Archaeological Survey of Upper Leon Creek Terraces, Bexar County, Texas

Abstract

Antonio (UTSA) conducted an archaeological survey on a 147-acre tract of land along Leon Creek in northern San Antonio for Pape-Dawson Engineers. The archaeological work was needed for compliance with U. S. Army Corps of Engineers permit requirements before construction of a water storage facility. Four archaeological sites (41BX40, 4IBX47 , 4IBX48, and 4IBX50) had been recorded within this area in 1970 by avocational archaeologists. Additionally, CAR staff members conducted a brief reconnaissance over a 60-acre portion of the property in 1992.

Archaic Land Use of Upper Leon Creek Terraces: Archaeological Testing in Northern Bexar County, Texas

“…This phase of intensive testing was designed to assess the significance of the Early and Middle Archaic deposits identified during the 1994 CAR survey of the 147 acre project area (Tennis and Hard 1995) and to determine the eligibility of 4IBX47 for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. These investigations were performed for Pape-Dawson Engineers to further comply with U. S. Army Corps of Engineers permit requirements and were reviewed and approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in consultation with the Texas Historical Commission (State Historic Preservation Office).…”

“…Both of these surveys indicated archaeological material was present and further work would be needed before construction could begin. Because of the use of heavy equipment and the amount of earth movement planned for the construction project, a thorough survey was designed for the entire project area and carried out in July 1994 (Tennis and Hard 1995).…”

“…The third component was identified based on lithic material recovered from 80-110 cm below the surface (bs) in the southeast portion of the site during backhoe testing and could represent the earlier portions of the Early Archaic. Further investigations of this site were recommended prior to construction (Tennis and Hard 1995).…”

“…The archaeological and geomorphological evidence obtained from the survey and shovel tests conducted during the initial phase of investigation at the project area indicated that Early and Middle Archaic components were present at 4IBX47 (Tennis and Hard 1995). This current phase of investigation was designed to determine the eligibility of 4IBX47 for inclusion into the National Register of Historic Places through assessment of the integrity of these temporal components.…”

“…The stratified fieldwork design for this phase of testing was based on the results of the 1994 survey (Tennis and Hard 1995). During this project, sampling areas were defined by artifact density identified from shovel tests results.…”