TRANS-PECOS PERISHABLES AND THE EVOLUTION OF MAIZE

A mentor in college once told me “archaeology isn’t rocket science; in fact, it’s harder. At least rocket scientists know whether their ideas are wrong: the rocket goes up or it doesn’t, but without a time machine, we can’t be certain whether or not we’re right.” Archaeology is diffi cult because humans have always been complex. Add natural events like erosion and cultural reuse of the areas we study, played out over multiple millennia, and it is a wonder we know what we know about the past. On top of this, we do not do ourselves any favors. We Aerial view of Spirit Eye Cave. build complex categories of artifacts and features to order their distribution across time and space and often restrict these I borrow heavily from Stephen H. Lekson (2009) who out- classifi cations to modern geopolitical boundaries that meant lines a perspective for prehistoric Southwest groups centered nothing to prehistoric peoples. We call them culture areas and, on three key assumptions: (1) everyone knew everything, (i.e., in archaeology, they are our bread and butter. hunter-gatherer knowledge far exceeded their local territories), Learning a new culture area is like learning a new language (2) there were no coincidences, and (3) geographical distances in that it is diffi cult to understand a new concept without can be dealt with. Like Lekson, I “err in those three directions” relating it to the one you already know. So as a newcomer to pertaining to most issues in prehistory, but especially, the three Texas archaeology, I have had to look over the fence to fi nd key research areas outlined above. relatable concepts and “cultures” to help make sense of my emerging research interests at Spirit Eye Cave on the Pinto Maize in the Big Bend Canyon Ranch. What began as an effort to better understand The eastern Trans-Pecos is surrounded by regions that have prehistoric classifi cations (i.e., culture areas) in the Trans-Pecos produced some of the oldest maize radiocarbon dates in North region has blossomed into a research design that incorporates America. To the north, shelters like Tornillo and Fresnel in New eastern Trans-Pecos research objectives into an “over-the- Mexico and, to the west, open sites like Cerro Juanaqueña in fence” approach. This research anchored at Spirit Eye Cave Chihuahua, and Las Capas in Tucson all have maize dates over focuses on: (1) the timing and duration of maize use on the 3,000 years old. The oldest dates are a little over 500 miles west Rio Grande, (2) the timing and spread of perishable indus- of us in the Tucson Basin at 4,000 years old. Borrowing from Lek- tries across the Southwest, and (3) ancient DNA of prehistoric son’s idea of “everyone knew everything,” is it a stretch to assume human populations. that maize was in our neighborhood as early as 3,000 years ago? Luckily, not only are we able to directly date corncobs but we have recognized the research potential of perishable artifacts and can also detect dietary history through analysis of human bone. are developing programs to date these materials. Using stable isotope analysis of skeletal remains, former CBBS The Great Basin Textile Dating Project (GBTDP) is one such archaeologist Jennifer Piehl found interesting dietary patterns research program focused on dating perishable artifacts from throughout the Late Archaic. The Black Willow Burial in Big Bend across the Great Basin. Preliminary results have found sophis- National Park, in particular, appears “similar to incipient agricul- ticated textile traditions were present by at least the end of the turalists in the Jornada-Mogollon region” (2009:79). But without Late Pleistocene and some of the northern Great Basin textile solid radiocarbon dates on maize, she interpreted the data as a industries persisted for as long as nine millennia. This latter broadening of the Late Archaic diet to include grass seeds and result is fascinating because fi ber industries involve prolonged cactus pads. We now have radiocarbon dates from fi ve corncobs direct apprenticeship (i.e., copiers rather than tinkerers) and are at Spirit Eye Cave that indicate maize was pres-es- morem conservative to sudden change than ent during much of the Late Archaic period,d, stone counterparts (cf. Connolly et al. 2016). and in light of this we need to reconsider herr Because textiles are such “a highly plas- results. Researchers in the eastern Trans- tic medium strongly controlled by learned Pecos have long thought the use of maize community traditions . . . change suggests by Late Archaic hunter-gatherers was neg- population replacement as part of or in- ligible, and that still may very well be true stead of adaptive shifts” (Connolly et al. (Cloud 2004; Mallouf 1985, 2005). Maize is 2016:510). What this means is the longevity not ubiquitous at Late Archaic sites in the of particular types of baskets, sandals, etc. region, but appears frequently at rockshel- across geographicg g areas can be interpreted ters closer to the Rio Grande. The dates on Radiocarbon-datedd maimaizeze frofromm tthehe BriBriscoescoe as stable popopulations or learning environ- cobs from Spirit Eye Cave and the much ColCollectionlection ddonatedonated to CBCBBS-SRSU.BS-SRSU ments thatt are more fi ne-grained than Photoh by Taylor Greer. later occurrence of farmers in the La Junta those associated with particu- district suggest groups had at least a 2,000- lar types of stone artifacts year relationship with maize in our area. (see Bettinger and Eerkens The dates and the distribution (Top) Coiled 1999 for an example). considered together defi ne a basket from At Spirit Eye Cave, dates fascinating research question: Briscoe Collection.tionn.. from parching trays and two Photo by Bryonn did groups in the eastern Trans- (Bottom)(Bot FraFragmentagmen types of coiled baskets pro- Schroeder. Pecos practice low-level food of 4200 B.P. close-cllose- vide the baseline for such coiledc d babasketsket production to augment foraging from Spirit an analysis. The appear- activities or was the region Eye Cave. ance of coiled basketry in a corridor that maize trav- Photo by the archaeological record Bryon eled along (Hanselka 2018)? Schroeder. is thought to be part of a The initial entry of maize into shift towards procurement the Southwest was either a process of of small seeds that began in northeastern Mexico and diffusion between groups or a direct migration of Mesoamerican spread northward. A single-rod coiled basket from southeastern farmers, one or both initially occurring via a highland route, fol- Utah produced the oldest radiocarbon date on a perishable ar- lowed by a complex history of intermixing with lowland Pacifi c tifact. This suggests the technology spread southward towards coast-adapted maize beginning around 2000 B.P. (da Fonseca et Mexico instead (a 2,000-year-old radiocarbon date from a similarly al. 2015). Once in the Southwest, groups worked hard to select manufactured basket from Spirit Eye helps reinforce the conti- the traits favorable to the area’s arid growing conditions. How the nuity of coiled baskets). Additional samples from a close-coiled maize at Spirit Eye Cave and across the eastern Trans-Pecos fi ts bundle-rod foundation basket from Spirit Eye date to the Middle into this fascinating period of migration, invention, and diffusion Archaic (4200 B.P.) and parching trays (similar to specimens re- across Mexico and the Southwest is one of many questions this covered from Coahuila) date to the Late Archaic (see page 14). As new research hopes to answer. a result, it appears that the perishable artifacts from Spirit Eye are part of larger stable perishable industries. Perishable Artifacts The eastern Trans-Pecos contains an unrivaled perishable artifact Ancient DNA assemblage, all of which are directly datable. Conventionally we The interconnectedness and complexity of the prehistoric world date carbon from hearths that often does not represent a direct is becoming evident with the greater availability of ancient DNA cultural event but rather the scavenging of deadwood that offsets labs and studies. Unfortunately, DNA studies in the eastern Trans- the occupation we’re interested in. Perishable artifacts provide a Pecos are still in their infancy, which limits our interpretations. better date for several reasons; the most important is they repre- But we are not alone. As Meradeth Snow, a geneticist at the Uni- sent a direct cultural event in the procurement and preparation versity of Montana, points out, “Ancient DNA has been analyzed of raw material for fi ber and shafts. Researchers in other regions for relatively few populations in the Southwest, and the sizes of Continued on page 14 2 Center for Big Bend Studies An Update on the CBBS-INAH Agreement Last year, on July 18, 2017, the CBBS and Sul Ross State University La Junta), left an annotated photo in his research fi les showing entered into an historic agreement with the Instituto Nacional de the suspected location of the mission. With the aid of this photo, Antropología e Historia (INAH) through the signing of a Memo- we were able to retrace randum of Understanding (MOU). After the document was his steps. Although he signed—by SRSU President Dr. Bill Kibler and INAH Director based his suspicion on General Diego Prieto Hernandez—a research meeting identi- the site setting and fi ed ways in which the two organizations could work together. possible presence of The group agreed to cooperate in a range of ways, including the mission’s corner- sharing data; repatriation of Mexican artifact collections from stone, he indicated that the U.S.; joint fi eldwork on both sides of the Rio Grande/ no artifacts were found Río Bravo del Norte, including documenting sites along the to support his hypoth- river and excavations at esis. During our visit, La Junta; participation in however, we found a meetings and conferenc- single sherd of green es; and, ultimately, joint (Left) CBBS director majolica pottery at publications. Although Cloud with INAH’s this location that may National Coordinator several collaborative fi eld of Archaeology Muñoz date to the eighteenth projects have occurred at the reopening of century and be associ- since the MOU signing, the Museo Casa de ated with the mission, la Cultura Manuel the most notable prog- Ojinaga, and (Top) which was believed ress has been through the Cloud with INAH to have been founded sharing of data and joint Chihuahua director by the Trasviña Retis Dr. Jorge Carrera at participation in meetings the reopening. Photos entrada in 1715. Fur- and conferences. by Erica Blecha (top) ther documentation The fi rst cooperative and Jessica Lutz (left). of these sites is being fi eldwork took place in Au- planned for 2019. gust 2017 when CBBS and INAH affi liates conducted an exploratory But perhaps the greatest progress has been made through visit to a cave site on the Rio Grande in Coahuila. Located within participation in meetings and the sharing of data, including the the Lower Canyons portion of the protected “Rio Grande Wild and exchange of a wide range of publications as well as select un- Scenic River,” the cave had published project data. been recently reported to Big Of particular note, Coa- Bend National Park person- huila and Chihuahua ar- nel by rafters, who believed chaeologists have shared it to hold scientifi c research projectile point data with value. Access proved to be the Center, and CBBS ar- time-consuming and ex- chaeologists have shared tremely diffi cult, requiring information on regional navigation in 4-wheel-drive ceramics, each supply- vehicles over very rough ing much-needed data to roads, followed by a long, ar- The suspected location of an eighteenth century researchers on the other duous hike. Although the site Spanish mission at the Puliques archaeological site side of the border. Event was documented for INAH in Chihuahua. A Spanish majolica sherd found at participation has also con- the location dates approximately to the eighteenth records, the group agreed century. CBBS director William A. Cloud records in- tributed signifi cantly to the logistics precluded fur- formation while INAH archaeologists (on the right) the collaboration. Person- ther work there. discuss the site. Photos by Samuel Cason (top) and nel from INAH have pre- David Keller (bottom). More substantive fi eld- sented on their projects work occurred in late May 2018, again on the Mexican side of the at the lastlCBBSlf two CBBS annual conferences and CBBS staff recently Rio Grande, when CBBS and INAH staff began initial documentation attended the re-opening of the Museo Casa de la Cultura Manuel of an historic community (Pulicos) and a protohistoric village (San Ojinaga (the Ojinaga Museum). At the latter event, INAH’s Director Antonio de los Puliques) a short distance downriver from Ojinaga, General Diego Prieto and National Coordinator of Archaeology José Chihuahua. Several cemeteries were inspected at the former site Maria Muñoz each underscored the importance of this historic and the crew rediscovered the possible location of a Spanish mis- MOU. We at the CBBS feel the same and stand ready for even sion at the latter. J. Charles Kelley, the preeminent researcher of greater collaborations with our new partners in the coming years! native villages in this area (known as La Junta de los Ríos, or simply, —William A. Cloud

La Vista de la Frontera 3 PROJECT UPDATES Historic Preservation in Big Bend National Park Between November 10 and December 5, 2018, the CBBS part- roofs and associated tar paper, expanded polystyrene foam, nered with the National Park Service to conduct preservation and plastic sheeting (all part of a misguided effort to roof these work on historic structures in Big Bend National Park (BBNP)— structures in 1972), the damaged vigas were replaced by new the second of a fi ve-year cooperative agreement. CBBS Senior white fi r vigas, and the damaged cane latillas were replaced Project Archaeologist David Keller served as the project’s Prin- with newly cut cane (Arundo donax). Following the viga re- cipal Investigator; adobe preservation specialist, Pat Taylor, placement and painstaking latilla replacement, the parapet served as the project consultant; and Joey Benton of Marfa walls were repaired to full height in preparation for the new served as the preservation contractor. Work was performed by thermoplastic olefi n roofi ng membrane installed by All Rite Benton’s crew consisting of Louis Madrid, Rosalio Sanchez, and Construction out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. In addition to Jesus Vasquez, in addition to Keller, Benton, and his partner the primary work performed, a number of fi r poles and cane Faith Gay. This year’s work focused on the Café/Residence and were stockpiled for future use. Products include a comple- Shed at La Harmonia near Castolon in the far western part of tion report and a presentation for BBNP staff in the Spring of the park. Because the roofs on these two structures had failed 2019. In collaboration with Dave Larson, chief of science and from settling cracks, both were suffering damage from water resource management at BBNP, we hope to extend our scope infi ltration and associated wood rot, termite damage, and mold to a number of other ailing historic structures while expand- on the vigas and basal coving and erosional channels in the ing our volunteer base for future workshops, all in an effort to wall, not to mention a substantial bat and rat infestation. The help the park meet its preservation mandate to protect these preservation crew was tasked with preparing the structures endangered relics of our historic past. for a new roofi ng system. After removing the existing concrete —David W. Keller

The Café/Residence (left) and Shed at La Harmonia in BBNP. Photo by David Louis Madrid (left) and Rosalio Sanchez mortaring in new parapet adobes. Keller. Photo by David Keller. Fort Davis Historic Artifact Analysis This year the CBBS entered into a cooperative agreement with Keller will be identifying and evaluating a wide array of arti- Fort Davis National Historic Site (FODA) and the National Park facts from cartridge casings to military buttons, from baking Service regional archaeology program to assist the fort with powder tins to wagon axles. He will also fl ag museum-quality their signifi cant backlog of historic artifacts consisting of some specimens the park could use for exhibits. In addition to the 7,000 specimens that have been collected at the site over the identifi cations, Keller will produce a report detailing the work last 25 years, most during maintenance projects or by visitors. conducted as well as an explanation of how the artifacts fi t This work is being conducted prior to the artifacts’ transfer to into the broader context of the fort’s past. Acknowledging the Western Archeological and Conservation Center (WACC) the contribution of black soldiers to the history of FODA, the in Tucson, Arizona—the primary repository for the Intermoun- work is being funded by the U.S. Historic Preservation Fund tain Region of the National Park Service—for cataloging and through the African American Civil Rights Grant Program permanent curation. CBBS Senior Project Archaeologist David that documents, interprets, and preserves sites and stories

