Archaeological Investigations along the Sixty-seventh Avenue and Baseline Road Watermains, Phoenix, Arizona

Summary

This report documents the results of archaeological testing and monitoring activities completed by Desert Archaeology, Inc., along the course of two City of Phoenix waterline projects: WS85500146 and WS85500143. The work was initiated due to the possibility archaeological remains could be encountered during construction of the waterline(s). As part of the City's planning and design process, Soil Systems, Inc., performed cultural resources surveys of the proposed waterline alignments (Ellis 2000a, 2000b). Although no surface evidence was observed during the pedestrian surveys, archival records indicated three possible locations of prehistoric sites. These sites included two large Hohokam villages: Pueblo del Alamo (AZ T:12:52 [ASM]) and Pueblo Primero (AZ T:12:138 [ASM]), as well as a smaller Hohokam village (AZ T:12:99 [ASM]). Prehistoric canals could also occur at multiple locations along the waterline corridor outside recorded site boundaries. Given the degree of modern surface disturbance, Soil Systems recommended a testing program be implemented to establish whether buried cultural deposits were present at the identified locations.

As a result, HDR Engineering, Inc., contracted with Desert Archaeology to complete a phased archaeological project within and adjacent to the waterline construction corridor for the City of Phoenix Street Transportation and Water departments. The initial phase of work involved archaeological testing of the three site areas inside the City of Phoenix right-of-way. The purpose of this work was to determine if subsurface remains were present and, if found, to assess the extent, age, integrity, and significance. Results obtained from the testing phase were used to evaluate the impact of waterline construction on cultural resources in the area and provide information for the subsequent monitoring phase of the project. Limited data recovery was a component of the original plan of work (Henderson and Clark 2000), but was not implemented because significant cultural resources were not encountered. The archaeological work was authorized under Arizona State Museum Permit #2000-119ps.

Fieldwork for this project was directed by K. Henderson and T. Clark and was completed in 33 field person-days expended intermittently between September 2000 and June 2001. In accordance with the testing plan, the first phase of the project included excavation and recording of features in backhoe trenches. Data from the testing program indicated that although intact deposits containing cultural remains were present in a portion of the construction corridor, much of this area was heavily disturbed by historic and modern activities. Therefore, monitoring of the waterline construction was concentrated in areas of the corridor where undisturbed portions of prehistoric sites were expected, as well as locations where prehistoric canals were likely to be intersected.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

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

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Desert Archaeology, Inc.

Field Director(s): T. Kathleen Henderson; Tiffany Clark

Prepared By(s): Desert Archaeology, Inc.

Submitted To(s): HDR Engineering, Inc.

Record Identifiers

PGM Project No.(s): 2000-44

Arizona State Museum Permit #(s): 2000-119ps

File Information