Chapter 5: Kenzie Dawn Hamlet, The Sand Canyon Archaeological Project: Site Testing

Kenzie Dawn Hamlet, Site 5MT5152, was initially recorded in 1980 by the Bureau of Anthropological Research (Breternitz-Goulding 1980, 1981; Fetterman and Honeycutt 1982). The site was recorded again in 1983 by the Bureau of Land Management, San Juan Resource Area, and was reassessed in 1986 by the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center (Van West et al. 1987). The site was later selected to be tested as part of the Sand Canyon Archaeological Project Site Testing Program. The site was tested from July to November 1991 using stratified random sampling. Mark D. Varien and Kristin A. Kuckelman directed excavations.

Kenzie Dawn Hamlet was selected for testing because it seemed likely that excavation would produce data useful in answering the research questions posed by the Site Testing Program. Of particular interest was the community of sites surrounding Sand Canyon Pueblo. Up-canyon sites tested in 1988, 1989, and 1990 (Lillian's Site, Roy's Ruin, Shorlene's Site, Troy's Tower, Catherine's Site, Stanton's Site, Lester's Site, and Lookout House), were selected because the pottery (a predominance of Mesa Verde Black-on-white) on the modern ground surface indicated that these were among the latest sites in the community and thus were possibly contemporaneous with Sand Canyon Pueblo. The sites tested in 1991 (G and G Hamlet and Kenzie Dawn Hamlet), on the other hand, were selected because they are among very few sites in the community that have slightly earlier pottery assemblages (predominance of McElmo Black-on-white) on the modern ground surface. The testing of these two sites was an attempt to (1) establish the existence of a resident population in the area surrounding Sand Canyon Pueblo immediately prior to the population increase, aggregation, and final regional abandonment in the A.D. 1200s; (2) characterize this resident population during that time period; and (3) recover comparative data for the later sites tested. In addition, it was hoped that testing of McElmo-dominated sites (sites dating to the last half of the A.D. 1100s) would add to the understanding of a time period which has been very poorly tree-ring dated across the southern Colorado Plateau (Berry 1982:Figure 12C). For additional discussion of the Site Testing Program objectives, see Chapter 1 of this volume.

Kenzie Dawn Hamlet is located in Montezuma County, southwestern Colorado. It is a mesa-top site located on the crest of a low ridge between two secondary drainages of Yellow Jacket Canyon, .8 mi (1.3 km) west of Sand Canyon Pueblo (Figure 1.7). The site is located at an elevation of 6830 ft (2082 m) and slopes 2 to 3 degrees to the south. The nearest known permanent water source is a spring located approximately 300 m due west of the site. A prehistoric stone wall constructed above the spring may have served as a water-control device. According to local landowners, this spring is one of the most reliable in the area.

The primary vegetation on the site is sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), Mormon tea (Ephedra viridis), and rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) (Figure 5.1). The original vegetation probably included pinyon and juniper trees. The original vegetation was removed by "chaining" historically (see Chapter 2 for a discussion of this procedure).

Additional damage to the site in the historic past has been caused by a north-south-trending two-track road and by cultivation, both of which have impacted the eastern one-third of the site. The site has also been subjected to a substantial amount of recent looting, primarily in the roomblock. A county road borders the site on the north and has both drawn attention and provided access to this site.

The remains visible on modern ground surface are shown in Figure 5.2 and include a masonry rubble mound, a pit structure depression to the south, and a midden area south of the pit structure depression. To the northeast of this main rubble mound, a lower, arc-shaped mound appears to abut the back (north edge) of the main rubble mound. This northern mound has small, sparse sandstone rocks, and arcs around a slight depression. A substantial artifact scatter surrounds these sampling strata, and a lighter scatter extends for some distance from the architectural area in all directions.

On the basis of surface remains, the site was divided into sampling strata for stratified random sampling (Figure 5.3). The main rubble mound was designated Sampling Stratum 1. Sampling Stratum 2 is the pit structure depression south of the main rubble mound. The courtyard, or Sampling Stratum 3, surrounds Sampling Stratum 2, and includes additional area west of Sampling Stratum 2. This additional area was included because, as a result of the off-center location of the pit structure depression in Sampling Stratum 2, the possibility of an additional pit structure was recognized. The looting in that area had obliterated any observable depression.

Sampling Stratum 4 is the inner periphery, which surrounds the architecture and middens at the site. It has a lower artifact density than the midden (Sampling Stratum 5) but a higher artifact density than the remainder of the site. Sampling Stratum 5 is the most clearly definable midden on the site. Sampling Stratum 6 consists of the pit structure depression northeast of the main rubble mound. Stratum 7 is the arc-shaped mound north of the main rubble mound. Sampling Stratum 8 is the "outer periphery" (limit of the artifact scatter) in the north half of the site, and Stratum 9 is the "outer periphery" in the south half of the site. Sampling Stratum 10 includes all of the looters' pits that were detectable on the modern ground surface.

Testing at Kenzie Dawn Hamlet entailed the excavation of 43 randomly selected 1-×-1-m units (Figure 5.3). No judgment units were excavated. Testing resulted in the exposure of structures and features and in the recovery of artifacts associated with two site occupations (Table 5.1). One occupation dates to the Basketmaker III period, and a long, relatively continuous occupation dates to the Pueblo II and Pueblo III periods. There is one late Pueblo II component and two Pueblo III components. Cultural remains encountered include two masonry-lined kivas, a masonry-lined pit room, six earth-walled pit structures, seven surface rooms, and several extramural features and midden deposits. The site was probably a habitation during most of its use.

Evidence of the Basketmaker III occupation can be seen east of the Sampling Stratum 5 midden, where a portion of a shallow, earth-walled pit structure (Structure 16) was exposed that contained Basketmaker pottery. Post holes from a possibly associated post-and-adobe roomblock were documented in the courtyard area southwest of Structure 6 (kiva) (Figure 5.4). The vertical-slab construction technique associated with the wall that defines Structure 9 (surface room) suggests a Basketmaker affiliation for that structure as well, although horizontally it is some distance from the other observed Basketmaker structures.

Numerous structures at the site date to the Pueblo II/Pueblo III occupation. The late Pueblo II component of this occupation is represented by a large, earth-walled pit structure (Structure 8) and associated burned rooms to the north of that structure. During the Pueblo III habitation component, Structures 12, 13, and 14 (small-diameter, deep, earth-walled pit structures), Structure 4 (kiva), Structure 5 (surface room), Structures 1 and 2 (surface rooms), Structure 6 (kiva), Structure 7 (surface room), Structure 10 (masonry-lined, rectangular pit structure), Structure 11 (kiva), and Structure 15 (surface room) were constructed. Most of the main midden was probably deposited during this occupation as well. Evidence of a Pueblo III limited-use component may include Structure 3 (surface room) and a large pit that truncated the fill of Structure 1.

The site grid is oriented along north-south masonry wall lines that had been exposed by looters; it is 12 degrees west of magnetic north, or 1.5 degrees east of true north. Pieces of rebar were set in concrete at 100N/100E, which is southwest of the masonry rubble mound, and at 100N/124E, which is southeast of the rubble mound. At the end of the field season, it was noted that the rebar at 100N/100E had become unstable because the fill into which the concrete had been poured was unconsolidated. Thus, the 100N/124E datum should be used as the primary datum during any future work at this site.

The primary vertical datum is the top of a large spike at 106N/114E, near the top of the rubble mound. This was arbitrarily designated 100 m elevation. The top of the rebar at 100N/100E is 99.04 m elevation (slightly unstable; use in the future only if necessary), and the top of the rebar at 100N/124E is 99.35 m elevation.

This chapter is organized by sampling strata, which are presented in numerical order. Cultural units are described under the sampling stratum in which they were encountered, and these are also in numerical order.

Surface Architecture (Sampling Stratum 1)

Sampling Stratum 1 was defined to include the highest rubble mound (Figure 5.3). This sampling stratum contains 66 m². Four 1-×-1-m units were randomly selected for excavation (105N/117E, 106N/117E, 106N/114E, and 107N/114E). During the excavation of these units, four masonry surface rooms (Structures 1, 2, 3, and 15) and two earth-walled pit structures (Structures 13 and 14) were encountered (Figure 5.4).

Structure 1 (Surface Room)

Structure 1 is an unburned masonry surface room near the east end of the main rubble mound (Figure 5.5 and Figure 5.6). The test pit in which this room was found is unit 105N/117E. A section of north wall and a section of west wall were exposed.

Construction

Structure 1 measures a minimum of 87 cm north-south and 94 cm east-west. The locations of the south and east walls of this room are unknown. The construction of the room is described in this section, including the walls, roof, and floor.

Walls. Sections of the north and west walls were observed during testing. The exposed section of north wall is 94 cm long, 42 cm wide, and is 55 to 86 cm high, including the foundation course. The wall has eight vertical courses of semicoursed masonry and in cross section is two stones wide with a rubble core ("double-stone with core"). The north wall abuts the west walls of Structures 1 and 2. All three of these walls rest primarily on a foundation of intentional fill within Structure 13 (pit structure).

The north face of this wall is the south wall of Structure 2 and is described under that structure. The south face of the north wall is composed of tabular stones (84 percent), irregular stones (15 percent), and blocks (1 percent). Of these stones, 55 percent are unshaped, 25 percent are shaped by pecking, and 20 percent are shaped by flaking.

The mortar is a strong brown, fine-textured sediment containing tiny pieces of sandstone and flecks of charcoal and calcium carbonate. The mortar beds are 2 to 3 cm wide and up to 4 cm thick. The varieties of chinking present are chunk (50 percent), tabular (25 percent), and spall (25 percent). No plaster was noted.

The exposed section of west wall is 87 cm long, 45 cm wide, and 61 to 82 cm high (including the foundation course). The wall contains six vertical courses of semicoursed masonry and appears from modern ground surface to be double-stone wide. The west wall is abutted by the north wall of this room. Both of these walls were constructed at a different time than the west wall of Structure 2, which is offset slightly to the west (Figure 5.6).

The west wall is composed of tabular and irregular stones (85 and 15 percent, respectively); 80 percent are unshaped, and 20 percent are shaped by flaking. The mortar is the same as that described for the north wall, except the beds are as much as 6 cm wide and 4 cm thick. All of the chinking observed was tabular. No plaster was noted.

Roof. No roof-support features were detected during excavation, so it is assumed that the roof was supported by the walls. A stratum (Stratum 4) of structural collapse was documented above the floor of this room, and this stratum may contain roof fall sediment (Figure 5.7). However, no associated vegetal material was present, and roofing timbers are inferred to have been salvaged after the room was abandoned. This stratum was heavily truncated by an intrusive feature and is difficult to interpret.

Surface 1. No floor surface was defined in this room during excavation. A large area of the fill and floor of Structure 1 had been destroyed by an intrusive pit (Figure 5.7). It is assumed, however, that the floor was roughly level with the bottom of the dressed masonry and above the rougher basal course that protruded from the face of the wall (Figure 5.7). It is also assumed that the surface was not prepared with a layer of adobe, or remnants of this would have been detected.

Surface 1

This surface was never clearly defined (see above), but it is possible that two in situ posts are associated with the construction of the north wall of this structure.

Features 1 and 2 (Post Holes). These features consist of rotted posts in post holes below the base of the north wall of Structure 1. Feature 1 is 28 cm east of the northwest corner of the room, and Feature 2 is 28 cm farther east. Feature 1 measures 13 cm in diameter and is 17 cm deep. Feature 2 is 15 cm long, 14 cm wide, and 17 cm deep. Both features were excavated into the upper fill of Structure 13 (pit structure). The tops of these posts are 22 cm below the level that is postulated as the floor surface in Structure 1 (Figure 5.7).

These post holes have been provenienced with Structure 1 because it is possible that the posts are associated with the construction of the north wall of Structure 1. There are no other indications of a different structure in this horizontal location at that elevation. The post from Feature 1 could not be dated; the post in Feature 2 was dated to 970 vv. Many rings may be missing from this specimen. It is clear that these posts were set much later than that year, because a timber dated A.D. 1142 vv was recovered 80 cm directly below these posts, in the lower fill of Structure 13 (pit structure).

Stratigraphy

The fill within Structure 1 is illustrated in Figure 5.7 as Strata 1 and 4. Also associated with this structure are Strata 12 and 13, which are the fill in the intrusive pit that originates in the fill of Structure 1. Stratum 1 is a brown loamy sand that is brighter orange with increasing depth below modern ground surface. This sediment contains abundant sandstone ranging from small pieces to building-block-size stones. The boundaries with Strata 4 and 12 are clear and wavy. This stratum consists of wall collapse and other naturally deposited material.

