Archaeological Investigations of a Shell Midden (41HR39) at De Zavala Point, Harris County, Texas

Abstract

Archaeological investigations at site 41 HR 39 on De Zavala Point in Channelview, Harris County, Texas, were conducted by personnel from the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio from December 16 through December 22, 1984. The site is recorded as an aboriginal shell midden with a historic component which will be impacted by the proposed disposal of dredged materials under the Department of the Army Permit Application No. 17151, during industrial development of the area. The field investigations were conducted for the Department of the Army, Galveston District, Corps of Engineers, to determine the el igibi 1 ity of the site for recommendation for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Field work at site 41 HR 39 involved excavating nine shovel tests, two 1-m 2 controlled test units, five backhoe test pits, and five backhoe trenches, mapping and photographing the site, and gathering artifacts exposed by wave action along the bluff which marks the northern and eastern 1 imits of the site. Analysis of the site stratigraphy and cultural materials indicates that the site contains a stratum of Rangia cuneata shell with prehistoric and historic materials in a dark, sandy clay loam matrix. The shell midden stratum overl ies a sterile clay matrix. Most, if not all, of the site appears to have been disturbed by bioturbation, erosion, historic dredging, and other historic occupation and utilization of the site area. The research potential of the remaining historic component and the aboriginal shell stratum at 41 HR 39 appears to be low. The site is therefore recommended to be not el igible for nomination to the National Register of Hi storic Pl aces.

Archaeological Investigations at the De Zavala Point for the Proposed Penn-Texas Shoreline Improvement Project, Harris County, Texas

“…Of the 53 prehistoric ceramic sherds from the project area (Table 1), all are of the type Goose Creek Plain, associated with the "Galveston Bay Focus" of Suhm, Krieger, and Jelks (1954:128-130) and conforming to ceramics described by Taylor (1985) for site 41 HR 39, just north of the present project area. Sandy paste ceramics are most common in the small sample, followed by grog and shell-tempered paste sherds.…”

“…The research and investigations have failed to reveal any significant intact historical and/or archaeological resources within the project area. As was the case in Taylor's (1985) study of nearby site 41 HR 39, cultural materials within the project area at De Zavala Point are plentiful, but occur in disturbed contexts which nullify what would otherwise have been a very valuable archaeological zone. Of the four loci described in this report, Scatters 1 and 2 and sites 41 HR 567 and 41 HR 487, none would be adversely affected by the proposed construction within the project area.…”

“…Sites 41 HR 487 and 41 HR 567 were within the project area and were to be evaluated for possible inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Site 41 HR 39, located on adjacent property, had been previously evaluated and rejected for National Register status by CAR-UTSA personnel (Taylor 1985).…”