A Cultural Resource Survey of Reach 12 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 Reach 12 and associated access roads. Reach 12 of the Granite Reef Aqueduct extends about 11 miles from Taliesin West Architectural School east to Schlechts Butte.
This report describes the results of the archaeological surveys conducted along Reach 12 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 traverses the bajada and talus zones south of the McDowell Mountains.
Three field loci, 55 isolated artifacts, recent features, and a petroglyph location were recorded during the Reach 12 survey. Based on relative density of cultural material dispersion, field loci were grouped into two sites: AZ U:6:4 (ASU) and AZ U:5:70 (ASU). Most of the sites are of indeterminate age, although they are likely associated with the Hohokam, Yuman, and/or Yavapai traditions.