scholarly journals Marine Archaeology Survey in Support of Galveston Island State Park Marsh Restoration and Protection Project Galveston County, Texas

Author(s):  
Robert Gearhart

BOB Hydrographics, LLC conducted a marine geophysical survey and archaeological assessment of a proposed construction access channel in Galveston County, on behalf of HDR Engineering, Inc. A proposed 25-acre bay access channel would cross portions of State Mineral Lease Tracts, West Bay 59, 65 and 66 in West Galveston Bay. The channel would provide construction access to build a breakwater for the Galveston Island State Park Marsh Protection and Restoration Project, sponsored by the General Land Office. An archaeological survey was requested by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, based on their review of Permit Application SWG-1998-02298. Consultation between the Texas Historical Commission and the Galveston District concluded that archaeological survey only would be required for the channel providing access from the bay to the island and not for areas adjacent and including the proposed breakwaters. The area of potential effect encompasses 70 acres, including a 50-meter buffer mandated by the Texas Historical Commission around the proposed channel. A review of cultural background determined that 1 marine archaeological investigation and, at least, 1 wreck have been reported within 3 miles of the survey area. BOB completed a marine geophysical survey on May 9, 2019 under Texas Antiquities Permit 8906. A total of 140 acres was surveyed to provide options for adjusting the route if necessary. Water depth at the time of the survey ranged from 4 to 9 feet. BOB assessed all geophysical data to locate archaeological sites potentially affected by construction of the access channel. No artifacts were collected during the survey. No significant geophysical targets were discovered that might be potentially eligible for the State Antiquities Landmark or for the National Register of Historic Places. BOB recommends cultural resource clearance for all areas surveyed, provided that a THC-mandated 50-meter buffer is honored around the perimeter of the survey area. This study was completed in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Public Law 89-665; 16 U.S.C. 470) and the Antiquities Code of Texas (Texas Natural Resource Code, Title 9, Chapter 191). The minimum reporting and survey requirements for marine archaeological studies conducted under a Texas Antiquities Permit are mandated by The Texas Administrative Code, Title 13, Part 2, Chapters 26 and 28, respectively. Project records are curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos.

Author(s):  
Robert Gearhart

BOB Hydrographics, LLC (BOB) conducted an underwater archaeological survey for proposed dredging adjacent 16628 Market Street in Channelview, Texas. The project is located upstream of River Terrace Park on the northern bank of Old River, an oxbow channel of the San Jacinto River, in Harris County. This project was sponsored by 16628 Market Street, LLC. The project spans portions of State Mineral Lease, Old River Tract A. An area of 3.5 acres is proposed for dredging to provide consistent depths for barge fleeting. Water depths in the survey area range from 3.5 to 15 feet. Dredging will remove sediment to an approximate depth of 12 feet, including shoals along the shoreline, allowing barges and tugs to moor along the existing bulkhead. The survey area measures 8.8 acres, including navigable portions of a 50- meter buffer around the project perimeter but excluding areas where survey was prohibited by parked barges. Field investigations consisted of a marine geophysical survey, performed under Texas Antiquities Permit 8878, on May 8, 2019. The purpose of BOB’s survey was to locate potential archaeological sites that would be affected by construction activities A desktop review of the cultural background determined that 10 marine archaeological investigations, 1 archival study, and at least 27 shipwrecks have been reported within 3 miles of the survey area. Magnetometer data was inconclusive due to abundant modern anomaly sources in the vicinity. Analysis of side-scan sonar data discovered no significant targets. BOB recommends clearance of the 3.5-acre project proposed for dredging from further cultural resource requirements. This study was completed in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Public Law 89-665; 16 U.S.C. 470) and the Antiquities Code of Texas (Texas Natural Resource Code, Title 9, Chapter 191). The minimum reporting and survey requirements for marine archaeological studies conducted under a Texas Antiquities Permit are mandated by The Texas Administrative Code, Title 13, Part 2, Chapters 26 and 28, respectively. Project records are curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos. No artifacts were collected during this survey.


Author(s):  
Robert Gearhart

BOB Hydrographics, LLC (BOB) conducted a marine archaeological survey of a proposed pipeline project crossing Redfish Bay, in Nueces County. Project Consulting Services, Inc. contracted with BOB for this project, on behalf of the project sponsor, Axis Midstream Holdings, LLC. The survey spans portions of State Mineral Lease Tracts 321, 324, 325, 326, 327, and 328 between the community of Aransas Pass and Harbor Island. The Area of Potential Effect (APE) encompasses 203 acres. A total of 299 acres was surveyed, including petroleum-industry access channels connected to each end of the main survey corridor and a 50-meter buffer around the proposed APE as mandated by the Texas Historical Commission. Water depth ranged from 2.9-11.7 feet during the survey. Field investigations included a marine geophysical survey, performed under Texas Antiquities Permit 8645, on November 16 and 17, 2018. BOB assessed all geophysical data acquired by the survey to locate potential archaeological sites that could be affected by construction-related activities. No artifacts were collected during this survey. A review of cultural background determined that 5 marine archaeological investigations and, at least, 9 wrecks have been reported within 3 miles of the survey area. Analysis of survey results discovered 3 significant geophysical targets that might be potentially eligible as State Antiquities Landmarks and for the National Register of Historic Places. This study was completed in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Public Law 89-665; 16 U.S.C. 470) and the Antiquities Code of Texas (Texas Natural Resource Code, Title 9, Chapter 191). The minimum reporting and survey requirements for marine archaeological studies conducted under a Texas Antiquities Permit are mandated by The Texas Administrative Code, Title 13, Part 2, Chapters 26 and 28, respectively. Project records will be curated by the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University-San Marcos.


Author(s):  
Robert Gearhart

BOB Hydrographics, LLC (BOB) conducted an underwater archaeological survey for proposed dredging adjacent the Russell Marine Barge Dock in Channelview, Texas. The barge dock is located upstream of River Terrace Park on the northern bank of Old River, an oxbow channel of the San Jacinto River, in Harris County. This project was sponsored by Lloyd Engineering, Inc. on behalf of Russell Marine, LLC. The project spans portions of State Mineral Lease, Old River Tract A. An area of 16 acres is proposed for dredging. The survey area measures 33 acres, including a 50-meter buffer around the project perimeter, where navigable, but excluding areas where survey was prohibited by parked barges. Water depths in the survey area ranged from 3.5 to 22 feet. Dredging will remove sediment to an approximate depth of 12 feet. Field investigations consisted of a marine geophysical survey, performed under Texas Antiquities Permit 8866, on May 8, 2019. The purpose of BOB’s survey was to locate potential archaeological sites that would be affected by construction activities. A desktop review of the cultural background determined that 10 marine archaeological investigations, 1 archival study, and at least 27 shipwrecks have been reported within 3 miles of the survey area. Magnetometer data was inconclusive due to abundant modern anomaly sources in the vicinity. Analysis of side-scan sonar data discovered no significant targets. BOB recommends clearance of the 16-acre area proposed for dredging from further cultural resource requirements. This study was completed in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Public Law 89-665; 16 U.S.C. 470) and the Antiquities Code of Texas (Texas Natural Resource Code, Title 9, Chapter 191). The minimum reporting and survey requirements for marine archaeological studies conducted under a Texas Antiquities Permit are mandated by The Texas Administrative Code, Title 13, Part 2, Chapters 26 and 28, respectively. Project records are curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos. No artifacts were collected during this survey.


