Archaeological Data Recovery for Tonto Natural Bridge State Park Design of Access Roads: Preliminary Summary of Findings

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is planning to undertake construction associated with the design of access roads and parking areas for the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. Areas where ground disturbance will occur include (1) existing and new roads and parking areas within the park; (2) the access road across the Tonto National Forest, which will be upgraded, and (3) an area south of the Forest access road where a stock tank will be installed.

Five archaeological sites that have been determined eligible for National Register listing under criterion "d," and an area surrounding two of the sites were identified as being subject to effect by the project. Accordingly, a research design for data recovery and a supplemental addendum were prepared, and fieldwork was undertaken during two field sessions. The research design and addendum outlined a two phase approach to data recovery at:

• sites AZ O:11:38 (ASM) and AZ O:11:39 (ASM), as well as the potentially archaeologically sensitive area around them within the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park,

• site AZ O:11:43 (ASM)/AR-03-12-04-72 (the Road site), which is within the Tonto National Forest and subject to effect by upgrading of the access road leading to the park, and

• sites AZ O:11:41 (ASM)/AR-03-12-04-1212 (the Stock Tank site) and AZ O:11:42 (ASM)/AR-03-12-04-1213 (the Beehive site), which also are situated within the Forest, and subject to effect by construction of a stock tank for cattle.

Phase 1 data recovery called for surface observations at the sites within the Forest, and excavations designed to assess subsurface potential in areas within the sites where ground disturbance was anticipated as a result of this undertaking at all five sites plus the sensitive area. Phase 2 data recovery was to be undertaken only if the phase I results indicated the sites had significant subsurface potential.

The initial field session was conducted from 17 - 21 January 1994 at sites 38 and 39 and the area surrounding them, and at the Road site. Greg Woodall directed that field effort under the supervision of J. Simon Bruder. The second session was undertaken from 20 - 24 June 1994 at the Stock Tank and Beehive sites, with Glenn Darrington serving as field director. Our effort totaled 45 field person days. Field efforts and findings at each of the sites are summarized in the report.