Section 110 Identification and Evaluation of Archaeological Sites at Weapons Impact Area, Oscura Range, Lincoln County, New Mexico Lands Administered by Holloman Air Force Base

Summary

Between February and December 2019, archaeologists with Versar, Inc. conducted an intensive cultural resources survey of 3,350 acres in the Weapons Impact Area, Oscura Bombing and Gunnery Range (OBGR) within White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), Lincoln County, New Mexico. Although OBGR is on WSMR, the managing agency is Holloman Air Force Base (HAFB). The project was carried out to assist in compliance with National Historic Preservation Act Section 110, for which HAFB is required to complete the inventory and evaluation of cultural resources under their management jurisdiction. Data collected during this investigation resulted in the documentation of 21 newly recorded archaeological sites. Of the 21 newly recorded sites, 18 have an Unknown Prehistoric component, 1 has a Late Archaic/Early Formative period component, and 3 have a Historic period component; one site (LA 196163) contains two temporal components. Five sites (LA 196162, LA 196165, LA 196175, LA 196177, and LA 196180) are recommended eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion D of 36 Code of Federal Regulations § 60.4. The remaining 16 sites were not eligible for listing in the NRHP. These sites lack geomorphic integrity and/or chronological/chronometric dating potential or do not have the necessary datable associations between material culture and specific contexts needed satisfy the requirements outlined in the criteria set in accordance with the HAFB and WSMR Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plans and the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division and federal guidelines.

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Holloman Air Force Base CR Manager

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