Article Title

CSJ 0221-05-065, US 271 South of Talco Intensive Archaeological Survey, Titus County, Atlanta District

Authors

Jon Budd

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

On May 20-23, 2019, an Intensive archeological resources survey was conducted south of Talco, northwest Titus County, Texas, along US 271 for the Titus County Improvement Project (CSJ-0221-05-065). The survey area is an irregularly-shaped linear area measuring 0-feet-wide at its northern extent, 83-feet-wide (25-m) at its approximate center, and 67-feet-wide (21-m) at its southern extent. Its average width is 70 feet (21 m). The total survey area is comprised of approximately 2.02 acres of new right-of-way (ROW) and 0.37 acres of new easement and was surveyed for cultural resources in advance of road improvements and bridge removal and replacement. The new right-of-way is located on an existing alignment that is oriented south-southeast-to-north-northwest west and commences 2.2 miles southeast of the intersection of US 271 and SH 71. Investigations were limited to a 1,508-foot-long (0.46-km) segment of the approximately 1.741 mile-long (2.8-km) project area.

Survey consisted of intensive shovel testing delineation of site 41TT922 and the excavation of six backhoe trenches. Two trenches were placed within the limits of 41TT922 in an attempt to locate archeological features, and the remaining four trenches were placed on hills and toe slopes of the north valley wall of Big Slough. No archeological features were encountered during backhoe trenching. During shovel testing, subsurface prehistoric lithics were recovered from 0 to 33 cm below surface in 10 out of 16 shovel tests. As a result of the survey, site 41TT922 was further documented and its site boundaries were expanded to the eastern edge of the current APE. The site likely continues east beyond the current APE.

Although the investigation discovered a shallow depth of archeological deposits (33 centimeters), a lack of features, ceramics, floral, and faunal remains, the investigators recommend that further archeological work should be conducted to determine the eligibility of the site to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the potential for the site to be designated as a State Antiquities Landmark. The justification for this recommendation is based upon the general paucity of Late Archaic archeological deposits in Eastern Texas.

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