Archaeological Investigations of a Shell Midden (41HR39) at De Zavala Point, Harris County, Texas

Archaeological investigations at site 41 HR 39 on De Zavala Point in Channelview, Harris County, Texas, were conducted by personnel from the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio from December 16 through December 22, 1984. The site is recorded as an aboriginal shell midden with a historic component which will be impacted by the proposed disposal of dredged materials under the Department of the Army Permit Application No. 17151, during industrial development of the area. The field investigations were conducted for the Department of the Army, Galveston District, Corps of Engineers, to determine the eligibility of the site for recommendation for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Field work at site 41 HR 39 involved excavating nine shovel tests, two 1-m2 controlled test units, five backhoe test pits, and five backhoe trenches, mapping and photographing the site, and gathering artifacts exposed by wave action along the bluff which marks the northern and eastern limits of the site. Analysis of the site stratigraphy and cultural materials indicates that the site contains a stratum of Rangia cuneata shell with prehistoric and historic materials in a dark, sandy clay loam matrix. The shell midden stratum overlies a sterile clay matrix. Most, if not all, of the site appears to have been disturbed by bioturbation, erosion, historic dredging, and other historic occupation and utilization of the site area. The research potential of the remaining historic component and the aboriginal shell stratum at 41 HR 39 appears to be low. The site is therefore recommended to be not eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places