Author(s):  
Robert Gearhart

BOB Hydrographics, LLC (BOB) conducted a marine archaeological assessment in support of the Orange County South Terminal Project. The South Terminal is proposed on an oxbow channel of the Neches River, downstream from Beaumont, to accommodate loading and unloading of ships and barges and an adjacent tank storage facility. Plans for marine portions of the property include construction of two ship docks and one new barge dock. Dredging will remove sediments down to an elevation of -42 feet (ft) Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) to create ship berths and a turning basin. Planned future expansion would increase the depth of the berths and turning basin to -48 ft MLLW. A barge dock will be dredged along the edge of the Neches River Channel to an elevation of -17 ft MLLW. Pilings will be driven to support dock and gangway platforms and to create mooring and breasting dolphins and barge monopiles. A portion of the oxbow, west of the ship docks will be filled to create upland as part of a proposed storage tank facility. Horizon Environmental Services, Inc. contracted with BOB, on behalf of the project sponsor, Port of Beaumont Navigation District, to assess the potential for submerged archaeological sites within the proposed South Terminal. Submerged archaeological sites, in this context, might be historic sites, such as sunken or abandoned watercraft, which may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or as State Antiquities Landmarks. The South Terminal will be constructed on publicly owned land; therefore, Texas Antiquities Permit 8926 was obtained prior to beginning fieldwork. A review of the cultural background determined that 3 prior marine archaeological investigations have been conducted within 3 miles of this project. At least 7 wrecks have been reported within 3 miles of the survey area. Field investigations included marine geophysical survey and probing of 2 anomalies. Geophysical survey was completed by BOB from June 10-13, 2019. A total of 78 acres was surveyed. The submerged Area of Potential Effect totals 54.7 acres, including: 34.3 acres for dredging ship and barge berths, 10.3 acres for ship docks and storage tanks, and 10.1 acres of survey buffer, mandated by the Texas Historical Commission, along the eastern margin of the dredging footprint. The Principal Investigator was solely responsible for archaeological data analysis and report preparation. Preliminary analysis of geophysical survey data resulted in recommendations of archaeological avoidance for 3 potential historic sites, designated as Anomalies 1, 2 and 3. Additional investigation was conducted from August 26-29, 2019 and January 19-21, 2020. Probing disproved the significance of Anomaly 1. Closeorder magnetometer survey disproved the significance of Anomaly 2. Probing determined that Anomaly 3 is associated with a buried, wooden-hulled watercraft, Site 41OR113, measuring 32 feet wide and at least 82 ft long. Site 41OR113 is potentially eligible as a State Antiquities Landmark and for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. All disturbance of the river bottom, related to construction of the South Terminal, must be avoided within state-mandated target avoidance buffers extending 50 meters beyond the margins Site 41OR113. If the wreck cannot be successfully avoided, then further investigation would be required to determine whether the site is historically significant and eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. All portions of the survey area, outside of the 41OR113 avoidance zone, are recommended for archaeological clearance. This study was completed in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (Public Law 89-665; 16 U.S.C. 470), requiring that the lead agency consider the effects of projects upon historic resources, if those projects receive either permits or funding from the federal government. This study complies with the Antiquities Code of Texas (Texas Natural Resource Code, Title 9, Chapter 191), which provides for the protection of cultural resources on state lands. Title 13, Part 2, Chapters 26 and 28 of The Texas Administrative Code mandates the minimum reporting and survey requirements, respectively, for marine archaeological studies conducted under Texas Antiquities Permits. Archaeological project records are curated at the Center for Archeological Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos. No artifacts were collected during these investigations.


