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Ancient village discovered in Sierra Vista

Find came as part of preparation work for new housing development

By Ted Morris
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Thursday, Dec 18, 2008 - 09:41:41 am MST

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SIERRA VISTA — Archaeologists have unearthed an ancient village in the West End.

Based on artifacts found there, the prehistoric pit-house village is believed to have belonged to a desert Mogollon people who lived here early in the first millennium.

“It’s amazing,” property owner Karol George said during an interview in May. “You can always find something out there when you’re kicking around, but this site is a very unique site, is what I’m being told.”

Archaeologists found adobe-walled homes and hearths, ceramic and rock objects, and graves. Those burials have been repatriated to the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation, which holds jurisdiction.

Archaeologist Gaylen Tinsley moves excess dirt on May 28 from an area of interest in a trench while unearthing part of an ancient village in the West End. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)

“We’ll be working on this for at least another year,” said Bill Deaver, a senior archaeologist and principal investigator for WestLand Resources Inc. in Tucson.

He was referring to the analysis of artifacts and writing of final reports. The archaeologists have finished their excavations and retrieval of artifacts.

The repository of those rare things will be the Arizona State Museum at the University of Arizona. It is not known whether the city of Sierra Vista will be able to house any of those artifacts in the near future. Sought for comment in May, Mayor Pro Tem Rick Mueller told the Herald/Review, “My question is, ‘Why the hell are they up in Tucson? Why don’t we have a facility down here?’ ” But he recognized that “storage is already a problem in the Hauser Museum.”

Regarding artifacts that will be potentially on loan from the University of Arizona, John Ware, director of The Amerind Foundation Inc. in Dragoon, said last week, “We’re full, and we haven’t taken collections for years. We’ve got enough.”

Ware also said, “This is an exciting find, if it is what (Deaver) says it is, and if he’s in the right date ball park. I’m not terribly surprised that you’re finding early stuff there. In the San Pedro Valley, we should be finding early farming villages dating back to 2-or-3,000 years ago.”

The ancient village is located on Golf Links Road, just east of Buffalo Soldier Trail.

It is private property, and there are laws protecting the antiquities that may still be found there.

George and Dick Pino plan to build a new-home development on 40 acres there. It is called Summit Heights. When the developers sought to rechannel a drainageway on the site, this invoked a permitting process managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. That requires the involvement of archaeologists.

“It’s costing us about $240,000,” George said Monday. “Plus, it’s taken us about five years to get to this point.”

George said his costs include the repatriation of the human remains.

Once the Army Corps of Engineers issues its permit, which is expected to happen within weeks, then George and Pino can complete their earthwork.

The archaeological diggings will soon be backfilled, and that is when the developers will lay out their streets, water and utilities, George said, adding there will be an archaeologist on site “to monitor everything that we do.”

Archaeological maps will precisely record where ancient features were found, and future homeowners in Summit Heights will have access to that information, George said.

Deaver said that when there is construction work — including the fence along the U.S.-Mexico border — there is often an archaeologist standing nearby.

“Any time the dirt’s moved, it opens up an opportunity for us,” he said.

Herald/Review City Editor Ted Morris can be reached at 515-4614 or by e-mail at cityeditor@svherald.com.

WHERE TO FIND OUT MORE

For general information about Native American archaeology, art, history and culture, contact The Amerind Foundation in Dragoon at (520) 586-3666 or amerind.org.

Also, contact the Arizona State Museum at (520) 621-6302 or statemuseum.arizona.edu.

NOTE TO READERS

The Herald/Review found out about this archaeological discovery in May. Because the site was vulnerable at that time to unauthorized artifact hunters, the archaeologists requested that the news media postpone releasing information until scientific data could be gathered. On Sunday, the Herald/Review will publish another story about the ancient village.

