scholarly journals Significance Testing of Archeological Site 41SR242, The Cornelio Alvarez Sr. Site, Starr County, Texas

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Carpenter ◽  
Christopher Ringstaff ◽  
Mercedes Cody ◽  
James Abbott ◽  
Ken Lawrence ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Site Investigations ◽  
Depositional Processes ◽  
Artifact Analysis ◽  
Field Investigations ◽  
Texas Department ◽  
Thick Stratum ◽  
Data Yield ◽  
Administrative Code ◽  
National Historic Preservation Act ◽  
Starr County

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), conducted National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility testing of the Cornelio Alvarez Sr. site (41SR242) as part of the State Loop (SL) 195 project (Project) (CSJ: 3632-01-001) in Starr County, Texas. Subsequent to the field investigations, SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted artifact analysis, reporting, and curation preparation for the multi-component historic and prehistoric site. Investigations were conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 United State Code 30601) and the Antiquities Code of Texas (9 Natural Resources Code). The investigations assessed the site’s eligibility for listing on the NRHP (36 Code of Federal Regulations 60.4) and for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL; 13 Texas Administrative Code 26.8, 26.12). Christopher W. Ringstaff served as Principal Investigator under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 7912. TxDOT conducted the field investigations were from February 20–24, 2017, and April 10–14, 2017. Site 41SR242 is primarily a Middle to Late Archaic site with lesser Late Prehistoric and perhaps earlier components. The open occupational site is located on an upland margin landform in a tributary valley a few miles from the Rio Grande. The investigations revealed material assemblages consisting of diffusely scattered burned rock, debitage, and lithic tools, which were predominantly recovered from a 30- to 50-cm-thick stratum of mixed artifacts. However, a few concentrations of artifacts were identified, and each location yielded isolated intact features. Formation and post-depositional processes are generally not conducive to preservation of intact archeological surfaces, patterns, or site structure. Although the overall site lacks integrity and potential data yield, isolated discrete behavioral loci are present. Therefore, site 41SR242 is recommended as eligible for the NRHP and as an SAL. This recommendation pertains to the portions of the site within the APE. The site extends beyond the APE, and the areas outside of the APE have not been evaluated.

scholarly journals Marine Archaeology Survey of Redfish Bay Pipeline Project, Nueces County, Texas

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Gearhart
Keyword(s):  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Archaeological Survey ◽  
State University ◽  
Consulting Services ◽  
Field Investigations ◽  
San Marcos ◽  
Pipeline Project ◽  
Administrative Code ◽  
National Historic Preservation Act

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.

scholarly journals Testing and Data Recovery Excavations at 11 Native American Archeological Sites Along the U.S. Highway 271 Mount Pleasant Relief Route, Titus County, Texas Volume I

2014 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Native American ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Data Recovery ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
Texas Department ◽  
Mount Pleasant ◽  
Lithic Tools ◽  
National Historic Preservation Act ◽  
The U.S

This report deals with three episodes of archeological work that began in 2005 and concluded in 2010 for the proposed U.S. Highway 271 Mount Pleasant relief route in Titus County, Texas. The early part of the work was done for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Environmental Affairs Division. The later part was done for PTP, LP, acting on behalf of Titus County. The work was done to address the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Texas Antiquities Code and was governed by the terms of Texas Antiquities Permit Nos. 3786, 4303, and 5495. The project involved 11 Native American archeological sites: 41TT6, 41TT846, 41TT847, 41TT851–41TT854, 41TT858, 41TT862, 41TT865, and 41TT866. The overall goal was to assess these 11 sites in terms of their eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and designation as State Antiquities Landmarks, and to conduct data recovery excavations at any that were found to be eligible. The project began with intensive auger or shovel testing at all 11 sites in July–August 2005. Formal testing was done between December 2006 and February 2008, and data recovery excavations were undertaken at three sites—George Richey (41TT851), William Ford (41TT852), and James Richey (41TT853)—between January and June 2010. In total, the excavations consisted of the following: 1,147 auger tests at 10 sites and 31 shovel tests at the eleventh site; 386 backhoe trenches covering 2,695 m2 and 225 m2 of manual excavations at all 11 sites; and machine excavation of 215 sample units measuring 2.0 m long and 1.0 m wide on average and trackhoe stripping of about 6,875 m2 at the 3 data recovery sites. The excavations identified 378 cultural features, mostly postholes and pits, with much smaller numbers of burials, burned rock concentrations, artifact clusters, and middens. The artifacts recovered consist mainly of 11,713 ceramic sherds and vessels and 8,729 lithic tools and debitage. Most of these remains relate to occupation of the project area during the Middle–Late Caddo periods (a.d. 1250–1700), with minor amounts resulting from earlier and later use during the Paleoindian, Archaic, Woodland, Early Caddo, and Historic Caddo periods. The primary Middle–Late Caddo components at the three fully excavated sites represent use as rural farmsteads within a dispersed local community associated with the Titus phase Caddo. At least four of the tested sites were occupied less intensively during this same interval.

