Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2020

Abstract

On May 25, 2020, Kayla Griscom began an archaeological investigation of 19714 Encino Knoll Street, San Antonio, TX, 78259 to participate in Dr. David R. Hixson’s “Backyard Archaeology” course at Hood College in Fredrick, Maryland. The project area spanned approximately 98.7 square meters of land in northern Bexar County on the east side of US Highway 281 and north of Evans Road (Figure 1).

This study conducted a pedestrian survey, four Shovel Test Pits, and one Test Unit. Given that this study was conducted for the sake of Kayla Griscom’s participation in Dr. David R. Hixson’s Archaeological Field School, Kayla Griscom decided to dig the investigation’s single 1 meter x 1 meter Test Unit in Zone 1, the area outside of the bamboo pit whose STPs yielded less artifacts, because the soil in that area was less disturbed and riddled with bamboo roots. This decision was made so that Kayla Griscom could better learn and practice the methods of archaeological investigation that were taught in the class without having to dig around the roots and rocks in the garden. Thus, while the tested area was located in the more frequented part of the lawn, (and so representative of the lifestyle conducted in the backyard by its residents), it was not completely representative of the construction and destruction process of the bamboo garden itself. Given that an excavation of the bamboo garden would only yield evidence of the networks of commerce, labor, production, and manufacture that were, and are still, present in late 20th century to early 21st century American society, this study felt that an examination of the area of the lawn that was littered with more the personal artifacts of the residents of the house would yield a more personal portrait of daily life in late 20th century to early 21st century suburban American society.

Comments

Dr. David R. Hixson’s “Backyard Archaeology” course at Hood College in Fredrick, Maryland

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