The Laguna Plata Site Revisited: Current Testing and Analysis of New and Existing Assemblages at LA 5148, Lea County, New Mexico
Creators: name: Brown, Marie E.
name: Bury, Benjamin G.
name: Condon, Peter C.
name: Doucett, Richard
name: Ferguson, Jeffrey R.
name: Frederick, Charles D.
name: Glascock, Michael D.
name: Graham, Martha
name: Holloway, Richard G.
name: Hyndman, David A.
name: Logan, Melissa K.
name: Perry, Linda
name: J. Michael Quigg
name: M. Steven Schackley
name: Regge Wiseman
name: Romero, Adriana
name: Winsborough, Barbara M.
Publisher: name: TRC Environmental, Inc.
Year: 2010
Subjects: subject: Eddy County, NM
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/geographic-keyword/76565/eddy-county-nm
subject: Lea County, NM
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/geographic-keyword/76968/lea-county-nm
subject: Pecos Valley
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/geographic-keyword/76970/pecos-valley
subject: Laguna Plata Basin
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/geographic-keyword/76969/laguna-plata-basin
subject: Maljamar Phase
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/temporal-keyword/5659/maljamar-phase
subject: Eastern Jornada Mogollon
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/temporal-keyword/5660/eastern-jornada-mogollon
subject: Mogollon
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/culture-keyword/34/mogollon
subject: Formative Period
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/culture-keyword/2518/formative-period
subject: Archaic
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/culture-keyword/8/archaic
subject: Early Archaic
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/culture-keyword/9/early-archaic
subject: Historic
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/culture-keyword/25/historic
subject: Middle Archaic
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/culture-keyword/10/middle-archaic
subject: Late Archaic
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/culture-keyword/11/late-archaic
subject: Garnsey Site
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4461/garnsey-site
subject: LA 145247
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4462/la-145247
subject: LA 145248
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4463/la-145248
subject: Rocky West
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4466/rocky-west
subject: LA 109476
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4443/la-109476
subject: LA 120945
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4444/la-120945
subject: LA 34150
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4445/la-34150
subject: LA 68182
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4446/la-68182
subject: LA 44565
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4447/la-44565
subject: LA 116471
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4448/la-116471
subject: LA 68188
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4449/la-68188
subject: LA 5148
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4450/la-5148
subject: Laguna Plata Site
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4451/laguna-plata-site
subject: LCAS
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4452/lcas
subject: Townsend Site
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4453/townsend-site
subject: Townsend East Area
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4454/townsend-east-area
subject: Townsend West Pit
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4455/townsend-west-pit
subject: Townsend Bison Area
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4456/townsend-bison-area
subject: Punto de Los Muertos
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4458/punto-de-los-muertos
subject: The Fox Place
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4459/the-fox-place
subject: LA 18399
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/4460/la-18399
subject: Funerary and Burial Structures or Features
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/301/funerary-and-burial-structures-or-features
subject: Hunting / Trapping
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/286/hunting-trapping
subject: Butchering / Kill Site
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/287/butchering-kill-site
subject: Domestic Structures
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/256/domestic-structures
subject: Resource Extraction / Production / Transportation Structure or Features
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/272/resource-extraction-production-transportation-structure-or-features
subject: Archaeological Feature
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/339/archaeological-feature
subject: Artifact Scatter
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/340/artifact-scatter
subject: Domestic Structure or Architectural Complex
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/251/domestic-structure-or-architectural-complex
subject: Midden
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/347/midden
subject: Burned Rock Midden
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/348/burned-rock-midden
subject: Pollen
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/13/pollen
subject: Shell
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/14/shell
subject: Wood
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/15/wood
subject: Ceramic
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/1/ceramic
subject: Chipped Stone
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/2/chipped-stone
subject: Fauna
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/4/fauna
subject: Fire Cracked Rock
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/5/fire-cracked-rock
subject: Ground Stone
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/7/ground-stone
subject: Human Remains
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/9/human-remains
subject: Macrobotanical
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/10/macrobotanical
subject: Bison Kill
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/7279/bison-kill
subject: Hammerstone
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/5939/hammerstone
subject: San Pedro Type Projectile
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/107315/san-pedro-type-projectile
subject: Chupadero Black on White
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135355/chupadero-black-on-white
subject: Ensor Point
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/8186/ensor-point
subject: Jornada Brownware
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135354/jornada-brownware
subject: Harrell Point
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/31614/harrell-point
subject: Awl
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/447/awl
subject: Trash Scatter
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/900/trash-scatter
subject: El Paso Decorated
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135367/el-paso-decorated
subject: Shumla Point
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/8200/shumla-point
subject: Shell Bead
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/14928/shell-bead
subject: Scallorn Point
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/31632/scallorn-point
subject: El Paso Bichrome
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135379/el-paso-bichrome
subject: Alma Plain
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135380/alma-plain
subject: South Pecos Brown
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135377/south-pecos-brown
subject: McKenzie Brown
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135378/mckenzie-brown
subject: Ramos Polychrome
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135383/ramos-polychrome
subject: St. John's Polychrome
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135384/st-johns-polychrome
subject: Mimbres Whiteware
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135381/mimbres-whiteware
subject: Playas Red
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/33112/playas-red
subject: Lincoln Black on Red
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135382/lincoln-black-on-red
subject: Clay Dune
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135387/clay-dune
subject: Inter-Clay Dune Pond
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135388/inter-clay-dune-pond
subject: El Paso Polychrome
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/33115/el-paso-polychrome
subject: Gila Polychrome
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135385/gila-polychrome
subject: El Paso Brown
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/33116/el-paso-brown
subject: Corona Corrugated
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135386/corona-corrugated
subject: Ellis Point
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/31517/ellis-point
subject: Three Rivers R / T
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/33117/three-rivers-r-t
subject: Tularosa Corner-Notched Point
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135391/tularosa-corner-notched-point
subject: Livermore Point
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135392/livermore-point
subject: Amethyst Bottle Fragment
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135584/amethyst-bottle-fragment
subject: Lacustrine Sediment
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135389/lacustrine-sediment
subject: Late Holocene Alluvium
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135390/late-holocene-alluvium
subject: Mollusk Shell
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135395/mollusk-shell
subject: Fairland Point
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/33123/fairland-point
subject: Starr Point
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135393/starr-point
subject: Burned Caliche Cobble
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/135394/burned-caliche-cobble
subject: Shell Fragments
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/19754/shell-fragments
subject: Fresno Point
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/31723/fresno-point
subject: San Jose Point
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/84780/san-jose-point
subject: Archaeological Overview
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/1/archaeological-overview
subject: Collections Research
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/3/collections-research
subject: Data Recovery / Excavation
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/5/data-recovery-excavation
subject: Geophysical Survey
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/23/geophysical-survey
subject: Reconnaissance / Survey
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/7/reconnaissance-survey
subject: Site Evaluation / Testing
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/10/site-evaluation-testing

description: This document, published by TRC Environmental, Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico under contract with the Bureau of Land Management, Carlsbad Field Office, carried out the required archaeological and geomorphologic investigations at LA 5148, Lea County, New Mexico, as well as an analysis of existing artifact collections from the same site. Under the Bureau of Land Management’s Permian Basin Mitigation Program, TRC carried out Task Order 05 with the goal of providing a more comprehensive interpretative assessment of prehistoric use at LA 5148. 
Based on the significance of the sites reported in the vicinity, the area surrounding LA 5148 was designated a National Register Archaeological District in 1989 and added to the State Register in 1990 (HPD#1520). Positioned along the western margin of the Laguna Plata basin, LA 5148 is within the greater Laguna Plata Archaeological District, Lea County, New Mexico.
This proposed project fulfilled the responsibilities mandated under the Scope-of-Work issued on January 26, 2010 and awarded March 3, 2010. For this mitigation project, TRC documented cultural materials, and recovered significant archaeological data from the selected prehistoric site. Task Order 05 was conducted in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 36 CFR 800, and other relevant laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines and provides a critical tool in the future management of archaeological resources contained within this site. Subsequently, this information will contribute to the Bureau of Land Management’s Land Study and provide a valuable tool in the future management of federally owned lands within southeastern New Mexico. 
The testing process carried out at LA 5148 consisted of a phased testing strategy that included site survey and documentation, geophysical survey, geoarchaeological testing, test excavations, and a 25-acre survey. The fieldwork commenced on April 20, 2010 and ended on April 27, 2010. The final site check was conducted on October 22, 2010. The results of each phase contributing to the subsequent one. Phase I documented the site through the point provenience of artifacts and features, identification of the LCAS datum, re-establishing the LCAS excavation grid and test units, and documenting the current site boundary. At the end of the first phase, a geophysical survey of the C-10-C locus and two additional survey blocks immediately north of the two-track access road was carried out. The geophysical survey employed three techniques: 1) ground penetrating radar with a 250 MHz radar, 2) magnetometer survey with a Geometrics G-858 cesium vapor magnetometer, and 3) ground conductivity profiler. The geo-referenced grid covered a 25 m x 20 m area that encompassed the primary LCAS excavation area (Runyan 1971). Anomalies identified on and near the presumed LCAS test units strengthened the data derived from the LCAS documentation (Runyan 1971). Geoarchaeological testing and evaluation followed immediately after the geophysical survey. Manual excavations of the LCAS 15-ft x 15-ft test units were conducted concurrent with the geoarchaeological testing with constant collaboration between the two groups. The fourth phase consisted of mechanical trenching of areas significant to understanding the geomorphology and contextual composite of the site and its environs. The final phase of the project included the pedestrian survey of 25 acres adjacent to LA 5148. 
Forty-three features were documented, the majority of which were identified during the site survey phase (Phase I). Phase III of the testing strategy focused on the hand excavation of Features 2 and 3 identified by Runyan (1971) as irregular-shaped pithouses. The site survey identified Feature 6 exposed in an east-west trending arroyo cut. The subsurface testing phase resulted in 41.5 m² of manual excavation. Phase IV consisted of 80 m² of backhoe trenching involving eight linear trenches.
Phase V consisted of a pedestrian survey of five 5-acre parcels. Parcel 1 was immediately northeast of the C-10-C locus, just north of the site boundary. Parcels 2 and 3 were combined to form a 10-acre rectangle. This parcel was within and outside of the west-central portion of the site. Parcels 4 and 5 were placed along the southeastern margin of the basin in an effort to identify the soil deposits associated with the spring activity and assess the depositional history of this portion of the basin interior.