Archeological Reconnaissance of Upper Fresno Canyon Rim Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas

An archeological reconnaissance was conducted in Big Bend Ranch State Park, Presidio and Brewster Counties, Texas, in September and October 1996 by the Center for Big Bend Studies, Sul Ross State University under a contractual arrangement with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The primary goals of the study were 1) to locate, assess, and document significant archeological resources in areas of, and adjacent to, Upper Fresno Canyon that might be subject to adverse impacts from ever-escalating numbers of park visitors; and 2) to determine if, and to what degree, archeological resources were subject to damage from domestic stock (longhorn cattle) inside the park boundaries. Included among the 46 archeological sites recorded during the reconnaissance are open campsites, rockshelters, and lithic scatters. A total of 97 artifacts spanning the Early Archaic through Historic periods were recovered. The nature and extent of site impacts attributable to human activity and/or domestic stock were documented and recommendations are made to alleviate such impacts.

* Contact the Center at (432) 837-8179 or at cbbs@sulross.edu to obtain a photocopy.