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This volume is the third in a nine volume series reporting the results of archaeological investigations conducted along the right-of-way of the Salt-Gila Aqueduct. The aqueduct, under construction by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), is part of the Central Arizona Project. The emphasis of this volume is directed toward specialized activity sites, most of which relate to wild plant or lithic processing or agriculture. All are located along Reaches 1 through 4 of the aqueduct, from just south of Apache Junction to the area of the Picacho Reservoir, south of Florence. The area under investigation is largely low desert drained by intermittent washes of variable size, the largest being Siphon Draw and Queen Creek. The single major stream is the Gila River. Chronologically, the sites range largely from the Colonial to the Classic periods of the Hohokam sequence; however, precise temporal placement of many is not possible. Part I presents the results of investigations at 12 sites along Reaches 1 and 2. These include a small, possible habitation site and 11 artifact scatters, four of which contained roasting pits. Evidence exists at several of the sites for the processing of yucca, choIla, and "hog potato." Models for the interpretation of plant processing loci presented in other recent studies are critically examined. Part II reports on nine sites along Reach 3. All are artifact scatters, several including rock clusters. Plant remains recovered from some of the sites suggest they were used for wild plant processing on a year-round basis and that similar plant resources were exploited at both Queen Creek and Gila River sites. Part III examines seven small sites south of the Gila River along Reach 4. The prehistoric sites include two with small structures, three with roasting pits, and one with a hearth; all include artifact scatters. All apparently functioned primarily as locations for gathering or processing wild plants including mesquite, cholla, and Plantago. Remains of maize and cotton suggest farming, perhaps using floodwater techniques at nearby washes. The single historic site located was apparently occupied for a short time in the early twentieth century, probably between 1915 and 1925. Part IV represents an intensive study of prehistoric agricultural and water control features along the aqueduct. Archaeological evidence suggests three different prehistoric agricultural strategies: irrigation, rainfall conservation, and floodwater farming making use of ephemeral streams. Three large, prehistoric reservoirs were discovered and are described in detail. Finally, several probable prehistoric fields were located. Remains recovered from the various sites suggest a wide variety of plants were being utilized.

This is the seventh volume of a nine-volume series reporting archaeological investigations in south-central Arizona along the SaltGila Aqueduct (SGA), conducted for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) under Contract No. 0-07-32-V0101. The SGA is a 58-mile-Iong component of the Central Arizona Project that begins east of Phoenix and extends to the vicinity of the Picacho Mountains. During the course of the analyses presented in this volume, it became apparent that any attempt to approach issues of natural environment became entangled with the environmental effects of subsistence practices. The two topics discussed in this volume, environment and subsistence, are intimately tied together. The volume is thus a simplification of the topics covered by the Salt-Gila Aqueduct (SGA) Project specialists.

This volume is the first in a series of publications associated with the Salt-Gila Aqueduct Archaeological Data Collection Studies and Supplemental Class 3 Survey Project (SGA). The project focuses principally upon data recovery at those sites potentially subject to impact as a consequence of Central Arizona Project construction along a route extending 97 km from a point south of Apache Junction, Arizona, to the Picacho Reservoir. This initial volume incorporates the results of test excavations and preliminary reconnaissance with the research design subsequently developed for investigation of the SGA sites. Significant archaeological sites identified as potentially subject to direct impacts are principally Hohokam, with some possibility of Archaic components at four of the sites (Stein 1979a). Substantial habitation sites, smaller habitation sites that may have been fieldhouse locations, and a variety of specialized activity sites including agricultural systems are included in the SGA sample. The sites are located in a variety of environmental contexts, including the Gila River Valley, major intermittent drainages, and interdrainage areas. The environmental, functional, and chronological diversity of these archaeological sites suggests a research design focusing on the effects of local environmental conditions upon the occupants of environmentally distinct areas, the economic and social relationships between groups occupying these areas, and change through time in relationships between groups in these areas. It is believed that through addressing these problems it will be possible to make significant contributions to our understanding of the regional development of the Hohokam system.

This is the eighth volume of a nine-volume series reporting archaeological investigations in south-central Arizona along the SaltGila Aqueduct (SGA), conducted for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) under Contract No. 0-07-32-V0101. The SGA is a 58-mile-Iong component of the Central Arizona Project that begins east of Phoenix and extends to the vicinity of the Picacho Mountains. Specialized analyses of artifacts recovered from 45 sites excavated along the SGA are reported in this volume. The general research questions addressed in each analysis include spatial and temporal variability in Hohokam artifact assemblages. Part I includes six studies of ceramic artifacts. Chapter 1 is a technological assessment of a large proportion of the plain, red, and buff ware sherds recovered from SGA sites. A functional and technological assessment of whole vessels from the Classic period sites of Los Muertos and Las Fosas, and from three Classic period sites on Queen Creek is described in Chapter 2. Chapters 3 and 4 report analyses of stylistic attributes on buff ware and polychrome sherds from SGA sites. In Chapter 5, the results of X-ray fluorescence analyses of Hohokam plain ware, red ware, buff ware, and polychrome sherds are presented. Finally, whole vessels, worked sherds, and figurines from all SGA sites are described in Chapter 6. Part II includes reports on lithic materials from SGA sites. In Chapter 1, ground and chipped stone materials are documented with particular emphasis on tabular knives. An X-ray fluorescence analysis of obsidian is reported in Chapter 2. Part III is an extensive study of shell recovered from SGA sites. Part IV is an analysis of SGA bone artifacts. Finally, Part V is a general summary of the specialized analyses.