Categorical Exclusion Form (NEPA) AC-816579.pdf

APPENDIX E

STAGE I - ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

Project:

Landslide & Road Damage Evaluation and Repair

PR-119: Site ER-HWY-71, km 56.9, in Las Marías and

ER-HWY-72, km 76.1, in San Germán, P.R.

AC-CODE 804544 ER-9999(313)

Prepared for:

Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority

Presented by:

Arqueología (Maurás), Inc.

June 18, 2019

Arqueología Inc.

Project: STAGE I - ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

Landslide & Road Damage Evaluation and Repair

PR-119: Site ER-HWY-71, km 56.9, in Las Marías and

ER-HWY-72, km 76.1, in San Germán, P.R.

AC-CODE 804544 ER-9999(313)

Prepared for: Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority

Prepared by: Arqueología (Maurás), Inc.

Adalberto Maurás Casillas, MA

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Mobile: (939) 717-8832

: arqueologia.inc@gmail.com

Date: June 18, 2019 mailto:arqueologia.inc@gmail.com

Executive Summery

CMA Architects & Engineers, LLP has contracted Arqueología (Maurás), Inc. to perform a Stage I: Archaeological Evaluation for the Landslide & Road Damage

Evaluation and Repair - PR-119: Sites ER-HWY-71 in Las Marías and ER-HWY-72 in San

Germán, P.R., for the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority. The study has been developed to comply with the Guide to Carryout Archaeological Research, Stage I, II and III of the State Historic Preservation Office (1993).

In the process of determining the archeological sensitivity of each landslide SITE, physiographic characteristics, as well as the settlement pattern and cultural characteristics of both pre-Colombian and European populations were taken into consideration. For both populations the landslide locations, situated on precipitous mountain slopes and natural occurring drainage gulley, would not be suitable sites for human habitation. Based on observed and subsurface testing, there is no potential to negatively impact cultural resources, and as such we recommend construction at

Landslide Site ER-HWY-71 in Las Marías and Landslide Site ER-HWY-72 in San Germán.

FINAL REPORT Stage I - Archaeological Evaluation

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 4

Table de Content

Executive Summery

Table de Content

List of Figures:

I. Introduction

II. Project Description

III. Environment

Location 6

Topography 7

Geology 7

Soils 8

Hydrology 8

Flora & Fauna 8

IV. Pre-Colombian Cultural Resources

Appropriation Economy: Hunter-Gatherer 9

Production Economy: Agricultural-Potters 10

V. Historic Development San German & Las Marias

San Germán 17

Las Marías 21

VI. CRM Studies

Las Marías 23

San Germán 24

VII. PR-119: Landslide Descriptions

ER-HWY-71[SITE 71] 25

ER-HWY-72 [SITE 72] 29

VIII. Subsurface Testing

IX. General Discussion

X. Conclusions and Recommendations

XI. Bibliography

XII. Layout Plan - Test Pit Location

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 5

List of Figures:

Figure 1: Project Site location along PR-119

Figure 2: Sites in San Germán Municipality

Figure 3: Historic sites in San Germán

Figure 4: Sites in Las Marías Municipality

Figure 5: SITE 71 - Topographic Map and Aerial Photo (CMA 2018)

Figure 6: SITE 71 - 1936 Aerial Photo (DTOP), 1946 Topographic Map (USGS)

Figure 7: SITE 71 Las Marias – Current condition

Figure 8: SITE 72 - Aerial Photo Topographic Map (CMA 2018)

Figure 9: SITE 72 - 1936 Aerial Photo (DTOP) 1946 Topographic Map (USGS)

Figure 10: SITE 72 San Germán – Current condition

Figure 11: SITE 71 - Test Pit Results

Figure 12: Subsurface Testing - SITE 71

Figure 13: SITE 72 - Test Pit Results

Figure 14: Subsurface Testing - SITE 72

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 6

I. Introduction

CMA Architects & Engineers, LLP has contracted Arqueología (Maurás), Inc. to perform a Stage I: Archaeological Evaluation for the Landslide & Road Damage

Evaluation and Repair - PR-119: Sites ER-HWY-71 in Las Marías and ER-HWY-72 in San

Germán, P.R., for the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority. Based on documentary research, on site observation and subsurface testing, the archeological sensitivity of each project SITE will be determine. This study complies with the Guide to

Carryout Archaeological Research, Stage I, II and III of the State Historic Preservation

Office (1993).

II. Project Description

The Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority (PRHTA) has requested technical assistance to provide support in their Emergency Relief Program. The project consist in evaluation and reconstruction of landslide; i.e., slope instability, washouts and rock fall on several highway segments due to the impacts associated with Hurricanes

Irma and Maria. Those highway segments are located within Puerto Rico’s Federal Aid

Highway System, and other highways and roads under the Department of

Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) jurisdiction.

This study focuses on road damage and landslides at two [2] sites along PR-119, one in the Municipality of Las Marías and a second in San Germán, PR.

Figure 1: Project Site location along PR-119.

III. Environment

Location

Las Marías locates north of San Germán in the Central Mountainous Interior. The municipality borders to the North with San Sebastián, with Añasco and Mayagüez to the West, to the East with Lares and to the South with Maricao.

San Germán locates in the southwestern part of the island. It borders Mayagüez

SITE Road Km. Municipality LATITUDE LONGITUDE X Y

ER-HWY-71 PR-119 56.9 Las Marías 18° 13' 12.85" 67° 01' 13.80" 137893.9752 242921.6707

ER-HWY-72 PR-119 76.1 San Germán

18° 07' 19.89" 67° 02' 46.93" 135121.1295 232079.1128

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 7 and Maricao to the North, Sabana Grande to the East, Lajas and Cabo Rojo to the

South and West. The municipality is divided into the following districts: Ancones, Caín

Bajo, Cotui, Duey Alto, Duey Bajo, Guamá, Hoconuco Alto, Hoconuco Bajo, Maresua, Minillas, Pueblo, Piedras, Rosario Bajo, Rosario Alto, Rosario, Sabana Eneas, and Savana.