Multistage Fieldwork and Analytical Techniques

1973 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles L. Redman
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Methods ◽  
Deductive Reasoning ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Archaeological Research ◽  
Archaeological Theory ◽  
Artifact Analysis ◽  
Field Investigations ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
Early Farming ◽  
Farming Village

AbstractIn an effort to operationalize recent advances in archaeological theory and technique, this paper presents a systematic organizational strategy for field investigations and artifact analysis. Four general principles are suggested that lead to productive archaeological research designs: the explicit combination of inductive and deductive reasoning, the utilization of programmatic and analytical feedback, the employment of probability sampling in a multistage framework, and the formulation of analytical techniques appropriate to assumptions underlying the research and to the hypotheses being tested. These principles and associated statistical methods are discussed as they have been applied to the investigation and analysis of the material from the eighth millennium early farming village of Çayönü in southeastern Turkey.

scholarly journals Underwater Archaeology Survey of 16628 Market Street Dredging Harris County, Texas

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Gearhart
Keyword(s):  
Archaeological Survey ◽  
State University ◽  
Harris County ◽  
Survey Area ◽  
Side Scan Sonar ◽  
Resource Requirements ◽  
San Marcos ◽  
Magnetometer Data ◽  
Administrative Code ◽  
National Historic Preservation Act

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.

Developments in American Archaeology: Fifty Years of the National Historic Preservation Act

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 553-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis P. McManamon
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Historic Preservation ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Political Support ◽  
National Network ◽  
Public Projects ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
Field Investigations ◽  
National Historic Preservation Act

Since its enactment over five decades ago, the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the organizations, policies, and regulations implementing it have strongly influenced how archaeology is conducted in the United States. The NHPA created a national network of archaeologists in government agencies. This network reviews the possible impact on important archaeological resources of tens of thousands of public projects planned each year. These reviews often include investigations, of which there have been millions. The archaeological profession has shifted from one oriented mainly on academic research and teaching to one focused on field investigations, planning, resource management, public outreach, and resource protection, bundled under the term cultural resource management (CRM). Since 1966, growth has produced good outcomes as well as some troubling developments. Current and new challenges include avoiding lock-step, overly bureaucratic procedures and finding the financial, professional, and technical resources, as well as political support, to build on the achievements so far.

scholarly journals Proposed Lake Arthur Detention Basin Expansion City of Port Arthur, Jefferson County, Texas

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Hogan ◽  
Jennifer Kimbell
Keyword(s):  
Historical Period ◽  
Cultural Resources ◽  
Jefferson County ◽  
Human Occupation ◽  
Detention Basin ◽  
Project Area ◽  
State Highway ◽  
October 17 ◽  
Administrative Code ◽  
National Historic Preservation Act

Terracon Consultants, Inc. (Terracon) was contracted by the City of Port Arthur (client) to conduct a cultural resources survey of an approximately 54-acre project area in Port Arthur, Jefferson County, Texas in advance of the proposed expansion of an existing detention basin. Since the proposed undertaking will occur on land owned or controlled by a political subdivision of the State of Texas, and because funding for this project will come, in part, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this project required compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas (Texas Natural Resources Code Chapter 191) and its implementing rules and regulations (Texas Administrative Code Chapter 26) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), (54 USC § 306101) and its implementing rules and regulations, 36 CFR 800. This project was conducted under Antiquities Permit #9109. The proposed project area comprises a 54-acre tract of land located between Texas State Highway 347 and U.S. Route 69 in Port Arthur, Texas. Terracon archeologists excavated a total of eleven (11) shovel tests to a depth of 80 centimeters (cm) below surface, or to sediments inferred to predate human occupation in the area. The removed sediment was passed through ¼-inch hardware mesh to screen for artifacts. No cultural materials were identified during the survey. Additionally, to comply with Section 106 of the NRHP, adjacent parcels were evaluated to determine whether historic properties might be present and subject to visual effects from the project. No such historic properties were identified. Fieldwork was conducted between October 15 and October 17, 2019 by Michael Hogan (Staff Archeologist) and Amani Bourji (Field Technician) under the supervision of Jenni Hatchett Kimbell (Principal Investigator). The report was authored by Michael Hogan and Jenni Hatchett Kimbell. Given the absence of known prehistoric or historical-period resources within the proposed project area, Terracon recommends that the expansion of the Lake Arthur detention basin proceed as planned. Should human remains, historic properties, or buried cultural materials be encountered during construction or disturbance activities, work should cease in the immediate vicinity and Terracon, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) Archeology Division, or other proper authorities should be contacted.

