Archaeological Investigations at the Apache Trail Site (NA19,509), Apache Junction, Arizona

Summary

The City of Apache Junction contracted with the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) to conduct preliminary test excavations at the Apache Trail site (NA19.509). Investigations (Project No. CS-86-1, City of Apache Junction) were undertaken within the boundaries of a proposed land exchange from the Bureau of Land Management to the City of Apache Junction. This land exchange would result in the development of an equestrian trail and open space park, a public facility to be administered by the City of Apache Junction. The project area is located in Pinal County, Arizona, along the Apache Trail Highway (State Route 88) north of Apache Junction, Arizona. Investigations, including machine dug trenches and hand excavated test pits, were designed to identify the extent of the site and the types of features present. The results of the field study indicate that the site contains several areas which possess intact cultural remains associated with the pre-Classic Hohokam. Features include trash mounds, hornos and associated debris areas, structures, burials, rock piles and concentrations, miscellaneous pits and a depression. The site contains evidence of a lengthy occupation with an apparent emphasis placed upon local natural resource procurement and processing. The Apache Trail site promises to contribute substantially to our knowledge concerning exploitation and subsistence strategies within the Hohokam regional system. Present developmental plans at the Apache Trail site are limited and would not have an adverse effect upon the cultural resources. However, once the land is deeded to the City of Apache Junction, severe impacts could occur at the site. Because of the archaeological importance of the Apache Trail site to furthering our understanding of the Hohokam and the potential impact which could occur once the land transfer has been finalized, it is recommended that a data recovery program be implemented at the site prior to completion of the land transfer. The report which follows contains descriptive summaries of all materials recovered, interpretations of the data with a statement of the potential contributions which the site can make, and recommendations for the mitigation of impacts to the site.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Salt River Project Digital Library

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Salt River Project Cultural Resource Manager

Contributor(s): Richard S. Sims

Repository(s): Salt River Project, Tempe, AZ

Prepared By(s): Department of Anthropology, Museum of Northern Arizona

Submitted To(s): The City of Apache Junction

Record Identifiers

Apache Junction Project Number(s): CS-86-1

SRP Call No.(s): 570.6N86cr 1987 v.2 c.1

File Information