FUTURE PLANS STILL UNCERTAIN AS KCSO INVESTIGATION OF HUMAN REMAINS FOUND IN FORT CLARK HISTORIC DISTRICT COMES TO A CLOSE

On October 24, 2024, Kinney County Post reported on a finding of human remains in the Fort Clark Historic District near Las Moras Springs and Fort Clark M.U.D. building. The site under investigation is on private property within the gates of the residential community, Fort Clark Springs, in Kinney County. 

At the time, Lisa Vale, the President of the Fort Clark Springs Association Board of Directors provided the following statement, “Last Friday, some kids were playing near the uprooted tree at the north end of Las Moras Spring and found human remains. They reported it to the Sheriff's Department, which promptly secured the area. The site will remain under the control of the Sheriff until they complete an investigation and determine whether these are modern or ancient remains.” 

Vale continued to outline how FCSA was navigating the situation by seeking advice concerning the requirements of Texas law and from a very experienced consulting archeologist, holding a meeting at the site with their consulting archeologist, two archeologists from the Texas Historical Commission, and the Fort's lawyer. A meeting had been scheduled for the following week with the Texas Historical Commission archeologists and their Tribal Liaison, and they planned to continue to work closely with the Texas Historical Commission for guidance and resources for navigating uncharted waters. 

Kinney County Post has continued to follow up with Fort Clark Springs Association representatives, as well as Kinney County Sheriff’s Office representatives, and received a brief update in December. 

Matt Benacci spoke on behalf of the KCSO, stating that the lab at the University of North Texas had completed their examination of the skull and associated fragments that were recovered, concluding that the skull appears to belong to an American-Indian, male, somewhere between 30 to 60 years old, based on various features and dental erosion. They were unable to speculate on the age of the remains themselves, only how old the person might have been at the time of death. Benacci went on to say that, “no indications of cause of death were found, making natural causes the most likely reason. One thing they can conclusively say, is that they are most definitely not of any sort of criminal investigative interest and are definitely of Archaeological/Historical interest only.” Benacci presumes that the remains will likely be returned to either Fort Clark Springs Association or the Texas Archaeological Society. 

Kinney County Post reached out to FCSA for an update as well, and received a statement from attorney, Chris Hale, that the Kinney County Sheriff’s Department has completed its investigation and concluded that it is not a forensic incident, based on a formal decision that the remains are not modern. Hale states, “Fort Clark Springs Association is coordinating with the Texas Historical Commission about the most appropriate way to now close the site,” and plans to have an update in the near future about what is to be done with the site and the remains. 

Given the long history of indigenous people that have inhabited the grounds surrounding Las Moras Springs for tens of thousands of years, this situation will no doubt require some further investigation and respectful handling of the sensitive nature of the findings. There has been some concern expressed on Facebook by individuals who have also shared hope that local indigenous people will be kept informed and involved in the future plans, as authorities make decisions on how to properly handle potential burial grounds or findings. Kinney County Post will continue to follow this delicate situation and provide updates as they become available.