Results of Data Recovery at AZ BB:13:471 (ASM), Located in the Los Reales Landfill, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona

Summary

Desert Archaeology, Inc., conducted data recovery a prehistoric archaeological site located within the Los Reales Landfill, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona. Subsurface archaeological features were encountered in late May 2007, during normal landfill activity by landfill personnel to mine sediments. The exposure of four features caused the sediment excavation activities to cease. Desert Archaeology was contacted by landfill administrators on 25 May 2007, to assess the features and to determine if they were cultural in nature. Archival research that afternoon revealed that a prehistoric archaeological site had been identified in this location in 1995 (Freeman 1995).

A field inspection on 26 May 2007, by Desert Archaeology, verified these were prehistoric cultural features and identified them as thermal roasting pits. An additional four thermal features were identified during a 25 May 2007 inspection of the disturbed area, bringing the total number of disturbed features to eight. During the initial inspection, the recently discovered eight features were mapped, as was the extent of modern disturbance to the site (16.25 acres). The undisturbed part of the site was assessed for its integrity and preservation (Cook 2007). The documentation of disturbance to a known archaeological site was followed by the submittal of a data recovery plan to the City of Tucson by Desert Archaeology in June 2007. Data recovery was conducted at the site in July 2007, the results of which are summarized in this report.

Data recovery was conducted 23 through 30 July 2007, and identified 26 features; 21 of the features were excavated, either partially or in their entirety. The data recovery project demonstrated the presence of subsurface features at small, specialized activity sites and documented the variability of the pit features present at the site. Desert Archaeology recommends that the proposed use of the project area by the Los Reales Landfill proceed as planned.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

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

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Radiocarbon Date: 950 to 650 (Radiocarbon dates for Features 4 and 22)

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Desert Archaeology, Inc.

Contributor(s): Jenny L. Adams; Michael W. Diehl

Project Director(s): Kristi Jenkins

Prepared By(s): Desert Archaeology, Inc.

Submitted To(s): City of Tucson

Record Identifiers

Technical Report No. (s): 2007-07

File Information