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Archaeological investigations at Williams Air Force Base (WAFB), located in southeast Maricopa County, Arizona, were initiated in response to the 1991 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission’s (the Closure Commission) recommendation to close WAFB following the passage of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (the Closure Act) (Public Law 101-510, Title XXIX). SWCA, Inc., Environmental Consultants, conducted a cultural resource inventory on approximately 2000 acres of all portions of WAFB that had not been inventoried previously or were not occupied by existing facilities; inventory documents from previous investigations were examined as well. Three cultural properties (sites) were known from previous archaeological investigations at WAFB and on parcels adjacent to the base. The Midvale Site, AZ U:10:24(ASU), which lies under much of the administrative and residential area of the base, had already been surveyed and listed on the NRHP. The other two cultural properties (AZ U:10:20[ASU] and AZ U:10:25[ASU]) were re-examined and included in the evaluation process; the Midvale Site received no additional study. The cultural resource inventory for the 2000-acre portion of the base not previously inventoried resulted in the discovery and recording of nine additional sites (AZ U:10:60[ASM] through AZ U:10:68[ASM]). In order to define site boundaries and determine NRHP eligibility, a subsurface testing phase subsequently was implemented at eleven sites. Determination of boundaries during this phase was primarily for planning purposes and was not meant to be definitive. Following testing, 13 sites were defined within the base, including one site (a canal) that had not been identified during the cultural resource inventory. One of these sites is listed on the NRHP, four sites are not considered eligible for the NRHP, and eight sites are considered eligible for the NRHP. Revised treatment plan in accordance with the May 18, 1995 Programmatic Agreement.

This report contains the results of archaeological testing (Part I) and a plan for data recovery (Part II) at Area 6 of the dispersed Classic and post-Classic period site of Pueblo Salado. During the course of conducting archaeological testing in Area 6, the City of Phoenix Aviation Department in consultation with the City of Phoenix Archaeologist determined that the archaeological remains contained important information potential and would require further investigation through a data recovery program. To meet the proposed schedule for development in the vicinity of Area 6, SWCA, Inc., Environmental Consultants, were directed to prepare this document. Part I consists of a brief report that focuses on the results of the testing efforts. The testing report is primarily descriptive, focusing on feature descriptions, brief discussions of the material culture assemblages, and conclusions and recommendations. All data and materials recovered during the testing phase will be included in detailed analyses which will be conducted during the data recovery phase. Part II of this document is the work plan for archaeological data recovery. The work plan will implement the original research design developed for the City of Phoenix Sky Harbor Center archaeological project (Greenwald, Gregory, and Chenault 1994), an undertaking that has investigated three other areas of Pueblo Salado (Greenwald, Chenault, and Greenwald 1993; Greenwald and Ballagh 1993). The research design is not included in this document as it has been previously published as part of the Phoenix Sky Harbor Center investigations and is easily accessible. The plan of work, however, is presented as some approaches and methods have been updated from the original Sky Harbor Center plan of work (Greenwald and Chenault 1994).

