Backhoe Trenches Research Articles

Prehistoric Cremations from Nogales, Arizona

ABSTRACTIn October, 1969, the Highway Salvage Section of the Arizona State Museum conducted emergency salvage excavations in conjunction with the construction of the Tucson-Nogales Highway. Ten cremations were recovered from a backhoe trench which had been placed within the city limits of Nogales, Arizona. Analysis of the cremations indicated cultural contact between the Trincheras culture of Sonora, Mexico, and the Hohokam culture of the Santa Cruz River Valley in southern Arizona.