Paleo-Indian Period
The archaeological record in Bexar County dates back at least 11,200 years. The first occupations occurred in the Paleo-Indian period during the last part of the Pleistocene. The occurrence of scattered Clovis and Folsom spear points indicated this. Groups were likely small and highly mobile. Clovis peoples (9200 B.C.) hunted Ice Age mammals like mammoths. Later, Folsom bands (8800 B.C.) pursued large, extinct species of bison (buffalo). Among the important Late Paleo-Indian sites in Bexar County are:
- Pavo Real
- St. Mary's Hall
- Richard Beene Site
- Chandler Site
As modern environments began to emerge around 10,000 years ago, Paleo-Indian peoples were more numerous and there is widespread evidence of occupation throughout the region.
Archaic Period
The hunting and gathering patterns of this early timeframe, involving modern species of animals and plants, began to be intensified by 8000 B.C. This led to the development of Archaic cultures. This way of life lasted for thousands of years, reflected by regional specialization and locally distinctive types of projectile points, scrapers and other stone tools. Important Archaic sites include:
- Panther Springs Creek within the Walker Ranch National Register District
- Medina River
- Culebra Creek
It was not until about 500 A.D. that changes in this long-lived tradition began to emerge.
Late Prehistoric Period
The introduction of the bow and arrow marked the beginning of the Late Prehistoric period. For over 10,000 years, the ancient hunters had used the spear and spear-thrower, or atlatl, as their main weapon. This began to be replaced by the bow and arrow around 2,000 years ago. The most distinctive archaeological indicator is the presence of tiny arrow points and later, around A.D. 1300, the intensified hunting of buffalo. The material culture from this era is notable for the presence of pottery and other distinctive artifacts.
Spanish Colonial Period
With the arrival of the Spanish in the region in the late 17th century, the native peoples of the Historic period began to go into the missions. The raids of invading Lipan Apache bands spurred this transition. Those Native Americans who went into the missions were joined by groups from south Texas and northeast Mexico. These groups continued their distinctive bone-tempered pottery and stone-tool making throughout the Spanish Colonial period.
San Antonio is best known for the four 18th-century Spanish missions that are now part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and a fifth mission, San Antonio de Valero, or the Alamo. The missions and features linked to the missions (such as acequias, gristmills and dams) have received a great deal of archaeological attention.
The Spanish presidio, Presidio San Antonio de Béxar was constructed in 1722 in what is now downtown San Antonio. Archaeological investigations in Bexar County include those at site 41BX274, the Perez Rancho, one of the few privately owned Spanish Colonial ranches documented in the region.
19th Century Growth
The expansion of 19th-century San Antonio saw the rise of neighborhoods around the missions and adjacent to the San Antonio River corridor. Eventually, the construction of railroads, industrial areas and other facets of urban growth occurred. Urban archaeological sites have been documented for the construction of major public projects such as:
- Rivercenter Mall
- The Alamodome
- Hyatt Regency Convention Center Hotel
Preservation
Over 2180 archaeological sites have been recorded in San Antonio and throughout Bexar County. The Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) is actively involved in discovering, documenting and preserving these significant cultural resources. Archaeological sites are protected under the City of San Antonio Unified Development Code (UDC). The UDC has one of the strongest preservation ordinances in the country for the protection of cultural resources, including protection measures for archaeological sites.