scholarly journals Selected Detention Ponds: SH 36 from FM 2218, Fort Bend County to FM 1495, Brazoria County

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Butler
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Visual Inspection ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
Detention Ponds ◽  
Right Of Way ◽  
State Highway ◽  
Staging Area ◽  
Texas Department ◽  
National Historic Preservation Act ◽  
Archeological Site

On behalf of CP&Y and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), AmaTerra Environmental conducted an intensive archeological survey of two of five proposed detention ponds in Brazoria and Fort Bend Counties, Texas. The detention ponds are part of TxDOT’s proposed widening of State Highway (SH) 36 from Farm to Market Road (FM) 2218 in Pleak, Fort Bend County to FM 1495 in Freeport, Brazoria County, Texas (CSJs 0187-05-050, 0188-02-029, 0188-03-019, 0188-04-035, 0188-04-025, 0188-05-027, 0188-06-046, 0111-08-100, 0187-05-048, 0188-04-044, and 0188-02-036). The project was completed in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106) and the Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT) under Permit no. 8868. Work was conducted April 17, 2019 by a team of two archeologists and consisted of visual inspection and shovel testing of two proposed pond locations (Varner Creek and Pond B). A total of 21 shovel tests were excavated and one new archeological site (41BO282) was recorded. This mid-twentieth century site, recorded in the proposed Pond B location, retains little to no data potential within the APE. It is therefore recommended not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or as a State Antiquities Landmark. Access was not available at the time of survey for proposed detention Pond A. However, it was visually inspected from the existing right-of-way (ROW) and its current use as a paved construction staging area indicates that archeological resources are unlikely to exist at the location. Therefore, no further work is recommended for this pond site. Rights of Entry (ROE) were not available at the time of survey for the remaining proposed pond locations (Big Creek 1 and Big Creek 2). AmaTerra recommends intensive archeological survey for these areas when access becomes available and prior to construction.

scholarly journals Underwater Archaeology Survey of Russell Marine Barge Dock Harris County, Texas

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Gearhart
Keyword(s):  
Archaeological Survey ◽  
State University ◽  
Harris County ◽  
Survey Area ◽  
Side Scan Sonar ◽  
Resource Requirements ◽  
San Marcos ◽  
Magnetometer Data ◽  
Administrative Code ◽  
National Historic Preservation Act

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.

A correlation of CL emissions from Penrith sandstone with elemental distributions obtained by simultaneous SEM-CL and EDS analysis

1995 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 392-393
Author(s):  
Paul J. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Optical Microscope ◽  
Electron Gun ◽  
High Electron ◽  
Collection System ◽  
Electron Hole ◽  
Depositional Processes ◽  
Eds Analysis ◽  
Distribution Mapping ◽  
Backscattered Electron ◽  
Electron Imaging

Most industrial and academic geologists are familiar with the beautiful red and orange cathodoluminescence colours produced by carbonate minerals in an optical microscope with a cold cathode electron gun attached. The cement stratigraphies interpreted from colour photographs have been widely used to determine the post depositional processes which have modified sedimentary rock textures.However to study quartzose materials high electron densities and kV's are necessary to stimulate sufficient emission. A scanning electron microscope with an optical collection system and monochromator provides an adequate tool and gives the advantage of providing secondary and backscattered electron imaging as well as elemental analysis and distribution mapping via standard EDS/WDS facilities.It has been known that the incorporation of many elements modify the characteristics of the CL emissions from geological materials. They do this by taking up positions between the valence and conduction band thus providing sites to assist in the recombination of electron hole pairs.

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