1 m test unit (TU 4) in this area produced over 4,000 pieces of debitage, with over 50% of this total coming from three levels. Burned rock, a variety of tools, faunal material, and charcoal were present throughout these levels. Temporal placement of deposits relied on artifact typologies (e.g., ceramic types, lithic projectile points, lithic tool types) as well as two charcoal and four bone collagen radiocarbon dates. Artifact typologies suggest occupation as early as the Early Archaic as reflected by a possible Guadalupe tool. A series of Late Archaic Points (Castroville, Frio, Marcos, and Montell) and Late Prehistoric point forms (Edwards, Perdiz, and Scallorn) are present from several areas. In addition, a possible Middle Archaic La Jita point was recovered. The bone tempered Native American wares could date as early as AD 1250, though they could also reflect proto-historic or colonial age materials. Other ceramics primarily suggest a mid-nineteenthto midtwentieth-century occupation. Using the midpoints of the 1-sigma distribution, calibrated radiocarbon dates show use of San Pedro Park from as early as 100 AD (CAR 345; 1905 +/22 Radiocarbon Years Before Present [RCYBP]) to as recently as the early twentieth century. The more recent end of that range is a function of two late dates from two different areas of the park. The first of these is on a bison bone (CAR 344) that returned a date of 158 +/23 RCYBP. The second is on a bone consistent with a bison-sized animal (CAR 346) that produced a date of 155 +/23 RCYBP. The corrected, calibrated dates for these two samples range from AD 1670 to the early 1940s using the 1-sigma spread. The wide range of these dates is related to the flat calibration curve late in time. However, the most probable date range (ca. 36% probability) for these two dates is between AD 1729 and 1779, with a roughly 48% probability that they date prior to AD 1779. Limited testing suggests that, with a few specific exceptions, the upper 30-40 cm of San Pedro Park is extensively disturbed. However, though some disturbances are present, at least three areas have materials in what appears to be good context. These include material dating to the Late Archaic, Late Prehistoric, and possibly the Proto-historic or Colonial Period. Based on historic maps, previous work, and the current investigation, CAR proposes a series of management areas for San Pedro Park. If work in these management areas follows these suggestions for various limits on subsurface impacts, CAR recommends that

Results of Archeological Significance Testing at 41TV410 and 41TV540 and Associated Geomorphological Investigations on a Segment of Onion Creek in Travis County, Texas

In late 2005, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) contracted the Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio (CAR-UTSA) to conduct significance testing at 41TV410 and 41TV540, two prehistoric archeological sites located in the floodplain of Onion Creek in southeast Austin in Travis County. The work was conducted in advance of a borrow pit excavation related to the construction on State Highway (SH) 130. The borrow pit represented a project specific location (PSL). PSLs are normally not part of the project per Federal Highway Administration policy. PSLs are the responsibility of the contractor in most cases. However, the testing reported here was mandated by language of the SH 130 comprehensive development agreement. Significance testing was performed late in 2005 and early in 2006. For 41TV540, Dr. Raymond Mauldin served as Principal Investigator and Jennifer Thompson served as the Project Archeologist. At 41TV410, Dr. Mauldin served as Project Archeologist and Dr. Steve Tomka served as Principal Investigator. The archeological work at these sites was not under the purview of either Section 106 or the Antiquities Code of Texas. The work was not conducted under a Texas Antiquities Permit. However, testing at both sites was conducted in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation and guidelines provided by the Texas Historical Commission (THC). CAR completed fieldwork in early January of 2006. At 41TV410, 11 features were uncovered with radiocarbon dates that fell in the Early/Middle Archaic and in the Late Archaic. Recovery of artifacts and ecofacts was extremely low. The 41TV540 work also produced a low density of chipped stone artifacts and tools, and exposed 17 features, many of which dated to the close of the Early Archaic. Preliminary observations on flotation returns suggested good quantities of burned material and faunal remains were present at 41TV540. CAR prepared post-field reports summarizing the work and provided recommendations for both sites. Because both locations appeared to contain intact deposits that could, in our view, contribute to an understanding of the prehistoric cultural development of the region, CAR recommended that the sites were eligible to the NRHP under criterion d. TxDOT agreed with CAR recommendations that 41TV540 was eligible for listing in the NRHP, though they did not request any additional work at the site. TxDOT concluded that site 41TV410 was not eligible for listing on the NRHP. At TxDOT’s instruction, CAR prepared a research design for the analysis of the testing data from 41TV540, as well as a summary of the 41TV410 work. That document (Tomka et al. 2007), which outlined a series of analyses including several new geomorphic studies and a project area geomorphic synthesis, served as a guideline for the present document. Since the archeological and geomorphological investigations reported here, the construction of SH 130 has been completed and deposits containing the sites discussed have been removed. All artifacts, notes, photos, and other material associated with the project are stored at CAR. At this time, decisions regarding the disposal of selected artifact classes, as well as the location for permanent curation of the remaining artifacts and associated records, have not been made. However, it is expected that all project related records and artifacts retained will be permanently curated at CAR.

The Walnut Branch Hike and Bike Trail Pedestrian Survey, Guadalupe County, Texas

The Center for Archaeological Research at The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted an intensive pedestrian survey along Walnut Branch in Seguin, Guadalupe County, Texas during the first half of 2008 and in June of 2009.This investigation was associated with the Walnut Branch Hike and Bike Trail project that involves the City of Seguin and Jacobs. The project aims to revitalize a portion of Walnut Branch for community betterment, tourism and the stimulation of commercial development. There are several historical structures in the environs of the creek, including the Sebastopol State Historical Structure. The archaeological investigations associated with this project were conducted under the Texas Antiquities Permit # 4734 with Jennifer L. Thompson serving as the Principal Investigator. Thirty-nine shovel tests and five backhoe trenches were excavated along the banks of Walnut Branch. During these efforts three new sites were recorded: 41GU113, a multi-component site, was located on a sloping terrace along the western bank of the creek; 41GU114, also a multi-component site, was located on the western descending bank of the creek; and 41GU115 was located on the eastern descending bank of the creek and contained historic material. CAR does not recommend further work on the sites nor does CAR recommend that they are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or formal designation as State Archaeological Landmarks. All artifacts and records collected during the project are temporarily curated at the Center for Archaeological Research according to Texas Historical Commission guidelines.

Archaeological Survey of the Paloma Subdivision, Bexar County, Texas

The Center for Archaeological Research at The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted an archaeological survey for the Paloma Subdivision in Bexar County, Texas. The project area is located in east Bexar County and consisted of approximately 328 acres. During the survey, 85 shovel tests were excavated and sites 41BX1792, 41BX1793, 41BX1794, and 41BX1795 were identified and recorded. Two of the sites possessed prehistoric components (41BX1792 and 41BX1793). A temporal affiliation was not discernable for 41BX1793 but one diagnostic (stem of an Edwards projectile point) was recovered from 41BX1792 dating the site to the Late Prehistoric. 41BX1794 and 41BX1795 were historic farmstead sites with standing structures dating to the early-20th century to mid-20th century. None of the sites documented during the project were eligible for listing to the National Register for Historic Places (NRHP) or formal designation as State Archeological Landmarks (SAL). Further work is not recommended on any of archaeological sites recorded during the Paloma Subdivision survey. The San Antonio Historic Preservation Office (HPO) concurred with the recommendations. All materials recovered during the investigations were deeded to the Center for Archaeological Research by the land owner and are curated at the Center, along with all project related documents.

Archaeological Investigations in the Courtyard of Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción Acuña (41BX12)

Archaeological investigations took place in the courtyard of Mission Concepción between 2002 and 2005 in order to identify remnant architectural remains of Spanish Colonial structures prior to the installation of a drainage system. Archaeological investigations were performed under the auspices of two field schools held by the Department of Anthropology’s Center for Archaeological Research of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). The Center’s Legacy Public Outreach Program also held a field school as part of these investigations. Archival documents indicate that the granary and another structure, possibly the community storeroom or corridor, occupied the courtyard. Investigations in the courtyard uncovered several foundations or architectural alignments that may represent remnants of these structures. Excavations within the said granary area revealed disturbances derived from utilities installations and the construction of a restroom facility during the 1940s. A trash pit containing artifacts dating to the late 1800s early 1900s was uncovered near the northwest corner inside the granary foundations. Test units excavated between the granary and convento situated west of the granary identified three features. East of the granary, high densities of Spanish Colonial ceramics and a plastered surface were exposed. The archaeological investigations were conducted under the Texas Antiquities Permit 2820 with Dr. Steve A. Tomka serving as Principal Investigator. All artifacts collected during this project and all project-associated documentation is permanently curated at the Center for Archaeological Research according to Texas Historical Commission guidelines.

Intensive Pedestrian Survey of the Phase II Portion of the Medina River Park Trail, Bexar County, Texas

The Center for Archaeological Research at The University of Texas at San Antonio performed an intensive pedestrian survey of the Phase II portion of the Medina River Park Trail, Bexar County, Texas in January 2008. The proposed Phase II trail corridor starts at Applewhite Road and runs approximately 3.75 miles to the vicinity of Neal Road, south of the Medina River. Eight previously recorded sites were revisited during the archaeological investigations that include 41BX545, 41BX546, 41BX533, 41BX531, 41BX537, 41BX538, 41BX833 and 41BX831. No new sites were encountered during the archaeological survey. The portions of the State Archaeological Landmark sites that were investigated by CAR did not contribute to their eligibility status. Current land use of the area by the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions (AIT-SCM) was documented in the environs of 41BX531. The utilization of the land for activities should be regulated as not to impact cultural resources. All materials recovered during the investigations and all project related documents are curated at the Center for Archaeological Research.

