An Archaeological Survey of the the Fire Lane Tank Project for the West Bell County Water Supply Corporation in Bell County Texas

Abstract

An archaeological survey along a proposed pipeline (1.83 miles) and the site of two proposed ground water storage tanks (1/4 acre) in Bell County, Texas was performed by Brazos Valley Research Associates (BVRA) for the West Bell County Water Supply Corporation (WSC) in May of 2007. William E. Moore was the Principal Investigator, and Edward P. Baxter was the Project Archaeologist. This study was carried out under Texas Antiquities Committee Permit Number 4514. The project area was investigated using the pedestrian survey method supported by shovel probing. In all, the project area consisted of 2.5 acres. Altered chert cobbles were found on the talus slope below the site of the proposed water storage tank, but laboratory analysis found them to be not cultural. They appear to have been modified by natural fires. There is, however, a source of chert that is probably in the ledge just below the summit of the hill where the ground storage tanks will be constructed. These materials were returned to the landowner who discarded them. Copies of the final report are housed at the Texas Historical Commission (THC), Archeology Division, the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL), and BVRA.