An Overview of Archaeological and Paleoenvironmental Research Potential of Caves and Other Karst Features at the Camp Bullis Military Reservation, Bexar and Comal Counties, Texas

Author(s): Karl W. Kibler

Year: 2002

Summary

This report summarizes archeological and paleoenvironmental data from caves and other karst features at the Camp Bullis Military Reservation. Most archeological materials found in caves were primarily in secondary contexts, having been deposited from the surface by natural processes such as sheetwash or overland flow. Artifacts in primary contexts were most often in caves used as trash pits during historic times. Few prehistoric materials were found in primary context, though those that were-mostly human burials provide valuable data because of a degree of preservation seldom encountered in open-air archeological sites.

Although the archeological research potential of caves appears limited in terms of the actual number containing materials in primary context, their paleoenvironmental research potential is vast. Cave deposits and stratigraphy, though potential indicators of environmental change, may be more reflective of local factors such as catchment area. Deposits do, however, often contain considerable data revealing paleoenvironments because the relatively static conditions in caves promote a degree of preservation, particularly for organic materials, that is without equal in many surface sites. Data such as faunal remains, pollen, and phytoliths can provide valuable information on past environments and environmental change but are valuable only if tight chronological control through radiocarbon dating or some other method is available.

Cite this Record

An Overview of Archaeological and Paleoenvironmental Research Potential of Caves and Other Karst Features at the Camp Bullis Military Reservation, Bexar and Comal Counties, Texas. Karl W. Kibler. 2002 ( tDAR id: 428111) ; doi:10.48512/XCV8428111

Keywords

Culture
Archaic • Caddoan Culture • Historic • Late Archaic • Prehistoric

Material
Ceramic • Chipped Stone • Fauna • Fire Cracked Rock • Glass • Human Remains • Metal

Site Name
41BX1044 • 41BX1153 • 41BX1210 • 41BX1251 • 41BX1252 • 41BX1253 • 41BX1254 • 41BX1255 • 41BX1309 • 41BX1444 • 41BX1468 • 41BX1469 • 41BX1470 • 41BX1471 • 41BX1472 • 41BX415 • 41BX434 • 41CM217 • 41CM95

Site Type
Archaeological Feature • Artifact Scatter • Cave • Domestic Structure or Architectural Complex • Domestic Structures • Encampment • Hearth • House • Midden • Resource Extraction / Production / Transportation Structure or Features • Rock Shelter • Settlements • Trash Midden

Investigation Types
Archaeological Overview • Data Recovery / Excavation • Heritage Management • Historic Background Research • Site Evaluation / Testing

General
Bathtub Sink • Boneyard Pit • Bunny Hole • Camp Bullis Bat Cave • Charley's Cute Little Hole • Dangerfield Cave • Doeppenschmidt Camp Sinkhole • Flach's Cave • Georg's Hole • Hanging Rock Cave • Harness Tack • Haz Mat Pit • Hilger Hole • Karst Feature • Karst Feature 8B-20 • Lithic Procurement • Lost Boys Sink • MARS Cave • Pain in the Glass Cave • Peace Pipe Cave • Poke-In-The-Eye Pit • Ponytail Pit • Sinkhole • Stahl Cave • Stahl Farmstead • Stahl Sinks • Stealth Cave • Tall Tales Cave • The Ossuary • Washington Mason House Show More

Geographic Keywords
Bexar (County) • Camp Bullis • Camp Bullis Military Reservation • Comal (County) • Texas

Spatial Coverage

min long: -98.639; min lat: 29.639 ; max long: -98.486; max lat: 29.758 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Cultural Resource Office, Joint Base San Antonio

Principal Investigator(s): Ross C. Fields

Repository(s): Fort Sam Houston

Prepared By(s): Prewitt & Associates, Inc.

Submitted To(s): US Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District

File Information

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2002-Kibler-PAI-LR531.pdf 5.24mb Apr 18, 2017 8:04:43 PM Confidential

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Contact(s): Cultural Resource Office, Joint Base San Antonio