Desert Foothills Chapter - Monthly Meeting

When
12 Sep 2018
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location
Community Building (Maitland Hall) at The Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, 6502 East Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 (near the Dairy Queen)

DFC-AAS: Sept 12th Scott Wood

Lecture Opportunity:

Scott Wood updates us on Goat Camp Ruin in the Payson area, much like Shoofly Ruin and Risser Ruin. It contains about 30 masonry rooms and other surface structures sitting on top of what was probably the largest pithouse village in the Payson area. The currently assumed occupation is approximately 750 to 1280 CE and the site appears to have been founded as a Hohokam colony which later became a significant part of local culture, though it was eventually surpassed in size and importance by both Shoofly and Risser ruins. The site was originally part of the Tonto National Forest but was transferred to the Town of Payson in a land exchange in 1994. With subsequent little activity for years, in 2008 the Rim Country Chapter of the Arizona Archaeology Society with Scott Wood’s assistance proposed to develop an archaeological interpretive site like Shoofly Ruin and a hiking trail for this 6-acre parcel of land. Scott has lead groups of volunteers each spring and fall the past 8 years mapping, surface collecting, and excavating and stabilizing several rooms within the overall complex with lab work taking place over the summers. The goal is not rebuilding or total excavation, but rather to further knowledge about the site and area that can be presented to the public through interpretive development. In his presentation, Scott Wood provides a report on recent activities and findings at Goat Camp as well as plans for the future. He may even recruit you to join the crew…

Reception and socialization at 7:00 pm, program begins approximately 7:30 pm.