Welcome to the Hill Country Archeological Association in Kerrville, Texas.

Who we are and what we do

The HCAA is a group of avocational and professional archeologists working together to study and preserve the Texas Hill Country’s prehistoric and historic heritage, and to educate the public about archeology.

The task of HCAA is to survey and record details about archeologically significant sites before they are lost, due to collecting, erosion, and the rapidly increasing development of the Texas Hill Country. To accomplish this, we cultivate public interest in the history and prehistory of this area.

Upcoming Events

Save the Date!

General Meeting
 Saturday, March 16
Riverside Nature Center
150 Francisco Lemos, Kerrville
Doors open at 12:30 pm
Member Meeting starts at 1:00 pm
 Followed By Presentation
Free and open to the public!
Featured Presentation:
Recent Advances in Vertebrate Paleontology, Jackson School Museum of Earth History
by
Dr. Steve May
Research Associate in the Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory,
University of Texas at Austin, Jackson School Museum of Earth History
Abstract:
The talk will include an introduction to the Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory within the Jackson School Museum of Earth History at UT-Austin. Steve will present his research on some new Jurassic vertebrate fossils from the Malone Mountains in western Texas.  These fossils are the first Jurassic-age vertebrates to be described from Texas and represent marine reptiles known as plesiosaurs. Additional recent research projects have included the description of Anchiteriomys buceei, a 15 million-year-old fossil beaver from Texas, and an analysis of the Lapara Creek Fauna from the 11 million-year-old Goliad Formation, including the history of excavation by the WPA.
Bio:
Dr. May spent weekends during his high school years volunteering in the vertebrate paleontology department at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.  He received his Ph.D. in geoscience from the University of Arizona in 1985 after which he worked at ExxonMobil as a research geologist until he retired in 2014 as Chief Research Geoscientist. He then joined the Jackson School Museum of Earth History, The University of Texas at Austin, as a Research Associate in the Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory.
All photos contributed by Dr. Steve May,
pictured on the right below.

Dr. May, with his colleagues

Partial vertebra of a fossil plesiosaur
from the Malone Mountains, TX.

HCAA News

A Review of HCAA Activities in 2023, Presented by the HCAA Board of Directors

The year 2023 brought much success and progress for the Hill Country Archeological Association. In pursuing HCAA's mission of Education, Research, and Conservation, we were active on many fronts.

We have put together this review to let everyone know about many of the interesting and exciting successes we have achieved this year. We hope you enjoy our report. Click here or on the image on the right to open and download the report (PDF format).

As always, we welcome your feedback at contact@hcarcheology.org.