Two Examples of Recent O’odham Participation in Archaeological Projects in Southwestern Arizona

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Collaborative Archaeology: How Native American Knowledge Enhances Our Collective Understanding of the Past" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The application of archaeological strategies in conjunction with traditional knowledge has produced unprecedented results from recent projects conducted in southwestern Arizona and northwestern Sonora, Mexico. The Hia C-ed O’odham have occupied this area since at least AD 1300/1400, and probably much earlier. This paper offers examples from two ongoing projects that have benefited from interaction with O’odham individuals and organizations. First, Hia C-ed O’odham elders have mentioned the use of traditional routes by tribal members between villages at Quitobaquito and Dome, Arizona. It is also known that rituals in the Sierra Pinacate were performed along the way. Unfortunately, both the nature of the rituals and the exact locations have been forgotten. However, based on interviews and archaeological surveys the location has probably been identified and awaits verification. The second example will involve an examination of the site of Hótunikat (Sunset Camp) in the Sierra Pinacate. This site was abandoned in 1850 because of yellow fever and the Vikita ceremony was moved to Quitovac, Sonora, Mexico, at that time. Different versions of this ceremony have been documented and are the focus of studies by Tohono O’odham tribal archaeologists who, in turn, are consulting with local archaeologists and knowledgeable tribal members.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Collaborative Archaeology: How Native American Knowledge Enhances Our Collective Understanding of the Past   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 38457.0