The Tucson Basin During the Protohistoric Period

Abstract

There is a notable lack of detailed information regarding the Proto-historic period, a.d. 1450-1700, in the Tucson Basin. This paper briefly reviews early documentary sources and the available archaeological information from the Tucson Basin. The major focus is on documents from the decade 1692-1702 during the Kino period. Subsistence practices, settlement patterns, population, and warfare are the principal topics addressed. It is concluded that available data suggest that the Tucson Basin, particularly San Xavier del Bac, was the center of the social and economic system of northern Pimert'a Alta during the late seventeenth century. The primacy of the Tucson Basin probably did not continue long into the eighteenth century, and some of the forces that brought about this change are identified.