"Northwest of Yauco, piedmont hills form a divide between the valleys of the Yauco and Guanajibo rivers, and link the Lomas de San Germán with the Cordillera Central" (Picó 1969: 37).

Topography

Las Marías municipal territory is located in the Rainy Mountains of the Central

West, with 94 per cent of its land characterized by very steep slopes and average elevations oscillating between 240 and 893 meters ASL. Landslide ER-HWY-71 locates in this mountainous region, on route PR-119.

San Germán is located within two geographic areas, “Los Llanos de Lajas” or The

Lajas Plains on its southern portion and “Las Lomas del Suroeste” or the Southwestern Hills on its northern section. Its territory extends along the foothills south of the “Cordillera

Central”, the Central Mountain Range, and part of South Piedmont Hills. Leading north to the Piedmont Hills, Landslide ER-HWY-72 lays just north of San Germáns’ town center.

"... The Cordillera Central extends from Mayagüez to Aibonito…the highest portions…with more than 3,000 feet of elevation, are encountered…from

Adjuntas to northern Villalba. From Adjuntas to Mayagüez elevation decreases to 700 feet in the Cerro Las Mesas..." (Picó 1969: 34).

"...The Rainy Mountains of the Central West…constitutes the second largest region...extending from the center of the island to near the west coast. The mountains are...of greater elevation than those in the East...the land is steep, with small thin valleys...Rainfall is abundant" (Ibid: 409-410).

Geology

Along the corridor of PR-119 under study, there are several rock formation.

According to the Hydrogeological Quadrangle of Puerto Rico, the following are present in the project area (Briggs 1965). Lares Limestone, consist of massive dense limestone and calcarenite beds, accompanied by volcanic rocks, sandstone and siltstone largely deposited in a marine environment during the Late Cretaceous [TKs / TKsl], beds of clay and sand from the San Sebastian Formation, alluvial silt, clay, and gravel deposited on

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 8 terraces, plains, and alluvial fans [Qa], and serpentinite, probably deposited during the

Early or Early Late Cretaceous [KS].

Soils

Along the corridor of PR-119 under study there are numerous soil types which have been grouped in to a generalized soil association. The “Number 8 Consumas-Humatas” association are strongly leached, clayey, sticky and plastic soils underlain by thick layers of weathered rock, in a very humid climate, one of ten Associations of the Limestone

Uplands (General Soil Map, Mayaguez Area, Puerto Rico, USDA 1972).

Climatology

In Las Marías, located in the "Rainy Region of the Western Mountains", average annual temperature is 71°F, and annual average rainfall is 95 inches:

"...The Rainy Mountains of the Central West…the land is steep, with small thin valleys...Rainfall is abundant, with an average of about 95 inches annually" (Picó 1969:409-410).

San Germán locates in "Region IX, Semi-arid Hills of the South” (Picó 1969: 174):

"Extends along the foothills south of the Cordillera Central and part of South

Piedmont Hills. To the West there is more moisture, with 67.07 " in San Germán, but to the east in Sabana Grande only 56.48" fall”.

Hydrology

The hydrological system within San German include the Guanajibo River, Rodeo

Creek and numerous small streams and creeks. Within Las Marias the system includes the

Casey, Bucarabones, Guaba, Arenas and Mayagüecillo rivers. The Río Grande of

Añasco serves as municipal boundary with San Sebastian. The system also includes the

Cintrona, Las Marias, Los Veracos, La Verde, Grande, Pepinera, Collar, La Mota, Vélez and Josefa creeks.

Flora & Fauna

There is no doubt that land use and management in the locations under study, as well as in the surrounding area during the past 400, altered the ecology of the region.

The exploitation of forests for timber, fuel, agriculture and animal husbandry affected the original vegetation, to a point where original plant boundary associations are

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 9 difficult to ascertain (Little y Wadsworth1977). In general terms the original vegetation along the section of PR-119 understudy, “The Rainy Mountains of the Central West” constitutes one of the most remote region in of the island. The precipitous nature of its mountains and valleys, and its abundant rainfall provides an environment challenging to live in, as the percentage of current inhabitants attests. As such, many of the species of its original vegetation can be observed.

The faunal group with increased representation by their mobility, are birds.

Domestic [cows, chickens, cats, dogs and rodents] are observed, amphibians and reptiles are well represented. The observed species have a wide distribution on the national territory.

Although it is outside the municipal jurisdiction of Las Marías, the Maricao State

Forest most be mentioned. Created in 1919, the forest unit consists of approximately

10,569 acres, containing a diverse group of species some of them endangered.

IV. Pre-Colombian Cultural Resources

Appropriation Economy: Hunter-Gatherer

The Antilles form an archipelago of islands, which in the past, were migration routes navigated by Amerindian cultures from North, Central and South America. This era extends from the Paleo-Indian period, about 10,000 years Before Present (8.000 before Christ), to the period of European contact, around the year 1,500 of our era. The first migrations through the Antillean Archipelago were facilitated in large part by the relative proximity between the islands. These first inhabitants known culturally as Archaic used navigation and an economy of hunting and gathering in their movement through the islands. In their migration process, coastal areas in particular estuaries at the mouths of rivers were preferred locations for settlement as well as where their subsistence regime, of hunting and gathering, was most advantageous.

The pre/ceramic period in the Caribbean is divided in two. The oldest called the

Lithic Age corresponds to the period of occupation between 4.000 to 2.000 BC. The more recent is called the Archaic, which corresponds to the period between 2.000 BC to 200 AD. The lithic artifacts produced during these two eras are differentiated by the manufacturing processes employed. During the Lithic Age, utensils were manufactured

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 10 using the technique of percussion flaking. In the Archaic, in addition to percussion flaking, polished stone technique was also employed (Rouse 1992).

Following Rouse (Ibid.) classification, archaeological deposits in Puerto Rico corresponding to the Lithic Age include Cerrillos, Angostura, Hato Viejo and Maruca.

