Early Agricultural Period Cerros de Trincheras on the Upper Gila River, Arizona

Summary

Early Agricultural Period (EAP) occupations in the Upper Gila River in southeastern Arizona indicate that EAP cerros de trincheras are more widespread than previously thought. Recent fieldwork evaluates evidence from these sites to address issues related to chronology, agriculture, and warfare. Sites include both cerros de trincheras (hilltop sites) as well as valley sites. The site of Round Mountain contains 1.9 km of berm walls and terraces, 16 rock rings, and was built on a 640 foot hill during the Cienega phase (ca. 800 BC – AD 100). The DotMon site is situated on a 400 foot ridge above the Gila River and includes 250 m of walls and six rock rings. The Duncan Doughnut site is in a valley setting containing a midden, evidence of maize use, and at least two pithouses and lies below Round Mountain. Recently acquired drone, surface, and test excavation data will be evaluated in light of questions related to chronology, maize use, and warfare.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage