A Preliminary Assessment of the Cultural Resources in the Brazos Natural Salt Pollution Control Project, Kent, King and Stonewall Counties, Texas.

摘要

The results of a 25 percent sampling survey of areas expected to be affected by the proposed Brazos Natural Salt Pollution Control Project are described. The cultural resources assessments were conducted by Prewitt and Associates, Inc. during May and June 1981 under terms of a contract with the Fort Worth District, Corps of Engineers. The project is located in Kent, King and Stonewall counties in northwestern Texas and includes portions of the Brazos River drainage basin. The areas examined include samples of three proposed reservoirs and an interconnecting pipeline route in the Croton, Salt Croton and North Croton creek drainages. The 121 prehistoric and 17 historic sites identified to date are described and are evaluated in terms of their integrity and scientific information y ield potential. On the basis of these evaluations, further work is recommended at 21 prehistoric and 5 historic sites. Ancillary studies of the geology, soils, and vegetation in and near the project area are combined with the cultural resources studies to provide an analysis of the prehistoric settlement patterns. Although Historic-period use of the study area began in the eighteenth century, identified historic sites reflect intensive exploitation of the region beginning in the late nineteenth century and extending into modern times. Sites related to ranching are predominant. However, evidence of mining activities and possibly buffalo hunting is also present.