Unkar Delta
The first phase of
the Grand Canyon project took place in 1967 and 1968 on Unkar Delta, a
50-hectare outwash at the confluence of Unkar Creek and the Colorado
River (map). One of
the largest arable river-level areas in the Grand Canyon, the delta is
primarily an alluvial formation of
remnant river terraces lying on either side of intermittently-flowing Unkar
Creek. A variety of sites and an extensive agricultural terrace system
had been located through
previous survey, which, along with the delta's natural boundaries and geographic
isolation, suggested that the former inhabitants maintained a relatively
self-contained community. Excavation at 31 sites revealed many details
about life in a relatively large,
prehistoric canyon settlement.
