Tumacacori Plaza Excavation, 1979: Historical Archeology at Tumacacori National Monument, Arizona

Excavations conducted at Tumacacori National Monument, Arizona in
1979 recovered data that would have been destroyed by the installation
of an underground drainage system in the Franciscan mission plaza and
adjacent to the west wall of the mission church. This system was designed to aid in the stabilizaton of the historic structures. This report describes the surprisingly intact stratigraphy of the excavated area. Features and deposits were grouped into four areas of associated deposits and into four time periods ranging from ca.1750 to the present. Indigenous and nonindigenous artifacts are described and related to studies of the development of transportation and communication
and of Hispanicization conducted at nearby Tubac Presidio. The floral and faunal remains recovered are described and discussed. Information on site function and building sequence was also obtained. The project demonstrates the potential for additional archeological research at Tumacacori.