Research Design and Data Recovery Plan for Archaeological Site 41GM23

Site 41GM23 was originally located by William M. Sorrow during the Millican Reservoir survey in 1973. Its presence was indicated by the occurrence of flakes and burned rocks. The site was plotted as covering a hill top and extending downslope towards Rocky Creek (Fig. 1). The archaeological site was re-examined in May 1988 during a routine archaeological survey by the-State Department of Highways and Public Transportation for a proposed bridge re-placement on County Road 247 in Grimes County. The site was reevaluated and found to contain ceramics and burned rock hearths exposed by recent disturbance. Testing was proposed to determine the depth, age, and significance of that portion of the site within the CR 247 project. Testing was conducted during the week of June 6, 1988 by John W. Clark Jr. with field assistance provided by the SDHPT District 17 office. Shortly before the reexamination of the site, the bridge over Rocky Creek was removed due to structural defects after which a temporary low water-crossing was built by county maintenance forces. During this construction phase, a bulldozer trench was dug across the site to allow heavy equipment to enter the creek channel. This trench was subsequently filled using topsoil from the proposed 60 feet wide right-of-way. An undetermined amount of soil was removed from the surface of the site