EXPLORING A CAVE IN SOUTHWESTERN TEXAS 



By FRANK M. SETZLER 

 Head Curator, Department of Anthropology, U . S. National Museum 



Through the generosity and anthropological interest of Laurence L. 

 Wilson, the Smithsonian Institution was able to resume an archeo- 

 logical program in southwestern Texas begun in 193 1. Previous ex- 

 plorations in the Chisos Mountains, around the city of Alpine, and 

 near the mouth of the Pecos River had resulted in establishing a fairly 

 complete outline of the prehistoric cave-dwellers, their handicraft and 

 their simple form of existence. The fact that they lived a rather 

 nomadic type of life, seemingly isolated from their more advanced 

 and sedentary neighbors, and the relative narrowness of their skulls, 

 presented a host of anthropological problems. 



The writer, who had directed the previous excavations, left Wash- 

 ington April 1, 1938. Thanks to the cooperation of R. E. McDonald, 

 United States Department of Agriculture, at San Antonio, Texas, a 

 small truck was again put at his disposal, which contributed largely 

 to the success of the expedition. After consultation with the late 

 sheriff of Terrell County, Lee Cook, and Judge W. F. Boggess, of 

 Del Rio, the M. H. Goode ranch (fig. 78) was selected as headquarters 

 for initial reconnaissance. Situated in the extreme northeastern corner 

 of Terrell County and only a few miles west of the Pecos River, it 

 was ideally located. 



Five memorable days were spent in the company of Mr. and Mrs. 

 Goode and their son "Dune," while most of the larger canyons and 

 tributaries were tramped over in search of suitable sites for excava- 

 tion. Caves were examined along the Pecos River, Independence 

 Creek, Richland and Big Canyons, and their smaller tributaries. 



In gratitude for the many personal favors extended by the owner of 

 the ranch, the site selected (fig. 79) was officially designated as the 

 "Goode Cave." It is located on the south side of Richland Canyon 

 1 mile west of the ranch house and 4 miles west of the Pecos River. 

 The cave faces approximately 15 degrees north of west, overlooking 

 two small box canyons. 



After camp was established in a grove of cedar and persimmon trees 

 (fig. 80) the first operation was to bisect the large mound of fire- 

 cracked stones outside the overhang which was formed by the abori- 

 gines living in the cave. Besides the angular, fire-cracked stones 

 averaging in size about 6 cubic inches, it contained small quantities of 



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