Finding Truth in Legend: The Story of Texas Ranger James Coryell

JTAH is honored and privileged to announce the publication of “Finding Truth in Legend: The Story of Texas Ranger James Coryell”.  This in-depth examination of a legendary early Texas character covers several topics of interest including Republic of Texas and family oral histories, archeological field and forensic investigations, and thorough review of documentary evidence to solve a 185-year-old mystery.  The 14-member team of authors is led by Smithsonian Institute’s Doug Owsley, THC Commissioner Jim Bruseth, and Texas State Archeologist Brad Jones.  Richly illustrated, this article is a compelling look into the past.

To paraphrase one reviewer, “This fascinating piece of research combines a popular legend with individual oral accounts, archaeology and other scientific methods to demonstrate not only that key elements of the legend are true but can be traced to physical presence.”  Another reviewer said, “Great multidisciplinary research to elucidate the burial place of an early Texian!”

As always, JTAH digital publications are free and open-access to everyone.  Click here to read or download JTAH Volume 7, Article 3.

Journal of Texas Archeology and history is pleased to announce the publication of our second article for Volume 7.  This one by co-authors Charles Hixson and Buddy Whitley is entitled “Early and Late Toyah-Period Occupations within Area C of the Baker Site on the Northeastern Edwards Plateau, Central Texas”. This is a site report that is so much more than simply a site report.  In the words of one peer-reviewer, “I was very pleasantly surprised to review a manuscript that is not simply a site report but takes seriously the theoretical implications of the patterns discerned in the archaeological record and attempts to relate them the topics in evolutionary archaeology.”  And another said, “More than just a site report, this research seriously considers the theoretical implications of the archaeological patterns observed on the Baker Site and attempts to relate them to important anthropological and historical themes.”  We agree and hope you enjoy this nicely illustrated and informative article. Click here

As always, JTAH articles are free and open-access in full color for your reading, download, and printing pleasure.  This one will appear later during the year in the compiled full Volume 7 in both free digital format or in high-quality, full-color print through our third-party printing service.

Margaret K. Berrier, Jornada Research Institute

JTAH has been blessed this year with outstanding articles.  This offering from Margaret Berrier is no exception.  The richly illustrated, professionally written article will be enjoyed by anyone remotely interested in rock art of the Trans Pecos.  While this article is focused on one of the most iconic artistic elements found in Texas rock art, possibly all of Texas art in total, it delves into the latest scientific research techniques used in the field of rock art studies.  Photographs are in high-resolution for zooming into fine details.  Follow this link to: Taking Another Look: An “Iconic” Shelter at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site (41EP2) with DStretch and Photo Tracing.

J.T.A.H. is extremely pleased to announce publication of an article of original research by Sergio Ayala summarizing his lengthy study of Andice points and the interesting notching behavior found in them. Readers will enjoy this richly illustrated article and learn a great deal about the craftsmanship represented by this artifact type.

As with all J.T.A.H. digital publications, this article is brought to the reader as a free and open access publication through the JTAH website. Readers are encouraged to zoom into the finest flint knapping details in this article’s high-resolution photography.

Click here to view or download THE ANDICE CACHE of DENTON CREEK, Montague County, Texas.

Greetings and Happy Holidays to all!  We are very pleased to share several JTAH announcements today.

First, we are excited to announce JTAH Volume 5 (2018/2019) is now available online, just click HERE where you may either read or download the complete volume.  Individual articles are listed below; click on them to read or download each of them. Volume 5 includes our first Spanish language article, a translation of Amy Borgens terrific article discussing the Boca Chica shipwreck which first appeared as Article 1 in Volume 4.  We plan this to be only the first of many Spanish articles.  Also included in this volume is our Special Publication No. 4 that was first published as a stand-alone publication for Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.  This interesting article covers archeological investigations at Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

It is our great honor and pleasure to announce two leading experts in archeology, including specialties in botany and underwater (marine) archeology, have joined the all-volunteer management team at Journal of Texas Archeology and History.org, Inc.   Dr. Ashley K. Lemke has joined our corporate Board of Directors and will spearhead a new initiative to publish a collection of graduate research papers in a journal we call “The Best of Graduate Research from the Texas Borderlands Region”.  Ashley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Texas Arlington and is Vice-Chair with the Advisory Council for Underwater Archaeology.  Also joining us in the important role of Co-Editor-in-Chief is Dr. J. Kevin Hanselka.  Kevin is an archeologist at the Texas Department of Transportation, and a practicing consulting archeobotanist specializing in Mexico and the American Southwest. He studied plant use on Late Archaic farming villages in Chihuahua is continuing research into emergent agricultural economies in Tamaulipas as well as volunteering his services at the SHUMLA school.  Both individuals bring great expertise and vision to the JTAH.

Call for Papers: JTAH Volume 6 (2020).  The JTAH is soliciting research papers in original new research of archeology and history of the six-state regions we call the “Texas Borderlands”.  Click here for the full invitation information.

Have a terrific 2020 everybody!

Here are links to individual articles:

JTAH Volume 5 (2018/2019) – Article 1:  HISTORY OF ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS AT PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK

JTAH Volume 5 (2018/2019) – Article 2:  CHASING THE PHANTOM SHIP: REVISITING INTERPRETATIONS OF THE BOCA CHICA NO. 2 SHIPWRECK ON THE TEXAS COAST

JTAH Volume 5 (2018/2019) – Article 3:  PERSIGUIENDO AL BARCO FANTASMA: RECONSIDERANDO LAS INTERPRETACIONES DEL PECIO BOCA CHICA NO. 2 EN LA COSTA DE TEXAS

Call for Papers: JTAH Volume 6 (2020).  The JTAH is soliciting research papers in original new research of archeology and history of the six-state regions we call the “Texas Borderlands”.  Click here for the full invitation information.