4 Center for Big Bend Studies related to the African American struggle to gain equal rights Benjamin Grierson were highly effective at forcing the Apaches as citizens in the 20th century. Following the American Civil out of the region. Having been only recently emancipated, the War, African American soldiers played a signifi cant role in the military offered African American men a rare chance to gain settling of the West, notably in Far West Texas, where “Buffalo status and recognition, steps along the pathway to gaining civil Soldiers” of the Tenth U.S. Cavalry under command of Colonel rights in America. —David W. Keller

Decorated clay pipe bowl fragment. Photo by David Keller. Hand-forged hoof pick. Photo by David Keller.

Trade: The Race to Discover Human Ancestors in Ethiopia’s Afar In Memoriam: Depression. While a graduate Fellow of John Hopkins University, Over the last 15 years, the CBBS was proud to partner with the Jon became interested in plate tectonics of the Afar Depression, late scientist and author Jon Ervin Kalb on a number of fi eld expe- a triple (rift) junction in northeastern Ethiopia, and spent the ditions to the remote Sierra Vieja lowlands in search of fossils and next seven years exploring the Awash Valley in the central and artifacts. A research geologist with the Vertebrate Paleontology western Afar. Along with Assefa Mebrate, he documented the Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin, Jon was a founder most complete known record of ancestral elephants (18 species) of the expedition that recovered the 3.2-million-year-old Lucy from a single area. Although Jon was expelled from Ethiopia in skeleton and directed the Ethiopia-based team that discovered 1978 as a result of fabricated allegations that he was a spy for some of the most prolifi c hominid fossil-bearing deposits in the the CIA, the storyy became rich fodder for his books. world. Jon authored numerous scientifi c publications and three In 1996, Jon was di- books, including the award-winning, Adventures in the Bone agnosed with Parkinson’s disease. But instead of de- spondency, the diagnosis mo- tivated him to write a mem- oir (published in 2012) and to double down on his fi eld- work—long the centerpiece of his scientifi c contributions. By 2003, Jon’s research in- terests brought him to the remote reaches of the Big Bend—a place having geologi- (Top)Jon(Top)Jon KalbKalbs search-earch cal and paleontological paral- ing for fossils in the lels to the African Afar. Here, Sierra Vieja lowlands. Photo by David Keller. exploring the Sierra Vieja for Eocene fossils, notably that (Left)Jon Kalb explor- ing an arroyo below of the 38-million-year-old a prehistoric hearth Rooneyia viejensis, the last remnant in the Sierra known primate in Texas. Vieja lowlands. Photo by David Keller Continued on page 9

La Vista de la Frontera 5 The Late Archaic (LA) in the greater Big Bend—1000 B.C.– observations add a remarkable degree of resolution to the A.D. 700—was a seminal period preceding a Late Prehistoric changing picture of LA behaviors, indicating that reaction cultural fl orescence across the region. It also represents the to environmental change in the lower Big Bend appears to culmination of regionally adapted and climatically adjusted have involved a variety of mechanisms—specifi cally, adap- hunting-gathering lifeways over millennia. For many years tive shifts in technology and social organization. there has been a frustrating paucity of data regarding this In another essential TAP study area, the 02 Ranch span of time, though it has fi gured prominently in archaeo- in west-central Brewster County, more than 500 sites logical research questions due to an explosion of projectile have been documented to date, 179 of which contain LA point types—such as Shumla, Paisano, Frio, Charcos, Conejo, diagnostics. Out of a total of 96 radiocarbon assays from Ensor, Ellis, Figueroa, Lange, Marcos, Montell, and Palmil- the ranch, 8 are from the LA period. A single date from las—originally defi ned in adjacent regions. Atop this list are the Terlingua locality at the Genevieve Lykes Duncan site three recently defi ned in the eastern Trans-Pecos: Carlsbad, slightly predates the LA at 3285+20 radiocarbon Van Horn, and Hueco. years before present (RCYBP) (Cloud et al. 2016:Fig. Time-honored models of LA lifeways in the region sug- 6). Signifi cantly, the thin-bedded deposits at the gest increasing population, diversifi ed settlement strategies, locality appear to be related to a series of small- and adaptive responses to environmental shifts—notably a magnitude fl oods suggesting hydrological events short mesic (cool and moist) interval evident in the north- that preceded the proposed LA mesic interval, ern Chihuahuan Desert ca. 3,000–2,200 years ago (Mallouf raising questions about its precise tim- Sediment from the 2005:237, 240). Until recently, however, our understanding of Deep End site was ing. Two other notable dates from the 02 the period lacked several key elements: temporal and spatial documented in Ranch at Collapsed Rockshelter (1690+40 data from large, systematic surveys; radiocarbon dates from variety of ways— and 1730+30 RCYBP) date to the latter por- including a laser a range of LA sites; and geoarchaeological characterizations particle size ana- tion of the period and may, with further of LA deposits. Moreover, there had been minimal excavation lyzer—to defi ne the exploration, yield intact LA materials. of sites with discrete, buried, LA components or recovery characteristics of Among the more than 1,000 sites on of perishable materials with strong contextual associations soil formation and Pinto Canyon Ranch (PCR), at least 162 paleoenvironment. from dry, sheltered locations. Now, with recent fi ndings of the The distinctly gray have LA occupations. Twenty-fi ve ra- Trans-Pecos Archaeological Program (TAP), Late Holocene sediment samples, diocarbon assays from eight PCR sites studies are at the cusp of addressing questions about the in which Late date to the LA period, and excavations Archaic deposits LA and how they articulate with larger patterns of cultural are preserved, are are underway at fi ve of them. At the Sec- development in the region. “marl-like” and ond Gate site, nine LA dates from buried One of the most signifi cant recent accomplishments probably represent thermal features and deposits, with fi ve a spring-side envi- is the completion of a large, systematic survey conducted ronment. centered around 350 B.C., indicate at least by the CBBS over the course one isolable component. By of nearly 18 years in Big Bend contrast, two radiocarbon National Park. Of 284 project samples from the Deep End sites with diagnostic projectiles, site suggest a greater span of 145 (35 percent) contained LA LA occupation—one center- dart points, and 61 of those had ing around ca. A.D. 300 and only LA specimens. These data, another older date center- derived from over 60,000 acres ing around ca. 500 B.C., both of pedestrian survey and the from features in pond-like accumulation of fundamental or spring-side sediments. spatial, environmental, feature, Two more LA dates from and artifact documentation, led test excavations at the Oak to some unexpected conclu- Park site, within a unique oak sions regarding settlement and copse in a mountain/can- subsistence. Analysis of the data yon setting, are from mid- suggests that group size de- CBBS archaeologists exposing deposits at the Second Gate site, one of several buried den deposits that range from clined signifi cantly, sites be- Late Archaic sites along major stream courses on the Pinto Canyon Ranch. Photo by 900–430 B.C. (Seebach 2010). came more uniform in size and Samuel Cason. On another vital re- composition, and subsistence strategies appear to have shifted search front, CBBS collaborators Drs. Rolfe Mandel and Charles towards increased opportunism (Keller et al. in prep). These Frederick are in the process of revisiting the pioneering models

