Ventana Cave

Rock shelter and stratified site in southwest Arizona occupied from over 11,000 years ago. The stratigraphy starts with remains left by hunters of extinct species of horse, bison, and ground sloth, who also had stone tools - including Clovis/Folsom-like projectile points. It may have been contemporary with the San Dieguito complex of California. After a break, the cave was reoccupied by people of Desert Culture type (especially Cochise, Aramagosa). The firmest date for these upper levels, from geological evidence, is post 5000 BC. The more recent strata contain evidence of the transition from Desert to Hohokam and use of the cave into historic times.

A deeply stratified site in southwestern Arizona, USA, excavated by Emil Haury. Occupation spans 10,000 to 11,000 years. Materials from the lowest levels, which included Ctovis/FoLSOM-like projectile points imply generalized hunting activity. The presence of a single mano, however, suggests some reliance on plant food and possibly represents an incipient Archaic way of life. This lowest level yielded a radiocarbon date between 8100 and 10,500 be. Levels containing materials characteristic of the Desert tradition, especially Cochise and Aramagosa, are separated from the earlier levels by an erosional hiatus. The firmest date for these upper levels (from geological evidence) is post 5000 bc. The more recent strata contain evidence of the transition from Desert to Hohokam and show the cave to have been used into historic times.