An Archaeological Survey of the Tiger Creek Compartment 3 Jasper County, Texas

Abstract

An archaeological investigation of 153 acres of uplands overlooking Tiger Creek (Lake Sam Rayburn) in north Jasper County, Texas was performed by Brazos Valley Research Associates (BVRA) of Bryan, Texas in July 2001. Four prehistoric localities containing 1 flake found in a shovel test, 2 flakes found on the surface, 3 flakes found in a shovel test, and 1 dart point found in a shovel test were collected. The artifact density at each locality was too sparse to warrant an official site designation. One diagnostic artifact, a Yarbrough dart point made of petrified palm was found at Locality 2. This artifact dates to the Middle to Late Archaic period. Based on this study and previous work in the area, it is hypothesized that upland settings such as the locus of this investigation are low probability areas for significant archaeological sites. The flakes represent incidental activities such as tool maintenance, and the dart point is viewed as an isolated find, probably a point that was not retrieved after use. The artifacts have been turned over to the Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District for curation. Copies of the report are on file at the Texas Historical Commission, Archeology Division; Texas Archeological Research Laboratory (TARL); and the Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District.