Those corresponding to the Archaic Age include Puerto Ferro, María la Cruz, Loma

Jalova, Cayo Cofresí, Los Gemelos, Caño Hondo, Verdiales 1 and Paso del Indio. In

Paso, Vega Baja, a hearth encountered at 5 meters dated 2,580 BC. In Maruca, Ponce, post molds were encountered. Maruca dated 2,500 BC (Rodríguez 1997). In eastern

Puerto Rico and the Island of Vieques several deposits have been identified belonging to these first inhabitants. In Vieques Verdiales, Loma Jalova, Caña Honda and Puerto

Ferro; in Fajardo “Laguna de Aguas Prietas and Laguna Grande”, and “Las Cabezas de

San Juan”. In Loíza, Alegría discovered the first Archaic deposit ever found in Puerto

Rico, the “María la Cruz” grotto (1955, 1983, and 1990 with Rouse).

With the exception of the Hato Viejo deposit, located in the municipality of Ciales, these deposits demark a very broad settlement pattern along the coast of Puerto Rico.

In general terms, the archaeological sites belonging to the pre-ceramic cultures that inhabited the Antilles and the Island of Puerto Rico were not too extensive. Deposits are characterized by an abundance of seashells, result of a diet based on gathering mollusks, and by the presence of lithic utensils reflecting percussion flaking technique as a method of manufacturing in the absence of ceramics.

Production Economy: Agricultural-Potters

The Saladoid: 400 BC to 600 AD.

The first groups of agricultural potters who migrated to the Greater Antilles from the South American continent settled in the coastal areas of Puerto Rico.

Archaeological evidence points to their arrival on the Island of Vieques around 400 to

300 BC, leading some authors to suggest the coexistence of agro/potters and archaic groups (Chanlatte and Narganes 1979, 1980). In Puerto Rico Archaic sites date back

3,000 to 4,000 years BC, and its cultural presence extends chronologically to 200 AD. In their migratory movement Saladoid groups arrived to Puerto Rico 3 to 4 centuries before the birth of Christ. Both groups shared the island coastline between 400 BC and 300 AD.

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 11

Rouse (1986:139), within Period II, divides the Saladoid Series into the following

Subseries: “Ronquian”, “Sombran”, “Cedrosan” and “Huecan”. He understood that these groups evolved one from the other in this order, and that around 250 BC, the

“Cedrosan Saladoid” radiated out of the Guyanas, to the coast of Venezuela and

Trinidad, and later to the Caribbean until they reached Vieques Island and the Mona

Passage. According to Rouse, this migration could have elapsed in one to two centuries, concluding that the interruption of the "Cedrosan" advancement beyond the eastern end of “La Española” was due to their inability to adapt to the lands vastness or maybe because of its inability to conquer the resident Archaic populations.

Similar to the Archaic, the Saladoid preferred the coastline, close to the mouth of rivers, mangroves and estuaries. The most important deposits associated with this culture are located in the municipalities of Vieques, Loíza, Ponce, Guayanilla, Cabo Rojo, Aguadilla, Isabela and Rincón. This initial ceramic period is divided it into three sub-periods; early, intermediate, and late. In the early sub-period ceramic styles are characterized by La Hueca (Vieques) and Hacienda Grande (Loíza). The intermediate sub-period is characterized by ceramics from Canas (Ponce), Tecla (Guayanilla), Las

Flores (Coamo), Hernández Colón (Ponce), Candelero (Humacao) and Aguacate

(Yabucoa). In the later sub-period Cuevas (Trujillo Alto) and Punta Borinquén

(Aguadilla) style ceramics are characteristic.

Groups associated with the “Cedrosan Saladoid” Sub-series introduce village life, agriculture and pottery in the Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic.

Considered the earliest representation agricultural potters in the Antilles (Rouse

1986:139), the Sub-series originated in the Middle Orinoco displaced itself through the

Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico, halting their western expansion in the eastern portion of

Dominican Republic. The Saladoid occupation of the Caribbean commenced at around 400 BC and lasted approximately till 600 AD.

The Saladoid possess an extraordinary ceramic tradition, highlighted by white on red painted decoration, paint incrusted incisions and zone crosshatch. According to

Rouse, the groups associated with the “Cedrosan Saladoid” Sub-series introduced

“cemiísmo”, the cult of the cemí, in the West Indies (Rouse 1982:52).

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 12

The Elenoid & Ostionoid: 600 AD to 1200 AD.

The development of agricultural potter cultures in the Greater Antilles evidences a significant change around 600 AD, stemming out stylistically from Cuevas style ceramics of the “Cedrosan Saladoid” Sub-series (Rouse 1986:143). The production of lithic artifacts incorporates small trigonolitos, tubular beads of granite and granodiorite and petalloid celts, with a corresponding change in the diet. In ceramics, there’s a significant decrease in painted decorations and elaborate modeling, it becomes more coarse-crude. Changes in material culture and diet are accompanied by distinctive changes in the settlements pattern out of the coastal plain, toward interior valleys and mountains. Several causes have been put forth to explain the dramatic transformation, from the Saladoid to Ostionoid culture. Interaction of new arrival from South America, with the Antilleans Saladoid; Saladoid evolution and adaptation to the environmental contexts of the Greater Antilles; and finally, the product or result of the combination of the previous two.

Concurrently plazas or “bateyes” for ball games, and petroglyphs proliferate.

"At the beginning of period IV, about 1200 AD; the Ostionan Ostionoids in the Eastern half of the Dominican Republic transformed themselves into Chican Ostionoids by developing a new form of pottery, which was the most advanced of its time in the Caribbean area...It constitutes a second climax of ceramic art...Following the decline during period III…During the course of period IV, the manufacture of Chican Ostionoids pottery spread west into the Windward Passage Area and East ward thought Puerto Rico into the Vieques Sound Area…Ball courts and dance plazas originated in the Mona Passage area during Period III and accompanied Chican Ostionoids pottery in its spread from that area during period IV…Chican Ostionoid pottery and associated ball courts and ceremonial paraphernalia can be ascribed to the classic Taino Indians. These remains are stylistically similar to artifacts obtained by the conquistadors from the Taino Indians and finds in sites where the Spanish settlers first interacted with the Indians, at La Navidad in Northern Haiti and Isabela on the North coast of the Dominican Republic "(Rouse 1986:146-149).

