The primary collections housed at ARI are materials from projects conducted in the Tonto Basin of Central Arizona between 1989 and 1993. These projects were funded by the Bureau of Reclamation when the Theodore Roosevelt Dam was modified. The Roosevelt Projects and the Lower Verde Archaeological Project were designed by Bureau of Reclamation archaeologists as leading models of problem oriented Cultural Resource Management These archaeological projects are part of the massive Central Arizona Project (CAP).
Reclamation and the Tonto National Forest and State Historic Preservation Office designed a research strategy by targeting the sites that would best answer the identified research questions through a blend of legally-mandated archaeology with theoretically-oriented research. A total of 261 sites was investigated by the three Roosevelt archaeology projects and 26 sites were investigated by the Lower Verde Archaeological Project.
The Roosevelt Archaeological projects (Roosevelt Platform Mound Study, Roosevelt Rural Sites Study, and Roosevelt Commuunity Development Study) were all located about 80 miles northest of the Phoenix metro area surrounding Roosevelt Lake. The Tonto Basin is a narrow Valley (ca. 2,000 feet above sea level) surrounded by mountains (ca. 6,000-7,000 feet above sea level). The Verde River Valley is located west of the Tonto Basin and north of the Phoenix metro area. SEE MAP OF ROOSEVELT ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT (takes aprrox 30 sec to load for 28.8kbs
The research for these archaeological projects was conducted for the Bureau of Reclamation as a result of the modifications to the Roosevelt, Bartlett, and Horseshoe Dams. The fieldwork for these studies was conducted under the terms of permits from the Tonto National Forest. (Composite site numbers are given in the form AZ# / # (Arizona State Museum # / Tonto National Forest #)).
The Salado phenomenon, (that is, the development of platform mound communities by prehistoric Native American agriculturalists) spanned the time period from A.D. 1150-1450, called the Classic period. Phases are shorter time periods, identified by common characteristics in architecture, ceramics, and subsitence/agricultural practices. See Chronology Chart
The research databases from these projects serve as both archive and access system for all electronic data accompanying each collection. The include computerized versions of specimen catalogs, field provenience forms, sample collection forms, and analysis results from materials research. The design and content of project databases vary considerably from project to project, and the databases are stored on the ARI system following the organization and structure of the original tables. Each database is accompanied by complete technical documentation to aid in the use of these resources.
Follow these links for more information on the individual Roosevelt Studies:
Roosevelt Platform Mound Study (conducted by Arizona State University)
Roosevelt Community Development Study (conducted by Desert Archaeology)
Roosevelt Rural Sites Study (conducted by Statistical Research)
Lower Verde Archaeological Project (conducted by Statistical Research