Hello, HAS members - The May monthly members meeting for the Houston Archeological Society will be held virtually only via Zoom at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Please note that there will be no in-person gathering. The Zoom link will be emailed to members the week of the meeting

As our speaker, we welcome Kelly Jenks, PhD, Associate Professor and Museum Director in the Department of Anthropology at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Jenks will discuss a Spanish Colonial settlement in Tijeras Canyon, New Mexico.

In 1763, New Mexico’s Spanish colonial governor granted land in a dangerous mountain pass to a group of families desperate for property. These families were expected to build a fortified settlement and defend it in exchange for the right to hold the acreage. Seven years later, their homesteads were attacked, and the traumatized survivors retreated to Albuquerque, refusing to return even though that meant forfeiting the land. This talk draws on archaeological and historical evidence to tell the story of the people who settled here and what their lives were like during their short time in the landscape

Dr. Jenks specializes in historical archaeology and heritage management, with a particular interest in the relationships between everyday objects and cultural identity. Most of her archaeological research focuses on Spanish land grant communities in New Mexico, including San Miguel del Vado and Cañón de Carnué. She also has many years of experience working in cultural resource management and currently serves as Vice Chair of the State of New Mexico’s Cultural Properties Review Committee. We hope you will all join us virtually for this fascinating presentation on Thursday, May 21. Be looking for your meeting reminder with the Zoom link..

For more information about this program or about the Houston Archeological Society, please contact Bob Sewell at president@txhas.org.  

HAS JOURNAL 144 NOW AVAILABLE

HAS Journal No. 144 is now available. The Journal Number 144 The articles will focus on the San Felipe de Austin Dig by John Lohse, Horseshoes in Texas, a Thimble from the 18th or 19th century from France found in Frosttown, and another article about Camp Kirby in Dickenson, TX, a civil war camp by Charly Gordy, ceramics from Cottonfield by Tim Perttula, and information from Mike Woods about a Butted Knife Found in Comal County. Complimentary copies may be obtained by HAS members at the monthly meetings. Non-HAS members may purchase copies through Amazon.com. Go to the HAS Journals Section for a link to the publication on the Amazon.com website. Alternatively, copies may be purchased at the HAS Monthly Meetings.

To learn more about the history behind our archeological society contact president@txhas.org.