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rg wrote on Dec 31, 2008 2:54 PM:

" Honestly, who knows how many houses in the Sierra Vista area where unknowingly built over ancient villages and burial grounds. The human remains should be respectfully relocated, and the rest donated to museums, etc. Can't a historical landmark be built somewhere in the new development to acknowledge the findings? I'm not interested in stimulating a controversial discussion with any of you, just voicing my views. Should the findings stop the future of construction in the area? I think not, but the archeological finding should be acknowledged are recorded. It is fascinating to find this type of thing in our town. "

Prof Corey wrote on Dec 30, 2008 8:38 PM:

" Was it an ancient mobile home park "

Really wrote on Dec 30, 2008 4:05 PM:

" Does any ot this really matter, they were digging in May, it is now almost January. So more than likely it is too late to do anything on either side. "

Just thinking wrote on Dec 28, 2008 9:11 PM:

" Compared to other cities SV is still quite ancient. Example A, recycling. "

AZDave Supporter 2 wrote on Dec 28, 2008 4:52 PM:

" Would the folks who want to have a local museum put the money up? Who are these people who want to preserve the area? Recover what can be recovered and move on. This was not publicized for pretty much for the same reason that the discovery of Kartchner Caverns was a secret for 14 years. The Veterans Cemetery will inter skeletal remains of Cavalry soldiers/ civilians that were discovered while digging at the site of the new county and city's Joint Courts Complex. The approx. 500 remains will be removed and relocated. The complex will still be completed (//www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/54226.php). "

happy thoughts wrote on Dec 27, 2008 12:44 PM:

" Interesting how we have some folks here including a dreamy eyed 10 year old boy who "WOULD" do some sort of noble thing with this land. Fact is nobody has offered any cold hard cash to back up such wishful thinking. I doubt anyone will. Another fact is that this site has already yielded some incredible artifacts and those will be available in the future for the public to enjoy in the mentioned museum network. The site itself is boring dirt and to build a museum there to feel good about yourselves would be childish folly. "

azdave wrote on Dec 27, 2008 10:23 AM:

" To f: I originally posted because someone thought their 10-year old son's suggestion to simply give the land back to the Indians (yes, GIVE it back) was an intelligent solution. When I challenged that, Realistic said I was "narrow-minded", "greed-oriented", and had a "complete lack of intellect". Keep up with the thread. Aside from that, though, trading for it requires that someone (i.e., you in combination with other people) give up land that's commercially usable in exchange for land that isn't. You and several hundred other people are going to do that? Hardly. "

realistic wrote on Dec 27, 2008 12:11 AM:

" Thank you "f". I echo your sentiment. As you stated, I never asked for KE&G to give the land away. I rest my/our case. "

f wrote on Dec 26, 2008 6:59 PM:

" to azdave, you are nitpicking....many of us have said, under similar circumstances, we WOULD be willing to trade for land of equal value to preserve this site...do you not comprehend what you read? Most comments have NOT asked that they GIVE it away, but rather trade it....do you know the difference, or are you just in this forum to cause dissent? "

azdave wrote on Dec 26, 2008 3:41 PM:

" To Realistic: I made my assumptions about you based upon your unrealistic writings. No other evidence ... just like you have no evidence that ASP would be willing to buy the land or trade for it. And I didn't say you wouldn't be willing to sell or trade your lot ... I suggested you wouldn't be willing to give it away, just like the developers of this land aren't willing to simply give it away. My contention, and that of several other posters here, is that nobody is going to fund developing it into a park. "

lets get real wrote on Dec 26, 2008 2:00 PM:

" if we make this a historical site it would atract people for maybe 6 months then we would be wasting tax-payer money for maintenance and employee payroll because it would not be able to sustain itself.... I say build a museum somewere central in town and just move the stuff there. let the guy build... "

realistic wrote on Dec 26, 2008 11:20 AM:

" Continued- Did you base your conjecture that I'm no different on facts you know about me or did you base it on a gut feeling? You do make many assumptions based upon virtually nothing. I could assume a whole lot about you, but I'll leave it alone. "

realistic wrote on Dec 26, 2008 11:13 AM:

" Finance: What does what the 10-year old son say or not say about finance have to do with anything? I'm sure Arizona State Parks would jump at the opportunity to develop the historic site. ASP would most likely buy the parcel and/or trade for other parcels. If the acre my house sits on had any historical context, I would sell or swap it. How did you figure that I'm clearly no different? "

just passing by wrote on Dec 26, 2008 9:59 AM:

" Now you know what the Palistinians and Arabs who lived in Palistine when the Nation of Isreal came back into being. After being outlawed 2000 years ago by the Romans. What if the U.N. decided that the Native Americans had a right to live and take back there land here in SV. A strong nation backs the Native Americans, Arms them and they become a super power.Theres even rumors they have nukes. Anyone disagreeing with them would be branded an enemy, Then they set up road blocks to moniter civilian traffic. Just a thought. "

azdave supporter wrote on Dec 26, 2008 9:56 AM:

