Review Draft: Archaeological Test Excavations at Seven Sites along the Santan Expansion Project Pipeline Corridor from Gilbert to Coolidge, Maricopa and Pinal Counties, Arizona

Northland Research, Inc. (Northland) has completed archaeological testing at seven sites along a proposed natural-gas pipeline at the request of the Salt River Project (SRP). The purpose of the testing was to determine the extent and eligibility status of the seven sites for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Two of the sites, AZ U:10:2(ASM) and AZ U:14:74(ASM), have been previously determined NRHP eligible based on their potential to inform on the prehistory of the region, but additional testing was required to determine the presence and extent of subsurface features within the proposed pipeline corridor (Lindly and Mitchell 2002b:41). The eligibility status of the five remaining sites could not be determined based on surface evidence alone. Additional testing was therefore recommended at AZ U:15:248(ASM), AZ U:15:249(ASM), AZ U:14:54(ASM), AZ U:14:361(ASM), and AZ AA:2:131(ASM) to determine if intact subsurface remains were present (Lindly and Mitchell 2002b:42). The following report documents the results of Northland’s testing program at the seven sites along the SRP pipeline corridor (Figure 1). In addition, the results of a small survey of Temporary Construction Easements (TCE) and realignments of the pipeline corridor are presented. Archaeological testing at the seven sites was conducted under Arizona Antiquities Act Project Specific Permit No. 2003-068ps. The TCE surveys were conducted under Arizona State Museum (ASM) permit No. 2003-14bl. Portions of the sites that were tested are located on lands that are privately owned or under the jurisdiction of the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD). Fieldwork was conducted between 24 February and 22 April, 2003. Douglas Craig served as Principal Investigator and Project Director for the project; David Hart served as Field Director. Artifacts collected on the project were analyzed by James Cogswell and Douglas Craig. This is a review draft.