Canal Irrigation and Floodplain Farming: Archaeological Data Recovery at AZ AA:16:570 (ASM) and AZ AA:16:582 (ASM), Tucson, Pima County, Arizona

Summary

Situated along the western edge of the Santa Cruz River floodplain, the 18.6-acre Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) parcel (Parcel Nos. 119-42­ 006E, 119-42-006M, and 119-42-006N) contained a single previously recorded site, AZ AA:16:570 (ASM).

The project was undertaken for Swaim Associates Architects prior to the construction of a Tucson Unified School District school on the property. The Arizona Antiquities Act of 1960 (as amended), the State Historic Preservation Act of 1982, and the State of Arizona statute related to human burials on public property (ARS 41-844), were the primary cultural resources compliance mandates addressed in the present project. Compliance review for the project was undertaken by the City of Tucson.

AA:16:570 was originally recorded by Old Pueblo Archaeology Center in 2008, and was described as a linear, low density scatter of Prehistoric era artifacts, suggesting the potential for agricultural-related activities in the area (Dart 2009). Desert Archaeology, Inc., conducted data recovery at the TUSD parcel in two phases, following an approved treatm ent plan for data recovery (Diehl and Lindeman 2009). The first phase was completed between 18-28 January 2010. The second phase was conducted between 24-26 March 2010. Both phases were under the direction of Michael Lindeman. A total of 31 person-days was expended in the effort. The fieldwork was carried out under Arizona State Museum (ASM) Project Specific Permit No. 2010- 052ps and ASM Accession No. 2009-899.

Data recovery efforts resulted in the identification of a new site, AZ AA:16:582 (ASM), consisting of a series of prehistoric canals, and the expansion of the boundary of AA:16:570 to encompass a widely spaced set of subsurface features, likely related to agricultural use of the TUSD parcel (Figure 1.2). Five small pit features and a prehistoric well were identified at AA:16:570. Three prehistoric canal alignments were found at AA:16:582. Results of the archaeological investigations, with a focus on the prehistoric canals, are described in this volume.

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.

Contributor(s): James M. Heidke; Manuel R. Palacios-Fest

Prepared By(s): Desert Archaeology, Inc.

Submitted To(s): Swaim Associates Architects

Record Identifiers

Technical Report No.(s): 2012-06

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