Days in the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forests of Northern Arizona: Contributions to the Archeology of Petrified Forest National Park 1988-1992

Author(s): Jeffery F. Burton

Year: 1993

Summary

This report presents the results of several archeological projects conducted at Petrified Forest National Park between the fall of 1988 and the spring of 1992. Projects include survey of large areas of the park, salvage of two eroding burials, collection of a basket, and initiation

of a program of archeological site monitoring. Although preliminary information about these projects is on file at the Western Archeological and Conservation Center in Tucson, this report compiles the results and synthesizes the data, where possible, to make the information more

accessible to a wider audience.

The surveys covered in this report include survey for the General Management Plan (GMP) (WACC project number PEFO 1988E), survey for a proposed fiber optics line (PEFO 1989C), volunteer survey in 1991 (PEFO 1991C), and survey for a proposed water line (PEFO 1992A). These surveys covered a total of 4,187 acres throughout the Park, and resulted in the recording of 131 sites and 91 isolates. The 131 sites recorded include 99 prehistoric, 18 historic, and 14 dual component sites.

Two eroding burials were discovered and salvaged at two different sites, during 1988 and 1990 (PEFO 1988H and 19900). Differences in associated grave goods suggest distinctions that may be temporal or social. A basket and other artifacts discovered in a small rockshelter

by park staff were collected (PEFO 1990E). The fortuitous discovery of these items provides more information on early Navajo use of the area.

In 1990 site monitoring was begun to provide data on the nature and extent of site deterioration problems (PEFO 1990B). Using standardized categories developed for the Archeological Resources Inventory (ARI) to collect site condition data, the monitoring has established methods to measure change and deterioration. To date, monitoring information

has been collected from 139 sites.

Artifacts recovered during the surveys are dealt with in some detail. A key is developed for projectile points collected since 1979 in the Park. A sample of ceramics collected during the surveys is analyzed, focussing on standard identification of types to provide chronological

information. Shell and small stone artifacts recovered are also described. Finally, this report provides a brief summary of how the projects contribute to Petrified Forest archeology, followed by recommendations for future management and research.

Cite this Record

Days in the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forests of Northern Arizona: Contributions to the Archeology of Petrified Forest National Park 1988-1992. Jeffery F. Burton. Publications in Anthropology ,62. Tucson, Arizona: Western Archeological and Conservation Center. 1993 ( tDAR id: 4302) ; doi:10.6067/XCV8TM794Z

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

Keywords

Culture
Ancestral Puebloan

Material
Ceramic • Chipped Stone • Macrobotanical • Shell

Site Type
Archaeological Feature • Domestic Structure or Architectural Complex • Funerary and Burial Structures or Features • Non-Domestic Structures • Resource Extraction / Production / Transportation Structure or Features

Investigation Types
Data Recovery / Excavation • Site Evaluation / Testing • Systematic Survey

Geographic Keywords
Arizona

Temporal Coverage

Calendar Date: 1 to 1450

Spatial Coverage

min long: -109.99; min lat: 34.775 ; max long: -109.567; max lat: 35.194 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contributor(s): Mary M. Farrell; Laura C. Fulginiti; Christine E. Goetze; Tzipi Kahana

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