An Unexplored Realm in the Heartland of the Southern Gulf ... - Famsi

Determination of the Survey Area
The area included in the surveys focused on the presumed Formative period
segment of the site. These spatial limits were determined by analysis of data recovered
during the earlier investigations by Hernández (see Chapter 4, El Marquesillo
Archaeological Project – 2002). Extensive pedestrian surveys and surface artifact
collections in the fields and along exposed river cut bank provided an idea of the spatial
layout and limits of the site. The pedestrian surface inspections were conducted by
archaeologists and a team of experienced field assistants. Spaced at 5 m intervals, teams
inspected the surface of recently tilled fields to determine the extent and distribution of
cultural material. The cut bank surveys were conducted from two perspectives. The first
was from along the upper edge of the cut to observe in situ deposits and artifacts located
in the upper 2 m; and the second was from the base of the cut to recover any artifacts that
might have fallen down the embankment. These methods produced reasonable estimates
as to the limits of precolumbian habitation. Diagnostic ceramic materials provided
differentiation between Early, Middle, and Late Formative period and later occupations.
The contemporary landscape is divided by family-owned parcelas or fields that
are used for agriculture or cattle grazing, and are demarcated by barbed wire fences
(Figure 4.1). The existing division of these fields was used to divide the survey area into
smaller segments that were arbitrarily numbered one through eight. This numerical
designation was used throughout the project to identify spatial locations of artifacts,
features, and survey segments.
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