Nolic: An Early Twentieth Century O'odham Winter Village

1982-1983

The Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted a major program of road widening and paving on the Tohono O'odham Reservation. Construction on the road through Nolic would affect two different households that dated to the early twentieth century and were in ruins. Road construction was completed after our excavations.

This remarkable red ware jar, with its own support base, was on the floor of an O'odham woman's house.

A remarkable assemblage was found on the floor of one of the houses, where a single Tohono O'odham woman had lived. After her death at the field village of Big Fields, her house in her winter village of Nolic had remained sealed and untouched. The house had collapsed, and all the contents were sealed on the floor. Saguaro seeds, basket-making tools, scissors, eating utensils, and an axe were among the items recovered.

Desert Archaeology personnel lived in the village of Nolic during the excavations, and local residents were hired as project crew. A village meeting was held prior to the work, and there was regular interaction with local residents throughout the excavation.

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