Prehistoric Irrigation Systems in the Salt River Valley, Arizona

Masse, W. Bruce

doi:10.1126/science.214.4519.408

Cited by 58 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Prehistoric people, known as the Hohokam, occupied the region from 1650 to 500 yr B.P. The Hohokam were agriculturalists and are well known for the construction of canal networks emanating from the perennial Salt and Gila Rivers north of the study area (Haury, 1976;Masse, 1981, Figure I). Although no prehistoric canals have been discovered on the floodplain of the San Xavier reach of the Santa Cruz River and only a few prehistoric canals have been discovered in the Tucson Basin, this area was farmed with small canals and ditches emanating from the springs along the San Xavier reach in the 1600s and 1700s during the time of Spanish occupation, and probably before (Castetter and Bell, 1942).…”

Section: Degradation and Aggradation Of The San Xavier Reach Of The Smentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In semiarid regions, the dynamic riverine environment has been the focus of human activity since the Paleo-Indian period-at first primarily for hunting (Haury et al, 1959), then gathering (Waters, 1986), and eventually for the pursuit of agriculture (Haury, 1976;Masse, 1981). As a result, archaeological remains have become incorporated in riverine deposits as part of the alluvial record.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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The impact of fluvial processes and landscape evolution on archaeological sites and settlement patterns along the San Xavier reach of the Santa Cruz River, Arizona

Waters

1988

Geoarchaeology

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The Santa Cruz arroyo in the Tucson Basin, Arizona, has undergone major environmental changes over the last 8000 years. The Holocene stratigraphy along a 15 km segment of the arroyo, known as the San Xavier reach, which traverses the Sen Xavier Indian Reservation was investigated in detail. The Holocene alluvial sequence reveals that aggradation occurred until 8OOO yr B.P. within a braided stream. was followed by a major period of channel erosion and widening from 8000 to 6600 yr B.P., which, in turn, was followed by vertical aggradation of the floodplain and five ahort periods of channel cutting. Broad climatic changes are correlated with major changes in the fluvial regime and landscape. However, the cycles of armyo cutting and filling, during the semiarid climate of the last 2500 years. were probably the result of the creation of unstable internal geomorphic conditions, flooding, and human impacta on the floodplain. The alluvial history of the San Xavier reach has had a pronounced effect on the preservation and completenesa of the archaeological record. Periods of erosion have created absences or gaps in the archaeological record and deep burial has removed some of the preserved archaeological remains from view. Environmental changes on the floodplain also influenced late prehistoric Hohokam settlement and subsistence patterns in the San Xavier region.

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Section: Degradation and Aggradation Of The San Xavier Reach Of The Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

The impact of fluvial processes and landscape evolution on archaeological sites and settlement patterns along the San Xavier reach of the Santa Cruz River, Arizona

Waters

1988

Geoarchaeology

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“…Berger (2004) reported the use of canal irrigation from 1600 years to 800 years ago (400 AD to 1200 AD) in the flood plains of Salt River in Phoenix, Arizona. Masse (1981) used aerial photographs to reveal complex and extensive remains of ancient Hohokam irrigation systems in the Salt River Valley near Tempe, Maricopa County, Arizona. These systems were probably constructed and used between AD 850 and 1450, and consist of over 2100 km of canals in the north and south of the Salt River.…”

Section: Prehistoric Farming Techniques and Soil Degradationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soils and food sufficiency. A review

Lal

2009

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

191

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-Soil degradation, caused by land misuse and soil mismanagement, has plagued humanity since the dawn of settled agriculture. Many once thriving civilizations collapsed due to erosion, salinization, nutrient depletion and other soil degradation processes. The Green Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, that saved hundreds of millions from starvation in Asia and elsewhere, by-passed Sub-Saharan Africa. This remains the only region in the world where the number of hungry and food-insecure populations will still be on the increase even by 2020. The serious technological and political challenges are being exacerbated by the rising energy costs. Resource-poor and small-size land-holders can neither afford the expensive input nor are they sure of their effectiveness because of degraded soils and the harsh, changing climate. Consequently, crop yields are adversely impacted by accelerated erosion, and depletion of soil organic matter (SOM) and nutrients because of the extractive farming practices. Low crop yields, despite growing improved varieties, are due to the severe soil degradation, especially the low SOM reserves and poor soil structure that aggravate drought stress. Components of recommended technology include: no-till; residue mulch and cover crops; integrated nutrient management; and biochar used in conjunction with improved crops (genetically modified, biotechnology) and cropping systems, and energy plantation for biofuel production. However, its low acceptance, e.g. for no-till farming, is due to a range of biophysical, social and economic factors. Competing uses of crop residues for other needs is among numerous factors limiting the adoption of no-till farming. Creating another income stream for resource-poor farmers, through payments for ecosystem services, e.g., C sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems, is an important strategy for promoting the adoption of recommended technologies. Adoption of improved soil management practices is essential to adapt to the changing climate, and meeting the needs of growing populations for food, fodder, fuel and fabrics. Soil restoration and sustainable management are essential to achieving food security, and global peace and stability.food security / soil restoration / sustainable development / soil degradation / conservation agriculture / no-till farming / biochar / integrated nutrient management

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“…to A.D. 1450 (Masse, 1981). Remnants of prehistoric villages and canal systems were noted by archeologists in 1887, but by 1903, most of the surface evidence of these villages and canal systems had been obliterated by farming and construction.…”

Section: History Of Water Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent archeological studies of the Hohokam irrigation system have recorded more than 300 mi of main canals and 1,000 mi of smaller canals in the Salt River Valley (Masse, 1981).…”

Section: History Of Water Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predevelopment hydrology of the Salt River Indian Reservation, East Salt River Valley, Arizona

Thomsen¹,

Porcello²

1991

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Prehistoric Irrigation Systems in the Salt River Valley, Arizona

Cited by 58 publications

References 7 publications

The impact of fluvial processes and landscape evolution on archaeological sites and settlement patterns along the San Xavier reach of the Santa Cruz River, Arizona

The impact of fluvial processes and landscape evolution on archaeological sites and settlement patterns along the San Xavier reach of the Santa Cruz River, Arizona

Soils and food sufficiency. A review

Predevelopment hydrology of the Salt River Indian Reservation, East Salt River Valley, Arizona

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