Archaeological investigations at Williams Air Force Base (WAFB), located in southeast Maricopa County, Arizona, were initiated in response to the 1991 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission’s (the Closure Commission) recommendation to close WAFB following the passage of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (the Closure Act) (Public Law 101-510, Title XXIX). Prior to closure or realignment of base facilities, preparation of an environment impact statement (EIS) was required, including documentation and evaluation of all cultural resources on WAFB. Each cultural resource was to be evaluated according to criteria established by the Secretary of the Interior for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), with recommendations provided regarding each property’s eligibility and recommendations for future protection or treatment (National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended). If a property was determined not to possess qualities required for inclusion to the NRHP, further protection or treatment would not be recommended. Should a property be found to possess such qualities, provisions would need to be developed to provide future protection. If a cultural property could not be protected, a treatment plan would need to be developed and implemented to mitigate impacts to that property. Insomuch as this document presents the findings of investigations at WAFB, it is also designed to provide the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE) and the Air Force Base Conversion Agency (AFBCA) with information necessary to develop a Record of Decision that will detail acceptable measures of protection or treatment for each NRHP-eligible property. AFCEE contracted with Halliburton NUS Corporation to complete the EIS for WAFB. Halliburton NUS in turn subcontracted SWCA, Inc., Environmental Consultants, under Subcontract No. 4011 -92- 014, to conduct the cultural resource inventory for all portions of WAFB that previously had not been inventoried or were not occupied by existing facilities. SWCA conducted investigations on approximately 2000 acres of the base and examined inventory documents from previous investigations. Three cultural properties (sites) were known from previous archaeological efforts at WAFB and on parcels that lay adjacent to the base. The Midvale Site, AZ U:10:24(ASU), which lies under much of the administrative and residential area of the base, had already been surveyed and listed on the NRHP. The other two cultural properties (AZ U: 10:20, ASU, and AZ U: 10:25, ASU) were re-examined and included in the evaluation process; the Midvale Site received no additional study. In order to determine the number of cultural properties present at WAFB and to develop recommendations for those cultural properties, two levels of examination were necessary. First, a cultural resource inventory for the 2000-acre portion of the base not previously inventoried was conducted, resulting in the discovery and recording of nine additional sites (AZ U: 10:60, ASM, through AZ U: 10:68, ASM). The results are presented as Part I of this document. Second, to define site boundaries and determine NRHP eligibility, a subsurface testing phase was implemented at eleven sites. The boundary definition that took place was done primarily for planning purposes and was not meant to be definitive. Additional testing or monitoring may be required if construction occurs near the "boundary" of a National Register eligible site, and extent testing will be required on any eligible site prior to implementation of development plans. The results of testing are presented as Part II.

In consultation with the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), HALLIBURTON NUS conducted a preliminary data collection effort and "Class I Overview" of the Williams AFB property and surrounding area. This consisted of a literature search and review of files at the SHPO. The Class I Overview identified three archaeological sites on the Williams AFB property. The Midvale Site (AZ U:10:24, ASU) consists of a large prehistoric Hohokam village considered to be of cultural importance. The site has been studied in some detail, delineated, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The two other sites (AZ U:10:20, ASU, and AZ U:10:25, ASU) have been preliminarily identified on the basis of surface artifacts. Their areal extent has not been well defined, and it is not known whether they possess attributes that would qualify them for eligibility for the NRHP. A small portion of Site AZ U:10:20 (ASU) has received test excavations, but these efforts resulted in few data that would support NRHP eligibility of this site within Williams AFB (Goodfellow 1989). Most of the rest of the Williams AFB property had not been examined prior to this time for the presence of archaeological resources. However, because numerous such sites exist in the area surrounding Williams AFB, a strong possibility that other areas of the base also contain archaeological resources was considered likely.

This report presents the results of archival and archaeological document studies and archaeological testing for the Sky Harbor International Airport Master Plan Improvements project. Investigations were initiated on April 9, 1992, and completed on May 15, 1992, by SWCA, Inc. Environmental Consultants, under contract to Griener, Inc. Griener was under contract to the City of Phoenix Aviation Department to complete an environmental impact statement for expansion of airport facilities. The Federal Aviation Administration served as lead agency. Archival studies (Class I Survey) were conducted for four parcels: a 95-acre parcel to be included in the construction of the new third runway; the Northwest Parcel; the Northeast Parcel; and a segment of the proposed realignment of Street. Archaeological testing (Class II Survey) occurred within Parcel A. Originally, the investigations, were considered to be a Class II Survey because the archaeological testing was for a sample of Parcel A, However, the inclusion of the archival studies has resulted in both a Class I and Class II survey.

On December 27, 1990, SWCA, Inc. Environmental Consultants, conducted an archaeological survey on the Salt River Pima and Maricopa Indian Reservation for Salt River Project for a proposed substation. Approximately 2.07 acres located in a modern field were surveyed. Isolated artifacts consisted of a single piece of heat-altered rock and five pieces of mafic igneous flaked debitage. Archival investigations revealed that the project area is located in the extreme northwestern portion of Pueblo Ultimo (AZ U:9:11 ASU), a large Hohokam village site that dates primarily to the Classic period. Archival records also indicate that a prehistoric canal system extends through the immediate project area, although no surface indications of canals could be observed during the field survey. Because the project area is located within the defined boundaries of Pueblo Ultimo, archaeological clearance cannot be recommended for the proposed undertaking. Further investigations are recommended in the form of systematic backhoe trenching in order to assess the presence of subsurface remains and to evaluate impacts upon those remains that may result from the proposed undertaking.

The following document presents a research design for archaeological investigations sponsored by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) at the site of La Ciudad de Los Hornos (Los Hornos). The project consists of two phases: testing and data recovery. The testing phase has been completed and a report (Chenault et al. 1991) of the results submitted to ADOT. In addition, the testing results are briefly summarized below. The proposed ADOT undertaking involves the planned reconstruction of State Route 360, the Superstition Freeway, from an area just east of the junction of State Route 360 with Interstate Highway 10 for a distance of 3200 feet and the addition of ramps at Priest Drive. During the initial construction of State Route 360, no formal excavations occurred at Los Hornos. Other portions of the site, however, have been investigated subsequently for numerous undertakings. The site of Los Hornos has been determined to meet criteria of eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Testing within the ADOT project area revealed that the site extends into the proposed freeway corridor and that numerous intact cultural resources are present. Los Hornos is one of the largest Hohokam sites known, and occupation there spanned most of the Hohokam sequence, beginning in the late Pioneer period and continuing through the late Classic period. Throughout the twentieth century, and the last decades of the previous century, the site has suffered massive disturbance from development. Whereas some mitigative efforts were performed, large portions of the site have been lost; the only archaeological remains recorded occurred as a result of the monitoring of construction activities. Also, much of the data recovery undertaken professionally has not been published. Exceptions to this are found in a volume by Wilcox et al. (1990), which synthesizes what is currently known about the site, a volume by Effland (1990), and one by Montero (1990). The objectives of the ADOT/SWCA project are data recovery, analyses, and reporting designed to provide information that will contribute to the understanding of the culture history of the site of Los Hornos, the Salt River Basin, and the Hohokam cultural region. As one of the largest Hohokam sites, and one occupied for an extensive period of time, Los Hornos is of critical importance to our understanding of Hohokam society. Whereas many large Hohokam sites are known to exist, few have been studied in any controlled professional manner. For this reason, it is imperative that, now and in the future, the most extensive Hohokam sites, or what little remains of them, be studied in depth. Of importance is an understanding of the role the large sites played in Hohokam society, and how they compared to the smaller villages. For example, were the large sites central places, or were they merely larger versions of the smaller, more numerous sites? The presence of ball courts and platform mounds indicates that the largest sites were "unique", and that they played a special role in the integration of Hohokam society. By way of analogy, ignoring the study of the Hohokam centers would be like trying to understand the dynamics of modern-day Arizona’s society and economy without studying the role of Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff.

A cultural resources survey of two proposed substations was conducted for Salt River Project by archaeologists from SWCA, Inc. Environmental Consultants, on January 30, 1991. The project involved the survey of approximately 3.5 acres of State of Arizona Lands for the Mesa Highlands substation located in Maricopa County west of Apache Junction, Arizona, and approximately 4.0 acres of State of Arizona Lands for the 46E 1S substation located in Pinal County south of Apache Junction on the Queen Creek delta. Site file searches did not locate any previously recorded sites in either survey parcel. The survey did not locate any cultural resources in the Mesa Highlands substation but did identify one site, AZ U:10:48 (ASM), and seven isolated occurrences at the 46E 1S substation. Site AZ U:10:48 (ASM) consists of a low density artifact scatter. The seven isolated finds are typical of the surface scatter observed on the Queen Creek delta, and field recording has exhausted their information potential. Previous investigations on sites of similar composition in nearby areas indicates that Site AZ U:10:48 (ASM) has very little information potential and is probably not eligible of inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places. A full discussion of the site’s significance and information potential is presented in the Recommendations section of the report that follows.

