Community Noise Reduction Program Monitoring, Testing, Data Recovery

Buenos Aires NWR, looking towards the Baboquivari Mountains.

Purpose

Desert Archaeology teamed with Arizona Preservation Consultants to provide archaeological and historical research services for property acquisition by the City of Phoenix, under the oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration, in seven neighborhoods affected by noise from Sky Harbor Airport.

Actions

Historical document review to identify archaeologically sensitive properties
In-depth historical research for each parcel and for the project area as a whole
Demolition monitoring on over 240 parcels
Phased data recovery on more than 50 parcels

Results

Desert Archaeology identified over 240 archaeologically sensitive residential properties within the affected neighborhoods and conducted phased data recovery on more than 50.
We combined in-depth historical research conducted for each parcel with the results of archaeological work to produce two technical reports, along with a popular report focusing on the people who contributed to the area’s prehistory and history (Seeds of Growth: Neighborhoods on the Salt River Floodplain).
The popular report resulted in the City of Phoenix being awarded the 2014 Arizona Governor’s Award in Public Archaeology.

Date:

December 2016

Location:

Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona

Type:

Monitoring, Testing, and Data Recovery

Compliance:

Federal

Lead Agency:

Federal Aviation Administration

Client:

City of Phoenix

DAI Reports:

Technical Report Nos. 2011-03, 2012-18, 2016-03, Seeds of Growth: Neighborhoods on the Salt River Floodplain (popular report)

Services:

Excavation

Click any image below to enlarge.

A copper license plate found in Feature 128, 1317 E. Durango Street, Ann Ott Barrio, AZ T:12:262 (ASM).

View to southeast across adobe-lined pithouse Feature 7, Prehistoric Ann Ott, AZ T:12:288 (ASM).

Excavated pit Feature 162, showing abundant quantities of artifacts characteristic of large refuse pits, 1310 E. Hess Avenue, Ann Ott Barrio, AZ T:12:262 (ASM).

Pieces of jewelry: a firebird, an anchor, and a brooch with frogs pulling a cart, found in Feature 2, 1317 E. Hess Avenue, Ann Ott Barrio, AZ T:12:262 (ASM).

Fragments from a Mexican cooking bowl found in Feature 2, 1317 E. Hess Avenue, Ann Ott Barrio, AZ T:12:262 (ASM).

Quick Findings

The City of Phoenix received the 2014 Governor’s Award in Public Archaeology for the popular report, entitled Seeds of Growth: Neighborhoods on the Salt River Floodplain.
In-depth historical research was conducted for each parcel and for the project area as a whole.

240

Parcels monitored during demolition

Parcels with phased data recovery

Related Projects