Work on the expansion of Highway 175 turned up added bonus -- the discovery of Native American artifacts dating back to the 1400s, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

The artifacts found in Henderson and Anderson Counties include pieces of ceramic vesels and stone tools thought to be from small settlements of Native Americans.

Archeologists are now working in compliance with the National Historic Preseration Act to save and research the relics. Their data will be compiled into a report once their work is complete.

In 2011, archeologists founds arrowheads (as shown in the picture below) in the general area of the road construction project.

Work by the road crews stopped at the settlement sites until the archeologists complete their work. The sites are protected by 24-hour security.

The highway expansion project being undertaken by the Texas Department of Transportation covers almost 14 miles from Baxter to Frankston, widening the highway from two lanes to a four-lane divided road with a depressed median.