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Cholla Mountain to Rawhide Wash Survey

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Overview of the survey area for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Purpose

Desert Archaeology surveyed State Trust Land that the City of Scottsdale planned to acquire and append to the existing McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Actions

  • Surveyed 2,047 acres

  • Evaluated located sites for Arizona and National Register of Historic Places eligibility

  • Developed recommendations for site preservation while maintaining public access to the preserve

Results

  • Desert Archaeology located 10 archaeological sites in the parcel.

  • Seven of the identified sites contain prehistoric or native aboriginal cultural remains that could contribute important information about the human occupation and land use at the northeastern margin of the Phoenix Basin and were determined eligible for listing on the Arizona and National Register of Historic Places.

  • Three historic sites were identified: a newly recorded segment of a road, a roadside activity area and possible camp, and a well.

  • Desert Archaeology recommended that avoidance and preservation were the most desirable courses of action for the sites.

  • Some of the sites are presently traversed by trails. Desert Archaeology recommended these avenues to the sites be assessed and rerouted or barred using some means that will not damage the sites. Signage detailing site etiquette was suggested.

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
Click any image below to enlarge.
Overview of the survey area for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Overview of the survey area for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Photograph of previously recorded rock shelter Feature 2 with three bedrock grinding stations at AZ U:1:394 (ASM).
Photograph of previously recorded rock shelter Feature 2 with three bedrock grinding stations at AZ U:1:394 (ASM).
Photograph of rock shelter Feature 1 at AZ U:1:500 (ASM).
Photograph of rock shelter Feature 1 at AZ U:1:500 (ASM).
Photograph of AZ U:1:500 (ASM) showing bedrock grinding Feature 2 (left foreground) and Features 3 and 4 (right foreground) with rock shelter Feature 1 in the background (left).
Photograph of AZ U:1:500 (ASM) showing bedrock grinding Feature 2 (left foreground) and Features 3 and 4 (right foreground) with rock shelter Feature 1 in the background (left).
Photograph of hunting blind Feature 1 at AZ U:1:501 (ASM).
Photograph of hunting blind Feature 1 at AZ U:1:501 (ASM).
Quick Findings

  • 2,047 acres surveyed

  • 10 new sites documented

  • 3 historic sites

  • Helping recreation and historic preservation cooperatively co-exist

  • Ancient rock shelters

  • Bedrock grinding stations: landscape as a food processing tool

2,047
Acres surveyed
10
Archaeological sites found
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