Stratum 4 is a strong brown silty clay loam containing a few charcoal flecks and small sandstone bits. The boundaries with Strata 5 and 12 are clear and smooth. The south end of this stratum was truncated by an intrusive pit. Somewhere in this stratum is the floor of Structure 1, probably near the top of the offset foundation course of the masonry wall (Figure 5.7). This surface was not distinguishable during excavation or profiling.

Stratum 12 is a dark brown silt loam containing small nodules of burned adobe, a moderate number of charcoal flecks, calcium carbonate flecks, sizable areas of unburned adobe, charcoal pieces as large as 2 cm in diameter, abundant sandstone ranging from small pieces to large building-block-size stones, and abundant artifacts. The boundary with Stratum 13 is very abrupt and smooth. This material is the upper stratum of what appears to be fill in a pit that truncates the original fill and floor in Structure 1 and the fill in Structure 13 (pit structure). The abundant artifacts and jumbled rocks indicate that this stratum was culturally deposited. It is not clear whether the pit was excavated prehistorically or recently, although the presence of what appears to be intact wall fall (Stratum 1) in Structure 1 above Stratum 12 suggests that the truncation occurred prehistorically, prior to much of the collapse of the Structure 1 walls. The disturbance continues south of this excavation unit.

Stratum 13 is a dark brown sandy loam containing numerous sandstone rocks (Figure 5.7), a few calcium carbonate flecks, some charcoal flecks, and a few sandstone bits. The boundaries with adjoining strata are gradual and wavy. This material is the initial deposit in a large pit that truncates the fills of Structures 1 and 13. The bottom of this pit is defined by the large slabs at the top of Stratum 9 that are apparently still in situ and oriented to the bedding planes of that deposit. Stratum 13 contains numerous artifacts and jumbled rocks and is believed to have been culturally deposited.

The artifacts recovered from the fill of Structure 1 cannot be separated from the artifacts from the intrusive pit, which was not clearly delineated until the stratigraphic profile was carefully cleaned for documentation.

Dating

Two tree-ring samples were recovered from this structure. The sample recovered from structure fill was not datable, but a post in Feature 2 (post hole) thought to be associated with the construction of the north wall was dated to A.D. 970 vv. This date is known to be far too early for the construction of this wall, because a timber dated to A.D. 1142 vv was recovered from a deposit in the fill of Structure 13, which is beneath Structure 1.

Thus, the dating of Structure 1 must be based on architectural style, the types of pottery recovered from the undisturbed portion of the excavated fill, the superposition of this structure on top of the culturally deposited fill in Structure 13 (pit structure), and the clear association of this structure with the main masonry roomblock. These lines of evidence suggest that Structure 1 was constructed during the main Pueblo III occupation of the site and filled sometime after A.D. 1180.

Interpretations

Structure 1 is an unburned, masonry surface room of unknown function near the east end of the main roomblock at Kenzie Dawn Hamlet. The relationship of this structure to the remainder of this roomblock was not determined during testing. The west wall of Structure 2 (Figure 5.6) is not aligned with the west wall of Structure 1 but is slightly offset to the west. Thus, these walls, plus the north wall of Structure 1, appear to have been constructed after the main roomblock. Beyond this observation, however, nothing can be stated with certainty regarding the building sequence in this roomblock.

Stratigraphy and the association of this room with the tallest rubble mound indicates that Structure 1 dates to a late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component at the site. The sections of walls observed were constructed on intentional fill within Structure 13 (pit structure). The uppermost limit of this fill apparently served as the room's floor surface.

There was no clear evidence of roof fall in the portion of the room fill that was undisturbed. However, the careful construction of the walls and the dressing of a large proportion of the stones suggest that these walls were part of a fully enclosed room. Thus, the vegetal component of the roof is postulated to have been salvaged for reuse elsewhere. Sometime after the structure began to fill (post-A.D. 1180), large areas of the fill and floor were truncated by a pit that extends south beyond the limits of the test unit.

Structure 2 (Surface Room)

Structure 2 is a possible masonry surface room adjoining Structure 1 to the north (Figure 5.6 and Figure 5.8). This structure actually consists of the north wall of Structure 1 (which is the south wall of Structure 2) and a north-south wall that abuts that wall (Figure 5.6). Because the limited exposure afforded during testing precluded firmer definition of the construction in this area, it is also possible that these are exterior wall faces, and that no north or east walls existed. However, because there is a possibility that this was a fully enclosed room, constructional and stratigraphic data are presented here.

Construction

If Structure 2 was a room, it measured a minimum of 78 cm north-south and 104 cm east-west; if there are north and east walls, their locations are unknown. The architecture of this possible room is described in this section.

Walls. Sections of the south and west walls were exposed during testing. The south wall of Structure 2 is the same as the north wall described for Structure 1; however, much of the description will differ because the faces of these walls have different appearances.

The exposed section of south wall measures 104 cm long, 42 cm wide, and 36 cm high. The wall contains four vertical courses of semicoursed masonry and is double-stone in cross section. The south wall abuts both the west wall of Structure 1, and the west wall of Structure 2. These walls all rest on a foundation of intentionally deposited refuse and construction material in the fill of Structure 13 (pit structure) (Figure 5.7).

The north face of the south wall is composed of tabular (90 percent) and irregular (10 percent) stones; 60 percent are unshaped, 20 percent are shaped by flaking, and 20 percent are shaped by pecking. The mortar is a strong brown, fine-textured sediment containing only a few calcium carbonate flecks, charcoal flecks, and sandstone bits. The beds are flush and are as much as 6 cm wide and 3 cm thick. The two chinking stones observed were chunky. No plaster was noted.

The exposed section of west wall is 78 cm long and 73 cm high; only 8 cm of width was exposed at modern ground surface. The wall contains six vertical courses of semicoursed masonry. The type of cross section is unknown. This wall abuts the north end of the west wall of Structure 1 and rests on a foundation of refuse and construction fill in Structure 13 (pit structure) (Figure 5.7).

The east face of this wall is composed of tabular stones (85 percent), irregular stones (10 percent), and blocks (5 percent). Of these, 70 percent are unshaped, and 30 percent are shaped by pecking. The mortar is a strong brown, fine-textured sediment containing pockets of abundant calcium carbonate flecks. The beds are as much as 6 cm wide and 7 cm thick. Chinking stones are chunky (50 percent), spall (30 percent), and tabular (20 percent). No plaster was observed.

Roof. There is no evidence of roofing in the exposed area of this possible room. No roof fall was defined; however, an undetermined amount of fill observed in this area probably eroded into Structure 4 (kiva) to the northeast after abandonment. No post holes were noted, but roofs of masonry rooms were commonly supported by the walls. Thus, if Structure 2 was an enclosed, roofed room, no evidence of the roof remains.

Surface. No use surface was defined during excavation. However, the logical location of such a surface would be at the base of the north face of the masonry wall (Figure 5.7).

Stratigraphy

The fill in this possible room is depicted as Strata 2 and 3 in Figure 5.7. Stratum 2 is a strong brown silty clay loam containing calcium carbonate and charcoal flecks, sandstone ranging from small pieces to building-block size, and unburned adobe. The boundary with Stratum 3 is abrupt and smooth. This deposit appears to be associated with the masonry wall and may be nothing more than wall fall.

Stratum 3 is a dark brown silt loam containing charcoal flecks and charcoal pieces as large as 1 cm in diameter, substantially more calcium carbonate flecks than in Stratum 2, and a few fist-size sandstone rocks. The boundary with Stratum 5 is clear and smooth. This stratum is inferred to be occupational debris that accumulated in this area after construction material was placed in the Structure 13 (pit structure) depression but before the Structure 1 north wall was constructed. This stratum was truncated when the bottom courses of that wall were set into the ground.

The following artifacts were recovered from the fill of Structure 2:

12 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
47 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds
1 Pueblo II White Painted sherd
3 McElmo Black-on-white sherds
3 Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds
7 Pueblo III White Painted sherds
2 Late White Painted sherds
18 Late White Unpainted sherds
3 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherds
1 abrader
1 metate fragment
1 modified flake
1 awl fragment
32 pieces of chipped-stone debris
nonhuman bone

Dating

One tree-ring sample was collected from this possible structure, but it was not datable. The dating of Structure 2 therefore rests on architectural style, stratigraphy, and the types of pottery recovered from the fill. Because Structure 2 shares a wall with Structure 1, the two rooms are inferred to be roughly contemporaneous; Structure 1 has been demonstrated to date to the main Pueblo III occupation. Structure 2 postdates Structure 13 (pit structure) stratigraphically, because it is built on the fill of that structure. The presence of the Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds indicates that Structure 2 filled after A.D. 1180 (Wilson and Blinman 1991:47).

Interpretations

Structure 2 is a possible masonry surface room adjacent to, and north of, Structure 1. These structures are near the east end of the main rubble mound and were constructed on refuse and construction fill within Structure 13 (pit structure). Sections of a west and a south wall were exposed during testing, but whether a north and an east wall exist or ever existed is unknown. Structure 2 may have been added to the east end of the roomblock, because its south and west walls abut the west wall of Structure 1 (Figure 5.6), but is believed to have been constructed during the late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component.

Structure 3 (Surface Room)

Structure 3 is an unburned, masonry surface room in the main rubble mound. In two adjacent units (106N/114E and 107N/114E), a 1-m-long section of the south wall and approximately 1.3 m² of floor area were exposed (Figure 5.9 and Figure 5.10).

Construction

Structure 3 measures a minimum of 142 cm north-south and 100 cm east-west (the locations of the north, east, and west walls are unknown). The architecture of this structure is described in this section, including the walls, roof, and floor.

Walls. The only wall exposed during testing was the south wall. The exposed section of this wall is 1 m long, 50 cm wide, and 50 cm high. The wall has three vertical courses of semicoursed masonry, is double-stone in cross section, and is tied to a north-south wall that projects from its south face. This Structure 3 wall rests partly on the south wall of Structure 15 (surface room) and partly on fill within Structure 15.

The north face of the south wall is composed of tabular stones (90 percent) and blocks (10 percent). Of these, 50 percent are shaped by flaking, and 50 percent are unshaped. The mortar in this wall is a strong brown, fine-textured sediment containing vegetal inclusions. The mortar beds are flush and are 2 cm wide and 4 cm thick. All chinking stones noted were spalls. No plaster was observed.

Roof. The only possible evidence of roof construction in Structure 3 would be contained in the stratum of structural collapse (Stratum 2) in the stratigraphic profile (Figure 5.11), although this stratum appears to be predominantly wall fall.

Surface 1. This surface was difficult to define, as it was constructed on fill. It was defined primarily by the presence of a feature and a few artifacts and sandstone rocks lying horizontally at that same elevation.

Surface 1

Surface 1 is the floor in Structure 3. An area of approximately 1.3 m² was exposed during the excavation of units 106N/114E and 107N/114E. One feature (hearth) and six artifacts are associated with this surface (Figure 5.9).

Feature 1 (Hearth). A portion of a hearth was exposed in the northwest corner of unit 107N/114E. The exposed portion measures 48 cm long, 42 cm wide, and 7 cm deep. The pit was excavated into the fill below the floor; the bottom of the pit exhibited patchy fire-reddening. The fill of the pit was use-associated ash from which a flotation sample was collected. Three Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds were the only artifacts recovered from this feature. This is one of the few hearths documented by the Site Testing Program that is associated with a surface room.

Artifacts. The following artifacts were recovered from the surface of Structure 3: one Late White Unpainted body sherd (PL 3), two Late White Unpainted jar sherds (PL 4), one Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray body sherd (PL 5), and two Late White Unpainted bowl sherds that fit together (PL 6).

Stratigraphy

The fill in Structure 3 is illustrated in Figure 5.11 as Strata 1 and 2. Stratum 1 consists of a strong brown fine sandy loam containing sandstone ranging from small pieces to rocks of building-block size, as shown on the profile map. The boundary with Stratum 2 is abrupt and wavy. This material is postabandonment wall fall within alluvial and aeolian sediments.

Stratum 2 is a brown to dark brown silt loam containing small sandstone bits and abundant rocks up to building-block size, very sparse calcium carbonate flecks, small and sparse charcoal flecks, and sparse nodules of burned adobe. This deposit consists of natural, postabandonment structural collapse from the walls of Structure 3. The bottom of this stratum is the best guess for the location of the Structure 3 floor, where Feature 1 (hearth) appears to originate.

Abundant artifacts were present in the fill of this structure:

11 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
2 Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray sherds
72 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds
28 Pueblo III White Painted sherds
37 Late White Unpainted sherds
1 Pueblo II White Painted sherd
2 Late White Painted sherds
2 Mancos Black-on-white sherds
1 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherd
5 abraders
2 metate fragments
4 modified sherds
3 modified flakes
3 cores
113 pieces of chipped-stone debris

The large quantity of artifacts in the fill of this shallow room may indicate that secondary refuse was deposited here after the room was no longer in use.

Dating

No tree-ring or archaeomagnetic samples were collected from Structure 3. The dating of the structure is based on the types of pottery found in the fill and on the stratigraphic relationship between Structure 3 and Structure 15. Structure 3 is constructed on the fill of Structure 15 and thus postdates Structure 15. The latest date for a tree-ring specimen from the fill of Structure 15 is A.D. 1128 vv (many rings may be missing), so Structure 3 was constructed sometime after that year. Also recovered from the fill of Structure 15 were Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds, so Structure 3 was constructed sometime after A.D. 1180 (Wilson and Blinman 1991:47).

Interpretations

Structure 3 is an unburned masonry surface room. Evidence of this structure consists of a 1-m-long section of masonry wall (of "late" construction style) and 1.3 m² of floor area. A shallow, poorly constructed hearth and several artifacts are associated with the floor. Although there is no clear evidence that the structure was roofed (that is, there were no post holes in the floor or obvious signs of roof fall in the fill), the structure is believed to have been roofed primarily because of the good preservation of the hearth (Feature 1) and the ash it contains. The presence of the hearth suggests that Structure 3 was used, at least briefly, as a domicile. Roofing timbers may have been salvaged for reuse elsewhere.

The stratigraphic position of Structure 3 indicates that it postdates Structure 15, a masonry room upon whose fill Structure 3 is built (Figure 5.11). A Structure 15 tree-ring date of A.D. 1128 vv indicates that Structure 3 was built sometime after that date. The presence of Mesa Verde Black-on-white pottery in the fill of Structure 15 indicates that Structure 15 was abandoned after A.D. 1180, which in turn means that Structure 3 was constructed after A.D. 1180. Structure 3 may be the latest tested structure at the site. Structure 3 postdates the roomblock, was perhaps used as an isolated room or field house, and appears to date to the Pueblo III limited-use component.

Structure 13 (Pit Structure)

Structure 13 is an unburned, earth-walled pit structure beneath Structures 1 and 2 (surface rooms) (Figure 5.4, Figure 5.12, and Figure 5.13). A short section of the west wall and 2 m² of floor area were exposed during the excavation of units 105N/117E and 106N/117E.

Construction

Structure 13 measures at least 2 m north-south and 1 m east-west (the locations of the north, east, and south walls are unknown). The observed architecture is described in this section, including the walls, roof, and floor.

Walls. At floor level, a 25-cm-long section of the west wall was exposed. This wall is composed of undisturbed sterile sediment and was exposed to a height of 105 cm above the Structure 13 floor. No plaster or other preparation was noted on this wall. The west wall curves slightly from southwest to northeast to coincide with the curve of the low, coursed masonry wall (Feature 1) that rests on the floor of Structure 13 (Figure 5.13). Where the masonry wall abuts the sterile west wall face, the sterile wall face turns to the northwest.

Additional evidence of Structure 13 walls was detected in the presence of a narrow strip of undisturbed sterile sediment along the west edge of unit 105N/117E, 1.3 m above the floor surface. This strip indicates that the west and southwest walls of the pit structure are located not far outside the random unit and that these walls bell outward. The locations of the other walls of this structure are unknown.

Roof. There is no evidence of roof construction in Structure 13, that is, no post holes were noted in the floor and no roof fall was present in the fill. Nevertheless, the structure is assumed to have been roofed, probably with the same technique documented in Structure 14 (pit structure). This technique involved resting the ends of timbers on prehistoric ground surface on either side of the pit. The timber component of this roof could have been salvaged at abandonment for use elsewhere, but the fate of the sediment portion of the roof is unknown. It is possible that it is mixed with other structural collapse (rocks) and secondary refuse in Stratum 9 (Figure 5.7).

Surfaces. Surface 1, the floor of Structure 13, consists of undisturbed caliche coated with a very thin layer of adobe. Surface 1 slopes down 8 cm from south to north and is thought to be the main use surface in this pit structure.

Surface 2 is the top of a layer of construction fill that rests on Surface 1, primarily on the west side of 106N/117E (Figure 5.13). It consists of a 5- to 6-cm-thick layer of brown clay loam containing abundant (20 to 30 percent) calcium carbonate particles.

Surface 1

Surface 1 is the floor of Structure 13. During excavation, 2 m² of Surface 1 was exposed. No artifacts were point-located on this surface; however, two pit features were defined.

Feature 2 (Pit). Feature 2 is an irregularly shaped pit excavated into undisturbed caliche north of Feature 1 (wall). The pit measures 37 cm long, 29 cm wide, and 12 cm deep. The feature was filled with dark brown silt loam containing sparse charcoal flecks and was capped with 1 to 2 cm of compacted, reddish brown clay loam and several sandstone slabs.

Feature 3 (Pit). Only a portion of Feature 3 was exposed; the pit extended beneath Feature 1 (wall) and east of the test units. The portion exposed measures 35 cm long, 19 cm wide, and 5 cm deep. The pit was excavated into the undisturbed caliche beneath Surface 1. The fill in the feature was intentional construction fill consisting of dark gray brown silt containing numerous calcium carbonate flecks, tiny burned adobe flecks, and charcoal flecks. The floor of the pit is not smoothly basined, but undulates. No fire-reddening was noted on the floor or walls of the pit. The function of this pit is unknown. It was intentionally filled prior to the construction of Feature 1 (wall); the eastern portion of Feature 1 rests on top of Feature 3 fill.

Surface 2

Surface 2 is the top of a layer of construction fill that, during excavation, was noted only along the west side of 106N/117E. An area of Surface 2 measuring 0.2 m² in size was exposed during testing. No artifacts were point-located, but Feature 1 (wall) was constructed on this surface.

Feature 1 (Wall). Feature 1 is a section of curved, semicoursed masonry wall whose west end abuts the undisturbed sterile west pit structure wall. The wall rests on Surface 2, and, on the east end, on construction fill associated with the pit features on Surface 1. The wall is a single stone wide. The exposed section of wall measures 87 cm long, 23 cm wide, and 50 cm high.

The south face of the wall appears to be the face that is "dressed"; the north face is uneven and probably was not intended to be seen. Of the 16 rocks visible in the south face, four have been pecked and one may have been flaked; the remainder are unshaped. Two large, irregularly shaped rocks form the basal course of this section of the wall. At most, four courses are preserved above this basal course. Most of these stones are irregularly shaped as well, but some are tabular or blocky. A few chunk chinking stones were noted.

The mortar in the wall is a brown, fine-textured sediment containing abundant calcium carbonate (50 percent of volume), charcoal flecks as much as .25 cm in diameter, and tiny, burned adobe flecks. The mortar beds are extruded and are as much as 4 cm wide and 5 cm thick. No plaster was noted; however, the extruded mortar did partly cover some of the rock faces. Sooting was noted on the surface of the mortar in one area, indicating that a fire burned in the structure.

The function of this wall is unknown. It seems to have been associated with a remodeling of Structure 13. After the remodeling, only the portion of the structure south of this wall appears to have been used (see also the following discussion of stratigraphy).

Stratigraphy

Structure 13 is filled with construction material, structural collapse, and secondary refuse. Much of this fill is disturbed. Figure 5.7 illustrates the full stratigraphic profile of Structures 1, 2, and 13. Strata 1 through 4, 12, and 13 have been discussed previously as the fills in Structures 1 and 2. Strata 5 through 11 are described here in numerical order, from the bottom of the masonry wall between Structures 1 and 2 to the floor of Structure 13.

Stratum 5 is a strong brown loam containing small sandstone bits, a moderate number of calcium carbonate flecks, and sparse charcoal flecks. The boundary with Stratum 6 is very abrupt and smooth. Stratum 5 is truncated on the south by an intrusive pit containing Stratum 12. Stratum 5 consists of multiple layers of clean construction material alternating with ash-stained lenses of the same material. The stratum appears to have been deposited on top of a trash-filled depression in order to level and raise the area for the construction of one or more masonry rooms. These layers may have been deposited wet, as they are very compact. The top of this stratum was probably truncated during the construction of the north wall of Structure 1.

Stratum 6 is a brown silt loam containing charcoal flecks, charcoal pieces as large as 2 cm in diameter, sparse calcium carbonate flecks, and small sandstone bits. The boundary with Stratum 7 is very abrupt and wavy. This deposit has been extensively disturbed by rodents and is truncated on the south end by an intrusive pit containing Stratum 13. This stratum, ending with an ash deposit at the top, is the final stratum of refuse to be deposited into the Structure 13 depression before constructional deposition began. It is not as loosely compacted as Stratum 7, nor as dark.

Stratum 7 is a dark brown sandy loam containing small sandstone bits, some calcium carbonate flecks, abundant charcoal flecks, large chunks of unburned adobe, and a few larger rocks. The boundary with Stratum 8 is clear and wavy. This stratum is also heavily rodent disturbed, and is truncated on the south by a large intrusive pit containing Stratum 13. This stratum is loosely compacted, culturally deposited refuse.

Stratum 8 is the lowermost stratum that is found both north and south of the masonry wall. It is a dark brown silty clay loam containing some calcium carbonate flecks, abundant charcoal flecks, large nodules of unburned adobe, small sandstone bits, and a few larger rocks. The boundary with Stratum 9 is abrupt and smooth. This stratum is heavily rodent disturbed and is truncated on the south end by a large intrusive pit that contains Stratum 13. This material is refuse deposited after the abandonment of Structure 13.

Stratum 9 is present south of Feature 1 (wall) only. It is a dark brown silty clay loam containing large chunks of unburned adobe, small pieces of sandstone, large sandstone building blocks, an ash lens, abundant charcoal, calcium carbonate flecks, burned adobe nodules, and several rotted timbers. The boundary with Surface 1 is very abrupt and smooth.

This stratum is one of the few in the tested portion of Structure 13 that was not truncated by the large disturbance illustrated at the south end of the profile face (Strata 12 and 13). Stratum 9 appears to contain refuse dumped into Structure 13. This refuse contains a substantial amount of structural collapse (adobe, large building blocks, timbers) as well. Because this refuse rests on the floor with no intervening natural deposits, it is inferred to have been deposited immediately after abandonment of the structure. Some of the structural collapse (adobe, rotted timbers) could be from the roof of the remodeled Structure 13.

Stratum 10 is found north of Feature 1 (wall) only. This stratum is a dark brown silty clay loam containing many large nodules of unburned adobe, charcoal pieces as much as 3 cm in diameter, sandstone ranging from small pieces to larger rocks (as shown in Figure 5.7), sparse calcium carbonate flecks, and small nodules of burned adobe. The boundary with Surface 2 is very abrupt and smooth. This stratum has been disturbed heavily by animal activity.

Stratum 10 appears to be construction fill deposited after the construction of Feature 1 (wall) but was probably associated with that event. Evidence supporting this interpretation includes the presence of adobe nodules; the compact, clayey texture of the sediment; the termination of this stratum at the top of the masonry wall; the uneven north face of the wall itself; and the absence of this stratum south of the masonry wall. The mortar at the upper limit of Stratum 10 could be part of the same construction episode, or it could be a result of the postabandonment collapse of the upper part of the masonry wall.

Stratum 11 is a layer of construction material 7 cm thick. It appears to be the same material described above as the layer that formed Surface 2, that is, a brown clay loam containing abundant (20 to 30 percent) calcium carbonate particles. In the plan view of Structure 13 (Figure 5.13), Surface 2 does not extend east to the profile face. This is because Surface 2 was not detected in this area during excavation; it was detected only during profiling. However, the stratigraphic profile clearly showed that Feature 1 (wall) rested on Surface 2 in this area.

Abundant artifacts were recovered from the fill of Structure 13:

106 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds 3 Mancos Gray sherds 5 Mancos Corrugated Gray sherds 5 Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray sherds 438 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds 4 Early White Painted sherds 2 Early White Unpainted sherds 12 Mancos Black-on-white sherds 25 Pueblo II White Painted sherds 3 McElmo Black-on-white sherds 204 Late White Unpainted sherds 43 Pueblo III White Painted sherds 16 Late White Painted sherds 6 Indeterminate Local White Painted sherds 10 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherds 2 Deadmans Black-on-red sherds 1 Indeterminate Local Red Painted sherd 1 Indeterminate Local Red Unpainted sherd 5 Other Red Nonlocal sherds (Tsegi Orange Ware) 1 Tusayan Polychrome sherd 11 abraders 5 two-hand manos 3 mano fragments 3 metate fragments 3 peckingstones 1 polishing stone 3 polishing/hammerstones 2 pendants 7 modified nonhuman bones 5 modified sherds 9 modified flakes 1 stone disk 1 biface 1 single-bitted axe 1 shaped sherd 1 clay animal effigy 1 projectile point 1 human tooth 6 eggshell fragments 3 gizzard stones 336 pieces of chipped-stone debris nonhuman bone

The quantity and variety of artifacts indicate that Structure 13 fill consisted of refuse from a year-round habitation occupation of the site.

