Society Contact Information

Regional Information

Region 3

Meet the Regional Director — Royce Baker

Regional News — September 2011

Many from the Tarrant County Archeological Society attended the 2011 Field School in Hondo June 11-18.  There were approximately 30-35 TCAS members present.  Our Region again led the way in attendance.  It was a great field school with many artifacts revealed and new information about human habitation at Eagle Bluff.  Thanks again for all of your help and hard work in very hot weather conditions.

TCAS is hosting the 2011 TAS Annual Meeting in Fort Worth this year.  Jay Hornsby and his committee have been working diligently for several months in preparation for the Annual Meeting.

TCAS met July 14 with Joe Nichols presenting a program about soil.  Joe gave information about where and how to get soil data and how to relate soil survey information to landscapes and time related studies.  Joe has great experience with "dirt" as he was a soil scientist, soil correlator and a professor at TCU.  Thanks go to Joe for a great insight into soil data information.

Tarrant County Archeological Society met August 11 with Eddie Osburn presenting a program about how to determine if lithic artifacts are real or fake.  It was very informative and his explanation of the differences included patina under magnification stained with mineral deposits and the use of UV light.

There were archeological activities at the Ft. Worth Nature Center August 9 with flint knapping, corn grinding, and a mock excavation.  Thanks to all who helped on a scorching day.

After the Annual Meeting in October there are several projects that need to be completed in and around St Jo.

The program for September was led by Dr. Thomas Guderjan who is a faculty member at the University of Texas at Tyler and president of the Maya Research Program.  He holds a PhD from Southern Methodist University.

The program centered around Blue Creek and additional areas of discovery at Bajo Alcarnes.  New Maya settlements at Xnoha and Grey Fox as well as others on the Yucatan peninsula.  Discussion included new information about residential architecture, landscapes, wetland agriculture, human remains and possible reasons for abandonment and collapse.

Respectfully submitted
Royce Baker

Top

Royce Baker     E-mail: region03@txarch.org

My name is Royce Baker, and I am the new Region 3 Director.  I reside in Paradise (yes, Paradise is in Texas) with my wife, Terry.  We have lived here nine years.

Before moving to Paradise, we lived in San Angelo 22 years.  In San Angelo I joined the Concho Valley Archeology Society and was a member for about six years.  There I gained valuable experience by excavating at Ft. Concho and Ft. Chadbourne, among many sites.

I grew up on a cotton farm south of Lubbock.  I guess that is where I get my "dirt" background.  My dad had a great interest in history and "old stuff."  I remember my sister and I begging him not to stop at all the historical markers on our many vacations, and my kids doing me the same way.

I was an administrator, teacher, bus driver, and coach for 32 years until my retirement in 2002.

I have been a TAS member a relatively short period as far as TAS members go in Texas.  The last six field schools I have enjoyed tremendously and learned much about Texas archeology.

Back to Regional Societies