The Antiquities Advisory Board on April 23 recommended that the Texas Historical Commission approve a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL) nomination for the Rancho Riachio archaeological site (41RF14) in Refugio County.

Tiffany Osborne, Deputy State Archaeologist with THC’s Archaeology Division, described the site as a privately owned archaeological area under a conservation easement that preserves a large buried shell midden complex and diagnostic artifact categories including Rockport ceramics. Staff visited and assessed the site and recommended approval of the SAL nomination on behalf of the landowner, who requested protection.

Board action
An AAB member moved to send motion A (approval) forward and recommend that the commission approve the SAL nomination for 41RF14, Rancho Riachio; the motion was seconded, the board voted by voice and the motion carried.

Why it matters
Designation as a State Antiquities Landmark provides legal protection under the Antiquities Code for archaeological sites on non-federal land and requires archaeological oversight for activities that might affect the landmark. The Rancho Riachio nomination was filed by the landowner and is supported by Archaeology Division staff following a site visit.

Next steps
The AAB’s positive recommendation will be forwarded to the full Texas Historical Commission for final action. The landowner and THC staff will coordinate any next steps around management and permitted activities on the site.

Ending note
Board members thanked Archaeology Division staff and the landowner for bringing forward the nomination and for the site visit that informed staff support.