Archaeological Testing of Sites AZ U:5:182 and AZ U:5:188 (ASM), Fountain Hills, Maricopa County, Arizona

Summary

This report presents the results of archaeological testing at sites AZ U:5:182 and AZ U:5:188 (ASM). The testing was conducted at the request of MCO Properties, owner of the land containing the site. The sites are located in Fountain Hills, Maricopa County, Arizona. The sites were found during an archaeological survey of a 1000 acre parcel, which has been proposed for development (Mitchell and Ryden 1996). The survey also located two other sites (AZ U:5:186 and AZ U:5:187 ASM) and 34 isolated occurrences.

The archaeological survey of the parcel identified AZ U:5:182 (ASM) as a multi-component historic and prehistoric site. It consists of two loci (A and B) on a saddle just above a large wash. The site artifacts found suggest that it was used during the Archaic period, the Hohokam ceramic period, and during historic-to-recent times (Mitchell and Ryden 1996:4). Site AZ U:5.188 (ASM) is an artifact scatter located on the north side of the wash from site AZ U:5:182 (ASM). The artifacts indicated that The site was used during the Archaic period and during the late prehistoric or protohistoric period. Archaeological testing was recommended to determine the significance of these sites (Mitchell and Ryden 1996:10), and to assess its potential for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and a testing plan was written (Mitchell 1997).

The archaeological testing at AZ U:5:182 and AZ U:5:188 (ASM) included instrument mapping, surface collection of artifacts, and the excavation of 1 by 1 m test units. No features were found at AZ U:5:188 (ASM). This site does not appear to be eligible for inclusion to the NRHP, and no further archaeological work is recommended. Intact subsurface deposits were found at Site AZ U:5:182 (ASM). This site does appear to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). It is recommended that the site be avoided by the proposed development. If avoidance is not possible, it is recommended that a data recovery program be conducted at this site to mitigate the adverse impacts that would occur by implementation of the proposed project.

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): Dawn M. Greenwald; Mary-Ellen Walsh-Anduze

Prepared By(s): SWCA Environmental Consultants

Submitted To(s): MCO Properties, LP

Record Identifiers

SWCA Archaeological Report No.(s): 97-134

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