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Tumamoc Hill Agave Jacob Chinn photo
At the base of Tumamoc Hill, where the UA Desert Laboratory is located, is an ancient agave
horticulture site and agave roasting pit that were once used by the Hohokam people of the
American Southwest. The fields are estimated to date to the 1200-1300s. Since the early
1980s, UA scientists have been using this spot to replicate Hohokam techniques for agave
horticulture. Historically, agave has been used as food, for its fibers and to make alcoholic
beverages. It takes at least 24 hours to roast agaves, during which the Hohokam would work
on other projects, like making spindles for forming the fibers into thread or ropes.
18 ARIZONA ALUMNI MAGAZINE