" To "My 10-Year Old Son Said": If you can't explain such a simple concept to your child... maybe you should have someone explain it to you first. Education is a wonderful thing. HOPEFULLY your 10-year old is getting his! "

azdave supporter wrote on Dec 26, 2008 9:53 AM:

" Go azdave!!!!!!!!!! You tell them. I really think that there should be a middle ground somewhere... Dedicate an acre of the land to a museum and develop (houses) around it. Problem solved. The developer gets his money that he needs to pay off his loan for the property (this is where "reality" should come into play or the rest of you can also donate your house and continue to pay your loans for the rest of your life without a place to live.) "

David wrote on Dec 26, 2008 7:33 AM:

" We should all abandoned our lands and properties because the wooly mammoth one time may have slept here, or perhaps stepped on a poor native clovis man. We should all move to France so the mexicans can have back the land they took from somebody else after the spanish enslaved them and drove them north on the expeditions searching for fortune and glory. We should all hang our heads in shame because we dare to lay claim to owning property.Thus spake the liberal and the socialist. And we WERE ashamed and hung our heads because our children are smarter. "

azdave wrote on Dec 25, 2008 8:16 PM:

" To Realistic: So tell me ... what did the 10 year old son suggest as the way to finance this historic site instead of developing it? Or does being "realistic" presume that the owners should just donate the land (worth millions)? As far as the owners trading for alternate parcels, have you offered the lot your home sits on for that purpose? If you aren't willing to do so, why shouldn't I assume that you're the greedy one since you're clearly no different? C'mon ... use your superior intellect to suggest a viable solution. "

realistic wrote on Dec 24, 2008 5:46 PM:

" The sad thing is that people such as azdave are so narrow-minded and greed oriented that they fail to see the opportunity at hand. Sierra Vista is a cookie cutter town with a lack of a cultural or historic feeling to it, and when the opportunity arrives to have a historic site or anything like it, ignorance often prevails in the name of greed. The 10-year son has much more sense than those such as azdave. I'm truly sorry that azdave has a complete lack of intellect. "

Team520 wrote on Dec 24, 2008 10:40 AM:

" You go azdave!! I doubt any of these people that say, "don't build on the land now" or "make it a museum" certainly aren't readily giving up the dirt they live on or even worse fitting the bill to pay for all this excavation even though they own the land outright. "

What to tell your son... wrote on Dec 24, 2008 9:01 AM:

" Explain to your son “Manifest Destiny”, the historical belief that the United States was ordained and destined by the god of Christianity to expand across the North American continent, from the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific Ocean. Add in what a few others have pointed out also, that your own property once belonged to the Native Americans. Oh and be sure to toss in some information about such atrocities like the forced relocation of Native Americans. "

azdave wrote on Dec 23, 2008 9:31 PM:

" To My 10-Year Old Son Said: Just because the construction crew didn't find artifacts on your lot (or ignored them) when they built your house doesn't mean that the Indians didn't own it before the whites took it over a couple of centuries ago. If you and the other adults in your household are too ignorant to be able to explain to your son why you aren't willing to deed your lot back to the nearest Indian tribe, I'm truly sorry for the kind of intellectual environment he's being raised in. "

To Parent of 10 year old wrote on Dec 23, 2008 8:21 PM:

" Tell him to start at home, and give everything he has has back to the Indians. Or go to the casino and just give some back. "

geez wrote on Dec 23, 2008 4:01 PM:

" Tell your 10 year old that America was taken from the Indians years ago. Should we all move away and give all the land back to them too? You're speechless because you don't have anything intelligent to say. Give it "back" to what Indians? It's the owners land. He bought it just like you bought yours. "

My 10-Year Old Son Said wrote on Dec 23, 2008 2:18 PM:

" When we were discussing this in front of my 10-year old son, he said, "Why build over it? Give it back to the Indians. It's an easy problem to solve because isn't it the Indians' land in the first place?" We adults were speechless. So now, all of you genuises here, tell me what to tell my son!! "

azdave wrote on Dec 22, 2008 11:30 AM:

" To Sick to My Stomach: I'm pretty sure your home sits on a site with historical value, at least in my mind. I'd like you to abandon it and move away so I can tear it down and appreciate the land as it once was before either you or I arrived here. That OK with you? I'm pretty sure wherever you work, and the site where your kids go to school, also have historical value and I'd prefer that I be able to occasionally appreciate them in their original state. Sound OK? "

azdave wrote on Dec 22, 2008 11:23 AM:

" I have an idea. Why don't all the folks who think the owners of this property should just leave it alone (or spend more of his own money to preserve it for the public) figure out how much money they would have to raise to do that, divide it among them, and then either contribute that amount themselves or solicit equivalent donations from their friends. Or at least get out and put together a proposal for a grant (government or private) to preserve it? Instead, you think the property owner should just do it for you. "

first svian wrote on Dec 22, 2008 7:20 AM:

" As a property owner, I would be honored to "swap" my parcel for another of equal value in order to preserve this for the future. Surely, there must be some parcel the city,county, state could swap for this important find. Perhaps one of those "schooll" parcel could be swapped and a school cold be built on part of this site with access to the ancient village being preserved? "

Jesse wrote on Dec 21, 2008 10:30 AM:

" They've been excavating for a YEAR and the SV Herald just now thought it important enough to pass along??? Of course they've finished digging and it's too late to do anything about them building there. Seriously, does this newspaper actually have any employees or does it just wait until someone giftwraps stories for them? "

what if wrote on Dec 20, 2008 11:36 PM:

" Get real folks: How much traction do you think such a proposal would get? Do you REALLY think the SV and/or Cochise tax payers would be willing to cough up the millions of dollars required to purchase this land and develop a museum? The land alone would cost at least $4million. And if anyone thinks the State would "trade" parcels, you must be smoking something. Only a handful of state parcels this size remain in SV and they're already earmarked for the benefit of the schools. "

i agree wrote on Dec 20, 2008 3:38 PM:

" I beat that hardly any of you knew that there is indian burial site where apache point ranch is right now. there are several graves up there. some with historical resects. nobodys doing anything about it....... "

Gambler wrote on Dec 19, 2008 6:17 PM:

" The only land the is too sacred be built on is land the Indians don't own. They would build a casino there in a heartbeat. "

Team520 wrote on Dec 19, 2008 4:26 PM:

" To: Sick to my stomache. Your line below is a joke and you obviously don't understand economics. If not for Ft. Huachuca and the continued need to build houses, Sierra Vista would not even exist. Great idea.....let's stop all things that pump money into the community and then see what happens. Maybe one day you'll dig something up in your back yard and then someone can tell you to move because it's an artifact and you no longer own that property. Goof!! "

interested wrote on Dec 19, 2008 4:03 PM:

" Do you know what a find this is and what it could mean to the West End of Sierra Vista and it's current revitalization plan. If done correctly, Mr. George and Mr. Pino could revitalize their current reputations and end up heros. We have enough housing inventory to last another 3-4 years, but we do not have many museums here. Respect the original land-owners. "

Mark C. wrote on Dec 19, 2008 10:35 AM:

" It would be nice if the city of Sierra Vista, the property owners, the U of A and the Amerind Foundation could put thier heads together and find some way to honor this areas past, educate our kids and add something unique to the community. "

ben wrote on Dec 19, 2008 9:13 AM:

" graves, eh? building houses over an indian burial ground sounds like a horror movie in the making. "

rights wrote on Dec 19, 2008 9:09 AM:

" to everyone: your homes could be built on art, history and graves and you not even know it. if someone came in your backyard and unearthed some "Art" would you turn it into a casino or museum? NO! So leave the owner alone. He can do what he wants. "

kcs wrote on Dec 19, 2008 8:17 AM:

" If you have a drop of Native American blood in your veins and know the history of the people who lived on this land, this desecration of a burial ground is the worst possible thing that could happen to the developer. Dreams and visions.
This site needs to be preserved and honored for what it is and people should be taught about it's significance. That is what Sierra Vista needs, not another housing developement. "

curious wrote on Dec 18, 2008 9:24 PM:

" Can't sierra vista make some tourist $$$$$ out of it????? I say take the land and build a casino!!!!!! "

Archaeology Enthusiast wrote on Dec 18, 2008 8:04 PM:

" Covering this site is an abomination. It has been found, it is time to use it to the community's advantage. This site should be considered a local treasure. But covering it with houses? Sick. "

thats right wrote on Dec 18, 2008 7:03 PM:

" I agree, the New Owners should read this and build somewhere else...what if theres more, and layers deeper, , on that acreage, and how will it get accessed if theres a bunch of new junk over it. Maybe it being Indian artifacts has something to do with the utter disrespect..its nothing new to cart indigenous peoples remains away as if to be sure no reminders remain, as the new occupants conquer the land... "

Sick to my stomach wrote on Dec 18, 2008 6:45 PM:

" Are you kidding? houses and streets over historical value. Karol George, and KE&G at their finest. Makes me want to puke............. "

SV resident wrote on Dec 18, 2008 5:19 PM:

" I realize the owner of the property wants to move ahead with building, and as a home and land owner, I respect his right to do so, however, please give this some serious thought! There is so much "new" in this world we live in, and so little "old" is left. Those of us who have lived in SV since childhood have seen so much growth already, and while it's brought tremendous opportunities to the community, there is something very special about the history of this beautiful land. Owner, please reconsider your plans. "

Anne wrote on Dec 18, 2008 3:29 PM:

" Wow, I can't believe that someone intends to build over this and will be allowed to do so. If the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation has jurisdiction over the graves, do they have any say about the rest of the village? What an awesome find! It just seems like an incredible waste to cover it up with asphalt, concrete, and more houses. Good grief, in today's housing market, what are they thinking anyway??? "

citizen wrote on Dec 18, 2008 3:17 PM:

" Why don't they leave it as a find and instead of Summit Heights, build a museum to hold the artifacts and make it a park to be preserved and enjoyed by all like the Casa Grande Ruins, Montezuma's Village, etc. Why do we need more housing developements? There are enough houses on the market not selling. Make something worth while everyone here and visitors can enjoy. "

Caliche wrote on Dec 18, 2008 2:10 PM:

" Letting them build over the ruins seems nuts to me. I'm a 5th amendment/private property guy all the way, but it sounds like this is a find of great value. Isn't there a way to swap some state land to the developer? I never thought I'd see myself writing in opposition to a man developing his land as he sees fit. Times change, and we change with them, I guess. "

Really wrote on Dec 18, 2008 12:43 PM:

" Archaeology, art, history, culture, adobe-walled homes and hearths, ceramic and rock objects, and graves. Cover it all up to build more houses? Really? You are joking right? The property owner even says it's amazing and unique. You know you can't bury it just to make a profit. You know you must preserve it. Title searches don't go back millennia, but I say you aren't the true owner.
Work out a trade for 40 acres somewhere else. It may not be a money-maker, but the site must be preserved.
Save the pit house village! Save the world! "

Old Marine wrote on Dec 18, 2008 12:32 PM:

" Poor Rick Mueller. He barked before he thought. "

On The Other Hand wrote on Dec 18, 2008 11:59 AM:

" To all that want development stopped on someone's property because they found some old junk there, I hope that when you are ready to sell your house they find some bones there. "

Molon Labe wrote on Dec 18, 2008 11:56 AM:

" To expatriate: It's been excavated. There would be nothing left in a few years. Oh yeah, and it's private property. It belongs to somebody, not the city or state. How would you feel if someone found a pottery shard in your yard and wanted YOU to move out so they could build a museum on the site? "

Me wrote on Dec 18, 2008 8:47 AM:

" I use to live on that street! Wonder if they found my old dog who we burried back there... Poor Sparky :(

Cool stuff though! "

Giuseppi wrote on Dec 18, 2008 8:00 AM:

" Great story and a unique discovery in the area. Is it too late to stop the housing development and turn the site into a preserved natural history facility? Hopefully the artifacts can be stored and viewed locally here in Sierra Vista rather than in Tucson. I for one am looking forward to continued coverage of this story in the Sunday edition of the Herald. "

expatriate wrote on Dec 18, 2008 7:55 AM:

" There's no indication in the article that anyone considered preserving this "very unique site" for development as a park or museum -- Why is that?

Rather than continuing with the planned development that will pack in more houses, Sierra Vista should seize this rare opportunity to preserve a historic resource that will add something unique to the city. There are plenty of empty places where houses and stores can be built. "