Lone Mountain Archaeological Services
A VIEW OF OUR OWN
The National Register Eligibility Evaluation of 18 Sites in Maneuver Areas 1a and 1b, Fort Bliss, Texas
Evidence for the early cultivation of corn was found during this project conducted on Fort Bliss. Carbon samples from the site yielded a radiocarbon date of 2100 B.C., while other analyses revealed evidence for the presence of corn. If accurate, this date is certainly one of the earliest known for corn cultivation in the area.
The project yielded more interesting sites, including one stone feature for which no utilitarian purpose was evident, perhaps indicating a ritual purpose. The feature is composed of many large rocks partially buried under a dune. At first the feature was thought to be a structure, but test excavations did not support this premise. One possibility is that the feature is a shrine. Further investigation of the buried portion of the feature may yield definitive evidence of ritual or ceremonial use. A black stone cruciform object (at right) was found in proximity, possibly representing a ritual object.
