The Wolf Site (41SM195), Smith County, Texas

The Wolf site (41SM195) is a prehistoric Caddo site located in eastern Smith County, Texas, in the John Wolf land survey, approximately 12 miles east of Tyler, Texas. This article discusses recent excavations I conducted at the site, and summarizes the archeological findings, including features, the age of the archeological deposits, the various lithic and ceramic artifacts that were recovered, and offers speculations about why this part of Smith County was apparently abandoned by the Caddo peoples in the 15th century. The Wolf site is an important part of my family\u27s history. The abstract for the property begins with a treaty with Mexico on November 8th, 1822, with the Texas Cherokee. My great-great-grandfather, I. N. Browning, purchased the property on November 18, 1867, and this was part of the 4133 acres he owned in eastern Smith County. My grandfather was born on the property, and in 1950, the property again returned to the family\u27s holdings when my father, J. A. Walters, purchased 150 acres of the original tract