The Occupational Use of Hill Space in the Tucson Basin: Evidence from Linda Vista Hill

ABSTRACT

Recent investigations at the Tucson Basin “trincheras” site of Linda Vista Hill, located adjacent to the large floodplain village site of Los Morteros (AZ AA: 12:57 ASM), have revealed that a substantial number of the rock features there may represent the foundations of habitation structures. Evidence is presented that more than 80 of the Linda Vista trincheras were used as houses, and a mixed residential-agricultural use of the hill is proposed. Clustering of the proposed house foundations is apparent, and it is suggested that the Linda Vista trincheras may represent a restructuring of the Los Morteros community during the transition from the early to late Classic periods. It is suggested that other trincheras sites in the Tucson Basin were also used for residential purposes during the Classic period.