Gatlin Site
Encyclopedia
The Gatlin Site is an archaeological site in Arizona
that preserves one of the few documented Hohokam platform mounds
. Associated with the mound are pit houses, ball courts, midden
s, and prehistoric canals. Between AD 800 and 1200 it was an important Hohokam
settlement at the great bend of the Gila River. The site is the largest in the area and was home to over 500 people. Its importance is indicated by the presence of two ceremonial ball courts and one of the earliest platform mounds known. The mound is notable as being one of only few excavated and documented Sedentary Period platform mounds still relatively intact.
The site was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1964.
The Gatlin Site belongs to the town of Gila Bend, Arizona
, which is developing it as a regional cultural park.
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
that preserves one of the few documented Hohokam platform mounds
Mound builders
The group of cultures collectively called Mound Builders were prehistoric inhabitants of North America who constructed various styles of earthen mounds for religious and ceremonial, burial, and elite residential purposes...
. Associated with the mound are pit houses, ball courts, midden
Midden
A midden, is an old dump for domestic waste which may consist of animal bone, human excrement, botanical material, vermin, shells, sherds, lithics , and other artifacts and ecofacts associated with past human occupation...
s, and prehistoric canals. Between AD 800 and 1200 it was an important Hohokam
Hohokam
Hohokam is one of the four major prehistoric archaeological Oasisamerica traditions of what is now the American Southwest. Many local residents put the accent on the first syllable . Variant spellings in current, official usage include Hobokam, Huhugam and Huhukam...
settlement at the great bend of the Gila River. The site is the largest in the area and was home to over 500 people. Its importance is indicated by the presence of two ceremonial ball courts and one of the earliest platform mounds known. The mound is notable as being one of only few excavated and documented Sedentary Period platform mounds still relatively intact.
The site was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1964.
The Gatlin Site belongs to the town of Gila Bend, Arizona
Gila Bend, Arizona
Gila Bend , founded in 1872, is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The town is named for an approximately 90-degree bend in the Gila River, which is close to but not precisely at the community's current location...
, which is developing it as a regional cultural park.
External links
- Gatlin Site - Gila Bend, AZ, history and archaeology
- Gatlin Site photo gallery