Archeological Survey and Monitoring of JTF-6 Road Improvements, Sierra Blanca, Hudspeth County, Texas

Abstract

This report presents the results of cultural resource survey and monitoring activities performed in conjunction with a Department of Defense Joint Task Force Six (JTF-6) project near Sierra Blanca in Hudspeth County, Texas. These cultural resource investigations were initiated by a request from the U.S. Border Patrol of Sierra Blanca, Texas for planned improvements to 50.3 km (31.25 miles) of existing roads. The goal was to improve the U.S. Border Patrol's effectiveness in monitoring and controlling the ongoing drug trafficking activities along the U.S.-Mexico International Border. The road repair and historic preservation efforts were coordinated by JTF-6, based at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District. Cultural resource survey and monitoring were tailored to focus on the areas to be disturbed by road repair activities and to identify cultural resource sites which were to be avoided during these activities. The survey and monitoring resulted in the recording of two prehistoric sites and 19 localities. The two sites, 41HZ499 and 41HZ500, exhibited a low density surface lithic scatter. Until the potential for subsurface deposits at these two sites is evaluated, both must be considered to be of "unknown" eligibility for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Therefore, it is recommended that these sites continue to be avoided until a formal determination of their eligibility can be made through test excavations.