Date of Award
5-2025
Culminating Project Type
Thesis
Styleguide
other
American Antiquity
Degree Name
Cultural Resources Management Archaeology: M.S.
Department
Anthropology
College
College of Liberal Arts
First Advisor
Mark Muñiz
Second Advisor
Debra Gold
Third Advisor
Elia Perez
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Keywords and Subject Headings
Hueco Tanks, Archaeology, Thermal Rock Features, Jornada Mogollon, Burned Rock, Fire-cracked Rock
Abstract
The following thesis presents a comparative archaeological study of limestone and syenite thermal rock features from Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site (41EP2), located in El Paso County, Texas. Previous investigations identified roughly 200 thermal rock features adjacent to the large syenite rock outcrops in the site. It was speculated rock used in thermal feature construction was selected based on availability and proximity. If this statement were true, there would not be any distinct differences in temporal periods of occupation, in the types of thermal rock features and their possible use, or in the categories of macrobotanicals used for food, construction materials, or fuels — and the rock used should be from resources that were both available and in proximity to the features. The current research proposed to compare data from thermal rock features in study area NW2 and WS2, where limestone or syenite rock was selected, respectively. In addition, a rock resource survey was implemented to determine where limestone rock resources were present in the site and whether they were in proximity to the excavated features. These data were then compared between the two study areas NW2 and WS2 to determine if the features were similar, or if discrete differences were apparent. Though the rock resource survey concluded rock was selected from resources that were both available and in proximity, the comparative data presented distinct differences between the limestone and syenite features regarding chronometric, feature form and function, and macrobotanical data from site 41EP2.
Recommended Citation
Bruckse Bury, Meghan R., "A Comparative Study of Thermal Rock Features at Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site (41EP2)" (2025). Culminating Projects in Cultural Resource Management. 57.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/crm_etds/57
Comments/Acknowledgements
There were a plethora of archaeologists, advocates, volunteers, family, and friends who made this research possible. I am very grateful for all y’all! Many thanks to Dr. Stephen Black, Dr. Phil Dering, Emily McCuistion, Dr. Sam Krause, Dr. Charles Koenig, Elia Perez, and Margaret Howard who were willing to answer questions, provided helpful input, or much needed reference materials. A big thank you to Dr. Leslie Bush of Macrobotanical Analysis for providing charcoal identifications for radiocarbon samples, conducting the macrobotanical analyses, and her willingness to trek around Hueco Tanks with me to look at plants! Many thanks to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department volunteers and staff for their unwavering support and direct interest in this research. Without their support, I would not have had the privilege of conducting archaeology at one of the most significant sites in Texas! I would also like to personally thank Elia Perez, Dr. Jodi Jacobson, Paul Matchen, the late J. Michael Quigg, Pollyanna Clark, Dr. Michael Strutt, Dr. Robin Benson Barnes, Tim Roberts, and Tim Gibbs — some of my biggest advocates from beginning to end, who supported my personal and professional growth throughout this process. Many, many thanks to my committee members Elia Perez, Dr. Robbie Mann, Dr. Debra Gold, and Chairperson, Dr. Mark Muñiz. Thank you all for my academic growth, for the privilege of taking lots of your time, and most importantly, your patience! Finally, I would like to thank my biggest supporter, archaeologist, husband, and best friend, Benjamin Bury, along with my very supportive family, friends, and last but not least, my dogs. It has certainly been a journey.