Archaeological Investigations at El Dumpe, a Mid-Twentieth-Century Dump, and the Embankment Site, Tucson, Arizona
Creators: name: Diehl, Allison Cohen
name: Jones, Timothy W.
name: J. Homer Thiel
Publisher: name: Center for Desert Archaeology
Year: 1997
Subjects: subject: Tucson Basin
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/geographic-keyword/2758/tucson-basin
subject: Maricopa (County)
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/geographic-keyword/3900/maricopa-county
subject: Tucson, AZ
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/geographic-keyword/76651/tucson-az
subject: Arizona (State / Territory)
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/geographic-keyword/79515/arizona-state-territory
subject: Hohokam
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/culture-keyword/21/hohokam
subject: Huhugam
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/culture-keyword/8166/huhugam
subject: Historic
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/culture-keyword/25/historic
subject: El Dumpe
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/27576/el-dumpe
subject: AZ BB:13:110 (ASM)
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/27577/az-bb13110-asm
subject: AZ BB:13:159 (ASM)
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/27578/az-bb13159-asm
subject: Embankment Site
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-name/9020/embankment-site
subject: Masonry Structure
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/1119/masonry-structure
subject: Domestic Structures
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/256/domestic-structures
subject: Refuse Pit
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/356/refuse-pit
subject: Wood Structure
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/1685/wood-structure
subject: Pit House / Earth Lodge
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/263/pit-house-earth-lodge
subject: Domestic Structure or Architectural Complex
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/251/domestic-structure-or-architectural-complex
subject: Modern Sewer Pipeline Trench
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/site-type/3660/modern-sewer-pipeline-trench
subject: Shell
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/14/shell
subject: Ceramic
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/1/ceramic
subject: Chipped Stone
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/2/chipped-stone
subject: Glass
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/6/glass
subject: Ground Stone
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/7/ground-stone
subject: Metal
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/material-type/11/metal
subject: Artifact Analysis
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/other-keyword/3318/artifact-analysis
subject: Historic Background Research
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/18/historic-background-research
subject: Data Recovery / Excavation
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/5/data-recovery-excavation
subject: Reconnaissance / Survey
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/7/reconnaissance-survey
subject: Heritage Management
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/24/heritage-management
subject: Research Design / Data Recovery Plan
valueUri: https://core.tdar.org/browse/investigation-type/9/research-design-data-recovery-plan

description: Archaeological excavations at El Dumpe (AZ BB: 13:110 ASM) and the Embankment site (AZ BB: 13:159 ASM) were conducted by Desert Archaeology, Inc. in the summer of 1994. The Arizona Department of Transportation had made plans to install frontage roads on each side of the interstate. Archaeological testing had previously suggested these sites might be National Register eligible. Work at El Dumpe involved collecting samples from this 1930s to 1940s dump. The University of Arizona Garbage Project coordinated data recovery and artifact analysis. The study focused on how tine Depression and World War II affected Tucson residents. The findings suggest that some rationing took place during the war. Tucson residents also purchased more products bottled in glass during the war, a trend that continued afterward. An archival study provides a history of refuse disposal for the Tucson area. Excavations at the Embankment site uncovered a large stone foundation and associated features, including a large trash deposit. The building appears to have been torn down around 1944 or 1945. The artifacts recovered suggest the structure was a restaurant or tavern. Unfortunately, no surviving documents were found for the building.