The Fort Mountain Archaeological Project, Volume 2: Archaeological Investigations at the Fort Mountain Site

The Fort Mountain Site, AZ T:8:5 (ASM) / AZ T:8:34 (ASU), is a masonry-walled Hohokam compound atop Fort Mountain, a volcanic butte adjacent to Cave Creek in northern Phoenix, Arizona. The site also includes a number of petroglyphs. Excavation results indicate that the compound included three masonry rooms, one possible ramada, two courtyards, two corridors, two extramural areas, and two surface artifact concentrations along with the enclosing masonry wall. Petroglyphs included spirals, quadrupeds, anthropomorphs, circles, concentric circles, and lizards. Ceramics and other artifacts are consistent with the early Classic period, ca. A.D. 1150-1300. . Likley functions for this hilltop site are (1) astronomical observatory, (2) short-term habitation, and (3) ceremonial use.