Anita Miller
Authorities say Native American remains and “sacred burial beads” were among artifacts stolen from a San Marcos-area burial site and later sold. At least one of three people arrested in Hays County last month is thought to be a part of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) case.
A married couple from San Marcos, Joshua and Amy Chovaner, were arrested March 13 at the site and charged with trespassing and violation of the Antiquities Code. Joshua Chovaner was also charged with harassing a public servant as well as drug possession and evidence tampering.
The couple were found to be in possession of an unspecified number and type of artifacts. A game warden at the scene said both people were “in a large hole previously dug by trespassers.” Police also seized Baby Yoda glass pipe containing residue thought to be methamphetamine.
Also in March, a man whose name the Hays Free Press has been so far unable to obtain, was arrested for digging on private property in Buda. He was reportedly described by a BLM agent as “an associate of another suspect” the agent was currently investigating. It’s unknown whether that is a reference to Chovaner or someone else.
That suspect turned himself in after a warrant was issued, reportedly turning over 18 Native American artifacts. He was recognized by the BLM agent via game camera photos taken in March and April of 2019.
Dr. Mario Garza of the Indigenous Cultures Institute, who was briefed on the investigation by the San Marcos River Foundation Friday, said those responsible should be held accountable.
“‘Pot-hunters’ who dig up human remains are criminals and are desecrating our ancestors’ graves. They should be prosecuted and deterred from this sacrilegious behavior.”
Garza said, “The remains of our ancestors should remain buried or be reburied near their original homeland burial sites.”
In September 2016 the city of San Marcos established a repatriation burial ground under the stewardship of the ICI for reburial of Native American remains unearthed in Hays County. The first reburial, of a 24-year-old man who died 1,200 years ago, took place in May 2017. On March 14, 2020, six additional sets of remains that had been in the custody of Texas State University were reburied. Maria Rocha, ICI executive director, said the Miakan-Garza tribe is still seeking more than 3,500 remains unearthed in Texas, including more than 2,400 held by the University of Texas at Austin.
Archaeological studies in and around Spring Lake, the headwaters of the San Marcos River, indicate that humans have lived continually in the area for 12,000 to 14,000 years. Among Texas’ major spring systems, only the San Marcos Springs have never failed.
Cyndy Slovak-Barton
