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The Kingsland Archaeological Center is the only archaeological
site interpreted for the public along the Colorado River. The Center Consists of exhibit
areas to showcase artifacts, a field school excavation area off display, and a trail with
interpretive displays, allowing visitors to "walk through time." Professional
and vocational archeologists will continue sifting through the fragments of this Central
Texas time capsule.
Site Background
Hidden in a wooded 10-acre site in Burnet County, on the banks of beautiful Lake LBJ in
Central Texas, is a rich, extraordinary time capsule. It is one of the few recorded sites
in the Highland Lakes area with large numbers of chipped-stone tools and grinding stones
representing a, span of thousands of years.
This site, now the Kingsland Archaeological Center,
was discovered in 1988 when vandals were caught stealing artifacts. Excavations since then
have uncovered over 100,000 artifacts, distinctly identifying known prehistoric cultural
groups dating back as far as 10,000 years. It was because of these significant finds that
the Texas Historical Commission declared the site a State Archeological Landmark.
What Have We Found?
So far, over 100,000 artifacts uncovered as the Kingsland site include flint tools,
projectile points like spear points and arrowheads, and grinding stones. Stone-lined
campfires, or cooking hearths, along with bone fragments from deer, rabbit and buffalo
also have been uncovered.
The time span represented by the projectile points
and the remarkable number of artifacts make the Kingsland site unique when compared with
other documented sites in this area. Often one finds only one or two cultural phases
represented at a site, but at Kingsland, artifacts currently represent 10 of 13 known
prehistoric cultural phases as well as the European Historic Period in Central Texasan
approximate 10,000-year time span from the end of the Ice Age to pioneer times.
The Human Connection
The people who once lived at this site are known as "hunter-gatherers." This
term describes the way of life these particular people followed - hunting game animals,
collecting plants and fishing. Other groups in different areas of Texas practiced
"sedentism," a term used to describe people who settled in villages and farmed.
It appears that the ancient people at this site
never needed to experiment with planting crops, forming a government or developing rigid
social class systems.
Archaeologists speculate that the unusually large
number of artifacts suggest this site was a frequent camping area for various groups to
socialize, share information and trade.
Cultural Time Periods
Changes in tools and other artifacts indicate the various periods during which this site
was-inhabited. Although artifacts uniquely identifying all periods have not yet been
found, archaeologists know enough at this point to place certain ancient peoples at the
Kingsland site.
Paleo-Indian Period
Several projectile point fragments discovered at the site indicate a possible early use of
the site by Paleo-Indian people - approximately 10,000 years ago. They were hunters of
large and now extinct Ice-age mammals, such as mammoth and. large bison.
Archaic Period
As the climate turned warmer and drier, big-game mammals slowly died out. The people of
8,500 to 1,250 years ago, during the Archaic Period, adapted their hunting practices to
smaller animals, which were also adapting to a changing environment. Plants became more
important as a dependable food source. Groups probably developed a pattern of seasonal
migration, for example, traveling to and from the Texas Coast for certain plants and
animals.
For hunting, the people of this period used the atlatl,
a throwing stick used to hurl a five-foot long, stone-tipped spear. This weapon became
the hunting standard for more then 8,000 years.
Late Prehistoric Period
The people of the Late Prehistoric Period, 1,250 to 300 years ago, began using another
innovation, the bow and arrow. The development of pottery and the use of cemeteries mark
this period.
Spanish-explorers introduced the horse, allowing
Indian groups, like the Comanches, to hunt more effectively.
Historic Period
European explorers documented the more recent Indian groups of the Central Texas area, but
we will probably never know much about the "tribes" of 300 years ago represented
at this site. This is because recent Indian tribes generally didn't live at a site long
enough to leave behind much evidence of their presence. Area Indian groups were uprooted
as missionaries, traders and explorers migrated into Central Texas. Eventually most Indian
groups disbanded, were relocated or killed off.
Site Facilities Information
The site is located 20 miles from Llano (SH 29 East, FM1431 South, map).
The Llano Uplift Archeological Society
(LUAS)
staffs the Kingsland Archaeological Center, which is open to the public for guided tours
of The Visitors Center, Display Area and the Interpretive Trail. Admission is free, but
donations are accepted. Specific days and times are available for group and school tours.
Call 830.598.5261 for more information on tour times and special events
Who Is
LUAS?
The Llano Uplift Archeological Society was organized by people interested in the
protection, conservation and study of historic and-prehistoric materials and sites in the
Llano/Burnet Uplift ("Central Mineral Region") area of the Texas Hill Country.
Its primary goals include education of the membership, students and the public; and to
support other groups, researchers and educators with similar interests. Stewardship of the
Kingsland Archaeological Center is a major responsibility of the
LUAS.
Membership Information
Membership in the LUAS is open to all who are interested in Texas Hill Country archeology,
and who agree to abide by the code of ethics of the LUAS.
| Individual |
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$ 10 |
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LUAS
P.O. Box 302
Kingsland, Texas 78639
830.598.5261 |
| Family |
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$ 15 |
|
| Student |
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$ 5 |
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| Contributing |
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$ 50 |
|
| Supporting |
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$100 |
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| Life Member |
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$200 |
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What is the LCRA?
The Lower Colorado River Authority was created by the
Texas Legislature in 1934 to bring flood control, water and reliable, low-cost electricity
to the Colorado River Valley in Central Texas. LCRA is a self-supporting agency and
receives its revenue primarily from the sale of water and electricity.
LCRA is mandated by the Antiquities Code of Texas
to protect and preserve archaeological and historic sites on its lands. In the interest of
public education, the LCRA is dedicated to sharing and developing the Kingsland
Archaeological Center for future generations.
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