Dating

Pottery and tree-ring dates can be used to date this structure. Mesa Verde Corrugated sherds were recovered from the fill just above the floor, which indicates that the first fill was deposited after A.D. 1100. Seventeen tree-ring samples were collected from the fill of Structure 13. However, as none of these were found in roof fall, it is unlikely that they were roof-construction timbers. Eight of the timbers were datable: A.D. 505 ++vv, 546 vv, 595 vv, 925 vv, 926 vv, 968 vv, 996 vv, and 1142 vv. The "vv" symbol means that many rings may be lost from these samples. The timber with the latest date, A.D. 1142 vv, was recovered approximately 80 cm above the floor. Thus, this timber was deposited in the fill of Structure 13 sometime after that year. The absence of Mesa Verde Black-on-white pottery may indicate that all the fill in the structure was deposited prior to A.D. 1180. Thus, this structure was probably abandoned and used for the deposition of refuse sometime between A.D. 1142 and 1180, or during the late Pueblo II/early Pueblo III occupation of the site. Stratigraphically, Structure 13 predates Structures 1 and 2, which are masonry rooms built on the fill of Structure 13. Structure 13 may therefore date from an early building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component. Within the fill of Structures 1 and 13 is an intrusive pit containing Strata 12 and 13 (Figure 5.7). This pit is a late occurrence at the site and, like Structure 3, may be evidence of a limited-use component during the Pueblo III period.

Interpretations

Structure 13 is an earth-walled pit structure of unknown size and function. It clearly predates Structures 1 and 2 (surface rooms), which are built on the fill of this pit structure. The original use of Structure 13 included the use of pit features on the floor (Surface 1). This floor extended both north and south of Feature 1 (wall), which was constructed later. There is also evidence that the southwest earthen wall of the structure curved out ("belled") as much as 40 cm. A small patch of sooted mortar on the south face of Feature 1 (wall) indicates that fire in some form was present in the pit structure. Beyond these meager bits of data, there is little evidence of the original function of this structure.

After being used for an indeterminate amount of time, the floor pits were intentionally filled, a layer of construction material was laid down in some areas in 106N/117E, and a low, curved, masonry wall (Feature 1) was constructed with the dressed face to the south. North of this wall, refuse was deposited. At least three different strata were defined horizontally in this area, although only one (Stratum 10) was cross sectioned by the stratigraphic profile. The upper limit of this construction material was heavily disturbed as the result of animal activity but appears to coincide with the top of the masonry wall. The strata above this level are continuous north and south of the wall.

All of this evidence suggests that after the masonry wall was built, Surface 1 south of the wall continued to be used. However, the function of the wall and of the area north of the wall is unknown. This area may have simply formed a bench, not unlike the alcove (Feature 2) in Structure 14 (see description below). In any case, when the entire pit known as Structure 13 was finally abandoned, the stratigraphy indicates that there was no wall or barrier above the level of the masonry wall as it now stands.

When the structure was abandoned, four strata of structural collapse and other refuse were deposited into Structure 13. A thick stratum of clean construction material was then placed in the remaining depression. Occupational debris appears to have accumulated for a time. When Structure 1 was constructed, this refuse and the upper portion of the construction fill beneath it were truncated. The south course of the north wall of Structure 1 rests at the bottom of this truncation, and the north course rests on prehistoric ground surface.

After Structure 1 had been abandoned for a time, and 20 to 30 cm of fill had accumulated, a large, intrusive pit was excavated through the fill and floor of Structure 1 and deep into the fill of Structure 13. This is thought to have occurred during a prehistoric occupation of the site, because the Stratum 1 (Figure 5.7) wall fall above this intrusion appears undisturbed. This intrusive pit was filled with refuse. Because Structure 1 is believed to have been constructed during the Pueblo III habitation component, the intrusive pit and its midden fill may be contemporaneous with Structure 3, a structure built during a late, limited-use component of the site.

Structure 14 (Pit Structure)

Structure 14 is an oval, earth-walled pit structure (Figure 5.14) beneath Structures 3 and 15 (surface rooms) in sampling units 106N/114E and 107N/114E (Figure 5.11). Above floor level, sections of the north, northeast, east, and southeast walls were exposed. Because the walls "belled," the only walls within the excavation units at floor level were the north and northeast walls. However, the east and south walls at floor level were located by inserting a chaining pin into the walls of the excavation unit. Structure 14 is similar to Structures 12 and 13 in terms of its construction and stratigraphic location.

Construction

Structure 14 measures 2.0 m north-south, and 1.18 m of east-west dimension was exposed. The architecture observed in this structure is described in this section, including the walls, roof, and floor.

Walls. The portion of the structure exposed had been excavated into undisturbed sterile sediments. From the locations of the east and south walls at floor level (Figure 5.14), it is estimated that these walls bell inward 30 cm by a height of 1.76 m above the floor, which is where the roof of the structure rested on prehistoric ground surface (see roof discussion below).

Digging-stick marks are visible in the exposed walls. These marks vary from 6 to 20 cm in length, are a few centimeters wide, and are as much as 1 cm deep. Some of the impressions in the north wall are nearly vertical, but the majority slant down and to the left. The substantial length of the marks suggests that the sediment was moist when the digging occurred, rather than dried out and compact. No other preparation was noted on the walls.

Roof. Approximately 45 vertical centimeters of intact roof rested on undisturbed sterile sediment (prehistoric ground surface) at the southeast edge of the structure. The bottom of this construction consisted of several rotted beams as large as 5 cm in diameter; two tree-ring samples were collected but were not datable. Above these beams was a very mottled layer of material consisting of redeposited sterile sediment mixed with adobe and charcoal-stained sediment. Observed within this layer were abundant calcium carbonate flecks and nodules up to 3 cm in diameter, numerous charcoal flecks and pieces up to 2 cm long, numerous pockets of unburned adobe, and pockets of charcoal-stained sediment. Collapsed roofing was also contained in the lower fill of Structure 14, and a few tree-ring samples were collected from these rotted beams as well (see dating discussion below). Thus, the roof of Structure 14 rested on prehistoric ground surface and consisted of timbers and refuse sediment.

Surface 1. Surface 1 is the floor of Structure 14. It is formed of undisturbed, sterile sediment and is generally level (Figure 5.11). No adobe was noted.

Surface 1

Two features are associated with the use of Structure 14--a floor pit (Feature 1) and a wall alcove (Feature 2). No artifacts are associated with the floor.

Feature 1 (Pit). This pit feature appears to be near the center of the structure (Figure 5.14). The exposed portion of the feature measures 40 cm long, 27 cm wide, and 10 cm deep. It was excavated into undisturbed sterile sediment beneath the floor of Structure 14. The fill is the same as the lower pit structure fill (Stratum 10, Figure 5.11), which is a brown/dark brown silty clay loam containing abundant calcium carbonate flecks, charcoal flecks, burned and unburned adobe nodules, and small sandstone bits. This material contains collapsed roofing material, indicating that the pit was open when the structure was abandoned. The function of the pit is unknown; it exhibited no signs of burning on its walls or floor.

Feature 2 (Alcove). Only the portion of Feature 2 within unit 107N/114E was exposed during testing. This portion measures 125 cm east-west, 43 cm front-to-back, and 82 cm above the floor of Structure 14. This feature is a benchlike alcove excavated into the undisturbed sterile north wall of the pit structure. The small area of northeast wall observed above the floor of the alcove bells 16 to 19 cm. The floor of the alcove is nearly flat but rises a few centimeters at the back, where the floor meets the feature wall. No artifacts were associated with the use of this alcove. The feature was probably used as a storage shelf.

Stratigraphy

The fill of Structure 14 consists of cultural refuse and intentional construction fill (Figure 5.11). The strata discussed as Structure 14 fill are those labeled Strata 6 through 10 in Figure 5.11. These are described in numerical order. All of the strata in Structure 14 except Stratum 10 were truncated by an intrusive pit that appears to originate at Surface 2 of Structure 15 (surface room).

Stratum 6 is a mottled, brown/dark brown silty clay loam containing a moderate number of charcoal and calcium carbonate flecks, charcoal pieces up to 4 cm in diameter, sparse and tiny burned adobe nodules, and sparse sandstone ranging from small pieces to building-block size. The boundary with Stratum 7 is very abrupt and wavy. This stratum is the final deposit of intentional fill prior to the construction of Surface 1 of Structure 15 (surface room).

Stratum 7 is a strong brown silty clay loam containing numerous large sandstone building blocks and a few small sandstone bits. The boundary with Stratum 8 is very abrupt and wavy. This is another stratum of construction material, that is, rocks and adobelike sediment, that forms a cap above the refuse in Structure 14.

Stratum 8 is a brown/dark brown silty clay loam containing a substantial quantity of calcium carbonate flecks, charcoal flecks and pieces up to .25 cm long, abundant nodules of adobe (some of which are burned), and sandstone ranging from small pieces to large building-block size. The boundary with Stratum 9 is clear and wavy. Stratum 8 is construction material that was intentionally deposited in an attempt to bring this depression up to the level of prehistoric ground surface.

Stratum 9 is a strong brown silty clay loam containing some building-block-size sandstone, rotted timbers, sparse calcium carbonate and charcoal flecks, large unburned adobe nodules, and sandstone bits. The boundary with Stratum 10 is abrupt and smooth. This stratum is also roof collapse material but lacks secondary refuse.

Stratum 10 is a very loosely consolidated brown/dark brown silty clay loam containing abundant calcium carbonate flecks, abundant charcoal flecks and pieces up to .25 cm long, abundant adobe nodules (some of which are burned), sandstone ranging from small pieces to building-block size, and some rotted roof beams. The boundary with the pit structure floor is very abrupt and smooth. This stratum contains the initial deposit of collapsed roofing material, with roofing adobe, casts, and rotted beams. The roof may have fallen naturally or been intentionally collapsed, but the site continued to be occupied after it came down. Secondary refuse is also present in Stratum 10 and is assumed to have been deposited into the pit after the roof collapsed.

The following artifacts were recovered from the fill of Structure 14:

11 Chapin Gray sherds
115 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
330 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds
2 Mancos Corrugated Gray sherds
10 Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray sherds
13 Mancos Black-on-white sherds
3 McElmo Black-on-white sherds
2 Early White Painted sherds
16 Pueblo II White Painted sherds
38 Pueblo III White Painted sherds
9 Late White Painted sherds
77 Late White Unpainted sherds
26 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherds
1 pendant
3 modified sherds
2 modified flakes
1 core
1 abrader
1 mano fragment
1 two-hand mano
1 projectile point
1 awl fragment
1 modified shell
nonhuman bone
4 modified nonhuman bones
3 gizzard stones
1 eggshell fragment
177 pieces of chipped-stone debris

The number of artifacts indicates that this material was culturally deposited while use of the site continued.

Dating

Structure 14 has been roughly dated by tree-ring dating and by pottery. Thirty-two tree-ring samples were recovered from pit structure fill. Seven of these, all rotted beams from Stratum 10, were datable. The dates returned are the following: A.D. 935 vv, 959 vv, 975 vv, 1020 ++vv, 1068 vv, 1081 +B, and 1110 vv. The only cutting date is A.D. 1081, and because a timber dated A.D. 1110 vv was in the same stratum, it is obvious that this structure was not roofed in A.D. 1081. It is logical to infer that the A.D. 1081 timber was reused. The A.D. 1110 vv timber is probably from the late Pueblo II component, but an unknown number of rings are missing. Thus, the structure was constructed sometime after that year. The absence of Mesa Verde Black-on-white pottery from this assemblage may be a result of the structure filling before A.D. 1180. Thus, the structure was constructed, used, and abandoned sometime after A.D. 1110, and possibly before A.D. 1180, during the early building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component.

Interpretations

Structure 14 is a small, unburned, earth-walled pit structure with a large alcove in the north wall and one pit feature in the center of the floor. This structure is beneath Structures 3 and 15 (surface rooms), and is believed to be contemporaneous with similar Structures 12 and 13 (Figure 5.4 and Figure 5.7). Structure 14 was excavated 1.76 m into undisturbed sterile sediment, and digging-stick marks were observed in its moderately belled walls. Intact portions of the roof were observed along the southeast edge of the pit structure at prehistoric ground surface. The absence of a hearth in the excavated portion of the structure suggests that it was not used as a domicile. The small diameter, substantial depth, and belled walls are consistent with other large, bell-shaped pits inferred to have been used for storage.

Tree-ring dating indicates only that construction occurred after A.D. 1110. The absence of Mesa Verde Black-on-white pottery in the assemblage may indicate that the structure filled before A.D. 1180. Stratigraphically, the structure predates Structures 3 and 15, both of which appear to date to the Pueblo III limited-use component. Thus, Structure 14 apparently dates to the early building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component, sometime between A.D. 1110 and 1180.

