Archeological Survey of Select Boundary and Power Line Segments Big Bend Ranch State Park Presidio County, Texas

During the months of January, March, and April 2001, personnel from the Center for Big Bend Studies of Sul Ross State University conducted an intensive archeological survey in Big Bend Ranch State Park, Presidio County, Texas. This project consisted of surveys along the main power line and along select segments of the park boundary. The survey was conducted to ascertain the density and kinds of archeological sites present along these corridors and to determine the significance, integrity, and condition of the sites. Thirty-nine archeological sites and nine isolated finds were identified. Features and artifactual materials observed and recovered indicate a prehistoric presence within the project areas dating from the Middle Archaic through the Late Prehistoric periods. Historic sites appear to date from the early- to mid-twentieth century. Many of the sites have features vulnerable to erosion, and several sites have cultural features that are subject to impact by vehicular traffic. Four sites exhibit direct or indirect evidence of having been surface collected. A total of 14 of the 39 recorded sites are considered to have potentially significant archeological deposits that warrant further investigation.