Rincon Phase Seasonal Occupation in the Northern Tucson Basin

In 1985 the Center for Desert Archaeology, Inc. conducted archaeological investigations at the Cienega site, AZ BB:9:143 (ASM), and site AZ BB:9:44 (ASM), in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. These investigations were sponsored by Cienega Properties, Inc., and archaeological testing, mapping, and excavations were conducted prior to the residential development of the area. This report documents the results of this study and focuses primarily on the Hohokam remains of the Cienega site. The Cienega site has been dated to the Middle Rincon subphase based in the results of the ceramic analysis in concert with the archaeomagnetic dates from the site. Site occupation appears to have been largely seasonal or periodic rather than year-round. The seasonal nature of site use is reflected in house construction, where 6 out of 13 excavated structures were constructed of pole-and-brush. There was a high frequency of structural remodeling and instances of multiple interior hearths. At the same time, there is an uncommon degree of residential stability at the site. The site was organized in a manner reminiscent of a larger settlement, and Cienega may have been established as a satellite occupation of a more permanently settled village or hamlet. As a seasonal site, the primary purpose for Cienega's settlement involved plant production and processing. The botanical information offers the best indications of seasonal site occupation. Traditional crop cultivation was somewhat restricted at the site, and agricultural remains such as maize and beans were found in low frequences. Alternatively, greater emphasis appears to have been placed on wild plants, including agave and cholla. Cultivation of these plants may have been possible as several key resources were locally available, not the least of which consisted of a permanent spring along with potentially suitable soils and gradient for dry-farming.