Monthly Archives: December 2014

Volume 1 2014

Complete Vol 1 (2014)

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Complete Volume 1 – 2014 .pdf

Front Matter for Volume 1 – 2014 (Publishers Note: the “Front Matters” contain the front cover, inside cover, table of contents, forward from publisher and list of authors.)

 

FOREWORD TO VOLUME 1 (2014): PUBLISHER’S REFLECTIONS

Every journey begins with a first step. The seed thought for this Journal germinated during lunch at the Bob Bullock State History Museum barely a year ago. From that late November discussion with Tim Perttula, we have traveled much farther and faster than ever imagined. The rough concept we outlined that day has grown and matured rapidly. Today, we are putting the polishing touches on the premier volume and readying it for publication.

As I pen these thoughts, it is a time to give thanks and reflect on one’s blessings for the year past. The Journal of Texas Archeology and History could not have been possible without the generous participation of many individuals who believe in our mission and purpose. Chief among these is our editor-in-chief, Tim Perttula, who has invested a great deal of his time to ensure the quality and accuracy of the Journal’s content. Supporting Tim is our outstanding editorial board, Steve Black, Chris Lintz, Robert Z. Selden Jr., Frank de la Teja, Juliana Barr, and Todd Smith. These individuals have provided expert editorial review services to make sure the peer review process has been solid and seamless. Several subject matter experts also stepped up to add their expertise to the review process. It is important to note for posterity that everyone involved with this effort contributed freely and cheerfully their time and efforts to support this publication, indicating their commitment and enthusiasm to the goals of this Journal: free, open access to digital publication of archeological and historical research of the region.

Ranking highest on my list on this day of thanksgiving are the authors who trusted us with the fruits of their labor at an untested, unproven new publication. Researchers and writers pour their blood, sweat, and tears into their works. It is no small thing that they entrusted us with its safekeeping. So, to the 11 courageous authors of Volume 1, I salute you!

Finally, looking toward the future, we have already begun to assemble content for Volume 2. Based on early indications, we will build on the success and quality of the premier volume in size, breadth of coverage and concept of content. Beyond that, the Journal of Texas Archeolog y and History has broad plans to publish several “Special Publications” of important themed materials from multiple research groups and may offer Spanish and French versions as well. We hope to strengthen our ties with researchers and writers in the surrounding states and northern Mexico. 2015 will be an interesting and busy year at the Journal of Texas Archeology and History!

Journal of Texas Archeology and History

Steve Davis, Publisher

Thanksgiving Day, 2014

Francisco Flores Ranch

ARCHIVAL RESEARCH OF THE HISTORY OF THE FRANCISCO FLORES RANCH

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Volume 1 (2014) – Article 6

ARCHIVAL RESEARCH OF THE HISTORY OF THE FRANCISCO FLORES RANCH

By: Adriana Muñoz Ziga

ABSTRACT
The Francisco Flores Ranch, located northwest of Floresville, Texas, encompassed five sitios of land and one labor on the west bank of the San Antonio River at the paraje known as Chayopines. The Flores Ranch is one of the last surviving privately owned colonial ranches that have been identified in the San Antonio River valley containing standing structures possibly dating to the original date of occupation. I outline previous research on the property and offer new interpretations on the farm and ranch complex.
Far Southern Great Plains, Late Holocene Bison Exploitation

A Precise Chronology of Middle to Late Holocene Bison Exploitation in the Far Southern Great Plains

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Volume 1 (2014) – Article 5

A Precise Chronology of Middle to Late Holocene Bison Exploitation in the Far Southern Great Plains

By: Jon C. Lohse, Brendan J. Culleton, Stephen L. Black, and Douglas J. Kennett

ABSTRACT
In regions on the margins of the Great Plains grasslands, documenting the intermittent history of bison exploitation has presented challenges to archeologists. Chronologies based on archeological associations have long been useful in regional research, but can be imprecise and of inadequate resolution for constructing precise sequences of prehistoric events. Here, we present a record of directly dated bison from archeological contexts spanning the last 6000 years on the very southern extent of the Great Plains. This study includes 61 specimens from archeological contexts that were dated by XAD purified AMS radiocarbon, with reported errors of only 15-20 14 C years for most dates. The resulting record of bison exploitation for this area defines four main periods (Calf Creek, Late Archaic 1 and 2, and early Toyah) during which bison were exploited. Several dates also indicate an early historic presence of bison; this period may represent a late facet of the Toyah horizon. This study adds significant chronological resolution to the regional record of bison in parts of Texas and begins to help correlate cultural chronologies with important climatic data. It also points to the research value of obtaining additional directly dated bison samples from temporally and geographically diverse archeological contexts in our study area and beyond.