Archaeological Testing at the Romero Ruin: Part 2

Limited archaeological testing was conducted at the Romero Ruin, AZ BB:9:1 (ASM), during the spring of 1993 by archaeologists from the Center for Desert Archaeology. The site is a large prehistoric Hohokam village with an overlying historic component, located in Catalina State Park approximately 10 miles north of Tucson, Arizona. The purpose of the testing program was threefold: 1) to expose archaeological features along the interpretive trail prior to the features' being stabilized, 2) to recover archaeological information that would be destroyed by the stabilization, and 3) to determine the effects of stabilization of the upright-cobble and post-reinforced adobe pitroom, Feature 14, and to identify a location for the interpretive sign. As a result of the excavations, the wall alignments became much more visible since the adjacent wall fall was removed. Stabilization of the masonry wall segments along the trail was done to protect them from being disturbed by visitors. The work was funded in part by an Arizona Heritage Fund Grant administered by the State Historic Preservation Office. Matching funds for this grant were provided by the Coronado National Forest and Catalina State Park, and in-kind contributions came from the Center for Desert Archaeology, Coronado National Forest, and Catalina State Park. The report describes the results of the test excavations and stabilization efforts. It is focused only on the work that was done in this field phase. For a prehistoric overview of the area, see Doelle and Fish 1988.