6 Center for Big Bend Studies A view of Collapsed Rockshelter (41BS2693). Thus far, the site has yielded At the Deep End site, heavy machinery was employed to excavate several deep two radiocarbon dates from the early portion of the Late Archaic period. trenches and expose buried Late Archaic deposits. Photo by Samuel Cason. Photo by Erika Blecha. posited by the forerunners of geoarchaeology (in both the state and region)—Claude Albritton and Kirk Bryan (1939)—who investi- gated relationships between geological deposits and archaeologi- cal materials across the Big Bend region as early as the late 1930s. The current leading-edge work will include a suite of analytical tools not available to their predecessors (e.g., radiocarbon dating, palynology, diatom studies, etc.). While much of this effort spans earlier time periods, adding high-resolution data to the local paleoecological record will, in turn, bolster our understanding of LA climate and other environmental conditions that affected cultural adaptations. In the process, Mandel and Frederick are reanalyzing Albritton and Bryan’s type-sites and comparing them A portion of a large earth oven is exposed in the excavation block at the Second to analogous exposures in other TAP study areas. A prominent Gate site. Subsequent work across roughly 50 square meters of the site defi ned question is whether Late Holocene mesic episodes—represented auxiliary features and debris scattered around the perimeter of the activity area. by substantial pluvial events—are representative of a region-wide Photo by Samuel Cason. pattern, or if they are instead expressions of small-scale, localized Schroeder, this issue), radiocarbon dating of perishable materials phenomena. Since eastern Trans-Pecos cultural-environmental from recent TAP rockshelter excavations—i.e., Tranquil (CBBS models are derived mostly from adjacent regions, fi ne-tuning this 2010), Rough Cut (CBBS 2010; Gray 2007), Surprise (Cason 2014), geoarchaeological chronology with Big Bend data is essential. and Tres Metates (Seebach 2007)—promise to offer even greater Lastly, two rockshelters excavated by the CBBS in the Davis insights into this little-known period. As a result of these vari- Mountains—Wolf Den (Mallouf 2007) and Tall Rockshelter (Mal- ous initiatives and discoveries, Late Archaic research is fi nally louf 2001)—contain LA components with perishable artifacts. coming of age in the Big Bend. In addition to current investigations at Spirit Eye Cave (see –Samuel S. Cason

Keller, David W., Samuel S. Cason, William A. Cloud, Robert W. Gray, Richard W. References Cited: Walter, Thomas C. Alex, Betty L. Alex, Roger D. Boren, Andrea J. Ohl, and Robert J. Albritton, Claude C., and Kirk Bryan Mallouf 1939 Quaternary Stratigraphy of the Davis Mountains, Trans-Pecos Texas. Bulletin in prep A Sampling of Archeological Resources in Big Bend National Park, Texas. of the Geological Society of America 50:1423–1474. Center for Big Bend Studies, Sul Ross State University. Cason, Samuel S. 2014 CBBS Research Across the Eastern Trans-Pecos. La Vista de la Frontera Mallouf, Robert J. 24:6–7. 2001 CBBS Documents Tall Rockshelter. La Vista de la Frontera 14:4.

CBBS 2005 Late Archaic Foragers of the Eastern Trans-Pecos Texas and the Big Bend. 2010 Roughcut and Tranquil Rockshelters 2007–2008. http://cbbs.sulross.edu/ In The Late Archaic across the Borderlands: From Foraging to Farming, edited rsch-roughTranq.php, Internet, accessed July 18, 2018. by Bradley J. Vierra, pp. 219–246. University of Texas Press, Austin.

Cloud, William A., Richard W. Walter, Charles D. Frederick, and Robert J. Mallouf 2007 A Cave of Wonders: Return to Wolf Den. La Vista de la Frontera 18:1–3. 2016 Late Paleoindian Occupations at the Genevieve Lykes Duncan Site, Brewster Seebach, John D. County, Texas. Journal of Big Bend Studies 28:1–82. 2007 Late Prehistory Along the Rimrock: Pinto Canyon Ranch. Papers of the Trans- Gray, Robert W. Pecos Archaeological Program No. 3. Center for Big Bend Studies, Sul Ross 2007 A Preliminary Report on Testing at Rough Cut Rockshelter, 02 Ranch, State University, Alpine, Texas. Brewster County, Texas. Paper presented at the 14th Annual Conference of 2010 Oak Park: Long Term Use of a Chihuahuan Desert Econiche. Manuscript on the Center for Big Bend Studies, November 10, 2007, Alpine, Texas. fi le, Center for Big Bend Studies, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Texas. La Vista de la Frontera 7 by CBBS crews during the large BBNP survey (Figure 1). Signifi cantly, these Big Bend medicine wheels occur The Petroform over a thousand miles south of their previ- Cultures all over ously known range and it is unknown if these the world pos- Phenomenon have connections to Plains tribes sess symbolic systems that express aspects of their my- of the Big Bend that later migrated southward thology, spirituality, ritualism, and art. Among the most commonly in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries (e.g., Comanches, documented of these symbolic systems is that of rock imagery. Kiowa-Apaches, and Southern Cheyenne). Although rock imagery can take many forms, one of the least under- Other petroforms are abstract in shape. At the Lizard Hill stood is what archaeologists call site in southern Brewster petroforms, defi ned as stones de- County, two linear rock liberately arranged on the ground alignments form a broad surface, often depicting animal or V-shaped design with a U- abstract geometric shapes. Some shaped apex. The alignment of these various shapes of rock points towards a cache that alignments may have had spiritual contained 13 Middle Archaic signifi cance while others may have dart points along with two served as navigational tools or even perforated freshwater mus- solar markers. sel valves (Ohl 2011). Con- In North America, petroforms sidering its proximity and have been documented most often context, this petroform is in the northern Plains of the United very likely Middle Archaic States and Canada (Lewis 1889; Hall in age (ca. 2500–1000 B.C.). 1960; Steinbring et al. 2003; Bryan Another abstract petroform 2011). Surprisingly, however, similar found in southern Brewster Figure 1. Overview of a probable medicine wheel in Big Bend National Park petroforms have been discovered at the Spoked Pit Site, looking southwest. Photo by David Keller. County consists of a series of here in the Big Bend in the form straight to serpentine rock of linear, abstract, and zoomorphic alignments at the Red Tuff representations. Most petroforms Petroform site near a promi- found in the Big Bend were unrec- nent tinaja (water hole). In ognized until recent discoveries addition to these two sites, during the extensive 62,000-acre about a half dozen other ab- pedestrian survey conducted by stract petroform sites have CBBS archaeologists in Big Bend been discovered in the re- National Park (BBNP) (Keller et al. gion (David W. Keller, per- in prep). Additional petroforms sonal communication 2018). have recently been found in west- Yet a third type of central Brewster County and far petroform recently docu- west Presidio County, Texas (Gray mented in the region ap- 2011; Mallouf 2010, 2011; Walter pears to be zoomorphic, 2016; Cason 2014). most often resembling tur- Figure 2. Turtle effi gy petroform at the Turtle Ridge site (41BS1518) whose Three geometric petroforms, tles—an unexpected aquat- head points in the direction of nearby tinajas (natural water catchments). found only in southern Brewster Photo by Richard Walter. ic-themed representation County, have been interpreted within a desert landscape. as medicine wheels and are among the fi rst such petroforms These features are often located near water sources and are documented in Texas; in fact, the only other medicine wheel suspected of being locational markers or tributes. At the Turtle documented in the state, the Leon River Medicine Wheel, remains Ridge site, the turtle petroform, or “effi gy,” was so well defi ned it in question regarding its origins and function (Keller et al. in left little to doubt, including a “head-shaped” rock that likely took prep; Quigg et al. 1996). Typically constructed by native people considerable time to acquire (Figure 2). Two additional features of the northern Plains (Brumley 1988), medicine wheels are often are located ca. 100 m to the north-northwest of this feature. One understood to be tributes to chiefs and others of high standing. is an oval-shaped, stacked rock structure with entryway, with the Others may be associated with religious or healing ceremonies interior measuring ca. 1 m in diameter, large enough for a single (Quigg et al. 1996). The fi rst medicine wheel confi rmed in the individual. Adjacent to the entrance of this feature is a small 80 region (colloquially known as “the spider”) was investigated by x 85 cm cairn. While the function of the cairn remains unknown, Tom Alex in the 1980s when he was BBNP archaeologist. Nearly the attributes of the structure are similar to other stacked rock 30 years later, two subsequent medicine wheels were discovered enclosures of the Cielo complex (ca. A.D. 1250–1680) (Mallouf 1999).

