A Deeper Map 1.2.1

A Deeper Map is a public art project presented in the form of a map-based mobile app. The undertaking aims to offer insight for current inhabitants of the lower Salt River Valley, the historical grounds of today's metro Phoenix area, by unveiling the timeless legacy that influenced our contemporary desert metropolis.

The project is strategically devised to enlighten present Valley residents about the former presence of irrigation and agriculture in the very locations where they now reside, work, or pursue education.

We have united modern maps with archaeological representations of historic canal routes and theoretical depictions of ancient farmlands to enlighten the wider community about the extent and complexity of prehistoric agricultural practices in this region.

At the heart of the application lies a compelling metaphor—a contemporary map that can be slid aside to reveal an underlying fixed prehistoric map. The contemporary map offers three distinct viewing modes: an opaque rendition presenting a contrast between ancient and modern contexts, a translucent display enabling concurrent visibility of historical and prehistoric strata, and a satellite perspective granting viewers the ability to pinpoint individual edifices and characteristics in relation to ancient agrarian landscapes. Through the act of sliding these maps back and forth, our audience is encouraged to contemplate how locations of importance to them have transformed throughout history.

In our pursuit of accuracy and cultural respect, we have engaged with tribal and archaeological communities to uphold these values in the project. Furthermore, complementary content has been shaped to accompany our maps, providing an alternative means for viewers to delve into bygone eras and their relevance to the contemporary landscape.