An Archaeological Survey of 780 Acres for the Proposed Bridges at Maricopa, Maricopa, Pinal County, Arizona

Summary

This survey resulted in the recording of two archaeological sites, AZ T:16:156 (ASM) and AZ T:16:157 (ASM), and 13 isolated artifacts. AZ T:16:156 (ASM) is a late historic period/modern trash dump. The earliest identifiable material dates to the 1940s.

AZ T:16:157 (ASM) is a large artifact scatter located along the western edge of the project area in undisturbed (agriculturally) desert. The site encompasses nearly 160 ac (647,490 m2). Despite its size, artifacts are sparse and consist mainly of prehistoric Hohokam ceramics. The area has been extensively eroded and appears to be deflated. However, there are some isolated dunes on which clusters of artifacts occur. The presence of these dunes clearly support the conclusion the area has been extensively eroded by rainfall runoff. In addition to the ceramics, the presence of limited amounts of ground stone, flaked stone, and marine shell was noted. Some bone, possibly cremated human bone, was also recorded. This situation parallels very closely the setting immediately to the south of the current project area. There, SWCA conducted extensive Phase I data recovery testing at AZ T:16:19 (ASM). A total of 2512 linear meters (1.6 miles) of trenching failed to yield any evidence of subsurface deposits or features of any significance.

AZ T:16:156 (ASM) is not considered eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), while the NRHP eligibility of AZ T:16:157 (ASM) is undetermined. It is recommended that limited NRHP eligibility testing be undertaken at AZ T:16:157 (ASM) in order to determine if the artifact concentrations on the dune remnants, such as they are, represent cultural deposits that could yield important scientific information on the local and regional prehistory or if human remains are present.

The five sites--AZ T:16:24 (ASM), AZ T:16:25 (ASM), AZ T:16:31 (ASM), AZ T:16:85 (ASM), and AZ T:16:86 (ASM)—previously recorded within the project area were not relocated. These sites are located in what are now within agricultural fields, and between previous collections by Arizona State Museum (ASM) and agricultural use, it is likely they have been extensively disturbed or destroyed. These sites are not considered eligible for listing in the NRHP.

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

Permitting Agency(s): U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Prepared By(s): SWCA Environmental Consultants

Submitted To(s): Omega Management Services, Inc.

Record Identifiers

SWCA Project No.(s): 10173-041

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