Southwest Archaeology Team, Inc.

The Southwest Archaeology Team began as a group of volunteers 30 years ago. In 1986, the group incorporated and adopted its name, with its appropriate acronym, SWAT. SWAT’s goals are to field emergency archaeological crews to survey or excavate sites that would otherwise be lost, to promote the stabilization and preservation of prehistoric and historic sites, and to provide educational programs for adults and children. SWAT members have participated in numerous emergency survey, excavation, and stabilization projects. They have travelled to many places around the state to do this work, including Tumacacori National Historical Park, Mission Los Santos Angeles de Guevavi, Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, Pennington Stone Cabin, and an Archeological Conservancy site near Cottonwood.

SWAT members have been doing stabilization work at the Pueblo Grande platform mound since 1994. They have also been excavating and stabilizing at Mesa Grande, restoring the Serrine House, and stabilizing the Verdugo site for many years. SWAT has promoted archaeology through work with the Arizona Museum of Natural History, and with the Boy Scouts of America. SWAT members also have produced exhibits and organized activities for children at city and museum festivals, at the Arizona Archeology Expo and at the Tumacacori Christmas festival.