8 Center for Big Bend Studies In Memoriam: Jon Kalb continued from page 5

Further scientifi c studies of petroforms in the Big Bend prom- For several years he was joined on a number of fi eld expedi- ise to yield additional insights into the lives of indigenous groups tions by then CBBS director Bob Mallouf, and in 2014 formed a that occupied the region—insights not available by other means. multidisciplinary team in collaboration with CBBS archaeolo- Although we may never know the true meaning and function of gists Samuel Cason, Bobby Gray, and David Keller to explore for most of these petroforms, future research may add greater depth mid-Tertiary mammals and prehistoric archaeology in the Sierra to our understanding of them and the often-elusive lifeways of Vieja badlands. By then, Jon’s Parkinson’s had become advanced. past cultures in the Texas Big Bend. Although walking now required the aid of two battered ski poles, — Richard W. Walter to our collective amazement his condition did little to slow him References Cited: down. From Sam Cason’s fi eld notes: Brumley, John H. La Junta District, and the Cielo 1988 Medicine Wheels on the North- Complex. Journal of Big Bend Bobby and I stopped along one terrace with exposed ern Plains: A Summary and Ap- Studies 11:49–92. hearths and looked up to hail Jon, but Jon was riding praisal. Archaeological Survey 2010 Notes on Site 02-265; the 02 of Alberta Manuscript Series No. ahead on horseback without us. He pulled up short to a Ranch Project. File document at 12, Alberta Culture and Multicul- the Center for Big Bend Studies, high eroded slope, then dismounted. No easy proposition turalism Historical Resources Sul Ross State University. for Jon but he didn’t seem to know or acknowledge the Division. Ethos Consultants Ltd., Medicine Hat, Alberta. 2011 Turtle-gate Site (02-375); the 02 certain disaster that we expected, his poles windmilling Ranch Project. File document at Bryan, Liz wildly . . . In the last of the evening light, Jon hollered for the Center for Big Bend Studies, 2011 Stone by Stone: Exploring Ancient Sul Ross State University. us to stop, jumped out of the jeep and ran up the side of Sites on the Canadian Plains. an eroded tuff slope—awkward, quadruped-like, Salvador Heritage Publishing Co., Victo- Ohl, Andrea J. ria, British Columbia. 2011 Middle Archaic People of the Dali horse man, his aluminum appendages swinging Eastern Trans-Pecos Texas: Cason, Samuel S. dangerously and impossibly up the deteriorating slope, Their Life and Times 2500–1000 2014 CBBS Research Across the East- B.C. Journal of Big Bend Studies only to fi nd . . . several large mammal bones, fully fos- ern Trans-Pecos. La Vista de la 23:63–94. Frontera 24:6–7. silized, like treasures in the red tuff. Quigg, Michael J., Charles D. Frederick, Gray, Robert W. and Dorothy Lippert Indeed, Jon seemed oblivious to physical discomfort, weather, 2011 Field notes on Site 02-364; the 02 1996 Archeology and Native American wild animals, dangerous terrain, or hazards of any kind. Which, Ranch Project. File document at Religion at the Leon River Medi- the Center for Big Bend Studies, unknown to us, had long been one of his most famous traits. In cine Wheel, with a foreword by Sul Ross State University. Jack M. Jackson and epilogues by fact, Jon’s love of adventure, as well as his stamina, were legend- Hall, F. Christopher R. Lintz and Steve ary. He was famous for quips like “Food is for the weak.” In one 1960 Medicine on the Rocks: The Russell. United States Army Fort photograph from 1972, he is shown marching across the sweltering Strange Tale of Ojibwa Mosa- Hood Archeological Resource ics. The Bison 13(2):14–16. Management Series Research desert fl ats of the Kariyu Plain in Ethiopia, in nothing but shorts Report No. 33. TRC Mariah As- Keller, David W., Samuel S. Cason, Wil- and hiking boots. The temperature was 130 degrees Fahrenheit! sociates, Inc., Austin, Texas. liam A. Cloud, Robert W. Gray, Richard Although Jon never located the elusive fossil remains of W. Walter, Thomas C. Alex, Betty L. Alex, Steinbring, Jack, Jeffrey Behm, and Her- Roger D. Boren, Andrea J. Ohl, and Robert man H. Bender viejensis, he did recover over 2,000 fossils from the rugged bad- J. Mallouf 2003 Petroforms in the North Ameri- lands of the Sierra Viejas and was extremely effective at infecting in prep A Sampling of Archeological can Mid-Continent: A Neglected others with his incredible passion for discovery, which, like the Phenomenon. In American In- Resources in Big Bend National man himself, was larger than life. His drive and enthusiasm—in Park, Texas.Center for Big Bend dian Rock Art, Volume 29, edited Studies, Sul Ross State Univer- by Alanah Woody and Joseph T. spite of his two-decade-long battle with Parkinson’s disease— sity. O’Connor, pp. 111–120. American Rock Art Research Association, were sources of inspiration to us all. Jon died in his home in Lewis, T.H. Tucson, Arizona. Austin, Texas, on October 27, 2017, at the age of 76. 1889 Stone Monuments in Southern Dakota. American Anthropologist Walter, Richard W. 2(2):159–166. 2016 Turtle Petroforms of the Big Suggested Readings by Jon Kalb Bend. Draft report on fi le, Cen- Adventures in the Bone Trade: The Race to Discover Human Mallouf, Robert J. ter for Big Bend Studies, Sul Ross 1999 Comments on the Prehistory of State University, Alpine, Texas. Ancestors in Ethiopia’s Afar Depression (2001) Far Northeastern Chihuahua, the Hunting Tapir During the Great Flood and Other Tales of Explo- ration and High Adventure (2012) In Memoriam: cave, and cooked many of the meals for the excavation crew. In remembering his contribution, principal investigator and then Harold David “Dave” Hedges of Fort CBBS director, Bob Mallouf, fondly recalled Dave “as dependable Davis, Texas, was instrumental in as they come, easy to work with, and a joy to be around.” Over the directing logistics at the 2005 Wolf years, Dave worked tirelessly as a volunteer for the Texas Nature Den Cave excavation project at the Conservancy, where he helped with fundraising and became es- Davis Mountains Preserve, where pecially noted for his work on new and existing trails on the Davis he established the project campsite, Mountains Preserve. He also played a major role in establishing a maintained the road to the site, as- waterfowl sanctuary southeast of Balmorhea and a wetland project sisted with shuttling supplies to the at the Independence Creek Preserve near Sheffi eld. Continued on page 10 La Vista de la Frontera 9 Revisiting the John A. Hedrick Collection “The collection contains over 25,000 artifacts. Meticulously compiled survey and analyses data records, illustrations of hundreds of projectile points, maps, photos, slides, computer disks, and manuscripts at different stages of completion compliment the collection” (Mbutu 2007:8). John A. Hedrick. He went by “Jack.” He was a dedicated avocational of private collections. Ten years later, in April 1998, he passed archaeologist and a lifetime member of the Texas Archeological away in Van Horn after guiding this writer and accompanying and El Paso Archaeological societies. If there was something to SRSU students through sites in the Carrizo Mountains and Lobo be learned, or something to be explored, you could count on Jack Valley. During that fateful tour, Jack repeatedly expressed to the showing up. In the mid-1960s Jack decided to search for and re- students his hope that a young archaeologist would soon step cord archaeological sites in what was up to carry on research of the Plateau then a virtually unknown area of the area—almost as if he knew that his Trans-Pecos—the desert basins and time was at hand. foothills of the Plateau region near With Jack’s passing, it fell to his Van Horn, Texas. wife, Carrol, to carry out his prear- The only notable archaeological ranged wishes in regard to placement work conducted in the Van Horn area of his extensive Plateau documenta- prior to Jack’s arrival was intermit- tion, collection, and library. Carrol tent research by Joe Ben Wheat in contacted the Center for Big Bend the 1940s through the 1960s. Wheat, Studies to facilitate a permanent do- who went on to become a preeminent nation of the Plateau materials to the North American scholar, was a na- Museum of the Big Bend of Sul Ross tive of Van Horn and is best known State University. Since its arrival at regionally for his discovery of (in 1946) the museum in the late 1990s, the and excavations (in 1962 and 1965) at Hedrick Collection has been accessed the Chispa Site, an important Paleo- innumerable times by researchers indian campsite south of Van Horn. seeking data for theses and disserta- Wheat worked at a few other area tions, and by archaeological staff from sites and then moved on, eventually numerous universities and public becoming a professor emeritus at the agencies. Importantly, archaeologi- University of Colorado in Boulder. cal staff of the Center for Big Bend When Hedrick initiated his fi eldwork Studies have made almost constant at Van Horn in the 1960s, he was literally picking up where Wheat use of this invaluable database for comparative studies with other had only recently left off. areas of the eastern Trans-Pecos region. Currently, the collec- Long fascinated by the area and its prehistoric inhabitants, tion is playing a major role in analysis of the Black Rock Burial and undeterred by a lack of funding and scarcity of volunteer Cairn, a Late Prehistoric hilltop feature that was discovered in crews, Jack set out on what would prove to be a 40-year bold 1992 at the eastern edge of Jack’s Plateau study area. Thus, Jack scientifi c endeavor. He personally funded his Plateau area sur- and Carrol’s bequest to the people of the State of Texas lives on veys and solicited his crews from the membership of the El Paso and will continue to do so in perpetuity. Archaeological Society and area schools. His untiring enthusiasm —Robert J. Mallouf for his project was infectious, and he particularly attempted to arouse interest in archaeology among young people by involving Reference Cited: them in hands-on recording and mapping. As of 1988, Jack had Mbutu, Stephen K. 2007 The John A. Hedrick Trans-Pecos Artifact Collection. In Texas and Points carried out detailed documentation of 127 sites and thousands West: Papers in Honor of John A. Hedrick and Carrol P. Hedrick. Archaeological of artifacts resulting from both his surveys and from analysis Society of New Mexico 33:8–17.

