Ancient Arizona Sites Ruined By Sprawl And ATVs

The best volunteer efforts of the Arizona Site Steward Program cannot prevent looting and other damage to the state's archeological heritage.

1 minute read

June 23, 2006, 9:00 AM PDT

By maryereynolds


Last year, volunteer monitors with Arizona State Parks reported 212 vandalism incidents, 27 lootings, 21 trashed signs, two unearthed human remains, 13 cases of spray-painting and two petroglyph thefts. Along the border, illegal immigration takes its toll: "Tinajas hosted a primeval campground and, not coincidentally, nine natural water catchments. Just as those catchments attracted prehistoric visitors, however, they also draw thirsty immigrants. Next door on the Barry M. Goldwater Range, petroglyphs have been targeted by vandals."

The 750 volunteer monitors are not law enforcement, however there have been some successes. "Armed with binoculars and about 10 hours of training, they've pulled some spectacular coups -- including nabbing notorious developer George Johnson, who bulldozed Hohokam villages in southern Pinal County in 2003."

Meanwhile, in Pima County, "Los Motreros" Hohokam site of eight villages has been buried beneath the Continental Ranch subdivision. Linda Mayro, the county's cultural resources manager explains that the developer did an archeological survey as part of the re-zoning process, but the development went on as planned. She says: "So the site analysis sits in multiple volumes on the shelf. The artifacts are in the state museum. And the burials have been repatriated."

Thursday, June 22, 2006 in Tucson Weekly

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight