Description

Results of Archaeological Monitoring of Park Construction within the Vista Del Rio Site, AZ BB:9:58 (ASM), Tucson, Pima County, Arizona (TR2005-7) (PDF)

Results of archaeological monitoring of construction activities within the southeastern portion of the Vista del Rio site, AZ BB:9:58 (ASM), are presented in this report. The site is a Hohokam village located near the confluence of Tanque Verde Creek and Sabino Creek in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona. The City of Tucson and Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) are in the process of constructing a cultural resources park in a previously undeveloped portion of the site (City of Tucson Historic Preservation Office Project No. 03-22). The first phase of this construction— reported here—was conducted by TUSD prior to transferring ownership of the property to the City. Work was limited to the City of Tucson right-of-way around the perimeter of the property. Additional work that will be funded by a federal grant is planned on the property.

Monitoring of all ground disturbance associated with park construction had been recommended in a treatment plan (Swartz 2003). The monitoring and discovery plan created for the site (Desert Archaeology 2004) guided the archaeological investigations presented here. Allison Diehl conducted archaeological monitoring between 1 April 2004 and 11 January 2005, working under Arizona Antiquities Act Project Specific Permit No. 2004-068ps. Two features, a roasting pit and a pithouse, were found during construction, and were partly excavated to obtain sample data. Isolated artifacts and charcoal flecking were also observed throughout the project area.

This report contains a description of monitoring activities performed, a summary of the findings, and recommendations for future work at the site. Additional project records are curated at the Arizona State Museum (ASM).