The Archaeological Survey of the Northern Tucson 138 kV Transmission Line System: The Northern Tucson Basin and Lower Santa Cruz Valley, Arizona [No. 132]

Abstract

In August 1978, an archaeological survey of the proposed Northern Tucson 138 kV Transmission Line System was conducted by the Cultural Resource Management Section of the Arizona State Museum, under the sponsorship of the Tucson Gas & Electric Company (TG&E). The rights-of-way of about 40 miles of existing and proposed transmission lines, extending from within the city of Tucson, Arizona, north to the vicinity of Red Rock, Arizona, and the site of the proposed Tortolita Substation were surveyed. Most of the region in which the transmission line system is located has not previously been subjected to archaeological investigation. As a result of the survey, eight areas of archaeological remains were identified; four were assigned Arizona State Museum site numbers. Two of the sites are interpreted as representing the remains of prehistoric agricultural activities, while one site is a historic trash dump; the significance of the prehistoric remains at the fourth site is uncertain. The four areas of archaeological materials that were not assigned site status include two sparse scatters of prehistoric artifacts, a sparse prehistoric and historic artifact scatter, and a small concentration of lithic artifacts that is interpreted as having been produced by the reduction of one or two cobbles. In addition, numerous isolated artifacts were found widely scattered along most of the transmission line rights-of-way. Included in this report are a description of the transmission line system facilities and of the methods by which they were surveyed. The environmental setting of the project area, including its physiography, climate, geology, flora, and fauna, is briefly discussed, and a review of its archaeological background presented. The archaeological remains discovered during the survey are described, and their significance briefly discussed. Recommendations for the management of the archaeological resources are provided, and an opinion given regarding their eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places and the Arizona State Register of Historic Places.