2,000 Year Old Archaeological Site to be Destroyed

TXDOT plans to destroy the remnants of a 2,000 year old settlement near San Marcos Springs to build a road. Preliminary excavations showed signs of buildings from that era, which would be unique in Central Texas. Archeologists will get one last chance to study the remains before construction begins. Britt Bousman, director of Texas State University's Center for Archaeological Studies, said the heavy construction equipment used to build the road probably will significantly disturb, if not destroy, most remaining archaeological evidence. TXDOT engineer Don Nyland explained that it is impossible to route the road around the site, because they want to build the road over it.

Image from Andreas Reinhold on Flickr.

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By Shawn Shillington in News on June 6, 2007 9:37 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

Tex

"it is impossible to route the road around the site, because they want to build the road over it."

Well, that settles that, doesn't it!

Shawn Shillington

I'm no scientist, but the Statesman article makes it sound like these are the oldest remaining structures in central Texas. In any case, I hardly think building another suburban road in San Marcos constitutes "progress."

Matt

If we don't build on any site where a bunch of hunter/gatherers may have lived in the last 10k years we might as well never construct a road again. Some things are worth saving, but not every nomads abandoned camp grounds deserves a museum, most are just unremarkable. But if decrying progress makes you feel modern and superior go ahead.

SuperHighGuy

Nothing like the constant beat of progress. After all, if we'll fight wars to steal the remnants of dead animals from thousands of years ago in another country, why not beat down the ancient past of our land in order to build another road?

Not only do I now feel modern, but incredibly superior, too. Thanks, TXDOT. I need that.