Dr. Steve Tomka, Director of the Archaeological Research Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio, wrote this piece. Whitney Lytle, also with the Center, and Morgan Villegas, Master Naturalist, contributed the Additional Information sections.
12,000 YEARS OF HUMAN OCCUPATION
Evidence of human occupation of Bexar County and the greater San Antonio region stretches back roughly 12,000 years.
NOMADIC HUNTER-GATHERERS
The earliest evidence of humans in South Texas consists of spear and dart points used by nomadic hunters and gatherers. The darts (large arrows or light spears) were thrown using an atlatl or throwing stick. These people hunted large game such as mastodons and mammoths. With the disappearance of the large animals, these hunters switched to smaller game such as deer and antelope, and they began to include roots, tubers, and seeds in their diet.
Small, widely-spread, nomadic groups returned regularly to territories they claimed as their own. With an increase in population, groups settled into small regions, with large cemeteries appearing around 3,000 years ago. Trade with neighboring groups was initiated, and inter-group violence occurred. Food sources remained constant, fluctuating only with changes in bison populations.
CERAMICS and BOW & ARROW
Two major changes occurred about 1,200 years ago. Ceramic vessels came into use for cooking, and the bow and arrow became the primary hunting weapon.
Have we experienced technological changes in our lifetimes that have a major impact on how we live and behave?
Native groups in South Texas remained nomadic due to the lack of running streams south of the Nueces River. Lush resources along the San Antonio River basin permitted native groups to coalesce along the upper reaches of the river in what is known today as Brackenridge Park and to establish long-term settlements.
SALADO CREEK CAMPS
The San Antonio River may have been an artery of transportation, with groups traveling long distances in canoes. The first Spanish visitors spent seven years in Texas between 1528 and 1535. Later, members of the Lipan Apache, Comanche, and Tonkawa tribes roamed the region. They often camped along Salado Creek, which runs through Phil Hardberger Park. Eventually, Spanish missions and forts were established across South Texas and in present-day Bexar County. Native groups lived and worked in the missions, leading to the assimilation of many groups after the secularization of the missions in the early 19th century.
DOCUMENTED SITES IN OUR NATURAL AREAS
Archaeological surveys in Friedrich Park, Eisenhower Park, and Walker Ranch document these areas as camp sites, hunting spots, and quarry areas for good quality chert. The chert was used to make hide scrapers, arrow points, and various tools. Chert “blanks” from local quarries were traded across the state. Stone tool fragments, burned rocks, and animal bones indicate permanent encampments on the banks of creeks.
What is the true significance of archaeological sites and the artifacts found within them?
NO ARTIFACT COLLECTING
From artifacts found within the natural areas, archaeologists are able to reconstruct the site to identify who made the tools and the time of their fabrication. Surface artifacts reveal information about trade patterns, technology changes, and landscape uses. Loss of these artifacts means the permanent loss of information about the past. The collection of artifacts on city, county, and state lands is prohibited by law. Unlicensed artifact collection may lead to prosecution, which can result in fines or imprisonment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION #1
Provided by Whitney Lytle, Legacy Education Program Coordinator at UTSA’s Center for Archaeological Research
What are some of the most common archaeological discoveries?
This greatly depends on where an archaeologist is working and the types of communities that lived in the area in the past. For most archaeologists, the majority of finds are not tombs or temples but trash! Some of the most information rich discoveries are ancient trash piles which archaeologists call middens. Middens accumulate over time and thus only tend to appear when cultures have been living in one place for an extended amount of time. Central Texas has a long history of nomadic Native American groups from the Paleoindian to Prehistoric periods (or 11,500-350 BP) meaning that there are small concentrations of artifacts rather middens. Nomadic people move around throughout the year and do not tend to accumulate middens the same way as sedentary groups. However, several discoveries right here in San Antonio have proven that there was an increase in more permanent settlements in the Late Archaic to Prehistoric period (or 8,800-350 BP). For example, the site of Pavo Real in north San Antonio held the exciting discovery of four archaic hearths and three burned rock middens, all evidence of cooking and processing food built up over a long period of time.
What should I do if I find an artifact in the park?
The most important aspect of any artifact is the context in which it is found. This means the artifact’s exact location and a record of everything surrounding it. Professional archaeologists are trained to collect this information using precise and scientific methods. If an artifact is removed from its context without this specific type of record the most valuable information is lost. Furthermore, it is illegal to remove any cultural material from public lands, such as our local parks. It is also illegal to buy or sell artifacts like these. Consequences of breaking this law include hefty fines and even possible jail time. So, if you find artifacts in the park you can help archaeologists and park staff preserve these cultural resources by LEAVING THEM WHERE YOU FOUND THEM. You can take steps to further preserve the artifact by taking photos of the artifact and surrounding area or, if you have a park map, marking the artifact’s location and then find a park ranger to report your discovery. Park Rangers will know exactly how to handle these types of finds by contacting local archaeologists. Additionally, many Texas Park Rangers are also archaeologists themselves!
What are the responsibilities of a good archaeological advocate?
- Shows respect for the cultures that are associated with artifacts and sites
- Interested in preserving and sharing knowledge that can be learned from cultural resources
- Understands that the value of artifacts is not monetary but educational
- Encourages and advocates for the LAWFUL excavation of cultural remains
- Participates in local advocacy groups where available
Where can I find more information?
- Car.utsa.edu: See UTSA’s Center for Archaeological research website for publicly accessible archaeological reports
- Texasbeyondhistory.net: Visit a virtual museum, Texas site search, resources for children and adults, and more!
- Txarch.org: The Texas Archaeological Society. Anyone can join the society and get information on meetings and annual field schools open to the public
- Aiaswtas.org: The Southwest Texas Archaeological society. An advocacy group located in San Antonio
- Archaeology.org: The Archaeological Institute of America
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION #2
Provided by Morgan Villegas, Texas Master Naturalist
Shifting from a Culture of Consumption to a Culture of Conservation
As Master Naturalists, we should be aware that culture is not static, culture is always changing. We study anthropology, specifically its subfield archaeology, to understand the people who lived in Texas in our prehistoric past and to know what we should do if we find artifacts while we are working in the field. This is covered above by Steve Tomka and Whitney Lytle.
But just as important as studying past cultures, is the need to study contemporary culture. In fact, some scientists believe we have moved out of the Holocene era and into a new era marked by human influence on the planet, the Anthropocene.
Understanding contemporary culture and our human interaction with our environments and the biosphere may be even of greater importance than understanding past cultures. As we have learned much about past cultures from the artifacts those people left behind in middens, or trash heaps, we should consider what that means for our habits today. As Whitney Lytle writes above “some of the most information rich discoveries are ancient trash piles”. What might the trash we leave behind today tell the people of tomorrow about who we are?
While Archaeology focuses on analyzing material left behind by earlier cultures, cultural anthropology studies the cultures of contemporary people and environmental anthropology specifically studies how the people today interact with the environment. Environmental anthropologists try to answer questions as:
- “How do people use the natural resources in their region?”
- “How are people coping with climate changes in their region?”
- “What is the land ethic of a population?”
- “How can we encourage a community to stop using pesticides?”
- “How can interaction in nature affect our sense of wellness?”
For the last hundred years or so, mankind has exploited the planet for natural resources in a culture of consumption. What will our landfills tell future people about who we are today? All of us who have volunteered to clear trash from along our local waterways understand the extent of the damage done by our culture of consumption and convenience. What do our practices and daily habits say about the way we value the environment in which we live? Are we advocating for our natural resources and wildlife in our actions?
How can we Master Naturalists inspire others to adopt a culture of conservation? Master Naturalists are a special community of people who have dedicated themselves to volunteering to be stewards of Texas’s natural resources, flora, and fauna. We advocate for the environment and for wildlife. We inspire children and our neighbors to learn about and engage nature. We have the opportunity to drive a cultural shift in how Texans value the environment.
For material for children see SA Cultural History.