Mapping and Survey of Cultural Resources on the Martinez Ranch Property near San Xavier District, Tohono O’odham Nation, Arizona: Report

This project was done on land purchased by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to conduct the Santa Cruz Bank Stabilization Project. Entries related to that project can be found at the following link: https://core.tdar.org/collection/27554

Reclamation has identified approximately 22.5 acres of land on the Martinez Ranch for Class III (intensive) cultural resource survey. The survey area, located on both sides of the Santa Cruz River channel, was purchased by Reclamation in 1996 as part of a river bank stabilization project undertaken on behalf of the San Xavier District, Tohono O’odham Nation. The property was known to include subsurface cultural resources, including the northern portion of the San Xavier Bridge site (AZ BB:13:14[ASM]), as well as abundant historic and modern trash deposits on the surface. In order to fulfill its Section 110 obligations under National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Reclamation desired to document the cultural resources on the Martinez Ranch property, the effects of erosion on these resources, and a geomorphological evaluation to assist in future management decisions.
At the request of Ms. Marci Donaldson, Reclamation–Tucson Area Office, Archaeological Consulting Services, Ltd. (ACS) conducted an intensive cultural resources survey of the project area to provide an inventory and assessment of the cultural resources and geomorphological features that occur on the property. One previously documented site (AZ BB:13:14[ASM]) was investigated, and no new sites were identified. In total, 66 prehistoric, historic, and modern artifact concentrations were mapped and three features recorded. Within the prehistoric and historic artifact concentrations, 27 analysis units were established and their contents inventoried. Several large erosional channels were mapped and their effects on cultural resources documented. Additionally, ACS geoarchaeologists obtained stratigraphic information from strata exposed in the erosion channels; four cut banks were profiled and evaluated. These results provided important data for understanding the occupational and geomorphological history of this portion of the Martinez ranch and the San Xavier Bridge site, leading to recommendations for redefining the boundaries of the site.
The photos taken during the survey can be found at tDAR ID: 393818.
The photo log can be found at tDAR ID: 393817.