A Cultural Resource Survey of Reach 11 of the Granite Reef Aqueduct, Central Arizona Project

Under contract with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM), Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, completed an archaeological survey of undisturbed portions of Reach 11 and its associated recreation areas. Reach 11 was previously surveyed in 1969 (Dittert et al. 1969) and 1972 (Kemrer et al. 1972), and one site (AZ U:5:13) was mitigated prior to construction (Reynolds 1974). The majority of Reach 11 had already been constructed when this project was undertaken in 1978. Reach 11 of the Granite Reef Aqueduct extends about 13 miles from Cave Creek Road east to the Taliesin West access road.
This report describes the results of the archaeological survey conducted along Reach 11 of the Granite Reef Aqueduct. Results suggest that the project area was part of a secondary resource zone, an area which apparently did not support a permanent population, but was utilized intermittently, probably on a seasonal basis. The aqueduct lies within Paradise Valley, bounded by the McDowell Mountains on the east and the Union Hills and Phoenix Mountains on the west.
Six field loci and 24 isolated artifacts were recorded during the Reach 11 survey. Based on relative density of cultural material dispersion, the field loci were grouped into four sites: AZ T:8:53 (ASU); AZ U:5:67 (ASU); and AZ U:5:68 (ASU), and AZ U:5:69 (ASU). Most of the sites are of indeterminate age, although they are likely associated with the Hohokam, Patayan, or Yuman traditions.