Rouse (1986:143) places post-Saladoid stylistic manifestations in the Greater

Antilles under the "Ostionoid Series” and divides it into 4 sub-series: "Elenan Ostionoid", "Meillacan Ostionoid", "Ostionan Ostionoid" and "Chican Ostionoid". During Period III

(600 -1200 AD), in Puerto Rico two cultural groups arise, the Elenan Ostionoid in the

Vieques Passage area, and Ostionan Ostionoid in the Mona Passage area. Both Sub-

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 13 series develop out of the Cuevas style ceramics of the "Cedrosan Saladoid”, of Period

IIb. Rouse (1986:143) defines the stylistic differences between the two Sub-series in the following manner:

"Both new sub-series retained the technology and shapes of the final Cedrosan Pottery as well as its tabular lugs, on which modeled-incised figures has previously been placed, and its red- painted areas, on which the earlier potters has pointed white designs.

The Elenan Ostionoid artisan gradually made their pottery thicker, coarser, and rougher and simplified its shape. The Ostionoid potters were more conservative. They continued to produce relatively thin, fine, and smooth pottery and retained all the previous shaped".

Oliver (in Grossman 1989) and Rodriguez (1989) agree that the Elenoid Sub-series is representative of a transition period between the Saladoid and Ostionoid culture. The

Elenoid has its expression in two ceramic styles the “Monserrate and Santa Elena”. The

Santa Elena style was defined at the PR-TB-007 site, in the municipality of Toa Baja. Oliver

(1989) in his analysis of the ceramics recovered at the Loiza-23 site defined a three phase stylistic sequence for the Santa Elena style. Each phase presents differences in manufacturing techniques as well as in design. The earlier phase “Santa Elena

Temprana”, dates before 650 AD. The intermediate phase “Santa Elena Media” dates to 650 AD. The most recent phase “Santa Elena Tardío”, dates up to 1,200 AD (Oliver

1989). In Eastern Puerto Rico Elenoid ceramics evolve into the Esperanza style during the Chicoid period. The “Ostionoid Sub-series” manifests itself concurrently from 600 to

1,200 AD, into the “Ostiones Puro and Ostiones Modificado” styles. In the Western and

Central region of Puerto Rico, Ostionoid ceramics evolves into the “Capá” style during the Chicoid period.

The Chicoid: 1,200 al 1,500 d.C.

Around 1,200 AD, groups related to the "Elenan Ostionoid" and "Ostionan

Ostionoid" cultures experience a substantial socio/political change with the development of the “cacicazgo”, chieftainships. As a result, the social and political structure of Antillean indigenous society moves toward development or formative stage of the Theocratic State, where religious and political power converges in the figure of

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 14 the chieftain or “cacique”. The highest stratum was occupied by the “cacique”, followed by a group of nobles "nitaínos" and by the working class called "naborias".

The development is evidenced by a dramatic increase in the production of lithic ceremonial artifacts, characteristic of the period. The “cemís” or trigonolitos increases dramatically in size and number, as in the complexity of their carvings and decoration.

Ceremonial daggers, lithic rims, “cemís” and other forms of artifacts carved in stone increase in frequency. Petroglyphs proliferate in number and complexity, like ceremonial plazas or bateyes for the game of ball. The ceramic styles of the Ostionoid

Period evolve during the Chicoid Period into the “Esperanza” and “Capá” styles.

Esperanza style ceramics are associated with Chicoid groups that inhabited

Eastern Puerto Rico, in and around the Vieques Passage. Meanwhile, Capá style ceramics are associated with Chicoid groups that inhabited Central and Western Puerto

Rico, in and around the Mona Channel (Rouse 1992). Rouse (1986) identifies the space of time from 1,200 - 1,500 AD, as Period IV, where "Chican Ostionoid" sub-series associated with the Taino culture flourish.

Since the 1970 investigations in Vieques and the Southern coast of Puerto Rico have produced conflicting evidence with the outline just presented. Chanlatte and

Narganes (1980) work in Vieques lead them to ascertain that two groups of agricultural potters, rather than one, migrated from Venezuela to Puerto Rico during the Saladoid period. The evidence reveals that these cultures suffered modifications through the process of integration and acculturation among themselves, and with the Archaic groups occupying both Venezuela and the Antilles. The ceramics of the first Saladoid migration, identified at the “Sorce” site “La Hueca” Ward Vieques Island, is not painted, and its decor consists of fine crosshatch designs filled with white paste. Chanlatte associates this group, which he denominates “Huecoide”, with the “Guapoide” style ceramics in Venezuela evidencing similar decoration (1983:14). This scheme suggests that there are different relationships between the ceramics series and the cultures studied, to that proposed by Rouse.

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 15

There are numerous archaeological sites reported in San Germán.

CODE SITE DESCRIPTION - SAN GERMÁN

SG0100001 Rosario Taíno-Chicoide

SG0100002 La Tea Pre Taíno – Ostionoide

SG0100003 Minillas Pre Taíno- Taíno

SG0100004 Luisa Josefa Pre Taíno – Ostionoide

SG0100005 Universidad o Los Caobos Pre Taíno – Ostionoide

SG0100006 Barriales Pre Taíno – Ostionoide

SG0100007

SG0100008

SG0100009 SG-9 Garrow 13, 14 Residuarios Pre-historic/ Historic

SG01000010 SG-10 Garrow 15 Historic - S XIX.

SG01000011 Garrow 17 Historic - S XIX.

SG01000012 Garrow 18 Historic - S XIX.