Author(s):  
Virginia Moore ◽  
Shawn Marceaux

On behalf of Oden Hughes, Pape-Dawson conducted an intensive archaeological survey of the proposed NWC Bulverde/1604 Sewer Extension Project in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The project proposed to begin on the southwest side of Classen Road approximately 0.2 kilometers (km) (0.13 mile [mi]) east of its northern intersection with Bulverde Road. The proposed line would parallel Elm Waterhole Creek to the west and south approximately 0.8 km (0.5 mi). At this point, the line would cross Autry Pond Road in a southwestern direction eventually paralleling Bulverde Road to the intersection of Redland Road for a total length of approximately 0.4 km (0.25 mi). This project would entail the installation of 1.2 km (0.75 mi) of new sewer line within a 5-meter (m) (16-foot [ft])-wide permanent easement and an adjacent 8-m (25-ft)-wide temporary easement along whichever side was available. The Area of Potential Effects (APE) for the proposed project was defined as a 30 m (100 ft) buffer centered on the proposed SAWS centerline totaling 3.7 hectares (ha) (9.18 acres). The depth of vertical impacts was not yet been determined, but utility installations typically require 1.8 to 2.4 m (6 to 8 ft). Notably, the sewer alignment was changed after completion of this archaeological survey and installation will no longer take place in this APE. The survey for the new alignment was completed under Texas Antiquities Permit #8870. Although Oden Hughes would construct the new sewer line, San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS) would be the grantee of the easement after construction. For this reason, compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT) was required. In addition, this project would require a Nationwide Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Thus, compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 800.4 [36 CFR 800.4]) was required. In addition, the project was located within the San Antonio city limits, which necessitated compliance with the Historic Preservation and Urban Design Section of the City of San Antonio (COSA) Unified Development Code (UDC). Pape-Dawson conducted the intensive archaeological survey on September 20, 2017. The entirety of the APE was subject to visual inspection supplemented by judgmentally placed shovel tests in order to evaluate the potential for buried cultural resources. This work was conducted under Antiquities Permit No. 8161 with Virginia Moore, M.A.G. serving as Principal Investigator. A total of 16 shovel tests was excavated within the APE, all of which were negative for archaeological material. During this survey, one previously recorded site (41BX1786) was revisited within the limits of the APE. However, no cultural deposits associated with the site were encountered. Given the absence of artifacts observed during the current survey, Pape-Dawson recommends that 41BX1786 is ineligible within ROW for State Antiquities Landmark (SAL) and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) designation. No archaeological resources were located or recorded during this survey. As no properties were identified that meet the criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) according to 36 CFR 60.4, or for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL) according to 13 Texas Administrative Code 26.12 (13 TAC 26.12), Pape-Dawson recommends that no further archaeological work is necessary for the proposed undertaking as presently designed. However, if undiscovered cultural material is encountered iii during construction, it is recommended that all work in the vicinity should cease and the THC and COSA archaeologists be contacted to ensure compliance with the NHPA, ACT, and UDC. No artifacts were collected, but all project records and photographs will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at the University of Texas at San Antonio.


Author(s):  
Jay Gray ◽  
Jennifer Haney

Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc., personnel completed a records review and cultural resource survey for the proposed expansion of the existing Six Mile Boat Ramp in Sabine County, Texas. This work was performed to assist the Sabine River Authority of Texas in complying with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665, 16 U.S.C. 470h-2) as an applicant for a Section 404 Clean Water Act Permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the provisions of the Texas Administrative Code regarding archaeological resources on public lands. The Texas Administrative Code requires review of projects on state-owned lands by the Texas Antiquities Commission. The Sabine River Authority of Texas is considered a political subdivision of the State of Texas, and therefore it has a responsibility to provide the Texas Antiquities Commission an opportunity to review projects that may affect potential or designated archaeological sites. This project was performed under Texas Antiquities Permit (No. 9155). All work was performed pursuant to the guidelines published by the Council of Texas Archeologists and adopted by the Texas Historical Commission, and this report was prepared following the short report format in the Guidelines for Cultural Resource Management Reports published by the Council of Texas Archeologists. The current proposed project includes the expansion of the Six Mile Boat Ramp on the Toledo Bend Reservoir in Sabine County, Texas. The proposed development includes the addition of a handicap-accessible floating boat ramp, the clearing of approximately 0.4 ha (1.0 acre) of trees, the construction of a parking area, the addition of a vault toilet, the addition of two tables on concrete platforms, and the clearing of trees along the shoreline to provide an enhanced scenic view. In order to provide some flexibility in siting these facilities, the direct and visual areas of potential effect for this project were within a polygon adhering on its southern and western boundaries to the property line, and roughly buffered to the north and east by the existing shoreline of the Toledo Bend Reservoir. It is estimated that the area of potential effect for this project measures 1.2 ha (3.0 acres), of which approximately 0.9 ha (2.2 acres) could be surveyed, excluding paved surfaces. The records review for this project was conducted on October 18, 2019, prior to the commencement of the field survey, to identify cultural resources or cultural resource investigations previously documented within the area. This file search utilized online files maintained by the Texas Archaeological Research Laboratory at the University of Texas. Additionally, historic maps were examined to identify the locations of any potential historic archaeological sites. The records review indicated that one previously documented site, 41SB58, was located within approximately 50 m (164 ft) to the north of the proposed project area. Additionally, one historic structure was depicted within the project area on historic mapping. Fieldwork was conducted on November 19, 2019, and was completed in 11.5 person hours. The project area was systematically investigated by pedestrian survey and screened shovel tests spaced at a 30 m (98 ft) interval on pedestrian transects spaced at 30 m. The fieldwork for this project resulted in one newly recorded isolated find that is not eligible for designation as a Texas State Archeological Landmark or for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Based on the findings of this work, it is recommended that the project area be considered cleared from a cultural resource perspective.


Author(s):  
John Rawls ◽  
Michael Tuttle ◽  
Jim Hughey ◽  
Michael Quennoz

Under contract to BIO-WEST, Inc., Gray & Pape, Inc., of Houston, Texas, conducted a Phase I marine archaeological survey for the proposed Webster to Seadrift Pipeline Project in Calhoun and Jackson counties, Texas. Enterprise Products Operating LLC sponsored the archaeological survey. All marine fieldwork and reporting activities were completed with reference to state law (Antiquities Code of Texas [Title 9, Chapter 191 of the Texas Natural Resources Code] and Texas State rules found in the Texas Administrative Code [Title 13, part 2, Chapters 26 and 28]) for cultural resources investigations. Work was completed under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 9004. The United States Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District has been identified as the lead federal agency. All project records are curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. The Phase I underwater archaeological investigation assessed the number, locations, cultural affiliations, components, spatial distribution, data potential, and other salient characteristics of potential submerged cultural resources within the proposed project area. The linear project area includes approximately 391 hectares (967 acres) of submerged land in Calhoun and Jackson counties, Texas. The investigation included a comprehensive magnetic and acoustic remote sensing survey and target analysis designed to determine the presence or absence of potentially significant remote sensing targets that might be affected by proposed project activity. Background research revealed that there are no previously recorded sites within the Area of Potential Effects and that there have been two previous cultural resource surveys (Pearson et al. 1993; Gearhart 2016), conducted between 1993 and 2016, partially within the project Area of Potential Effects. Research also revealed that the 50-meter (164-foot) avoidance areas, as mandated by Texas Administrative Code, Title 13, Part 2, Chapter 26, for three previously recorded magnetic anomalies (Mag 7–Mag 9) identified by Gearhart (2016) are partially located within the survey area. These three magnetic anomalies were recommended for avoidance as they represent potential cultural resources. The grid for the remote sensing survey within the open waters of Lavaca Bay consisted of a total of 19 track lines (Lines 1–16, 18,19, 37, and 38) at 20-meter (65.6-foot) line spacing oriented parallel to an existing pipeline right-of-way. The remaining portions of the project area within Lavaca River and Catfish Bayou were surveyed at 20-meter (65.6-foot) line spacing (Lines 0, 17, 22–35, and 39–43) oriented perpendicular to the survey corridor. The marine field investigations consisted of a magnetometer and side-scanning sonar investigation of the proposed project area in safely navigable waters between July 29 and 30, 2019, and required approximately 60-person hours to complete. A total of 284.6 kilometers (176.9 linear survey miles) were transected utilizing the magnetometer and side-scan sonar. Comprehensive analysis of the magnetic and acoustic data recorded for this project resulted in the identification of 127 discrete magnetic anomalies, with 80 meeting or exceeding the Pearson and Linden (2014) 50-gamma/65-foot criteria. A total of 43 of the 80 anomalies that meet or exceed the 50-gamma/65-foot criteria are associated with existing pipelines. While the remaining 37 anomalies, consisting of 22 magnetic targets, meet and/or exceed the 50-gamma/65-foot criteria, they do not meet Gearhart’s 2011 magnetic orientation and spatial criteria to be considered potentially significant. They are interpreted as relic oils wells, ferrous debris scatters associated with the oil and natural gas industries and recreational and commercial fishing activities, and miscellaneous debris from previous tropical storms and hurricanes. Review of the sonar record revealed two distinct acoustic targets (SST-1 and SST-2) consisting of the remnants of a subsequent exploratory oil well and a subsided pipeline trench. Based on the applied criteria, these magnetic and acoustic targets do not exhibit any characteristics associated with historic shipwrecks and/or other significant submerged cultural resources. As such, the recommended management action for magnetic targets, Numbers 1–22, as well as acoustic targets, SST-1 and SST-2, is no further archaeological investigations. One magnetic target, Number 23, situated outside of the Area of Potential Effects, is associated with previously recorded anomaly Mag 8, which was deemed as potential historic shipwreck remains. While it is located outside of the Area of Potential Effects, it was recorded within the 50-meter (164 foot) avoidance buffer of previously recorded anomaly Mag 8. No magnetic signatures were recorded within the portion of the avoidance buffer that is within the Area of Potential Effects. The lack of any residual magnetic signatures of the anomaly within the Area of Potential Effects indicate that no portions of the ferrous source objects for Mag 8 extend into the current survey area or the construction footprint; and therefore, the submerged target or its avoidance buffer will not be impacted by the proposed activities. Additionally, no magnetic signatures associated with previously recorded anomalies Mag 7 and Mag 9 were identified in the 50-meter (164-foot) avoidance buffers within the Area of Potential Effects. The lack of any residual magnetic signatures of anomalies (Mag 7 and Mag 9) within the Area of Potential Effects indicate that no portions of the ferrous source objects for these two magnetic anomalies extend into the current survey area or the construction footprint; and therefore, the submerged targets or their avoidance buffers will not impacted by the proposed activities. The recommended management action for the portions of the 50-meter (164-foot) avoidance buffers for Mag 7, Mag 8, and Mag 9 that extend partially into the current survey area is avoidance from any bottom disturbing activities. If bottom disturbing activities within the buffer buffers cannot be avoided, additional marine archaeological investigations in the form of diver-ground-truthing will be required to determine the nature and historical significance of the source magnetic objects.


