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
HCAA November 15 General Meeting
Riverside Nature Center
150 Francisco Lemos, Kerrville
Saturday, November 15th
Doors Open at 12:30 p.m.
Member Meeting at 1:00 p.m.
Followed by Presentation
Free and open to the public!
By: Mike McBride
Hill Country Archeology: Before and After the Flood:
New Discoveries and Recovery at Crying Woman Ranch
Mike McBride, the Principal Investigator at HCAA’s Crying Woman Ranch Project, will report on the important new discoveries that were made over the past year, as well as recovery efforts at the site after the July flood.
In the preceding several years, the Crying Woman Ranch Project has recovered new evidence to secure the advent of ancient earth oven cooking technology in the Hill Country during the Late Paleoindian Period prior to 10,000 years ago. The presentation will review the discoveries of new artifacts and dating methods that that can impart images of community, technology, and survival among the First Texans to inhabit the Texas Hill Country.
Although the site suffered significant flooding from the heavy 4th of July rainfall, dedicated HCAA members are salvaging renewed opportunities to continue the pursuit to document and understand these ancient people and their way of life.
About Mike McBride:
A lifelong Texan, Mike dedicated over 45 years to pharmacy practice and management and retired in 2018. He was President of the Hill Country Archeological Association from 2017 to 2023. Previously, he was President and Board Chairman of the Dallas Archeological Society (now merged with NTAS) from 2000 to 2005. Mike is on the Board of Directors of the Gault School for Archaeological Research.
Mike has been the Principal Investigator for archaeological field projects in Dallas, Kerr, and Gillespie counties in Texas and is currently the Principal Investigator for HCAA’s Crying Woman Ranch Project in Kerr County, focusing on Paleoindian Period occupations at the site. His other current and prior work since 1984 centers around ancient Mesoamerican cultures in the Yucatan Peninsula, Central Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. Currently, he is a co-developer with Dr. Jon Lohse of the Pine Ridge Preceramic Project in Northern Belize.
Mike lives near the beautiful Pedernales River in Fredericksburg, Texas, with his wife, Connie.
HCAA News
Special Presentation on April 21, 2025, by Mike McBride and Jordan Richard Schoenherr at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas
Mike McBride Presented: The First Texans: The Importance of Regional Archaeology in a Global Context
Jordan Richard Schoenherr Presented: An Introduction to Cognitive Archaeology and Cultural Evolution
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 Education, Research, and Conservation mission, we were active on many fronts.
We have put together this review to inform everyone about many of our interesting and exciting successes 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 connect@hcarcheology.org.
