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Agua Fria National Monument

Society for American Archaeology
Office of the President

January 11, 2000

President Clinton's designation of Agua Fria National Monument will enhance the long-term preservation and the public interpretation of the remarkable, but little-known, archaeological resources of Perry Mesa and the surrounding area. The Monument encompasses a nearly complete prehistoric settlement system dated between AD 1250 and 1450. It contains impressive clusters of massive, basalt pueblos, numerous smaller habitations, dramatically situated stone forts, extensive prehistoric agricultural fields, and an enormous array of stunning rock art. While there has been some looting, the research and interpretive potential of the area is enormous. The Society for American Archaeology is gratified by the President's action today and appreciates his and Secretary Babbitt's commitment to protect, preserve and interpret the nation's archaeological resources.

Over the last 25 years, archaeological research has revolutionized our understanding of the prehistory of central Arizona. Excavations of large sites constituted most archaeological research through much of this century. However, recent attention to archaeological survey and to smaller sites has enhanced our appreciation of the spatial scale and the complexity of prehistoric societies and the importance of relations among quite distant groups. Thus, it is especially important that protection and up-to-date interpretation be afforded to areas such as Perry Mesa that have rich, intact, archaeological records and that are sufficiently large to encompass substantial portions of prehistoric social systems.

In response to a request from Secretary Babbitt, the BLM sought information about a special designation for this area from resource specialists and comments from the general public. Having participated both in the BLM information-gathering and the public meetings, I believe that its designation as a National Monument represents the best possible outcome not only for archaeology, but also for the people of the United States. Because of the name recognition of a National Monument, it can have the greatest success in interpreting the past to the interested public and the greatest impact on urban and regional planning. I earnestly hope that it will be aggressively supported by Congress.

President Clinton's proclamation creates what I believe is the largest unit in the National Park system with America's prehistory as a major focus. The Society for American Archaeology believes that the President's action today represents an extremely important decision to protect and preserve this enormously important area before it is engulfed in the urban sprawl of Phoenix. With new research, Agua Fria National Monument's unique and well preserved archaeological record has tremendous potential to enhance our understanding of the prehistory of Arizona and the Southwest. Further, because of its location, the Monument presents an unparalleled opportunity to convey results of archaeological research to the enormous public audience that drives along I-17 or that lives close by.

Keith W. Kintigh
President