In Memoriam: Dave Hedges continued from page 9 brought them to the Davis Mountains of Far West Texas, Originally from Kansas, Dave attended Ottawa University where, in 1994, they decided to make Fort Davis their home. where he majored in biology with a minor in art. Following Remembered for his famous smile and irreverent wit, Dave a long and successful career with AT&T Technologies in was also an accomplished birder, canoeist, camper, hiker, fl y Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Dave retired in 1989. That same year fi sherman, and conservationist who made yearly pilgrimages he married Linda Kay (Heman) George and, following their to the canyon country of southeastern Utah. Dave died on wedding, they hit the road for a three-year adventure across April 5, 2018, at age 78, after a yearlong battle with cancer the United States and Canada. Along the way, their journey and neuromuscular disease.

10 Center fddfor Big Bend Studies Thank You! The CBBS extends sincere thanks to foundations and individuals who have provided support since publication of the 2017 newsletter. These contributions have played signifi cant roles in our many achievements. Listed below are all contributors based on a cumulative total.

Gold Donors Silver Donors Sponsors Dixie Watkins and Elaine ($10,000 and above) ($5,000–$9,999) ($100–$499) Daniel* The Brown Foundation of Brewster County Ballroom Cultural Arts Jim and Teresa Weedin* Houston, Inc. Kim and Annchen Lawrence* Foundation Coypu Foundation Paul and Kathleen Olsen* Jed Becker* Friends Cynthia & George Mitchell Orville and Rita Shelburne* Big Bend Brewing Co. (Less than $100) Foundation Paul and Ellen Carlson* Troy Ainsworth Genevieve Duncan * Bronze Donors City of Presidio Frank Calhoun Jeff Fort* ($1,000–$4,999) Andy and Mary Cloud Jimmy Case Bill and Maria Millet* City of Alpine, Texas Tom and Mary Crum* Marilyn Eisenwine New Society Family Fund of Edgar and Linda Duncan* Julius and Pat Dasch* Jerry Eoff Tides Foundation, advised Homer Mills* Ken Durham* Jerry Gips by Cameron Duncan* Gilbert “Pete” Peterson* Michael Fowler Greg and Leslie Gossett Orr Family Foundation Norman Turner* Shirley Green Instituto Nacional de Permian Basin Area West Texas National Bank Jean Hill* Antropologia e Historia Foundation, advised by the Brenda Whorton* Bryan and Carol Macaulay (INAH) Still Water Foundation Jameson Robert and Dee Leggett Wayne and JoAnn Moore Contributors Nancy Kenmotsu Jack McNamara Foundation ($500–$999) Robert and LaVerne Knezek Louise O’Connor Christopher Wool* Tom and Val Beard* Mayo and Susan Lykes Edgar Weber Dave and Sally Cockrum Jim and Mary Lynn Murrell Douglas Williams J. Travis Roberts, Jr.* Museum of the Big Bend Joan Spalding Benny and Gena Roberts* William Wright* Jerry and Kathy Stein J. Tillapaugh* * Lifetime Members

