The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 72, July 1968 - April, 1969 Page: 399
498 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Fort Colorado
199
neutral in its implications. Some of it, perhaps even a large portion
of it, however, could represent relics of the fort."' The historical
evidence leaves little doubt that the locale represents the site of Fort
Colorado."
The remarkable affinity for systematized integration between history
and archeology remains one of the significant facts of modern aca-
demic research. All historic archeological investigations begin with
explorations of available documentary sources, and, in the final
analysis, they receive their strongest verification from supporting his-
torical evidence. Continued research projects in both history and
archeology will doubtlessly result in even more intensified data
integration with greater consequent gains for both disciplines.
43In actuality scientific objectivity is certainly not sacrificed to any degree in proposing
that the archeological remains support the available historical evidence that the locale
represents the actual site of Fort Colorado. It is necessary to point out, however, that
the existence of a number of considerations serves to limit extended generalizations.
No precise contemporary descriptions exist concerning the fort; no, maps or plats of
the fort so far as is known were constructed; no detailed formal history of the fort or
of its immediate vicinity has been written; the fort was completely dismantled after
only two years of operations, perhaps precluding the formation of post molds, which,
if they existed, were doubtlessly obliterated by plowing in the years that followed; and
no typology exists for clothing, horse trappings, and other accouterments used by Texas
Rangers from 1836 to 1838. Such considerations should not serve as absolute con-
straints, but their presence removes a certain degree of freedom in the interpretation
of archeological data.
"Lathel F. Duffield and Edward B. Jelks, The Pearson Site: A Historic Indian Site
at Iron Bridge Reservoir, Rains County, Texas (University of Texas Department of
Anthropology, Archaeology Series, No. 4; Austin, 1961), 76, provided an excellent model
for historic site analysis, proposing that specific criteria must be satisfied before a
suspected field location can be identified accurately with a documented historic site.
First, the field location must correspond geographically with the documentary evi-
dence. Next, the environment of the field location must correspond to eyewitness
descriptions of the historic site. Further, the physical evidence of human occupation
should be present at the field location unless there is reason to believe that such evidence
has been destroyed. Finally, the cultural remains must correspond qualitatively and
temporally to known cultural traits of the people who occupied the site. The assemblage
of information that was derived from the Fort Colorado site conforms quite well to the
four imperatives enumerated.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 72, July 1968 - April, 1969, periodical, 1969; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117146/m1/233/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.