Trip Report: Archaeological Survey and Assessment of Effect for New RV Sites at Kartchner Caverns, AZSP, 2010

Author(s): Jeremy Moss

Year: 2010

Summary

The goal of the survey was determine if the proposed RV sites would adversely affect the cultural resources present or have the potential to affect any previously unknown cultural resources. After looking over the information from previous archaeological surveys (Madsen and Bayman 1989, Whalen 1971) it was determined that the proposed RV sites lie within a large lithic artifact scatter w/ roasting pits, identified as Late Archaic first by Whalen in 1971, and again by Madsen and Bayman (1989) when the park was created. Whalen (1971) identified the site as two separate sites numbered 37 and 38, which were then lumped into one site by Madsen and Bayman (1989) and given an ASM number of AZ:EE:3:28.

The author, and Mike Cox (AZSP employee) surveyed the area, in 5m transects, marked by stakes extending ~80 feet north of the present campground road and 150 feet west. Within this area we confirmed the existence of a large Late Archaic site, previously identified as AZ:EE:3:28. We located two projectile points, a scraper, rock concentrations, and a possible eroded roasting pit. The site is a dense lithic scatter, and many of the flakes appear to be from the production of projectile points and bifaces. Whalen (1971) suggests that the site is one of the few Late Archaic base camp sites in the park. Base camps are locations that are occupied for longer periods of time and are identified archaeologically as locations with a high diversity of tools and heating features. Madsen and Bayman (1989) state that “it is likely that this site contains buried hearths and domestic structures”.

Cite this Record

Trip Report: Archaeological Survey and Assessment of Effect for New RV Sites at Kartchner Caverns, AZSP, 2010. Jeremy Moss. 2010 ( tDAR id: 440928) ; doi:10.48512/XCV8440928

Spatial Coverage

min long: -110.366; min lat: 31.825 ; max long: -110.349; max lat: 31.866 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Arizona State Parks

Prepared By(s): National Park Service

Submitted To(s): Arizona State Parks

Record Identifiers

Antiquities Act Permit No.(s): 2010-073bl

File Information

  Name Size Creation Date Date Uploaded Access
2010-RV-Site-Assessment--Karchner-Caverns-Trip-Report--J-Moss_... 1.42mb Apr 16, 2020 2:08:41 PM Public
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2010-RV-Site-Assessment--Karchner-Caverns-Trip-Report--J-Moss_... 1.58mb Mar 8, 2018 9:48:00 AM Confidential
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Contact(s): Arizona State Parks

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