SG0200002 San Germán South Ave. PR-166

SG0200003 Proyecto Recreacional Villa Paraiso

SG0200004 Proyecto Villa Paraiso

SG0200005 Proyecto Extension of PR-122

SG0200006 Extension of PR-166

SG0200007 Revitalization Distrito Historic de San Germán

SG0200008 Study and Recommendation on the San Germán Vaulted

Brick Tunnel Storm Sewer System

SG0200009 Plaza Sur Este Mall (Tunnels de San Germán)

SG0200010 Proyecto Comunidad El Retiro

SG0200011 Nomination to the Historic District

SG0200012 Old Railroad Station

SG0200013 Hacienda Buena Union

Figure 2: Sites in San Germán Municipality.

# Site

H- 1 Porta Coeli Church - founded 1606

H – 2 Parish Church - established 1688, rebuilt 1839

H – 3 Town Hall founded 1842

H – 4 Sugar cane mill built 1830 – destroyed 1974

H-5 Los Quesos bridge 1840

H-6 Storehouse and Fire Station Sambolín, served as an aqueduct until 1927

H-7 Cemetery 1830

H-8 Hacienda Coto 1810 - mill converted to steam 1852

H-9 Hacienda Filial Amor water tower 1905

H-11 Hacienda Cruzada 1830, mill converted to steam 1882.

H-12 Garce Factory - bricks and tiles - closed 1920.

H-13 SG train station 1890 wood - 1930 cement

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 16

H-14 Hacienda Luisa Josefa, ox drawn mill, converted to steam1884

H-15 Hacienda Julia, ox drawn mill, converted to steam1891

H-16 Hacienda San Francisco ox drawn mill, closed 1910

H-17 Hacienda Buena Unión1870, closed 1910

H-18 SG Dam 1925 - first aqueduct of SG

H-19 Hacienda Córcega coffee plantation founded in 1860

H-20 Hacienda Desideria built 1870, coffee and sugar cane plantation

H-21 Hacienda Cojoba Isletas coffee and cocoa plantation 1850

H-22 Hacienda las Mercedes coffee and sugar cane plantation 1873

H-23 Concepción Hospital built 1842

H-24 Colegio San José built 1872

H-25 Hacienda las Carolinas coffee plantation 1820

H-26 Casa de Lola Rodríguez de Tió built 1650

H-27 1910 - sugar cane mill

H-28 Hacienda Providencia sugar cane plantation 1872

H-29 Minillas gold mine closed in 1918

H-30 Hacienda San José sugar cane mill 1840

Figure 3: Historic sites in San Germán.

However, there aren’t many archaeological sites identified in Las Marías, a situation that responds to the lack of scientific or CRM studies in the area and the intrinsic precipitous nature of its topography. The municipality of Las Marías is contained in its entirety in this rainy mountainous area. Leveled ground is found mostly along the valleys floor formed by the Grande de Añasco, Guava and Arenas rivers. In addition, to the

Casey and Mayaguecillo rivers. It is precisely in these rivers valleys where seven archaeological sites have been identified. Artefactual evidence sets pre-Columbian occupation to the Agro-alfareros II and III periods (A.d. 600-1200 / 1200-1500 A.d.

respectively). LM-1 (Maravilla Sur o Cueva Barrientos), LM-2 (Cerrote), LM-3 and LM-4

(Guacio) sites, associated with ball courts and/or petroglyphs, lay on the floodplain and alluvial terraces. At LM-1 site, petalloid axes were identified. LM-5, associated with

Capá style ceramic, locates in close proximity to the Casey River. LM-6 consists of the structural remnants of masonry foundations (probably related to coffee industry), close to where late 19th century pottery fragments were found. And site LM-7 is associated with a walled ditch, built in stone with cement and sand mortar. Whose characteristics coincide with work undertaken by the CCC Agency (Civil Conservation Corps) who began their endeavors on the Island in 1933 (SHPO).

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 17

In San Germán, on the other hand, there are many archaeological sites, as its’ history dates to one of the first settlements established on the Island, who later became

District Capital of the Western Province.

TAG* Name site

LM0100001 LM-1; Maravilla Sur o Cueva Barrientos.

LM0100002 LM-2; Cerrote

LM0100003 LM-3; antes Palma Escrita o Cueva del Indio.

LM0100004 LM-4; Guacio

LM0100005 LM-5

LM0100006 LM-6

LM0100007 LM-7 Zanja Amurallada

Figure 4: Sites in Las Marías Municipality.

In las Marías Archaeological Site LM-1 and LM-7 locate approximately 2km E/NE from Landslide ER-HWY-71. In San Germán Archaeological Site SG0100007 lays 4km SO from Landslide ER-HWY-72. No known cultural resource will be affected by reconstruction activities at either landslide site.

V. Historic Development San German & Las Marias

San Germán

The most recent theory, in terms of San Germáns’ foundation, places the origin of the city to 1506. The seed of the city consisted of the small town of Higuey founded in the 1506 by Juan Ponce de León, on his first voyage at the mouth of the Guarorabo

River (Añasco), before exploring the region of Caparra. Tió (1961) argues that Higuey, constituted an entry point of from the Island of Española to the West.

Other theories attest to the region of Guánica as the area of initial European colonization. It is readily acknowledged that Ponce de León, in August 12, 1508, landed on "the beach which was in Agüeybanas territory", the principal chieftain of the island

(Coll y Toste 1921: Vol#1: 119). Ponce de León visited his village, asked the Chief to sow a “conuco”, and Agüeybanas provided guides to explore the island for gold.

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 18

In the final months of 1509 Cristobal de Sotomayor arrives on the island with a

Royal Order granting him, in encomienda, the principal chieftain of the island:

"... In the “repartimiento” distribution of Indians that Juan Cerón made, in 1509, awarded Agüeybaná with its “rancheria" territory and three hundred subjects to Cristóbal de Sotomayor..." (Coll and Toste 1921:89;

Tió 1956:220).

