Article Title

Intensive Archeological Survey Of GISD Proposed Middle School City Of Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas

Authors

Caitlin Gulihur
Ann M. Scott

Agency

Texas Historical Commission

Abstract

Georgetown Independent School District (GISD) has proposed the Proposed Middle School project where school facilities will be constructed in western Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas. GISD retained Terracon Consultants, Inc. to conduct a systematic, intensive pedestrian survey of the approximately 31.4-acre project area. Because the GISD, 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 9106, issued to Caitlin Gulihur, MA, RPA, Principal Investigator. Fieldwork was carried out by Caitlin Gulihur with assistance from Archeological Technician Ruben Castillo Jr. Records from the project will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University.

The approximate 31.4-acre parcel was considered the Area of Potential Effect (APE). Survey of the APE consisted of systematic pedestrian coverage, including discretionary shovel tests. The work was carried out on October 9, 2019. Sixteen shovel tests were excavated in areas that had less than 30 percent ground visibility or placed in areas previously undisturbed. Cultural materials were not observed during the excavation of shovel tests. One prehistoric-age site, 41WM1408, was recorded during the course of the survey. Site 41WM1408 consists of a low-density lithic procurement area. Site 41WM1408 is recommended as not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL).

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 should be contacted.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License