History of the Carlsbad Basin, Southeastern New Mexico. Technical Report of Historic Archaeological Investigations in the Brantley Project Locality

摘要

The volume describes the results of historical archaeological investigations and documentary research of the Brantley Dam and Reservoir Project locality conducted by Incarnate Word College for the Bureau of Reclamation during 1983-1985. A narrative of the history of the southeastern New Mexico locality begins with the 16th century and runs through the purchase of the land by the Federal government in 1905. The Spanish traveled through the project area, but did not settle there. The territory remained in Apache control until the 19th century. Sheepherders, farmers, and cattlemen settled the area late in the 19th century. It was irrigation agriculture, however, that provided the base for increased population and economic development. Archaeological sites investigated provide data pertaining to the late 19th and early 20th century settlement and economic activities.