Sotomayor, appointed Chief Justice of the island, was entrusted to settle the South coast close to the village of Agüeybanas, where he established the town of Tavara (Tió

1961:70). Two years after his arrival, the indigenous rebellion of 1511 commenced. Tió

(1961:45) describes the initial events of the insurrection in the town of Guaynía:

"...about don Cristóbal de Sotomayor... It is known that he lived in Guanica or Guaynia and that…Juan González advised him to leave the village because of the imminent danger of an uprising...Sotomayor left Guánica on his regularly scheduled inspection trip, as it was his attribution, and that explains why the Indians…killed him…The remaining troops were left in

Guanica, where they were then attacked and destroyed by the Indians under the command of Guaybana...."

San Germáns second attempted settlement named Villa de Sotomayor, was in

Aguada on the mouth of the Añasco River. The chieftains Guarionex and Agüeybanas destroyed it during the Indian rebellion of 1511.

Around 1512 a new settlement was erected at the mouth of the Guaorabo River, founded as Higüey and later known as San Germán. Due to the location near the coast, it became easy target for French and English pirates. In the 1513 the King of Spain decreed by Royal Charter dividing the island in two parties: that of San Germán and that of Caparra. The division lasted until the 1692.

In 1526 the Municipal Attorney, Francisco de Ortega, made a plea to the inhabitants of his intention to relocate the town to another location (Coll y Toste 1964:

299). In 1528 the King orders the transfer of the town to the site of San Francisco, in the port of Aguada near the El Espinar Hermitage. In that same year, Carib Indians destroy the Hermitage, the monastery and the village. French Corsairs also attacked, burn down the town, preventing the transfer of San Germán to Aguada.

Construction of Santo Domingo Convent and Porta Coeli chapel began in 1531 in Las Lomas de Santa Marta. In 1538 French Corsairs returned and plundered San

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 19

Germán, in 1543 they destroyed it. In 1554, after the French returned, San Germán was moved to Guayanilla, under the name of Santa María de Guadianilla or San Germán the New. In 1565 Carib Indians attack again the Villa in Guayanilla. The Governor

Bahamonde de Lugo, organized a flotilla and pursued the Carib, and defeated them in the Guamaní River recovering the folks who had been taken hostage.

In 1571 the King authorizes moving of the Villa of San Germán to Lomas de Santa

Marta. Its’ relocation does not occur until 1573, when the authorities in Santo Domingo ratify the 1571 authorization to move. The Villa de San Germán was autonomous in its governance. It had a town hall, independent of San Juan, with two magistrates who acted as judges in civil and criminal litigations, for the inhabitants of all the townships under its domain. As the population increased new urban centers arose, and as they acquire commercial and social importance, requested to separate from the guardianship of the Villa. Thus 22 villages were established within the Party of San

Germán (Torres Vargas 1978:100). Santo Domingo de Guzmán Convent and the Porta

Coeli chapel are founded in 1606 in the hills of Santa Marta. A school was established at the convent, imparting instruction till mid-century.

In 1678 the Governor and Captain General of Puerto Rico asked the Council of

Indies authorization to segregate Aguada from San Germán, so as to legally intervene in the coast of Aguada and thus more directly combat the open smuggling that was being carried out. His petition proved fruitless as San Germán and the "special interests" people in senior positions didn't want to lose their privileges and revenues derived from the lucrative business.

In1682 the first school is established. In 1692 five new urban centers were established (Aguada, Arecibo, Coamo, Ponce and Loíza), however subordinate to existing parties: the Eastern Party of the Capital or of Puerto Rico and the Western Party or of the Villa de San Germán. The Governor assigned war lieutenants, who governed alongside the Town Council and magistrates. By 1692 San Germán had two infantry companies, two captains, 10 officers, 200 militiamen, and a cavalry company.

Abad y Lasierra describes the party of San Germán in 1745:

"It has a big square plaza and two streets, extending to the convent of

Santo Domingo, at the end of the Hill; the parish church is very small…Front

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 20 of the parish there is a good chapel dedicated to Nuestra Señora La

Concepción; on the street that leads to Santo Domingo, there is a very small and poor hospital that rarely attends a sick person. The convent of

Santo Domingo, located on a cliff, is little more than that of a private home.

The site where the Villa lays is a long and uneven hill: there are 411 houses, the rest of its neighbors which amounted to 1,166, and 7,958 souls, are spilled throughout the territory, which is extensive, although not equally good. The landowners have houses in their respective possessions; these for the most part destined to the breeding of cattle, which multiply admirably by the abundance and quality of pastures"(1966:185).

The only municipalities that existed in 1802 were those of San Germán and San

Juan. That year, Aguada becomes politically independent from San Germán, and

Ponce, a district of San Germán, was added to Coamo in 1803. By 1812 San Germán had five parishes: San Germán, Yauco, Cabo Rojo, Mayaguez and Añasco. The 1814 the cemetery, formerly located in the parish grounds, was transferred to a plot in the

Bosque Ward. The permanent cemetery was built in 1828-1829. In 1856, when the cholera epidemic struck Puerto Rico, a cemetery was established where the Las Lomas

Public Housing project currently lays.

In 1824 the Department of San Germán encompassed 1 villa with its Town Hall, 4 lieutenants of war, 4 sergeants major, 10 physicians, 9 practitioners in medicine, 3 notaries, 1 surveyor, 1 interpreter, 3 schools, and 3 towns with a total population of 28,948 souls. In1824 the Governor ordered final construction of the King's House and to open a road to San Sabastian. In 1825 San Sebastian became independent politically from San

Germán. That same year the road to San Sebastian was opened. In 1826 only one streets is paved in stone; in 1827 two additional streets are formed; and in 1828 the slaughter house, the cemetery and Chapel are built.