Ellen Sue Turner Memorial Fund

Ellen Sue Turner made many contributions to Texas archaeology, including tireless research of the many projectile point types (dart and arrow points) in the state. She continues to con- tribute to Texas archaeology through the Ellen Sue Turner Memorial Fund, which supported the salaries of our summer interns—Juan “Kiko” Morlock and John Jorgensen (2014), Juan “Kiko” Morlock (2015), and Lindsey Griffi n (2016 and 2017). This fund is yet another way that Ellen Sue’s name and legacy can contribute to the study of Texas archaeology.

Please visit our website (http://cbbs.sulross.edu) to learn more about the fund or to donate. Or use the CBBS store on page 15 of this newsletter to make your donation. Call 432-837-8179 for more information.

La Vista de la Frontera 11 Connellee Peak (41MY5) is a prominent, 32-m-tall erosional remnant mesa—the top measuring 50 x 110 m—within the Middle Pease River drainage near Matador, Texas (Figure 1). Because the peak contains an abundance of artifacts and faunal remains, it has attracted many collectors to the site over the years. In particular, Jack and Rosa Spray, often with fam- ily and friends, conducted intensive, uncontrolled excavations there between 1947 and 1993. Portions of their collection, comprised of approximately 500 projectile points and other tools, are displayed at the First National Bank in Matador. Despite the lack of catalog numbers to validate proveniences, a range of corner-notched dart and arrow points, as well as side and unnotched arrow point styles attributed to Connellee Peak, suggests that the main prehistoric occupations spanned from Late Archaic through Middle or Late Ceramic periods. Figure 1. A view of the north side of Connellee Peak. Photo by Chris Lintz. Since the Spray family was primarily interested in chipped stone and bone artifacts, they allowed their son’s friend, Alvin Lynn, to keep the prehistoric pottery. The 672 potsherds, recently donated to the Motley County Museum by Mr. Lynn, are an interest- ing aspect of the site. The pottery consists solely of cord-marked sherds (n=623; 92.7%) or plainwares (n=49; 7.3%). Although the mesa is some 45 miles (70 km) south of the southernmost recorded Antelope Creek village (a unique Late Prehistoric Southern Plains culture that combined elements of Puebloan and Great Plains groups) near Mackenzie Reser- voir, the unexpected cord-marked pottery suggests that Connellee Peak may be an outlier in the known distribution of Middle Ceramic period sites for the Southern Plains. If so, the site could potentially re- vise our understanding of the spatial extent of this Figure 2. Samuel Cason fl ies the Center’s drone over the peak. Photo by Chris Lintz. cultural complex. On January 23 and 24, 2018, Samuel Cason from the Center these, by A. Brown in 1909, includes an incised bedrock depiction for Big Bend Studies created a map of Connellee Peak with drone of a picket-post cabin. Fifteen prehistoric bedrock mortar holes aerial photographs that produced high-resolution imagery of were also measured and recorded. Although two are on top of the site (Figures 2 and 3). Permanent datum points were marked the peak, most occur on talus boulders around the southwestern in bedrock atop the mesa and elevation control points were set base of the mesa. These mortar holes range from 16 to 28 cm in around the landform as visual references. In addition, coordinates diameter and 6 to 40 cm deep. for topographic and cultural features were integrated into the Ongoing analysis of ceramics collected from the site indicates maps to denote the location and distribution of activity areas on that the paste is composed of silt (e.g., no visible large inclusions), and around the peak. This post-processed information yielded with white angular quartz temper inclusions. A total of 188 sherds spectacular maps that allowed an accurate visual representation of (28% of the total) measure less than 2 x 2 cm and are regarded as the site upon which historic and prehistoric data could be plotted. “sherdlets,” which warrant no further analysis. Although most of Historic graffi ti on the top, sides, and lower talus slopes of the remaining large specimens are body sherds—421 cord-marked the mesa records visits by Euro-Americans to the site starting and 30 plainware—there are also 28 cord-marked and 5 plainware in 1886. Seven dates denote visits before World War I, and one of rim sherds in the assemblage. The thickness of a sample of 401

12 Center for Big Bend Studies Connellee Peak embellish- ments also occur in the ceramic assemblage at the Stamper site in the Okla- homa panhandle and among the decorated sherds of the Buried City complex. In ad- dition, our Connellee Peak decorations occur on ceram- ics from the Armstrong site in the Bluff Creek complex of south-central Kansas and two motifs are also seen on ceramics from the Wilm- ore and Pratt complexes, Figure 3. Views of Connellee Peak: (left) aerial view and (right) an orthophoto generated through the drone work. Photo and illustration by Samuel Cason. also from the south-central Kansas region. Presently, it is impossible to determine if the Connellee Peak ceram- ics refl ect occupations by a specifi c group or whether the decorations signify a more widespread phenom- enon. For example, it could be that pan-regional motifs associated with cord-marked pottery signifi ed regional re- ligious or social meaning. For now, questions such as these must await a more detailed study of Middle Ceramic period decorations from the Southern Plains and support- ing petrographic and neutron Figure 4. Decorated rim sherds recovered from Connellee Peak. Photo by Chris Lintz. activation data. sherds ranges from 3.1 to 10.5 mm, which is within the conven- Acknowledgements tional range of Middle Ceramic period pottery. We wish to thank Andy Cloud, director of the Center for Big Eleven of the 33 Connellee rim sherds (33%) are decorated. Bend Studies, for his support of the fi eld and mapping study This unusually high incidence of decorations contrasts with those components. Thanks also to Alvin Lynn for contributing his from the Buried City complex in Ochiltree County, Texas, where ceramic collection for study; to Marisue Potts for providing ac- decorations account for only 5% (Hughes 1990), and no decora- cess to her family’s land containing the mesa; and to those who tions were found on ceramics recovered from Alibates Ruin 28 helped with fi eldwork, including Rick and Susan Day, Dr. Veronica near the Alibates fl int quarries (Hughes 2002). The Connellee Peak Arias, Rolla Shaller, and Andy Burcham of the Panhandle-Plains ceramics have crenulations (projecting triangles on the upper Historical Museum. rim), spaced diagonal incisions, spaced triangular punctations, —Christopher Lintz* and Samuel S. Cason or spaced pinched depressions on their lip-rim junctures (Figure * Christopher Lintz, Ph.D., is an archaeologist for the Center for Archeo- 4). The middle rim region displays fi nger-gouged nodes, widely logical Research at Texas State University. spaced diagonal grooves, or spaced shallow circular depressions. The neck-body juncture on one sherd has coarse cord impres- References Cited: sions that may be incidental to a tie-down lid. Other projections Hughes, David include horizontal lip tabs and evidence of loop handles on the 1990 Investigations of the Buried City, Ochiltree County, Texas. Bulletin of the mid rim areas. Texas Archeological Society 60:107–148. Brief studies of decorative motifs across the Southern Plains 2002 Buried City Ceramics, Ochiltree County, Texas. A paper presented at the have found limited decorations on ceramics among most other Plains Anthropological Conference, Oklahoma City, October 2002; also as a pdf at http://texasbeyondhistory.net/villagers/buriedcity/credits.html. Canadian River Antelope Creek sites. However, fi ve of the seven

