The Rio Nuevo Project: Exploring Tucson's Prehistory and History

2000-2004

Tucson voters approved Proposition 400 in November 1999. The proposition seeks revitalization of downtown Tucson through multiple cultural and economic programs. Archaeological and historical research were important lead elements for planning efforts to celebrate Tucson's unique history, culture, and traditions. Compliance with city, state, and federal laws has also been a component of Desert Archaeology's involvement.

Aerial view of excavations at the San Agustín Mission site at the base of A-Mountain.

Excavation of 4,000-year-old pithouses in a portion of the Rio Nuevo Project where new housing will be built.

The earliest known ceramics from the American Southwest were recovered in the Rio Nuevo Project area.

Irrigation canals that tapped the waters of the Santa Cruz River near A-Mountain were found to span the past 3,000 years. This large canal dates to sometime in the Hohokam era from A.D. 500 to 1450.

The stone footings of this large granary that was once part of the San Agustin Mission complex were mostly intact.

Volunteers were incorporated into many of the Rio Nuevo field efforts, such as the work on the Tucson Presidio.

The recurrent use and reuse of the areas in and around downtown Tucson over the past 4,000 years has been well documented through this project. Highlights include:

• Further exploration of the northeastern corner of the Tucson Presidio (1775-1856) that was partly excavated in 1954.
• Further exploration of the western one-third of the San Agustín Mission complex near the base of A-Mountain revealed several still-intact elements, including a wall footing and the Granary. The chapel and the two-story adobe structure called the Convento had been completely destroyed in the 1950s.
• Extensive networks of irrigation canals have watered fields near the base of A-Mountain for at least 3,000 years.
• Evidence of early pottery, cultivation of maize (corn), and the oldest known dwellings in the Tucson Basin have been dated to about 4,000 years ago.

Extensive public involvement has occurred throughout this project. Open houses, school tours, special celebrations such as the Día de San Juan, and volunteer participation have occurred during multiple field sessions.

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