Results of a Class II Stratified Sample Survey for Cultural Resources in Spring Canyon, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and Hualapai Wash, Mohave County, Arizona

摘要

A 20-percent stratified random sample survey was undertaken in the 8,000 acre proposed Spring Canyon Pumped-Storage Reservoir and Transmission Line Project Area. A total of 1,600 acres were investigated using 80-acre sample units stratified by geomorphology and vegetation. A total of 15 sites were found and recorded. These included five prehistoric lithic quarries on Quaternary Paleo-river terraces. Also found were four lithic scatters, two small temporary camps, a rock art site, and a pot drop. Two unusual artifacts were an obvoid obsidian biface that may derive from the Ash Fork region and an Alameda Brown Ware pot drop associated with the Sinagua Culture. A review of the cultural ecology and culture history suggested that Spring Canyon was an area of limited short-term resource exploitation. This view was verified by survey results but these results also indicated that people using the Canyon were involved in long distance transit, trade, and culture contact. Significance assessments are made for documented sites and recommendations are given for additional survey in those areas that have the potential for additional cultural resource locations.