Surficial geology and geoarchaeology of the Daniels Wash Area in Northern Growler Valley, Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range, southwestern Arizona

This report summarizes geomorphologic investigations and surficial geologic mapping conducted on part of the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range (BMGR) in southwestern Arizona in 1997 and 1998. These investigations were done in support of two extensive archaeological surveys in northern Growler Valley, in the west-central part of this vast desert reserve (Ahlstrom and Lyon, 2000; Tucker, 2000; see Figure 1). The map and survey area are about 30 km west-northwest of Ajo, and about 60 km southwest of Gila Bend. The natural and cultural resources of the BMGR are jointly managed by the U.S. Air Force and the Bureau of Land Management. Funding for these investigations was provided by the U.S. Air Force as part of their ongoing efforts to assess and effectively manage the resources of the BMGR. Detailed surficial geologic mapping done at 1:24,000 scale covers all of the area of the archaeological survey; thus, detailed mapping covers all of the valley axis and substantial piedmont areas as well. The general implications of the geomorphology and surficial geology for the potential for finding archaeological sites and features is considered in Part 2. The possibility that prehistoric inhabitants or seasonal visitors to this area diverted flow for agricultural purposes is explored in Part 3.