1998 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Luisa Fernanda Herrera ◽  
Juan Carlos Berrío

<p>A partir del análisis de muestras palinológicas de Carate 25, planicie aluvial del bajo río San Jorge ubicada en el municipio de San Marcos (Sucre, Colombia), de las investigacion es arqueológicas realizadas en dicha región y de los datos cronológicos obtenidos por C<sub>14</sub>, fue posible establecer los ciclos climáticos (alternancia de períodos secos y húmedos, y de niveles de inundación bajos y altos con duración variable) y sus consecuencias fluviomorfológicas (cambios en las tasas de sedimentación) y ecológicas (predominancia relativa de vegetación de bosque vs. vegetación de sabana y de condiciones de pantano o inundación). Asociados con esta dinámica, se determinaron cambios históricos en los sistemas de aprovechamiento de los recursos. El perfil de polen cubre un rango temporal de por lo menos 800 años: desde el 1010 d.C. hasta el presente, y él se encuentra una relación entre el predominio de vegetación abierta o Sabana asociada con épocas de sequía, pudiéndose advertir que el manejo de sistemas de canales era exitoso. Así mismo, es importante ver las alteraciones que se han dado en el paisaje desde la época de ocupación por parte de grupos prehispánicos, cuando la región se encontraba cubierta de numerosos parches boscosos, hasta hoy, cuando se hallan enormes zonas cubiertas de Sabana con muy escasas zonas de vegetación arbustiva y la desaparición casi total de la vegetación de bosque.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Native Vegetation and Antropic Action during the last woo years in a Prehispanic System of Artificial Channels in Caño Carate, San Marcos (Sucre, Colombia)</strong></p><p>The research conducted compromises an analysis of pollen samples taken at the 25 Carate site, an alluvial plain of the Lower San Jorge river, located in San Marcos, Sucre, an archaeological survey carried out in the area and C14 analysis. These data allowed us the identification of climatic cycles (alternation of humid and dry periods, but also, levels of flood ing), as well as their fluviomorphological (changes in the rate of sedimentation) and ecological consequences (dominance of forest versus savanna vegetation, and swamp or flooding conditions. In connection with such evolution process, changes in resource exploitation systems were traced out. The pollen profile covers a period of time of at least 800 years, since 1010 A. D. to the present. The pollen analysis indicated that the dominance of savanna vegetation is associated with periods of drought, thus indicating that management of the artificial channels was successful. The research also provides a glimpse at land scape changes occurred from the prehispanic occupation period of the region until nowadays, in which savanna conditions prevail in most of the area previously covered by the forest vegetation.</p>


