Article Title

Intensive Archeological Survey Of Little River Basin Water And Wastewater Lines City Of Temple, Bell County, Texas

Authors

Caitlin Gulihur
Ann M. Scott

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

The City of Temple has proposed the Little River Basin Water and Wastewater Lines project where water and wastewater lines will be constructed in southeast Temple, Bell County, Texas. The project engineer, Kasberg Patrick and Associates LP, retained Terracon Consultants, Inc. to conduct a systematic, intensive pedestrian survey of the approximately 73.4-acre project area. Because the City of Temple, a political subdivision of the State of Texas, sponsored the project, the proposed undertaking is subject to compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas and oversight from the Texas Historical Commission (THC). In addition, the survey meets the standards for compliance under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, should federal funding or permitting be required for the project. The cultural resources survey was carried out under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 9392, issued to Caitlin Gulihur, MA, RPA, Principal Investigator. Fieldwork was carried out by Caitlin Gulihur with assistance from Archeological Technician Matthew Larsen. Records from the project will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University.

The alignments for water and wastewater lines, totaling 36,000 linear feet, with construction corridor widths of no more than 100 feet, was considered the Area of Potential Effect (APE). The acreage of the APE is approximately 73.4 acres. Survey of the APE consisted of systematic pedestrian coverage, including discretionary shovel tests. The work was carried out on April 27- 29 and May 1, 2020. Seventy-six shovel tests were excavated in areas that appeared previously undisturbed. Cultural materials were not observed during the excavation of shovel tests. Isolated finds, consisting of three concrete drainage features, agricultural equipment, and a small scatter of glass, ceramic, and metal artifacts in a secondary context, were observed during the course of the survey. Previously recorded site 41BL1371, recorded adjacent to the project alignment, was not revisited during the course of the survey. No archaeological sites were recorded or revisited during the course of the survey.

Given the absence of eligible historic properties within the APE, it is Terracon’s recommendation that the proposed project be allowed to proceed as currently designed. In the unlikely event that human remains or cultural features are discovered during construction, construction should cease in the vicinity of the remains and Terracon, the Texas Historical Commission’s Archeology Division, or other proper authorities shall be contacted. On June 27, 2020, the THC concurred with the recommendations in the draft report.

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