The Coronet Real Project: Archaeological Investigations on the Luke Range, Southwestern Arizona [No. 129]

Abstract

This report deals with the investigation of three prehistoric archaeological sites on the North Tac portion of Range 1, Luke Air Force Bombing and Gunnery Range. These sites were located within the impact area of facilities associated with the Coronet Real Project, a target construction and rebuilding operation. Largest of the three was AZ Y:8:3 which.was cut by a proposed road right-of-way; investigation indicated that it was a Patayan I site with some later Classic period utilization. AZ Y:8:1 was a small site with two spatially and temporally separate components at the northeastern corner of the main target airfield; one represented the Patayan I period and the other a late Classic period Hohokam-related occupation. Smallest of the sites, AZ Y:8:2 proved to be of late preceramic age; it was situated at the southwestern end of the main target airfield. Each of these sites is described in terms of location, environment, artifact content, and significance, and an attempt is made to integrate the information from these sites into current models of the prehistory of the area. Finally, proposals for future research are presented.