Author(s):  
Michael Quennoz ◽  
Jacob Hilton ◽  
Amanda Kloepfer ◽  
Tony Scott

Over several mobilizations between April 2018 and January 2020, Gray & Pape, Inc., of Houston, Texas, conducted an intensive pedestrian cultural resources survey of two segments (Segments GR02 and GR03) of proposed trail development along Lower Greens Bayou in the City of Houston, Harris County, Texas. The project alignment measures approximately 10.8 kilometers (6.7 miles) in length and encompasses approximately 9.6 hectares (23.7 acres) of area. Another 0.6 kilometers (0.4 miles) or 0.6 hectares (1.4 acres) of project alignment was removed from consideration. In total, approximately 11.4 kilometers (7.1 miles) or 10.2 hectares (25.1 acres) was surveyed for the project. Because the proposed trail development occurs on publicly owned properties a Texas Antiquities Code Permit was required prior to survey. All work was completed under Texas Antiquities Permit #8328, which was assigned by the Texas Historical Commission on February 14, 2018. Fieldwork and reporting activities were performed according to procedures set forth by the Texas Historical Commission and the Council of Texas Archeologists. The goals of the survey were to establish whether or not previously unidentified archaeological resources were located within the project area, also defined as the project’s Area of Potential Effects, and whether the proposed development would affect any previously identified cultural resources. Prior to fieldwork, site file and background research was conducted, including a review of historic aerial and topographic maps in an attempt to locate any historic structures associated with the Area of Potential Effects. Site file review and background research indicated that there are no previously recorded sites within the project Area of Potential Effects. Fieldwork took place between April 10, 2018 and January 7, 2020 and consisted of a combination of pedestrian survey and shovel testing. Systematic shovel testing was performed along a single transect over both project segments resulting in 131 shovel tests being excavated, of which 11 were positive for cultural material. The survey revealed that large portions of both project segments have been heavily disturbed by development and flood events, however, three new archaeological sites, 41HR1234, 41HR1235, and 41HR1236, and one historic Isolate were identified as a result of survey. Site 41HR1234 was identified as a mid-twentieth century historic trash midden. Site 41HR1235 was identified as a Late Prehistoric ephemeral campsite. Site 41HR1236 was identified as a multicomponent prehistoric campsite and historic isolate. Diagnostic artifacts were observed at all three sites; however, it is the recommendation of Gray & Pape, Inc. that only Sites 41HR1235 and 41HR1236 are significant in the materials they contain and their potential to offer additional research potential. Direct impacts to both sites have been avoided by the project alignment as currently planned. While indirect impacts such as looting are a concern, the distance between the sites and the current alignment as well the density of woods surrounding them minimizes the danger as a result of the project. Eligibility testing is recommended for the sites if they cannot be avoided by future projects. Based on the results of this survey, Gray & Pape, Inc. recommends that the no further cultural resources work be required for the project as currently planned and that the project be cleared to proceed. As specified under the conditions of Texas Antiquities Code Permit #8328, all project associated records are curated with the Center of Archaeological Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.


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