La Vista de la Frontera 13 Trans-Pecos Perishables continued from pagee 2 samples studied have been small and/ or the samples were not sequenced” (2010:3131). The available analyses are limited to late Mimbres and Casas

La Vista de la Frontera is the annual newsletter of the Center Grandes populations and results suggestst for Big Bend Studies of Sul Ross State University. Address both populations were closely related ttoo correspondence to the Editor, Center for Big Bend Studies, Box C-71, Alpine, TX 79832, or [email protected]. one another and were not the productsts Fragment of parching tray recovered of single Mesoamerican migration (es- from Shaft B of Spirit Eye Cave. Photo Editing by William A. Cloud, David W. Keller, Samuel S. Cason, and Susan Chisholm pecially important in the emergence of by Taylor Greer. Graphic design by Letitia Wetterauer Casas Grandes). I assume genetic samples from Spirit Eye Cave are older than CBBS Advisory Council populations previously studied in the Southwest. In light of this, it will be in- teresting to see how DNA samples from Spirit Eye Cave now being processed Chairman: Paul Carlson, Ransom Canyon Director: William A. Cloud, Alpine at the University of Montana update this earlier work. Félix D. Almaráz Jr. John Klingemann William Wright San Antonio San Angelo Abilene Conclusion J. P. Bryan Ben Love Ex Offi cio from SRSU, Archaeology is diffi cult because we do not know what the answers are sup- Houston Marathon Alpine: posed to be (it is not rocket science—it is harder) and that makes it diffi cult to Tom Crum Maria Bill Kibler know where to cut off our analyses or which direction they should go. But with Granbury Cordonededa Melleta Bell MIllet advancements in and increased precision of radiocarbon dating, genetics, and Mary Bones Ken Durham Helotes Alpine Jim D. Case theoretical approaches, the complexity of the prehistoric world is starting to Miguel Angel James W. Downing come into sharper focus. Researchers like Stephen Lekson have long champi- David Fannin Mazarambroz Mark Saka Marfa Houston oned the view that prehistoric groups were not country bumpkins, but part of Pete P. Gallego J. Travis Roberts Honorary Members: complex social spheres. I think they are right and we are just beginning to see Alpine Jr. Neil Caldwell how this was the case for prehistoric groups that occupied the greater Big Bend Rick Hendricks Marathon Claude Hudspeth region, but it is only possible if we are able to look beyond the confi nes of what Santa Fe, NM David Rogers Lonn Taylor Rubén Osorio have long been seen as distinct, and isolated, culture areas. Jerry Johnson Alpine Zuñiga —Bryon Schroeder Alpine J. Tillapaugh Odessa Texas State University System References Cited: Board of Regents Bettinger, Robert L., and Jelmer Eerkens Hanselka, J. Kevin 1999 Point Typologies, Cultural Transmis- 2018 A Pan-Regional Overview of Archaic Ag- Mr. William F. Scott Dr. Jaime R. Garza sion and the Spread of Bow-and-Arrow Chairman San Antonio riculture in the Southwest. In The Archaic Nederland Technology in the Prehistoric Great Basin. Southwest Foragers in an Arid Land, edited Mr. Vernon Reaser, III American Antiquity 64(2):231–242. by Bradely J. Vierra, pp. 269–295. The Uni- Mr. David Montagne Houston versity of Utah, Salt Lake City. Vice Chairman Cloud, William A. Ms. Rossanna Salazar Beaumont 2004 The Arroyo de la Presa Site: A Stratifi ed Austin Lekson, Stephen L. Mr. Charlie Amato Late Prehistoric Campsite along the Rio 2009 A History of the Ancient Southwest. SAR Mr. Alan L. Tinsley San Antonio Grande, Presidio County, Trans-Pecos Press, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Madisonville Texas. Reports in Contract Archaeology Mr. Garry Crain Piehl, Jennifer C. Ms. Leanna Mouton 9. Center for Big Bend Studies, Sul Ross The Hills Student Regent State University, Alpine. 2009 Human Osteology and Mortuary Practices Ms. Veronica Muzquiz San Marcos in the Eastern Trans-Pecos Region of Texas. Edwards Connolly, Thomas J., Pat Baker, Catherine S. Papers of the Trans-Pecos Archaeologi- San Antonio Fowler, Eugene M. Hattori, Dennis L. Jenkins, cal Program, No. 5, Center for Big Bend and William J. Cannon Studies, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, Dr. Brian McCall 2016 Getting Beyond the Point: Textiles of the Texas. Chancellor Terminal Pleistocene/Early Holocene in Austin the Northwestern Great Basin. American Mallouf, Robert J. Antiquity 81(3):490–514. 1985 A Synthesis of Eastern Trans-Pecos Prehis- Mission tory. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Depart- da Fonseca, Rute R., Bruce D. Smith, Nathan Wales, ment of Anthropology, The University of The Center for Big Bend Studies fosters interdisciplinary Enrico Cappellini, Pontus Skoglund, Matteo Fu- Texas at Austin. scholarship of the diverse prehistoric, historic, and modern magalli, José Alfredo Samaniego, Christian Carøe, cultures of the borderlands region of the United States María C. Ávila-Arcos, David E. Hufnagel, Thorfi nn 2005 Late Archaic Foragers of the Eastern and Mexico, with emphasis on the area encompassed by Sand Korneliussen, Filipe Garrett Vieira, Mat- Trans-Pecos Texas and Big Bend. In The Trans-Pecos Texas and north-central Mexico. The Center tias Jakobsson, Bernardo Arriaza, Eske Willerslev, Late Archaic across the Borderlands: From is committed to the recovery, protection, and sharing of this Foraging to Farming, edited by Bradley J. region’s rich cultural legacy through dynamic programs in- Rasmus Nielsen, Matthew B. Hufford, Anders Al- Vierra, pp. 219–246. University of Texas volving research, education, public outreach, and publication. brechtsen, Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra, and M. Thomas P. Gilbert Press, Austin. 2015 The Origins and Evolution of Maize in the Snow, Meradeth, Harry Shafer, and David Glenn Southwestern United States. Nature Plants Volume 28, 2018 Smith 1:1–15. http://cbbs.sulross.edu 2010 The Relationship of the Mimbres to other [email protected] Southwestern and Mexican Populations. Journal of Archaeological Science 38:3122– 3133. 14 Center for Big Bend Studies La Vista de la Frontera 15 Center for Big Bend Studies Sul Ross State University Non-Profit Org. Box C-71 U.S. Postage Alpine, Texas 79832 PAID http://cbbs.sulross.edu Alpine, Texas Address Service Requested Permit No. 2 232267-121700-60-RES