Archaeological Excavations
The prehistory of the Salt River Valley focuses on a unique group, the
Hohokam, who developed the largest integrated irrigation systems in the New
World. The only society in North America to rely on irrigation agriculture,
the study of the Hohokam can provide answers to many of the significant
questions in anthropology and archaeology. Why do cultures turn from hunting
and gathering to food production to meet their needs? How complex must
societies be to organize thousands of people to build and operate irrigation
systems?
The Arizona Museum of Natural History and the Southwest Archaeology Team
(SWAT), have conducted many excavations through the years to answer these,
and other, scientific questions. The excavations are primarily supported by
the SWAT volunteers. The projects often focus on sites on private land
threatened by construction where no state or federal regulations require
excavations and where funds are unavailable to recover information.
The following sections provide information on some of the museum’s past
excavations. The SWAT group and the museum have a continuing excavation
program. To become involved, click on the links section and go to the SWAT
website.
AzMNH archaeologist Dr. Jerry Howard
in the field at Mesa Grande.