Archaeological Testing of Site AZ EE:9:91, Patagonia Lake State Park, South-Central Arizona

On June 8 and 9, 1981, Richard Ervin, Annick George, and Kurt Dongoske of the Arizona State Museum, Cultural Resource Management Section, conducted archaeological testing at AZ EE:9:91 (ASH). This work was done under contract with the Arizona State Parks (P.O. #S-81-02). Testing of AZ EE:9:91 was carried out to better determine the nature and extent of the site, and to aid in determining what impacts proposed campground development might have upon the site.

The site is at an elevation of approximately 3800-4000 feet and is in the Chihuahuan Desert Scrub life zone. On site vegetation is dominated by mesquite and various grasses. The site is located on the southeastern edge of Patagonia Lake and extends from the shore of the lake up to the first terrace of the canyon side. The first terrace, where the majority of the cultural material is located, is sparsely vegetated due to vehicle, pedestrian, and camping activities that have occurred over the past 10 or more years. The site is restricted to the area between a dirt road and the shore of Patagonia Lake, and extends approximately 70 m in an east-west direction.

Surface evidence of the site is moderate, and is comprised primarily of lithic material (see surface collection material list). The highest density of cultural material appears to be concentrated in the water drainage areas. This may be the result of secondary deposition during periods of runoff, or exposure of the buried cultural material resulting from runoff erosion.

The site was surface collected using 2 m wide transects spaced 20 m apart with Test Trench 1 as the base line for running transects north and south. Transect placement was determined by placing a meter tape along Trench 1 across the site, starting at the west end of the site, moving toward the east end, and marking off transect intervals every 20 m. These transects were walked until cultural material was no longer evident. Collections were separated within transects by tape measured 10 m intervals. This form of collection was used because it offered a fast and effective collection method that was systematic and would show artifact clustering within the site.

Test Trenches I and 2 were surface collected prior to excavation; Trenches 3 and 4 were collected prior to excavation, during site surface collection.