An archaeological survey of a portion of the Salt River Indian Reservation was completed for the Salt River Project (SRP) by SWCA, Inc., Environmental Consultants, during July and August, 1990. Work was performed under special use permit Number 440 issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Phoenix District, and a letter of authorization from the Salt River Indian Community. The project was undertaken for a proposed ground water recharge system located north of Mesa, Arizona, along the north side of the Salt River. The project area includes approximately 352 acres. One previously recorded site was evaluated during the survey. A second previously recorded site was not relocated. In addition, nine sites and 37 isolated occurrences were recorded. All of the sites may be eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places, although four are more likely to be eligible than the others. Twenty five of the isolated occurrences may be eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places. These occur in basically two clusters that, because of alluvial deposition, may be part of nearby sites or separate site themselves. The remaining 12 isolated occurrences are not eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places. The evaluation of all resources in the project area can be accomplished through subsequent testing, i.e., hand or mechanical trenching. In addition to aiding in the formal determination of eligibility for inclusion to the National Register of Historic laces, this may also assist the Salt River Indian Community in future cultural resource management planning. This is a draft report.

An archaeological testing program was undertaken at a portion of Pueblo del Alamo (AZ T:12:18 ASU). The project area encompasses 10 acres and contains a part of the site. Forty-one trenches were placed, systematically and judgmentally, within the 10 acre parcel. Thirty-five cultural features were found. Eight of the features are of historic date and 27 appear to be prehistoric. The Prehistoric occupation spans the period from the Gila Butte phase through the Civano phase. All of the cultural features are located in the northeastern portion of the project area. Avoidance of this area is recommended. Because no cultural remains were found outside of that area, archaeological clearance is recommended for the remainder of the parcel.

The following document constitutes a research design for archaeological data recovery within planned expansions of the Salt River Project Coronado Coal Haul Railroad.The project area is located in Apache County, Arizona, south of Interstate 40 near the town of Navajo. Three sites were listed in the project RFP and specific information regarding the impacts to those sites and the location of the sites in relation to the Coal Haul Railroad were provided in that document. The research design is divided into three parts: (1) relevant background information, including a brief description of the project area, a review of previous research in and near the project area, and a summary of the findings of previous investigations at the sites under consideration; (2) a research design, including major problem domains, specific research questions, data requirements, sampling strategies, field methods, and analytical methods and techniques; and (3) a plan of work, including planned levels of effort and project schedule.

An archaeological survey of a portion of the Salt River Pima and Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) was completed for the Salt River Project (SRP) by SWCA, Inc., Environmental Consultants, during July and August, 1990. Work was performed under special use permit Number 440 issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Phoenix District, and a letter of authorization from the Salt River Pima and Maricopa Indian Community. The project was undertaken for a proposed ground water recharge system located north of Mesa, Arizona, along the Salt River.

This report presents the results of intensive data recovery through excavation of an early pre-Classic Hohokam site and an in-depth archival study of historic features, including the Extension Arizona Canal. The project was sponsored by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) with the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) serving as consultants to ADOT for these archaeological and historical studies. Field work was conducted during May and June, 1987. Investigations of the Baccharis site, a late Pioneer/early Colonial period field house/farmstead site (ca. A.D. 600-800) located along New River, provided an opportunity to examine early Hohokam settlement and land use patterns in the northern periphery of the Hohokam region. The Baccharis site was used as a seasonally occupied site associated with agriculture and wild plant exploitation. Occupation was associated with a shifting residence pattern or seasonal round exploitation strategy. An explicit research design provided the direction of study which focused upon topics related to site and regional questions. Topics at the site level were concerned with social organization through time, types of subsistence strategies employed, identification and determination of a site chronology, and burial practices. On a broader scope, questions concerned with how the Baccharis site fit into the settlement pattern of the northern periphery and how the site may have been related to the Salt-Gila core area and the Palo Verde Community were posed. The Baccharis site was occupied during the Snaketown and Gila Butte phases and served as a field house/farmstead site for single families or small corporate groups. Radiocarbon dates, archaeomagnetic intervals and the ceramic assemblage provided, generally, complementary data. Botanical evidence supports both corn agriculture and wild plant procurement as subsistence strategies. The historic investigations represent the first detailed study of the Extension Arizona Canal, a segment of the Arizona Canal, dating to ca. 1893-1912, and examine the events leading to its construction, use and abandonment. These investigations have provided the opportunity to study both historic and prehistoric land use patterns in the northern Salt River Valley. Hohokam subsistence strategies during the early pre-Classic period parallel strategies used in the core areas prior to extensive development of canal systems. Although corn agriculture was practiced, the means by which this was accomplished could not be determined with the narrow limits of the freeway corridor. Occupation of the Baccharis site may have occurred during a period settlement expansion into the northern periphery, at a time when permanent settlements had not yet been established along New River. The Baccharis site may have been used by groups who maintained ties with villages located along the Salt River, returning to the riverine villages as part of the seasonal-round subsistence pattern.

Archaeological test excavations have been completed within the City of Phoenix Sky Harbor Center project area between February 13 and March 31, 1989, by SWCA, Inc., Environmental Consultants under contract to the City of Phoenix. The purpose of the archaeological investigations was to locate, identify, and assess cultural remains associated with two sites, AZ T:12:47 and AZ T:12:62 (ASM) for their significance and to make recommendations for further mitigative data recovery efforts. While the entire project area was not intensively investigated, its large size has provided a nearly unparalleled opportunity for the testing of archaeological remains in the greater urban setting of Phoenix, Arizona. Testing was completed through the use of both systematic and judgemental backhoe trenches. Over 15,000 meters of trenches were dug, first systematically to locate buried cultural deposits, and later, judgementally to define the spatial extent of features and to test areas not scheduled for systematic excavations. Substantial intact cultural remains were found in both site areas, including canal, field, and habitation features. These sites are associated with the Hohokam culture with the remains at AZ T:12:42, Pueblo Salado, dating primarily to the late Classic period, and remains at AZ T:12:62, the Dutch Canal Ruin, dating primarily to the late Pioneer and Colonial periods. Occupations consisted of field house loci, farmsteads, and hamlets with the earlier occupations being primarily temporary or seasonal and the later occupations consisting of a permanent settlement with an enclosing compound wall. The numbers, kinds and distributions of features at both sites will provide important information concerning the prehistory of the Phoenix Basin. Geomorphic studies of flood deposits directly associated with these sites may provide important information concerning the use of the first terrace and potential impacts of floods upon the Hohokam.

The City of Apache Junction contracted with the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) to conduct preliminary test excavations at the Apache Trail site (NA19.509). Investigations (Project No. CS-86-1, City of Apache Junction) were undertaken within the boundaries of a proposed land exchange from the Bureau of Land Management to the City of Apache Junction. This land exchange would result in the development of an equestrian trail and open space park, a public facility to be administered by the City of Apache Junction. The project area is located in Pinal County, Arizona, along the Apache Trail Highway (State Route 88) north of Apache Junction, Arizona. Investigations, including machine dug trenches and hand excavated test pits, were designed to identify the extent of the site and the types of features present. The results of the field study indicate that the site contains several areas which possess intact cultural remains associated with the pre-Classic Hohokam. Features include trash mounds, hornos and associated debris areas, structures, burials, rock piles and concentrations, miscellaneous pits and a depression. The site contains evidence of a lengthy occupation with an apparent emphasis placed upon local natural resource procurement and processing. The Apache Trail site promises to contribute substantially to our knowledge concerning exploitation and subsistence strategies within the Hohokam regional system. Present developmental plans at the Apache Trail site are limited and would not have an adverse effect upon the cultural resources. However, once the land is deeded to the City of Apache Junction, severe impacts could occur at the site. Because of the archaeological importance of the Apache Trail site to furthering our understanding of the Hohokam and the potential impact which could occur once the land transfer has been finalized, it is recommended that a data recovery program be implemented at the site prior to completion of the land transfer. The report which follows contains descriptive summaries of all materials recovered, interpretations of the data with a statement of the potential contributions which the site can make, and recommendations for the mitigation of impacts to the site.