Intermontane Settlement Trends in the Eastern Papagueria: Cultural Resources Sample Survey in the Northeastern Barry M. Goldwater Range, Maricopa County, Arizona

Jeffrey A. Homburg; Jeffrey Altschul; Rein Vanderpot

Intermontane Settlement Trends in the Eastern Papagueria: Cultural Resources Sample Survey in the Northeastern Barry M. Goldwater Range, Maricopa County, Arizona

Author(s): Jeffrey A. Homburg; Jeffrey Altschul; Rein Vanderpot

Year: 1994

Summary

In 1989, 1992, and 1994, Statistical Research, Inc., conducted sample surveys of the three proposed helicopter gunnery ranges on the extreme northeast corner of the Barry M. Goldwater Range. The survey was completed for the Western Air Reserve National Guard under a contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District. Approximately 15,000 acres were surveyed in all; a total of 130 archaeological sites was recorded. One hundred six of these were prehistoric, and 24 were historic. A predictive model of prehistoric site location was developed during the first survey which indicated that the area was utilized in much the same fashion throughout prehistory. This model was supported by data generated during the subsequent surveys. Passive procurement strategies, in which groups went to resources directly and did not manipulate or enhance the natural setting, predominated. Although utilized by all groups, such practices were most closely associated with Patayan settlement. Hohokam and Tohono O'odham settlement may also have included active procurement strategies, which involved enhancement or transformation of the surrounding landscape. Hohokam settlement, in particular, appears to have evolved from a pre-Classic aversion to the nonriverine, intermontane region to an embracement of its resources during the Classic period.

Four major research themes are apparent in the historic period of occupation travel routes, mining, ranching, and military history. Sand Tank Road, which was used as a wagon road prior to 1900, crosses the project area. Evidence of mining abounds, dating primarily between 1910 and 1950. Johnson Ranch was the only permanent historic habitation recorded during the survey, having been used by three different families between 1912 and 1952. Isolated evidence of military activity in the form of shells, ammunition cartridges, and ordnance was found throughout the project area; during the 1994 survey, a World War II–period structure, perhaps functioning as a training outpost, was recorded.

The potential of each recorded site to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places was evaluated. All habitations, rockshelters, lithic quarries, mines and mining camps, ranching sites, and historic trash dumps were considered potentially eligible. It was recommended that a sample of protohistoric and prehistoric artifact scatters as well as a sample of prospector's camps be evaluated for their potential significance. Finally, five sites, a rock art site, a hunting blind, and three rock cairns/rock piles, were not considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

Cite this Record

Intermontane Settlement Trends in the Eastern Papagueria: Cultural Resources Sample Survey in the Northeastern Barry M. Goldwater Range, Maricopa County, Arizona, 2nd. Jeffrey A. Homburg, Jeffrey Altschul, Rein Vanderpot. Technical Series ,37. Tucson, AZ: SRI Press. 1994 ( tDAR id: 425924) ; doi:10.48512/XCV8425924