De Cordova describes the situation from1828 to 1830:

"The industry of the people, in addition to agriculture and raising livestock, extends to the confection of hats, tobacco pouches and hammocks...The territory is divided into 24 so-called barrios...In 1830 1090 were born, 513 died and there were 170 marriages…there were102 artisans, 92 émigrés, 68 foreigners, 32 stores and ventorillos 19…154 houses and 62 huts, and in the countryside 1,791 houses and 2,038 huts...the Department has a City Hall, two mayors, six aldermen and a trustee…a public notary, a lieutenant of war, a sergeant major, a school, a doctor, a practitioner and a pharmacy

"(1968: 26/201).

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 21

The parish church was built from 1829 to 1847, Añasco and Mayagüez become independent politically in 1836 and the Town Hall was inaugurated in 1842. The prison serviced San Germán and neighboring villages. In 1842 the parish church was rebuilt, and De la Concepción Hospital was built on Luna Street where the Town Hall once stood. In the 1847 the islands territory is redistributed into 8 municipalities: San Juan, Arecibo, Aguadilla, Mayagüez, Germán, Ponce, Guayama and Humacao. That same year San Germáns’ brick vaulted drain system is finished.

The Teatro del Parque began operations in 1851. The convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán was demolished in 1868. Telegraph service was installed in Town Hall in 1871.

Hormigueros and Maricao become independent in 1874. San Germán receives the title of city in 1877. In 1882 the Corp of Firemen was established, the King House and a militia barracks were installed. The Carmelitas Descalzas Convent was established in 1882.

Lajas becomes independent in 1883. And in 1891, on the site where the Fire Station once stood, a high school was constructed.

Spain grants Puerto Rico autonomy in 1897, and a big party was held on the hill located at the end of Esperanza Street, which was given the name Cerro la Libertad. In

1898, American troops landed and on August 10, enter San Germán.

In 1903 the railroad line connects Mayaguez to San Germán. Telephone service reaches the city in 1907. The earthquake of 1918 knocks down City Halls’ Tower and destroyed the parish church, rebuilt in 1939. In 1925 aqueduct service is installed and in

1944 the water purification plant is built.

Las Marías

The following summary of the municipality is based on the work of José Luis

Medina Caraballo: Las Marías Notas para su historia 1842-1983. San Juan, Puerto Rico.

By 1812 the first signs of the importance of the incipient population Las Marías begins to be noticed, as Don Francisco Pruna Munrose, a prominent landowner of the

Furnas II ward of Las Marías, becomes Mayor of the Village of Mayagüez. During this time, all of its territory, mainly agricultural, belonged and depended administratively on

Mayagüez. The territory comprised the districts of Anones, Rio Cannas, Naranjales, Furnias I, Furnias II, Furnias III and Furnias IV (Medina Carballo 1983:15).

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 22

Construction of the Town Hall, the Church, the parish, the cemetery and the slaughterhouse began 1856, when Don Silvestre Jesús de Rivera was hired for the job.

He ultimately could not perform the task and the work was entrusted to Don Agustín

Logier, who finished them by 1857. The cemetery, walled off in 1875, is located in the same site it now occupies. The parish was built on Palmer Street at the corner of San

Benito Street, and later removed to allow the construction of Don Juan Gaya Medinas’ house, in 1920. The Catholic Church, erected on the same site it occupies today, was built of wood, roofed with clay tiles and tejamaní, with a metal bell (Ibid.:15).

In 1868 Don Julián Juan Pavía decrees that from that date on the mayor's office should carry the name of Las Marias. In 1872 Las Marías formally separates from

Mayagüez (Ibid.:17).

In 1896 the infantry division barracks were built, by 1907 it had become the

Municipal Hospital. The structure was a type of ranch, with a two slant roof, mounted on wooden pilings, with zinc metal sheet covering the roof and sides walls. It survived until

1939, when the Hostos Intermediate School was built at the site (Ibid.:27).

The 1918 earthquake brought down the Catholic Church, built of brick in 1883.

The first floor of Town Hall was built of brick and the second floor of wood. The town square was partially destroyed and rebuilt in 1919, as well the cemetery gate and niche.

In 1919 a market square was created. The slaughterhouse was built in 1912 (Ibid.:37). In

1922 fire spread along Market Street, burning down all the wood and zinc structures.

Restored in 1937, the area suffered another fire razing down all the houses rebuilt along

Market Street (Ibid.:40-42).

Agriculture has been the mainstay of the towns’ economy from its inception.

Coffee specially, but fruits and vegetables, in addition to brown sugar and molasses were produced, as sugar cane cultivation was also practiced. These derivatives were produced by the sugar mills of Finca "Luisa Josefa"; Finca Rosita", an American mill with a stone house, the Hacienda of Don Marcial Lavergne González, and the Hacienda

Guasio, who had a refraction house with pots, an a press with three grinding maces.

Coffee was produced in the “Merle" and the “Plato Indio” farm in the Río Canas Ward, Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 23 which had a three mace drum for processing collected coffee. In 1965 a modern coffee processing plant was installed (Ibid.:42-44).

Water was initially procured by digging wells or damming it up a small spring and transporting the flow via a bamboo or bananas tree bark channel. The town was supplied at the Don Pepe Diez fountain, located on the estate of Don Tomas Coriano.

There was another well on the farm of Don Pepe Guscafre. This was the water supply system for the township until the 1930s, at which point the municipality constructed an aqueduct and a hydroelectric power plant with the help of the US Department of the

Interior. The plant located on the Mayaguecillo River, in the "La Rosita" farm. At the filtration plant a small dam was constructed. A pipe brought the water into a tank, and by gravity distributed to the different houses. In 1943, the Puerto Rico Water Authority purchase all the aqueducts operating on the island. By 1948, there were 17 schools distributed throughout the rural and urban area. In 1950 the Municipal Hospital and

Health Center opens. In 1962 the wood and zinc roof School House, gives way to a new reinforced concrete school buildings (Ibid.:47-51).

In 1854 a formal request was submitted for the construction of a road connecting

Lares, San Sebastian and Mayagüez. Construction of the road from San Sebastián began in 1918 and reached Las Marias in 1923. Since 1825 there was a stone paved path connecting with the town of Mayagüez. In 1930 it was paved with a blend of hot tar and sand.

VI. CRM Studies

Las Marías

Project: Investigación Arqueológica Las Marías, Puerto Rico.

By: Ethel Schlafer, 1987.

Result: identified the water canal system of the coffee hacienda bordering the project

Recommendation: conserve the canals and a small masonry structure.

Project: Evaluación Arqueológica Fase IA Parque de Facilidades

Deportivas PR-124, km6, Las Marías.

By: Jaqueline Lopez, 2000.

Recommendation: Phase IB.

Project: Estudio de Recursos Culturales Fase IA, Construcción de Carretera

PR-397 Bo. Cañas, Las Marías Puerto Rico.

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 24

By: Herminio Rodríguez, 2000.

Recommendation: Phase IB.

San Germán

Project: Evaluación de Recursos Culturales Fase IA, Proyecto Extensión de la carretera PR- 122 desde la carretera PR- 166 entre San Germán y Lajas

By: Jacqueline López, 2001.

Result: high probability of encountering cultural resources.

Recommendation: additional studies.

Project: Evaluación Fase IA1B, Proyecto Hospital La Concepción

By: Jaime Vélez, 2001.

Result: multi-component pre-Columbian and colonial site deposit.

Project: Survey de Recursos Culturales Fase 1A–1B parcial. Proyecto San

Germán Siempre Galante. Revitalización del Distrito Histórico de San

Germán.

Result: "Surveyed streets: Calle Esperanza, Calle Ruiz Belvis, Calle Dr.

Santiago Veve, Calle Alfonso XII, Calle Raul market" in town.

Recommendation: to complete laboratory.

Project: Evaluación Arqueológica Fase IB, Extensión de la carretera PR – 166

Conector Oeste (AC- 016607) y Conector Este (AC- 016606).

By: Jacqueline López, 2001.

Result: brick dam remains (H-1) and brick cluster identified within Hacienda

La Cruzada (H-2). Structural remains of a wood house were identified.

Recommendation: Phase II, and document the house remains.

Project: Evaluación Arqueológica Fase IA-IB Proyecto Comunidad El Retiro

By: Jesús Figueroa, 2003.

Result: “tajea” and or sewers…dating from 1905-1908…These have been inventoried by Dr. Luis F. Pumarada (1977).

Project: Evaluación Arqueológica Fase IA-IB, Proyecto Construcción de

Línea de Transmisión de Agua Potable de 12” Lajas - San Germán y Tanque de Almacenamiento de 1.0mg.

By: Adalberto Maurás, 2011.

Result: what appears to be human remains encountered If so the presence of the cemetery is confirmed…the alternate route was eliminated.

Recommendation: no additional studies.

Project: Fase IA-IB Central Solar Fotovoltaica 25 MG

By: J. Vega & F. Freites, 2013.

Result: positive.

Project: Fase II Hacienda Guillermina Central Solar Fotovoltaica 25 MG

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 25

By: Jesús Vega, 2013.

Result: positive.

Recommendation: Preservation of existing structures.

Project: Fase IA-IB Residencia Alfredo Mercado y Sra.

By: Adalberto Maurás, 2013.

Result: 18ct house site many of its’ walls and full foundation present.

Project: Fase II Residencia Alfredo Mercado y Sra.

By: Adalberto Maurás, 2014.

Result: 18ct house site many of its’ walls and full foundation present.

Recommendation: renovate historic structure.

Project: Fase IA Casa Real Boutique & Spa.

By: Federico Freites, 2015.

Recommendation: document structures and archaeological supervision.

VII. PR-119: Landslide Descriptions

Below each landslide under study is described in terms of its location, its breadth, width and affected area for construction. Current and historic aerial photographs and topographic maps are employed to better understand their topographic setting, land use patterns, the presence of human occupation and the potential for the presence of other cultural resources at each site.

ER-HWY-71[SITE 71]

Consist of a PR-119 landslide at km 56.90 at the Municipality of Las Marías [Figure 5].

Landslide length is approximately of 20m. Existing road normal width is 9m and in the affected area is 8m with an overhang metal barrier. For construction purposes, it is estimated that an affected area of 24m by 15m would be required (360m²). Two lane traffic operation is allowed. Ground elevations at the landslide varies from 389 to 379m.

Reconstruction alternative selected consist of gravity retaining walls and/or reinforced earth slopes. The geotechnical studies concluded that the unstable slope is a result of erosion by runoff. Landslide area extend precipitously down slope into heavily vegetated area where visual observation of the soil surface could not be performed

[Figure 7].

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 26

Figure 5: SITE 71 - Topographic Map and Aerial Photo (CMA 2018).

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 27

Figure 6: SITE 71 - 1936 Aerial Photo (DTOP), 1946 Topographic Map (USGS).

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 28

At SITE 71 the 1936 aerial photo [Figure 6], evidences two small tracks lacking mature arboreal vegetation to the east, possibly a homestead site. At SITE 71 there is no evidence of structures at the SITE itself, or in close proximity. On both Current Graphics and 1946 Topographic Map [Figure 5-6], the precipitous nature of the drop towards a creek can be observed.

Figure 7: SITE 71 Las Marías – Current condition.

Landslide PR-119 SITE 71 & 72, Las Marías and San Germán, PR 29

ER-HWY-72 [SITE 72]

Consist of a PR-119 landslide at km 76.10 at the Municipality of San Germán [Figure 8].

Landslide length is approximately of 23m, south of the Hoconuco River. Existing road normal width is 5ms and the affected area is 3.50m with a concrete barrier at the edge.

For construction purposes, it is estimated that an affected area of 20 by 15m would be required (300m²). The Hoconuco River borders the PR-119 and runs parallel to this section of the roadway. Only one lane traffic operation is allowed. Ground elevations at the landslide varies from 75 to 64m at the Hoconuco River.