Alluvial Geology and Archaeological Potential of the Texas Southern High Plains

Abstract

Alluvial geology studies indicate that valleys crossing the Texas High Plains have significant archaeological and paleontological potentials. Paleo-Indian and Ceramic/Historic sites are unexpectedly common, and are associated with ancient lake and marsh environments, spring deposits, entrenched meander necks, and buried strath terraces. Paleogeologic maps illustrate prehistoric topography and relate known sites to depositional environments. Archaeologically, the most valuable strata in both Yellowhouse and Blackwater Draws date to 11,500 to 8000-6000 radiocarbon years B.P. and 1000-100 radiocarbon years B.P. Sediments dating to ca. 6000-2000 radiocarbon years B.P. have a distinctly lower archaeological content. Yellowhouse, Blackwater and Running Water Draws have similar sedimentary sequences which are divided into two lithostratigraphic units, the Yellowhouse Draw and Lubbock Formations.