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Sombrilla

The University of Texas at San Antonio Online Magazine

In the Loop

UTSA archaeologists find 3700 B.C. artifacts

Researchers from UTSA’s Center for Archaeological Research are examining artifacts they recently discovered that date from 3700 B.C. to A.D. 600. The artifacts were discovered during a three-month dig at Miraflores Park, east of Brackenridge Park in San Antonio.

Archaeologists' dig site

Renovation continues after UTSA archaeologists discovered artifacts dating from 3700 B.C. to A.D. 600 at Miraflores Park in San Antonio.

 

Artifacts

Among the items found were a point believed to be a killing tool, and a cutting stone.

The researchers were hired by the San Antonio design firm Rehler Vaughn & Koone to conduct an archaeological site inspection before construction of a pedestrian bridge over the San Antonio River from Brackenridge Park. What was expected to be a one-day observation turned into a three-month project, which CAR researchers completed in March.

“We found a lot of Early Archaic materials from approximately 3500 B.C., which are of significant interest, including two Guadalupe tools that were used either for woodworking or the defleshing of hunted game,” said Jon Dowling, CAR project archaeologist. “It was a really small area that we expected would be open and shut quickly, but it turned out to be a treasure chest of archaeology.

“It’s no surprise to us when we find evidence of prehistoric occupation along a fresh-water resource. It’s an ideal place to live, whether it was 6,000 years ago or 100 years ago.”

According to Dowling, the artifacts will be curated and analyzed so CAR researchers can quantify and synthesize the data for better comprehension and understanding.

To date, CAR has administered more than 500 contracts and grants. Research activities have focused on numerous prehistoric sites and historic archaeology at Spanish colonial missions, the Alamo, historic churches and forts, and early Texas settlements. Staff members also have conducted archaeological investigations in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Mexico, Belize, Africa, Turkey, Europe and South America. Results of these investigations are published in more than 300 volumes in 10 publication series.

- Kris Rodriguez

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