Collaborative Archaeology of a Tejano Rancho in San Isidro, Starr County, Texas

Summary

This is a poster submission presented at the 2024 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Tejanos – descendants of Spanish, Mexican, and Mestizo settlers – have crafted an enduring legacy in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Until recently, historical scholarship has minimized this history by focusing on myths about the 'taming' of the region by Anglo migrants. In 2023, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley hosted the region's first archaeology field school since the 1970s at a rancho dating to the 19th and 20th centuries. This poster discusses how archaeology can contribute new knowledge and raise awareness about the region's Tejano and Mexican American culture. Ongoing efforts include working with descendants and the Texas Historical Commission to secure a historical marker for the site. The poster also discusses the importance of field schools like this to train the region’s next generation of archaeologists. Stop by to see 3D modeling and printing of the site’s unique architecture!

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2024   •
• 2024 SHA Poster Submissions

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow