Painted Rock Reservoir Project: Phase I: Preliminary Survey and Recommendations [No. 126]

Abstract

Archaeological survey at Painted Rock Dam and Reservoir was undertaken in April and May 1978, by the Arizona State Museum. This survey is a pilot study sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in order to evaluate the cultural resources potentially affected by modification of flood release schedules at Painted Rock Dam. The survey consisted of a 10 percent environmentally stratified random sample. A total of 100 units of 40 acres each were examined. Twenty-three sites were recorded in these areas; an additional seven sites adjacent to the sample units were also recorded. Analysis of survey data has provided useful information of several kinds. First and most important, in spite of rapid agricultural development and recurrent inundation of some areas, the study area retains significant potential to yield archaeologically valuable data. Second, it has been possible to assess the adequacy of previous studies in the area, a step essential to future management and research planning for the reservoir area. It was found that earlier reconstructions of site distributions in the study area were generally accurate with respect to floodplain and terrace villages, although many individual sites were not recorded. Two major elements of the total pattern were, however, omitted: the near absence of cultural resources in one stratum and the presence in another of an interesting archaeological complex previously unidentified in the study area. Third, Phase 1 survey has verified accuracy of the environmental strata defined for this study so that recommendations for further work can be based upon these areal distinctions. Fourth, survey has permitted a preliminary evaluation of existing and future impacts in the study area. This information is critical to project planning. On the basis of this information, recommendations are made in this report for a series of project phases. An attempt has been made to outline the overall structure of a thorough study of project area resources, as well as to assign priorities to individual phases on the basis of research and management considerations.