Cholla Mountain to Rawhide Wash Survey

Desert Archaeology surveyed the 2,047-acre Cholla Mountain to Rawhide Wash project area.

Expanding the City of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve

In compliance with the Arizona Antiquities Act, Desert Archaeology surveyed the 2,047-acre Cholla Mountain to Rawhide Wash project area for the City of Scottsdale prior to acquisition of Arizona State Trust Land to expand the existing McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Ten archaeological sites were found, representing prehistoric or native aboriginal artifact scatters and rockshelters, a segment of the previously recorded historic Camp Creek to Phoenix Road, an adjacent historic activity area and possible temporary campsite, and a historic period well. The eligibility of all sites for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places was evaluated, and the report included management recommendations related to preservation and public interpretation.

Date:

March 2012

Location:

Scottsdale, Maricopa County, Arizona

Type:

Class I inventory and Class III pedestrian survey

Compliance:

State

Client:

City of Scottsdale

DAI Reports:

Project Report No. 12-102

Services:

Survey

Experienced Team Analysis

Mapping

Sandy Wadsworth measures a shallow basin ground into a boulder next to two deep, rain-filled mortars; the boulder marks one of the main activity areas at a small habitation site found on the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

In the early 1900s, much of the Preserve was used as range land by area ranchers. These meat tins are typical of the stray historic trash items that are common throughout the area.

Leslie Aragon records information about a few pieces of flaked stone found in a rock shelter nestled among a few large boulders. Interestingly, a shallow basin was ground into the level surface of one boulder, just outside this opening, suggesting the small shelter may have been occupied for some time.

A tobacco tin lid associated with historic ranching use of the Preserve catches the late-afternoon sun.

A broken Gypsum point (Middle Archaic period, c. 3500-2100 B.C.) illustrates some of the earliest evidence for prehistoric use of the Preserve found during the survey.

Quick Findings

Ten archaeological sites
A segment of the previously recorded historic Camp Creek to Phoenix Road
Historic period well

2,047

Acres surveyed

Archaeological sites found

Related Projects

Cholla Mountain to Rawhide Wash Survey

Expanding the City of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Cholla Mountain to Rawhide Wash Survey

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