Archaeological Testing at AZ T:7:178–181 (ASM) in the Proposed Cortessa Development, Maricopa County, Arizona

Summary

Cortessa LLC is proposing the residential development of a 613-acre parcel of land near the White Tank Mountains in Maricopa County, Arizona. The privately-owned land is located on the east side of the White Tank Mountains. A permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act from the Army Corp of Engineers is necessary to proceed with the development; thus it is subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. A previous archaeological survey of the parcel resulted in the identification of four prehistoric sites: AZ T:7:178 (ASM), AZ T:7:179 (ASM), AZ T:7:180 (ASM), and AZ T:7:181 (ASM). It was recommended that these sites were potentially eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). It was further recommended that the sites be tested to determine if significant subsurface cultural deposits were present and the likelihood that new or important scientific information could be gained through further investigation of the sites (NRHP Criterion D).

This document presents results of archaeological testing at AZ T:7:178 (ASM), AZ T:7:179 (ASM), AZ T:7:180 (ASM), and AZ T:7:181 (ASM). Testing consisted of detailed site mapping, collection of artifacts from the surface of AZ T:7:180 (ASM) and AZ T:7:181 (ASM) (the only sites with prehistoric artifacts), excavation of 1.5 m2 test units at AZ T:7:180 (ASM) and AZ T:7:181 (ASM), and excavation of rock piles at AZ T:7:178 (ASM) and AZ T:7:179 (ASM). None of the four sites revealed substantial subsurface cultural deposits. At AZ T:7:180 (ASM) and AZ T:7:181 (ASM), artifacts were confined to the current ground surface and to within 20 cm of the surface. The only deposits within the excavated rock piles at AZ T:7:178 (ASM) and AZ T:7:179 (ASM) appear to be recent; prehistoric pollen was not preserved in the sampled features. Based on the results of archaeological testing, AZ T:7:178 (ASM), AZ T:7:179 (ASM), AZ T:7:180 (ASM), and AZ T:7:181 (ASM) are recommended as ineligible for inclusion to the NRHP, Consequently, no further archaeological work is recommended for the four prehistoric sites.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SWCA DAHA Resources   •
• Digital Archive of Huhugam Archaeology (DAHA)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): SWCA Environmental Consultants

Contributor(s): Susan J. Smith

Prepared By(s): SWCA Environmental Consultants

Submitted To(s): Cortessa, L.L.C.

Record Identifiers

SWCA Project No.(s): 6665-041

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