An Intensive Pedestrian Archaeological Survey of the Salado Creek Greenway, Wetmore Avenue to Eisenhauer Road, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas Phase II: N. E. Loop 410 to Wetmore Avenue

The Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) of The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted an intensive pedestrian archaeological survey of the Salado Creek Greenway project located in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas to fulfill contract requirements with Adams Environmental, Inc. of San Antonio. The survey was conducted under the requirements of the City of San Antonio Unified Development Code Chapter 35, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, and the Texas Antiquities Code. The survey was performed under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 4561, with Dr. Raymond Mauldin, CAR Assistant Director, serving as Principal Investigator and Antonia L. Figueroa serving as the Project Archaeologist. The work was conducted in advance of construction of a multi-use greenway trail proposed by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of San Antonio. The project consists of development of a multi-use greenway trail running from Wetmore Avenue to Eisenhauer Road along the Salado Creek channel. The project area was surveyed in two phases with the first phase from N.E. Loop 410 to Eisenhauer Road completed in August 2007 (Munoz 2008) and the second phase from N.E. Loop 410 to Wetmore Avenue completed in February 2008. This report summarizes the results of the fieldwork from Phase II and provides recommendations regarding the management of cultural resources located on the project area. The archaeological investigations conducted by CAR resulted in the identification and recording of three new sites (41BX1764, 41BX1765 and 41BX1766).A portion of site 41BX841 was revisited as part of the pedestrian survey. However, the proposed trail alignment will not impact the site. The CAR recommends that sites 41BX1765 and 41BX1766 are not eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historical Places (NRHP). Shovel testing at 41BX1764 suggests the site is potentially eligible for the NRHP under criterion D. Because the site is located on the proposed trail alignment, the CAR recommends eligibility testing of the 41BX1764. All materials recovered during the investigations and all project related documents are curated at the Center for Archaeological Research.

Archeological Testing of the Pavo Real Site (41BX52), San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

The Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at the University of Texas at San Antonio performed archeological testing at the Pavo Real site (41BX52) between November 2006 and June 2007 for HNTB. The purpose of archeological testing was to determine the depth of construction fill and the presence, location and, if possible, condition, of any remnant archeological deposits. Proposed improvements along Loop 1604 include bridge bents that will be constructed east of Leon Creek and west of the IH-10/Loop 1604 interchange overpass. Impacts associated with proposed improvements will occur within the boundaries and in the immediate vicinity of 41BX52. Archeological testing consisted of coring, backhoe trenching and block excavations. Coring and backhoe trenching within the northern and southern medians indicated the presence of thick fill material of unknown depths in the western portion of the site and a decrease in fill and soils on the eastern segment. Suite II soils, that were assumed to be associated with the first occupation of the site, were identified during backhoe trenching, initiating block excavations. Block excavations were conducted within the area to be directly impacted by a bridge bent and basin in aims of dating Suite II soils. The excavation of two 2-x-2-meter (m) blocks and two additional 1-x-1-m units produced Early Archaic diagnostics. Paleoindian period materials were not encountered during archeological investigations of the site. Two samples collected from Block 2 excavations yielded single grain OSL ages of 18,300±920 years BP and 18,200±1,030 years BP. Statistical analysis concluded that lithic debitage recovered from the Suite II deposits were significantly smaller than Suites III and IV specimens, supporting the conclusion that cultural material from Suite III could have worked their way down into the deposit accounting for the specimens present in Suite II. Moreover, OSL results suggested that Suite II deposits may have undergone post-depositional disturbance. Archeological testing of the site was conducted under Texas Antiquities permit No. 4092. The initial coring and trenching of the site was conducted under a TxDOT General Services Contract with Raymond P. Mauldin serving as the principal investigator. The subsequent testing was performed under a contract with HNTB with Steve Tomka serving as the principal investigator. Antonia L. Figueroa served as the project archeologist. Charles D. Frederick served as the project geoarcheologist. All artifacts and records collected during this project are curated at the Center for Archaeological Research according to Texas Historical Commission guidelines.

Archaeological Investigations of the City of San Antonio Nursery and San Antonio Zoo Eagle Railroad Tract Realignment Project, Bexar County, Texas

The Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) conducted mechanical augering on land that was used for the former City of San Antonio Nursery and Parks and Maintenance Facility. Furthermore, a surface inspection of the San Antonio Zoo Eagle mini-track proposed re-alignment was also conducted. During investigations prehistoric site 41BX1773 was recorded in the northern section of the APE. Only one piece of fire-cracked rock and a railroad spike were collected during the surface inspection along the proposed San Antonio Zoo Eagle re-alignment. Archaeological investigations were conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 4647. CAR recommends that impacts to site 41BX1773 should be avoided and the re-alignment of the San Antonio Zoo Eagle train track may proceed as planned. All materials recovered during the investigations and all project related documents are curated at the Center for Archaeological Research.

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