 |
Click on photo to enlarge. |
|
Meet the Regional Director —
Paul M. Smith
Regional News — January 1- May 30, 2009
In January, the Hill Country Archeological Society welcomed Al McGraw from TEX-DOT and Nina Nixon-Mendez from the San Antonio City Planning Office speaking on “Imaginary Camino Reales.” The Southern Texas Archaeological Society heard Dr. Tom Hester speak on “Pay Digs in Texas: the Loss of Prehistoric Sites in the Southwest Edwards Plateau” on the same weekend of January 17. Both organizations have chosen new leaders with HCAA electing Stephanie Ertle as President, Dorothy Grayson as Vice President, Rudi Winzinger as Treasurer, Terry Farley as Secretary, and Jill Furst, Jose Contreas, and John Forestier as Board Members. STAA now has Dr. Jennifer Rice as Chair, Maureen Brown as Vice Chair, Cathy McCool as Treasurer, and Margaret Greco as Secretary and Memberships.
HCAA had a special board meeting on January 31 to decide whether to take the challenge of the 2010 TAS State meeting in Kerrville. Based on the experience level, they decided to become trained and confident by assisting with the Del Rio and Corpus Christi meetings before committing to the 2011 event.
On March 3, I participated in a site survey field excavation with Jim and Beth Stenstrom in Uvalde County. Although the site presented great possibilities on a bluff above a permanent creek waterhole, it yielded no evidence of habitation through grid tests to 50 cm.
On March 21, the HCAA met with Dr. Steve Tomka from CAR presenting a talk on “Bow and Arrow and Dart and Atlatl.” The talk presented the precise laboratory research very well. Approximately 34 members attended.
Uvalde’s Fort Inge Frontier Days occurred on April 4. I demonstrated flint knapping, passed out Texas Beyond History bookmarks, and encouraged TAS membership and the Summer Field School experience.
On April 14 The Barbara Jordan Elementary School fifth grade at Shertz, Texas had a power day and I was invited to demonstrate manual power knapping flint artifacts. Over 180 students received Texas Beyond History bookmarks and the teachers received the TAS newsletter.
April 18 was the HCAA tenth anniversary organization celebration with a luncheon. All the previous presidents were recognized by the 35 people attending.
Gustine, Texas elementary school had an Archeology Fair Day on May 5 featuring primitive technology skills. I was invited to knapp flint and discuss how the artifacts were used in daily life. Nearby towns brought other children. Everyone received Texas Beyond History bookmarks and teachers received the TAS newsletter.
May 9 was the date of the Fredericksburg, Texas Pioneer Days in Pioneer Park. I demonstrated flint knapping and passed out Texas Beyond History bookmarks. One college student in archeology took the TAS Newsletter to consider the summer Field School.
May 16 was the HCAA meeting in Kerrville with Dr. Raymond Mauldin from UTSA’s Center for Archeology Research speaking on “The Investigation of Burnt Rock Features in Eastern Pecos County.” At least six people indicated that they would be attending summer Field School.
Both societies have been field active this late winter and spring. STAA finally reach bedrock after 17 months and 3500 hours of excavation at the Fool’s Rock Shelter site. There were significant deposits to add to the understanding of the Balcones Escarpment and the Cibolo Creek watershed. With column samples and flotation samples, a wealth of paleo climate data will be provided.
The 65-member HCAA organization continues with sites exploration and registration. Laboratory cataloguing of artifacts and training of new members are also priorities.
Top
|