Structure 15 (Surface Room)

Structure 15 is an unburned masonry surface room built on top of the fill of Structure 14 (pit structure) and beneath Structure 3 (surface room) (Figure 5.11). A section of south wall 1 m long was the only wall of this room observed; this was exposed at the south end of unit 106N/114E (Figure 5.15 and Figure 5.16). The wall is below, but not directly aligned with, the south wall of Structure 3 (Figure 5.11). Two floors were defined in Structure 15 (Figure 5.15 and Figure 5.16). This structure may have been constructed as part of the main roomblock.

Construction

The exposed portion of Structure 15 measures 1 m east-west and 1.6 m north-south. The locations of the north, east, and west walls of this room are unknown. The observed architecture of the room is described in this section, including the wall, roof, and floors.

Walls. Only a section of the south wall was exposed during testing. This wall rests on a foundation of construction fill (Stratum 6, Figure 5.11) in Structure 14 (pit structure). The exposed section of wall measures 1 m long, 38 cm wide, and 32 cm high. The wall has two to five courses of semicoursed masonry and in cross section is double-stone wide with a rubble core.

Approximately half of the stones visible in the north face of this wall are tabular, one-quarter are block, and one-quarter are irregular in shape. Only one stone appears to be shaped--one edge may have been flaked. The mortar is a reddish brown silty clay loam, with beds 3 to 4 cm wide and up to 4 cm. The chinking stones are tabular.

Roof. Although the structure is inferred to have been roofed, there is no evidence of roofing in Structure 15. No post holes were present on either of the floor surfaces, and no roof fall was documented above either of the floor surfaces. Either the roof itself was removed, or the collapsed roof was cleared away during later construction (Structure 3).

Surfaces. Two surfaces were defined in Structure 15. The lower, earlier surface (Surface 1, Figure 5.15) consists of sandstone slabs lying in a strong brown, silty clay loam mortar that contains calcium carbonate and charcoal flecks. A substantial area of Surface 1 was truncated when a large pit (Feature 2) was excavated through Surface 2.

The upper, later surface (Surface 2) of Structure 15 (Figure 5.16) consists of horizontal sandstone slabs set in a compact, strong brown silty clay loam. A few sherds were lying on this surface. A substantial area of this surface is occupied by the mouth of a large pit feature (Feature 2), which is inferred to be associated with this surface. The portion of this feature that was excavated can be seen in plan in Figure 5.16 and in profile in Figure 5.11. This feature contains Strata 11 and 12.

Surface 1

An area of Surface 1 measuring .65 m² was exposed during testing. No artifacts or features are associated with the exposed portion of Surface 1.

Surface 2

An area of Surface 2 measuring 1.6 m² was exposed. More than half of this area was occupied by the mouth of Feature 2 (pit). Several sherds were recovered from this surface.

Feature 2 (Pit). This feature was not recognized during excavation, primarily because it occupies an entire excavation unit. The feature was recognized in the east and west profile walls after all excavation in these units was completed. Because the feature is predominantly within one excavation unit, and because elevations are carefully recorded during excavation, a large proportion of the artifacts that were recovered from this feature were correctly provenienced after these profile faces were drawn.

Only the portion of this pit within 106N/114E and 107N/114E was excavated. The excavated portion measures 1.26 m long and 1.00 m wide. The pit is approximately 1.25 m deep, but the bottom of the pit was difficult to define. The pit was excavated through the fill above Structure 15, Surface 1, through that surface itself, through intentional fill associated with the construction of Structure 15, Surface 1, through three strata of construction material in the upper fill of Structure 14 (pit structure), and through a layer of roofing material in the fill of Structure 14. The fill of this feature is shown as Strata 11 and 12 in Figure 5.11.

Stratum 11 is a strong brown silt loam containing sandstone ranging from small pieces to large building-block size, burned and unburned adobe nodules (2 to 5 cm in diameter), charcoal flecks (up to 2 cm long), calcium carbonate flecks, and rotted wood. The walls of the pit were easy to distinguish, but the bottom was difficult to discern. The large quantity of sizable inclusions and the absence of lenses and laminae indicate that this stratum consists of culturally deposited refuse. A sandstone rock pecked and ground into the shape of an animal head was point-located near the bottom of this stratum.

Stratum 12 is a brown/dark brown silty clay loam containing numerous calcium carbonate flecks; abundant charcoal (flecks and pieces up to .25 cm in diameter); abundant nodules of adobe, some of which are burned; ash pockets; unburned wood; and sandstone ranging from small pieces to building-block size. The boundary with Stratum 9 is clear and wavy. Stratum 12, like Stratum 11, is cultural refuse, apparently deposited in an attempt to fill this pit up to prehistoric ground surface. This activity appears to have been associated with the construction of Structure 3 (Figure 5.11).

A number of artifacts were recovered from this feature:

6 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
1 Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray sherd
52 Indeterminate Corrugated Gray sherds
12 Indeterminate Local Gray sherds
1 Mancos Black-on-white sherd
1 McElmo Black-on-white sherd
1 Pueblo II White Painted sherd
7 Pueblo III White Painted sherds
2 Late White Painted sherds
30 Late White Unpainted sherds
4 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherds
1 awl
1 peckingstone
2 modified flakes
36 pieces of chipped-stone debris
1 metate fragment
3 two-hand mano fragments
1 sandstone effigy--pecked and ground animal head
nonhuman bone
human bone--cervical vertebra and left rib

From its cross section in the west profile face of unit 107N/114E, Feature 2 appears to be a storage pit. This interpretation is based on the large size, the bell-shaped cross section, and the poorly defined floor.

Artifacts. Ten pottery sherds were point-located on Surface 2: two Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds (PL 1); five Late White Unpainted sherds (PL 2), and three Pueblo III White Painted sherds with corrugated exteriors.

Stratigraphy

The fill associated with Structure 15 is illustrated in Figure 5.11 as Strata 3, 4, and 5. These strata were truncated by the prehistoric excavation of Feature 2 (pit). Stratum 3 is a brown/dark brown silt loam containing charcoal flecks, unburned adobe (melted), nodules of gray clay, tiny calcium carbonate flecks, and sandstone ranging from very small pieces to fist-size rocks. The boundary with Stratum 4 is clear and smooth. Near the top of this stratum is believed to be Surface 2 of Structure 15, but this break is not visible in this profile. This material is inferred to be fill associated with the construction of Surface 2.

Stratum 4 is a strong brown silt loam to silty clay loam containing sandstone bits and rocks as long as 8 cm, numerous calcium carbonate flecks, and a few tiny charcoal flecks. The boundary with Surface 1 is very abrupt and smooth. This material appears to be a thin deposit of wall collapse. It contains abundant calcium carbonate flecks and resembles the mortar in the south wall of Structure 15. Alternatively, this could be construction fill associated with Surface 2 of Structure 15.

Stratum 5 is a brown/dark brown silty clay loam containing tiny nodules of burned adobe, a few calcium carbonate and charcoal flecks, small nodules of gray clay, and small bits of sandstone. The boundary with Stratum 6 is very abrupt and smooth. This stratum consists of the construction of Surface 1 of Structure 15. It consists of the thin layer of sediment that the sandstone slabs were set into, the slabs themselves, and the adobe between the slabs. The sediment that the slabs were set into is similar to the Stratum 4 sediment associated with the construction of Surface 2, Structure 15.

The artifacts recovered from the fill of Structure 15 are as follows:

102 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds
7 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
1 McElmo Black-on-white sherd
5 Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds
22 Pueblo III White Painted sherds
2 Late White Painted sherds
36 Late White Unpainted sherds
1 gizzard stone
67 pieces of chipped-stone debris
nonhuman bone

Dating

The dating of Structure 15 is based on the pottery recovered from the associated features and on the results of tree-ring sample analysis. Four tree-ring specimens were collected; three of these were datable. The dates returned are: 1057 ++vv, 1087 +B, and 1128 vv. The three datable timbers were recovered from the refuse fill of Feature 2 (pit). The 1087 +B date is the only cutting date, and it is clearly too early to be associated with the pottery from this feature. Instead, this cutting date is probably from a timber originally used for construction during an earlier occupation. The latest date--A.D. 1128 vv--is also too early to be consistent with the associated pottery; many rings may be missing. The presence of Mesa Verde Black-on-white pottery sherds in the fill indicates that the structure filled sometime after A.D. 1180, probably during the late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component of the site.

Interpretations

Structure 15 is an unburned masonry surface room that appears to have been part of the main roomblock, and it may have functioned as a storage room. Two slab-lined surfaces were defined in the room. No artifacts or features are associated with the earlier floor, but a few sherds and a large, probably bell-shaped storage pit are associated with the later surface. Structure 15 is stratigraphically later than Structure 14 (pit structure) and earlier than Structure 3 (surface room). The absence of roof fall in the fill of Structure 15 is probably the result of the construction of Structure 3 on top of Structure 15 (Figure 5.11). Structure 15 may be associated with, or even adjoin, Structure 7, which is a surface room in Sampling Stratum 7. Structure 7 also has a shallow, slab-lined surface, and is a short distance to the north (Figure 5.4). The presence of Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds in the fill of Structure 15 indicates that the room filled sometime after A.D. 1180, during the Pueblo III habitation component. Structure 3, which is approximately 10 cm above Structure 15, may be an isolated room that postdates the roomblock, dating to the late, limited-use component at the site.

Surface Architecture (Sampling Stratum 1) Summary

The surface architecture sampling stratum was defined as the area encompassed by the main rubble mound at the site. Four randomly selected test units were excavated in this stratum (105N/117E, 106N/117E, 106N/114E, and 107N/114E). During the excavation of these units, three masonry surface rooms (Structures 1, 3, and 15) and an additional possible masonry surface room (Structure 2) were encountered. Two small, earth-walled pit structures were also defined beneath these surface structures (Structures 13 and 14). None of these structures burned.

The south walls of Structures 3 and 15 are roughly aligned with the north wall of Structure 1 (Figure 5.4). This suggests that these rooms belong to the same roomblock, although Structure 1 may be an addition to the east end of the roomblock. The slab lining of the floors of Structure 15 may indicate that it was a storage room. The presence of a hearth in Structure 3 suggests that the structure was used, at least briefly, as a domicile or a field house. The main roomblock is thought to be associated with the late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component (post-A.D. 1180). Structure 3 may date to the Pueblo III limited-use component.

The two earth-walled pit structures (Structures 13 and 14) are believed to be large, bell-shaped storage pits dating from the early building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component. Structure 13 underwent structural modifications, including the addition of a curved masonry wall on the floor. The purpose of these modifications is not understood. It is postulated that Structures 1, 2, and 15 are associated with Structures 6 (kiva), 11 (kiva), and 10 (subterranean room) and were constructed during the late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component.

Fifty-six tree-ring samples were collected from Sampling Stratum 1; 19 of these were datable. Most of these were missing an unknown number of outer rings, and so are of limited use in assigning structures to specific components. However, two cutting dates (A.D. 1081 and 1087) probably accurately date the construction of the Pueblo II component. These timbers were then apparently reused during the Pueblo III habitation component.

The tree-ring dates are also of use in dating the lower refuse fill in Structure 13 (pit structure) to sometime after A.D. 1142 and the construction of Structure 14 to sometime after A.D. 1110. The absence of Mesa Verde Black-on-white pottery in these two fills suggests that the structures filled prior to A.D. 1180, or prior to the late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component at the site.

Pit Structures (Sampling Stratum 2)

This sampling stratum is south of the main rubble mound (Figure 5.3) and was defined to test the pit structure depression believed to be associated with the main roomblock. Sixteen 1-×-1-m units are included in this stratum, and four of these were randomly selected for excavation (96N/117E, 97N/115E, 98N/115E, and 98N/116E). These units are all within Structure 6 (kiva).

Structure 6 (Kiva)

Structure 6 is an unburned, masonry-lined kiva (Figure 5.17, Figure 5.18, Figure 5.19, Figure 5.20, and Figure 5.21). Portions of the floor, benches, pilasters, and hearth, as well as several miscellaneous floor pit features, were exposed during testing. The extrapolated diameter of the structure is 3.90 m, bench face to bench face.

Construction

The architecture observed in Structure 6 is described in this section, including the walls, roof, and floor.

Walls. A sizable section of the west bench was exposed in 97N/115E and 98N/115E. A section of the south bench 1 m long was encountered in 96N/117E. No intact upper lining wall was found during testing.

The exposed section of the west bench face is 2.76 m long and 1.03 m high; the masonry itself is 23 cm wide. The masonry is semicoursed, and 14 courses are present. The masonry rests on a foundation of undisturbed sterile sediment. The stones are blocky (55 percent), tabular (25 percent), and irregular in shape (20 percent). Of the rocks observed, 50 percent are pecked, 45 percent are unshaped, and 5 percent are flaked.

The mortar is a brown, fine-textured sediment containing tiny pieces of sandstone and flecks of calcium carbonate and charcoal. The mortar beds are flush and are up to 5 cm wide and 4 cm thick. Chinking is very sparse, but all chinking stones observed were chunky. Plaster was preserved on approximately 15 percent of the bench face. In some areas, two layers of plaster were documented; in other areas, three layers were present. Each layer was approximately 4 mm thick.

Only limited documentation of the south bench face was possible because it was difficult to maneuver and make observations in such a small, deep test pit. The bench face is 1.02 cm long, has 10 vertical courses of masonry, and is 90 cm high. The masonry rests on a foundation of undisturbed sterile sediment. No plaster was observed on this section of bench face.

Roof. There is no direct evidence of roof construction in Structure 6. Portions of two pilasters were exposed in the customary locations of Pilasters 1 and 6. These pilasters and the stratum of roof fall on the structure floor (Figure 5.22) indicate that this was a standard kiva roof supported by six pilasters. The absence of timbers in roof fall indicates that the timbers were salvaged for use elsewhere. The fact that roof fall lies directly on the floor means that the roof collapsed, or was intentionally collapsed, at abandonment.

Surface 1. Surface 1 is the floor of Structure 6, which consists of leveled, undisturbed sterile sediment (strong brown clay loam with heavy calcium carbonate veining). Some areas of the floor are covered with a gray film, which is probably a mixture of ash from the hearth and organic stain from use. Adobe was applied to the surface around the hearth (Feature 4) to conceal hearth remodeling, and patches of adobe survive on other areas of the floor as well. Probably the entire floor was originally coated with adobe, but it wore off through use or was damaged after the structure was abandoned. Capped features were discovered beneath the adobe (Features 5, 7, 8, and 9).

Surface 1

Surface 1 is the floor in Structure 6. Nine features and 13 artifacts are associated with this surface (Figure 5.21).

Features. The nine features in this kiva are discussed in numerical order.

Feature 1 (Bench 6): A small portion of the surface of Bench 6 (southern recess) was exposed in unit 96N/117E. The exposed section measures 75 cm side-to-side, and 75 cm front-to-back. The bench surface consists of the tops of bench-face sandstone rocks and the tops of stones that are present along the west edge of the excavation unit (Figure 5.21). Fill was noted between these rocks, and for a distance of about 10 cm behind the rocks. The remainder of the exposed surface (south and east area) is composed of undisturbed sterile sediment. The slabs along the west edge of the excavation unit (Figure 5.21) may be the top of the ventilation tunnel masonry. No artifacts were associated with this surface. The feature is inferred to have been used for storage and for pilaster support.

Feature 2 (Bench 1): This is the first bench segment clockwise from the southern recess. A section of the bench surface measuring a maximum of 88 cm long and 47 cm front-to-back was exposed in 97N/115E. This surface is 92 cm above the kiva floor. The surface consists of the tops of the uppermost course of bench face masonry and, behind this, adobe applied to undisturbed sterile sediment. No artifacts were associated with this surface. The feature is assumed to have functioned as a storage shelf and as a base for pilaster support.

Feature 3 (Pilaster 6): This pilaster is at the east edge of the southern recess. The exposed portion is 42 cm side-to-side and 44 cm front-to-back; 37 cm of height (four courses) is preserved. Construction includes a veneer of pecked-block stones placed over a rubble core, which rests on undisturbed sterile sediment. The pilaster is set back 2 to 6 cm from the front edge of the bench. This feature is inferred to have been used for roof support.

Feature 4 (Hearth): A portion of the hearth was found in the southeast corner of unit 98N/116E. The exposed portion is 55 cm long, 33 cm wide, and 22 cm deep. This feature is a pit excavated into the undisturbed sterile sediment beneath the kiva floor. It was at least partly lined with sandstone rocks; adobe forms the west wall where no stones are present.

The uppermost fill was kiva roof fall. In this material, a large, shaped slab (PL 23) rested in the hearth fill. This slab was probably from the kiva roof hatchway. No other artifacts were recovered from the upper fill. Beneath roof fall was use-associated ash, partly covered by a thin lens of charcoal. Four 1-liter flotation samples were collected from the ash; the remaining ash was dry-screened through 1/16-inch mesh, and the residue was bagged for later analysis.

The hearth underwent a small amount of remodeling. Upon removal of the adobe coating on the west wall of the pit, an earlier rim was exposed 25 cm farther west and 5 cm below the other rim. This earlier rim is formed of fire-reddened, undisturbed sterile sediment that is coated with a thin layer of ash. It is thought that the slabs along the north wall of the hearth are remodeling additions, but that the original north wall was in the same location. The hearth is assumed to have been used for heating, illumination, meal preparation, and ceremonial functions.

Feature 5 (Pit): This feature is a small pit excavated into the undisturbed sterile sediment beneath the floor of the kiva. It measures 14 cm long, 12 cm wide, and 12 cm deep. The pit is oval in plan and has vertical sides in profile. The fill is a light brown silt loam containing several small pieces of charcoal and five small, fire-reddened pieces of tabular sandstone oriented vertically. This fill had been intentionally placed in the pit and capped with floor adobe to conceal the feature. No artifacts were recovered. The function of this feature is unknown.

Feature 6 (Pilaster 1): The northwest corner of this pilaster was exposed along the south wall of unit 97N/115E. More of the pilaster was exposed when a limited amount of exploratory excavation was undertaken to uncover additional bench face for more-accurate kiva diameter extrapolation. Thus, probably the entire preserved pilaster face was observed.

This feature measures 58 cm side-to-side and 28 cm high; 14 cm of depth (front-to-back) was exposed. The construction consists of a semicoursed masonry column resting on the surface of Bench 1. The masonry is pecked-block, and the one observable corner was pecked to form a 90 degree angle. A maximum of three vertical courses are observable on the face of the pilaster, which is set back 7 cm from the front edge of the bench. The pilaster face is slightly concave, and mimics the curve of the bench face. The base of the pilaster is three stones wide. This feature is inferred to have been used for roof support.

Feature 7 (Pit): This pit was excavated into the undisturbed sterile sediment beneath the kiva floor. It is 23 cm long, 13 cm wide, and 12 cm deep. The feature is an irregularly shaped, double-chambered pit. It had been deliberately filled with light brown silt loam that contained charcoal (pieces and flecks) and small, irregularly shaped, unburned sandstone rocks. Floor adobe capped this fill and concealed the feature. No artifacts were found in the fill of the pit. The function of the pit is not known.

Feature 8 (Pit): Feature 8 is another small pit excavated into the undisturbed sterile sediment beneath the floor of the kiva. This pit measures 18 cm long, 13 cm wide, and 12 cm deep. The feature was filled with brown silt loam containing charcoal (flecks and pieces) and several small, fire-reddened sandstone rocks oriented vertically. This fill was capped by floor adobe. No artifacts were contained in this fill. The function of this feature is unknown.

Feature 9 (Pit): Feature 9 is also a small, shallow pit excavated into the floor of the kiva. It measures 11 cm in diameter and is 4 cm deep. The pit was filled with brown silt loam containing no inclusions. Floor adobe capped the fill. No artifacts were recovered from the fill. Like pit Features 5, 7, and 8, the function of this feature is not known.

Feature 10 (Pit): Feature 10 is a larger pit near the south wall of the kiva. It measures 38 cm long, 37 cm wide, and 12 cm deep. This basined pit was filled with dark brown silty clay loam containing pieces of charcoal up to 2 to 3 cm in diameter. The base of the feature is light gray, believed to be the result of thermal alteration. Three pieces of chipped-stone debris and one Indeterminate Plain Gray sherd were recovered from the fill. The function of this feature is unknown.

Artifacts. Thirteen artifacts and various samples were point-located on the exposed area of the floor of Structure 6:

PL 1 core
PL 2 peckingstone
PL 3 two Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds
PL 8 one piece of chipped-stone debris
PL 9 awl
PL 10 one Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherd
PL 11 one piece of chipped-stone debris
PL 13 one Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherd
PL 14 one piece of chipped-stone debris
PL 16 one Late White Unpainted sherd
PL 17 one piece of chipped-stone debris
PL 18 one piece of chipped-stone debris (not mapped)

The core, peckingstone, and awl are usable tools that may have been left on the floor at abandonment. The other artifacts appear to be incidental refuse.

Stratigraphy

Structure 6 is filled with unburned roof fall and naturally deposited sediments (Figure 5.22). The strata are described from modern ground surface down to the floor.

Stratum 1 is a dark brown silt loam containing sparse, tiny sandstone bits, small charcoal smears, tiny and sparse burned adobe flecks, and very sparse and tiny calcium carbonate flecks. The boundary with Stratum 2 is clear and smooth. This stratum consists predominantly of naturally deposited material but, like Stratum 2, may also contain some looters' spoil dirt.

Stratum 2 is a brown silt loam containing a few flecks of charcoal, small pieces of sandstone, nodules of burned adobe up to .5 cm in diameter, and a few flecks of calcium carbonate. The boundary with Stratum 3 is clear and wavy. This stratum is similar to Stratum 1 but is more compact and seems to contain slightly more clay. This stratum was naturally deposited but probably contains some historic looters' backdirt that was thrown or washed into the depression. Evidence of this can be found in the greater quantity of cultural inclusions (adobe, charcoal) in the fill than would be expected in strictly alluvial sediments.

Stratum 3 is a dark brown silt loam containing a moderate number of tiny charcoal flecks, some calcium carbonate flecks, a few tiny flecks of burned adobe, a few small sandstone rocks, and tiny pieces of sandstone. This stratum has a slightly mottled appearance, mostly because of the presence of alternating bands (about 5 cm wide) of darker brown and orangish sediment commonly seen in the upper fill of pit structures. Stratum 3 was deposited naturally. The dark banding may be a result of the decomposition of vegetal materials.

Stratum 4 is a brown/dark brown silt loam containing charcoal nodules, abundant calcium carbonate flecks, small sandstone rocks, and a substantial amount of unburned adobe. This stratum also contains wash lenses 1 to 2 cm thick in the eastern two-thirds of the profile (yellower sand lenses and dark, clayey lenses). This stratum appears to be remnants of roofing material that collapsed and washed into the kiva depression, mixed with other alluvium. This was the first stratum that was deposited after the site was abandoned.

Stratum 5 is a brown/dark brown silt loam containing abundant and sizable charcoal nodules, abundant calcium carbonate in the form of flecks and large nodules, abundant unburned adobe, large sandstone building blocks (probably kiva wall collapse), and several very thin, dark lenses that appear to be decomposing organic material of some kind. The boundary with Stratum 6 is gradual and smooth. This stratum is also structural collapse, including roof and wall fall, and was probably culturally deposited when the roofing timbers were salvaged.

Stratum 6 is a brown/dark brown silt loam containing charcoal flecks and nodules, a substantial number of calcium carbonate flecks and nodules, small sandstone rocks, and fewer and smaller unburned adobe nodules than in Stratum 5. The boundary with Surface 1 (floor) is very abrupt and smooth. This stratum is structural collapse, which is a mixture of redeposited sterile sediment, adobe chunks, and cultural fill. This material is lying directly on the floor, indicating that the roof collapsed, or was intentionally collapsed, when the structure was abandoned (before alluvial or aeolian sediment could accumulate). The absence of roofing timbers suggests that the roof was dismantled to salvage the timbers.

The following artifacts were recovered from the fill of Structure 6:

4 Chapin Gray sherds
2 Indeterminate Neckbanded Gray sherds
151 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
641 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds
1 Mancos Corrugated Gray sherd
14 Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray sherds
3 Mancos Gray sherds
1 Other Gray Nonlocal sherd
1 Chapin Black-on-white sherd
16 Mancos Black-on-white sherds
5 McElmo Black-on-white sherds
4 Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds
2 Early White Painted sherds
1 Early White Unpainted sherd
21 Late White Painted sherds
249 Late White Unpainted sherds
23 Pueblo II White Painted sherds
88 Pueblo III White Painted sherds
3 Indeterminate Local White Painted sherds
10 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherds
2 Indeterminate Local Red Unpainted sherds
1 Tusayan Polychrome sherd
2 projectile points
6 awls
nonhuman bone
1 polishing stone
1 polishing/hammerstone
1 pendant
3 possible pendant fragments
6 modified sherds
14 abraders
2 bone tubes
4 modified flakes
1 core
1 peckingstone
1 two-hand mano
1 biface
3 gizzard stones
2 eggshell fragments
428 pieces of chipped-stone debris

The majority of these artifacts are from the upper fill of the structure, which indicates that they were neither incorporated into the roofing material nor knocked off the bench surface by the collapsing roof. Rather, they entered the pit structure depression after the roof collapsed and the depression had begun to fill. Also, the size of many of the artifacts means it is unlikely that they washed into the depression naturally. Thus, even though this fill contained no stained sediments, it is probable that, after the structure was abandoned, the depression was used for the disposal of refuse.

Dating

Two tree-ring samples were collected from the fill of Structure 6, but neither was datable. An archaeomagnetic sample taken from the hearth (Feature 4) resulted in two possible date spans--A.D. 1000-1100 and A.D. 1150-1400. The latter is consistent with the dates suggested by the architecture and the pottery associated with the kiva. The presence of Mesa Verde Black-on-white pottery in the roof fall suggests that the structure was abandoned sometime after A.D. 1180; the roughly equal proportions of McElmo and Mesa Verde black-on-white in the fill may indicate that the structure filled sometime between A.D. 1180 and 1225 (Wilson and Blinman 1991:47). Structure 6 is postulated to date to the late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component on the basis of the pottery and the location of the kiva south of the main roomblock at the site.

Interpretations

Structure 6 is an unburned, masonry-lined kiva constructed during the late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component at Kenzie Dawn Hamlet. The testing of this structure exposed approximately 3 m² of floor area, four floor pits, two sections of bench, portions of two pilasters, and most of the hearth. Thirteen artifacts were associated with the floor.

The construction style and features are characteristic of Pueblo III six-pilaster kivas. Hearth remodeling is also common (see Features 3 and 4 in Structure 1 at Lester's Site [Chapter 8], Feature 4 in Structure 6 at Kenzie Dawn Hamlet [this chapter], Feature 1 in Structure 2 at Catherine's Site [Chapter 11], and Features 4 and 14 in Structure 1 at G and G Hamlet [Chapter 2]). The remodeling of kiva hearths appears to be ubiquitous at the sites tested in the Sand Canyon locality, with the exception of Sand Canyon Pueblo, where hearth remodeling is rare. The reasons for this are not understood. Archaeomagnetic dating of the kiva hearth dates the latest hot fire to between A.D. 1150 and 1400.

The roof of Structure 6 was apparently dismantled at abandonment and the timbers salvaged for use elsewhere. The kiva depression was used for refuse disposal, and the upper fill may contain some recent looters' spoil dirt. Structure 4, another Pueblo III kiva on this site, also contained some culturally deposited refuse. However, per cubic meter of fill, Structure 4 contains approximately 950 artifacts and Structure 6 contains approximately 450 artifacts. Thus, there appears to be more than twice as many artifacts per cubic meter of fill in Structure 4 as in Structure 6. The Pueblo III sherd assemblages in Structures 4 and 6 are comparable, so if one of these structures predates the other, it is not evident in the Pueblo III pottery recovered. The Structure 6 assemblage contains twice as much Pueblo II pottery as the Structure 4 assemblage, a fact that appears to be at odds with the finer architecture in Structure 6.

Pit Structures (Sampling Stratum 2) Summary

The pit structure sampling stratum was tested by excavating four randomly selected 1-×-1-m units (96N/117E, 97N/115E, 98N/115E, and 98N/116E), all of which fell within Structure 6. The archaeomagnetic and pottery dates indicate that the structure was abandoned sometime after A.D. 1180, during the late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component at the site.

Courtyard (Sampling Stratum 3)

The courtyard is defined as the area immediately surrounding the pit structure sampling stratum (Sampling Stratum 2), not including the roomblock (Figure 5.3). This courtyard sampling stratum was extended a few meters to the west in order to include an area that looked like it could have accommodated another kiva associated with the main roomblock. Although no depression was detected in that area, the topography had been altered so radically by looting that a pit structure depression would have been difficult to discern. The courtyard perimeter was defined on the north by the south edge of the rubble mound. The east edge was designed to provide a narrow buffer strip along the east edge of Sampling Stratum 2. The north edge of the late midden defines the south edge, and a very large looter's pit provides the west edge.

A total of 65 1-×-1-m units are included in this sampling stratum, and four of these were randomly selected for excavation (93N/113E, 95N/112E, 97N/111E, and 100N/118E). Five pit features and the outside edge of the upper lining wall of Structure 6 were encountered in these excavation units. The fills of each of these units and the associated features are summarized below.

Sampling Unit 93N/113E

This unit is at the south edge of the sampling stratum. Two strata and three pit features were documented during testing.

Stratum 1 consists of 15 to 27 cm of brown silt containing approximately 50 small sandstone rocks and nodules of burned and unburned adobe. This material appears to be predominantly looters' backdirt.

Stratum 2 is believed to be unaltered by looting. It consists of 15 to 31 cm of brown to strong brown silt loam containing small sandstone rocks. This material was naturally deposited after site abandonment. Stratum 2 rests on a surface of undisturbed B-horizon sediment. Three post holes were documented on this surface.

Feature 3 (Post Hole)

This basin-shaped pit is in the northwest corner of the excavation unit, 43 cm below the modern ground surface. The feature measures 24 cm long, 22 cm wide, and 10 cm deep. The fill is brown silt loam containing charcoal flecks, a few pieces of charcoal and rotted wood, and one sherd (Indeterminate Plain Gray). This pit is aligned with two other post holes in this excavation unit (Features 4 and 5) and is interpreted to have been part of a post-and-adobe wall.

Feature 4 (Post Hole)

Feature 4 is 22 cm southeast of Feature 3 and is at the same elevation. The pit is 24 cm long, 21 cm wide, and 20 cm deep. The pit is a deep basin, filled with strong brown silt loam containing several chunks of charred and uncharred wood, a small sandstone rock, charcoal flecks, six sherds (three Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, two Indeterminate Plain Gray, and one Late White Unpainted), one piece of chipped-stone debris, and three tiny nonhuman bone fragments. A vertical piece of uncharred wood was the only fragment large enough for a tree-ring sample; this sample was not datable. Feature 4, which aligns with Features 3 and 5, is interpreted to have been part of a post-and-adobe wall.

Feature 5 (Post Hole)

Feature 5 is 22 cm southeast of Feature 4 and is at the same elevation. This cylindrical pit is 20 cm long, 18 cm wide, and 22 cm deep. The fill is brown/dark brown silt loam containing a rotted post, charcoal flecks, and one small sandstone rock. The post was submitted as a tree-ring sample but was not datable. Feature 5, which aligns with Features 3 and 4, is interpreted to have been part of a post-and-adobe wall.

Sampling Unit 95N/112E

This unit is southwest of Structure 6 (kiva). It contains 26 to 45 cm of fill and two pit features. A depression along the north edge of the unit appears to be the edge of a looter's pit. The stratigraphy is described first, and descriptions of the pit features follow.

Stratum 1 consists of 27 to 45 cm of brown silt loam containing a few flecks of charcoal and adobe and approximately 20 pieces of small to fist-size sandstone rocks. The upper half of this stratum may have been disturbed by looting; the lower half is undisturbed natural and cultural deposits. This stratum rests on a surface of undisturbed B-horizon sediment. Two features were documented on this surface.

Feature 1 (Pit)

This feature was detected at the interface of cultural fill and undisturbed B-horizon sediment, 45 cm below modern ground surface. The pit is only partly within the excavation unit and is 22 cm east of the southwest corner of the unit. The exposed portion is cylindrical and measures 19 cm long, 18 cm wide, and 23 cm deep.

The fill of the feature consists of a dark brown silty clay loam containing charcoal pieces, one moderate-size sandstone rock, numerous sandstone bits, and two Late White Unpainted sherds. The pit probably contains a mix of cultural and natural postabandonment deposits. The function of this feature is unknown, but it may be a post hole associated with Features 3, 4, and 5 in unit 93N/113E to the south.

Feature 2 (Pit)

Feature 2 is 15 cm northwest of Feature 1 and is only partly within the excavation unit. The exposed portion is a basin that measures 35 cm long, 20 cm wide, and 12 cm deep. The fill is a brown loam that contains charcoal flecks, ash, small fragments of sandstone, and large nodules of possible adobe. This material appears to be a mix of cultural and natural postabandonment deposits. Feature 2 is probably associated with Feature 1 and may be associated with Features 3, 4, and 5 (post holes) as well.

Sampling Unit 97N/111E

This excavation unit is a few meters west of Structure 6 (kiva). Cultural deposits reached a depth of 54 cm below modern ground surface, although this depth was probably artificially increased by the accumulation of looters' backdirt. No features or structures were encountered in this unit.

Stratum 1 is 19 to 28 cm of loosely consolidated brown silt containing flecks of charcoal, some pockets of ash, and approximately 30 sandstone rocks, fist-size and smaller. The northeast quarter of the unit contained the southwest edge of a recent looter's pit, and Stratum 1 is thought to be the backdirt from that pit.

Stratum 2 is 23 to 29 cm of more-compact, dark yellowish brown silt loam containing flecks of charcoal and adobe and a few small pieces of sandstone. This stratum was deposited as a result of cultural activity and natural processes, but was also truncated by the looter's pit.

Sampling Unit 100N/118E

This unit is located at the northeast edge of Structure 6 (kiva). During the excavation of this random unit, three strata of cultural fill were documented. Undisturbed B-horizon sediment was encountered a maximum of 96 cm below modern ground surface. The outside edge of the upper lining wall of Structure 6 (kiva) was exposed in the southwest corner of the unit.

Stratum 1 is 25 to 56 cm of brown silt loam containing flecks of charcoal and burned adobe and sandstone wall fall from the roomblock to the north. This stratum may contain some looters' backdirt from looting in the rubble mound.

Stratum 2 is 21 to 42 cm of brown silt loam containing charcoal, adobe, and calcium carbonate flecks. This stratum is below wall fall, and it was probably deposited both naturally and culturally during the occupation of the site.

Stratum 3 is 5 to 16 cm of strong brown silty clay loam containing charcoal at the top of the stratum and calcium carbonate veins at the bottom of the stratum. This sediment was probably the prehistoric ground surface during the occupation. The undisturbed B horizon was not reached in the southwest corner of the unit. Instead, fill continued down, and sandstone rocks were encountered. It is believed that the rocks are part of the upper lining wall of Structure 6 (kiva), but this material was in such a small area that it was not possible to continue excavation.

Courtyard (Sampling Stratum 3) Summary

Four randomly selected units were excavated in the area defined as the courtyard (93N/113E, 95N/112E, 97N/111E, and 100N/118E). In these units, five pit features and the upper lining wall of Structure 6 (kiva) were encountered. Three of the pit features contained rotted wood. The five pits are generally aligned and could all be post holes associated with a post-and-adobe structure. The location and orientation of the alignment would be typical for a post-and-adobe roomblock associated with Structure 16 (pithouse). Two tree-ring samples collected from two of the pits were not datable.

Inner Periphery (Sampling Stratum 4)

The inner periphery stratum was designed to sample the area surrounding the architecture and midden deposits at the site (Figure 5.3). The boundaries of the stratum were based on a slightly lower artifact density than was observed in the midden but a higher artifact density than was noted elsewhere on the site.

A total area of 662 m² is included in the inner periphery. Seven 1-×-1-m units were randomly selected for excavation (88N/121E, 93N/107E, 95N/128E, 98N/99E, 108N/105E, 112N/129E, and 118N/125E). During the excavation of these units, two structures--Structure 9, a surface room, and Structure 16, a pithouse--and five extramural features were found, including three post holes. Structures 9 and 16 are discussed first, followed by descriptions of the remainder of the excavation units.

Structure 9 (Surface Room)

Structure 9 is a possible surface room in unit 108N/105E, northwest of Structure 10 (Figure 5.4). Structure 9 consists primarily of a line of vertical sandstone slabs. It is not clear whether this is the remains of a west wall, an east wall, or a dividing wall between two rooms. However, because it is probable that this alignment of slabs represents one or more Basketmaker III surface rooms, pertinent data will be given below. Only the area east of the wall slabs was provenienced as Structure 9.

This area of the site was substantially altered by recent looting; a Pepsi can was recovered 15 cm below modern ground surface in this excavation unit.

Construction

The observed and inferred architecture of Structure 9 is described in this section, including the walls, roof, and floor.

Walls. Only one wall was exposed during testing, and this may be either a west wall or an east wall, or both. However, only the area east of the wall was designated Structure 9. The observed section of wall measures 1.12 m long and consists of four vertical, unshaped sandstone slabs. The only two wholly exposed slabs measure 39 × 34 × 11 cm and 35 × 20 × 5 cm. The slabs were set into undisturbed B-horizon sediments. The tops of the slabs are 40 cm below modern ground surface, and their bases are 75 to 80 cm below modern ground surface. No mortar was detected.

Roof. No features that could have been holes for roof support posts were encountered in this excavation unit. However, burned roof fall was plentiful on both sides of the wall alignment, and 13 tree-ring samples were recovered. Structure 9 is the only structure encountered during testing that showed evidence of burning.

Surface 1. No well-defined surface was discovered during excavation, but the top of the undisturbed B horizon is believed to have been the floor.

Surface 1

No prepared surface was defined other than the interface between burned roof fall and undisturbed B-horizon sediments. This interface is 75 to 80 cm below modern ground surface, although mounded looters' backdirt in this area has resulted in the depth of this structure being exaggerated by at least 15 cm. An area of floor 0.7 m² was exposed. No features were detected, and no artifacts are associated with this surface.

Stratigraphy

Two strata were documented in Structure 9. The fill includes deposits from the tops of the vertical slabs down to the floor. Fill above the slabs was provenienced "recent disturbance."

Stratum 1 is present in the north half of the excavation unit. It consists of 14 to 20 cm of brown to black silt containing large chunks of burned adobe and abundant charcoal (including two burned timbers). Stratum 1 is burned roof fall. The stratum is very unconsolidated and appears to be looters' backdirt. However, this roof fall is thought to be associated with Structure 9.

Stratum 2 is 20 to 38 cm of reddish brown silty clay loam containing a few sandstone bits, charcoal flecks, and a number of burned timbers. This stratum appears to be undisturbed burned roof fall. This stratum rests on undisturbed B-horizon sediment.

Artifacts recovered from the fill of Structure 9 include the following:

12 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
6 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds
1 Late White Painted sherd
3 Late White Unpainted sherds
1 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherd
1 complete pestle
nonhuman bone, some burned
1 eggshell fragment
10 pieces of chipped-stone debris

Dating

Thirteen tree-ring samples were collected from the fill of Structure 9. Three of these were datable--A.D. 649 +vv, 659 +v, and 665 vv. Two additional samples were collected from the looter-disturbed burned roof fall stratum just above the Structure 9 wall in this excavation unit. One of these samples yielded a date: A.D. 628 vv. Thus, the tree-ring dates indicate that this room was constructed sometime after A.D. 665. There is no evidence to suggest that these are reused timbers. The late pottery sherds from the fill are primarily from the recently disturbed area. The only other early tree-ring dates on the site are from rotted timbers in the fill of Structure 13 (pit structure); that fill contains a beam that dates to A.D. 1142. These other early timbers may have been robbed from unburned structures associated with Structure 9.

Interpretations

Although the data are scant, Structure 9 appears to be the remains of a burned Basketmaker III surface structure. Tree-ring dates suggest construction sometime after A.D. 665. Another room may adjoin Structure 9 on the west.

Vertical slabs were commonly used at the bases of Basketmaker walls. The technique used in wall construction above the slabs is unknown, but it probably involved the use of some combination of perishable materials and adobe. Structure 9 may have been constructed on the prehistoric ground surface, or it may have been dug slightly into the ground. This structure probably functioned as a storage room. It was not possible to determine when the structure burned, but it could have been when the site was abandoned. Although this area of the site was severely disturbed by looters, the lower fill of Structure 9 consisted of undisturbed burned roof fall that lay directly on the floor.

Structure 16 (Pithouse)

Structure 16 is an unburned, earth-walled pit structure located east of the main midden (Figure 5.4). Excavation in random unit 88N/121E exposed a small section of earth wall and nearly 1 m² of floor area.

Construction

The wall, roof, and floor of Structure 16 are described in this section.

Walls. A section of earthen wall face measuring 23 cm long and 46 cm deep was exposed across the southwest corner of the excavation unit. This vertical wall is formed of undisturbed sterile sediment, and no other preparation was detected. The exposed section was too small to determine whether the wall is straight or curved.

Roof. There was no evidence of roof construction, either on the floor or in the fill of this structure. It is inferred that the roofing material was salvaged for reuse.

Surface 1. Surface 1, the floor of Structure 16, is use-compacted, undisturbed sterile sediment. It is generally smooth and level. No adobe was detected.

Surface 1

Nearly 1 m² of floor was exposed in this structure. No features were noted. Two artifacts were point-located--a modified, nonhuman bone (PL 1) and a Late White Unpainted bowl body sherd with fugitive red on the exterior (PL 2). Within 5 cm of the floor were a number of other artifacts: five Indeterminate Plain Gray jar body sherds, 15 white ware bowl sherds with fugitive red on the exteriors, five Late White Unpainted jar body sherds, three pieces of chipped-stone debris, and nonhuman bone. The sherds with fugitive red on the exteriors probably are all from the same vessel; however, because the paste of PL 2 is fine, this sherd with no rim or design is typed as Late White Unpainted.

Stratigraphy

The fill of Structure 16 consists of four strata. These are described from modern ground surface to the floor. The lower strata all slope downwards to the east between 12 and 22 cm.

Stratum 1 is 34 to 38 cm of brown silt loam containing a few medium-size sandstone rocks and several fist-size rocks, small adobe nodules, and abundant small charcoal pieces and flecks. This material is inferred to be refuse associated with a late occupation of the site.

Stratum 2 is 29 to 40 cm of dark reddish brown silty clay loam containing numerous small charcoal pieces and a few sandstone pieces. This stratum is Basketmaker secondary refuse.

Stratum 3 is 18 to 20 cm of dark brown silt loam containing small charcoal pieces and sparse sandstone pieces. This refuse was also culturally deposited during the Basketmaker occupation.

Stratum 4 is 10 to 29 cm of reddish brown silty clay loam containing charcoal flecks and sparse sandstone bits. This material is culturally deposited refuse from the Basketmaker occupation.

Artifacts recovered from the fill of Structure 16 include:

2 Chapin Gray sherds
107 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
7 Early White Painted sherds
9 Early White Unpainted sherds
1 Late White Painted sherd
34 Late White Unpainted sherds
1 Indeterminate Local White Painted sherd
18 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherds
nonhuman bone
16 pieces of chipped-stone debris

Both Basketmaker III and later sherds are present in this fill. This indicates that the site continued to be occupied after this structure was abandoned during the Basketmaker occupation, and also that refuse from later occupations is present.

Dating

No tree-ring samples were collected from Structure 16. The structure can be dated only by the architecture and by the associated pottery. The earthen walls and the shallowness of the structure suggest that the architecture is Basketmaker III. The floor of Structure 16 is 46 to 50 cm below the top of the preserved wall face and 1.06 to 1.10 m below modern ground surface. Pit structures constructed after Basketmaker times were substantially deeper than this. Basketmaker II structures do not have vertical walls, and are usually shallower. The presence of Basketmaker III sherds on and near the floor, and the presence of other Basketmaker III features and structures on the site, also suggests that Structure 16 is a Basketmaker III pithouse.

Tree-ring samples from Structure 9, a probable Basketmaker III surface room west of the masonry roomblock, yielded dates of A.D. 649 +vv, 659 +v, and 665 vv. The other earliest tree-ring dates from the site are A.D. 505 ++vv, 546 vv, and 595 vv; these timbers are from the fill of Structure 13, a Pueblo III structure beneath the masonry roomblock. The dates in the A.D. 500s are obviously from reused beams, as a date of A.D. 1142 was recovered from that same fill. In fact, the three A.D. 500s dates are scattered so widely that they probably do not reflect the Basketmaker III occupation either. Thus, the best guess for the construction of Structure 16, or the Basketmaker III occupation in general, is sometime after A.D. 665, as determined by tree-ring dates. The only sherds from Structure 16 assignable to a traditional type are the Chapin Gray and the Chapin Black-on-white sherds. The time span for Chapin Black-on-white is A.D. 600-750.

Interpretations

Structure 16 is a shallow, unburned earth-walled pithouse constructed during the Basketmaker III occupation of the site. Testing in this structure exposed nearly 1 m² of floor area and a small portion of the earthen wall. No features were documented; two artifacts were point-located on the floor. The limited amount of architecture observed is consistent with Basketmaker III pithouses. The pottery in the lower fill of Structure 16 dates primarily to the Basketmaker III time period. Tree-ring dates for Structure 9, a Basketmaker III surface room, suggest that Structure 16 may have been constructed sometime after A.D. 665.

No roofing material was noted in the fill of this pithouse. However, three strata of Basketmaker refuse are present, and the first refuse to be deposited rests on the floor surface. These bits of evidence indicate that this structure was abandoned and the roofing material salvaged while the site continued to be occupied. A small amount of later refuse was deposited into the upper fill of the structure, probably during a later occupation of the site.

Sampling Unit 93N/107E

This random unit is at the northwest edge of the midden. The undisturbed B-horizon surface was encountered between 34 and 50 cm below the modern ground surface. Two pit features were documented on this surface. The stratigraphy is described from the modern ground surface down, and the feature descriptions follow.

Stratum 1 is 26 to 38 cm of loosely consolidated dark brown silt loam containing small sandstone rocks and flecks of charcoal and adobe. This deposit is recent looters' backdirt.

Stratum 2 is 4 to 12 cm of more-compact brown silt loam, heavily mottled with flecks of calcium carbonate and also containing flecks of charcoal. The number of artifacts in this stratum suggests that some cultural deposition occurred, although natural deposits are probably present as well.

Stratum 3 is 4 to 9 cm of reddish brown silty clay loam. A few flecks of charcoal were noted at the top of this stratum, and calcium carbonate veins appeared at the bottom. The top is interpreted as the prehistoric ground surface during the occupation. Two pit features were documented at the bottom of Stratum 3.

Feature 1 (Post Hole)

Feature 1 is located slightly east of the center of the excavation unit, and 20 cm north of the south edge of the unit. The pit measures 12 cm long, 11 cm wide, and 18 cm deep, and it was excavated into the undisturbed B-horizon sediment. The feature fill consisted primarily of brown silt loam, with 1 cm of clay loam in the bottom of the pit. An undatable rotted post and flecks of charcoal and calcium carbonate were included in the fill. The feature is postulated to have been part of a post-and-adobe structure, possibly associated with the same Basketmaker III occupation as Structure 16 (pithouse).

Feature 4 (Pit)

Feature 4 is 40 cm northwest of Feature 1 (post hole). The pit measures 20 cm long, 18 cm wide, and 15 cm deep, and it is at the same elevation as Feature 1. The fill consists of brown silt loam containing abundant charcoal and calcium carbonate flecks, one piece of charcoal 2 cm long, and several sandstone bits. The function of this feature is unknown, but it could be a post hole associated with Feature 1 above.

Sampling Unit 95N/128E

This unit is at the east edge of the sampling stratum, in the track road that crosses the site. Two strata of cultural deposits and one pit feature were documented in this unit.

Stratum 1 is 12 to 18 cm of brown loam to silt loam containing charcoal flecks and small pieces of sandstone. This material appears to have eroded down from a poorly defined midden area to the west and northwest. This midden may date to the late Pueblo II component and to the early part of the Pueblo III habitation component. The stratum undoubtedly has been mixed and disturbed by vehicles driving over it.

Stratum 2 is 7 to 14 cm of reddish brown silty clay loam containing charcoal flecks. This stratum is interpreted to be prehistoric ground surface and rests on undisturbed B-horizon sediments. A pit feature was defined at the bottom of this deposit.

Feature 5 (Pit)

This feature is 10 cm from the north edge of the excavation unit, just west of center. The pit, which measures 23 cm in diameter and 10 cm deep, was excavated into undisturbed B-horizon sediment. This is a shallow but nearly vertical-sided pit. The fill consists of reddish brown silt loam containing charcoal flecks and two fragments of partly charred wood that were not resting vertically. The wood fragment suggests that this feature could be a post hole, but data to support this interpretation are limited. Regardless of its function, this feature could be associated with Structure 16, the Basketmaker pithouse to the southwest.

Sampling Unit 98N/99E

This excavation unit is near the west edge of the sampling stratum. One stratum of looter-disturbed cultural material was documented. No cultural features were found.

Stratum 1 is brown silt loam containing charcoal flecks, several small sandstone rocks, and burned adobe. In the western portion of the excavation unit, this material is 20 cm thick. In the eastern portion, this stratum is 22 to 25 cm thick, with sizable pockets as much as an additional 11 cm deep. This stratum rested on undisturbed B-horizon sediment. The entire deposit is thought to have been disturbed by looters.

Sampling Unit 112N/129E

Located east of Structure 4 (kiva), this excavation pit contained three strata of cultural deposits. At the interface of cultural strata and the undisturbed B horizon, two pit features were encountered. The stratigraphy is described from the modern ground surface down, and the feature descriptions follow.

Stratum 1 is 3 to 15 cm of dark brown silt loam mottled with charcoal and adobe and containing approximately 20 pieces of sandstone smaller than fist-size. The boundary with Stratum 2 is very abrupt and smooth. This material is a mixture of culturally deposited refuse and naturally deposited postabandonment sediments.

Stratum 2 is 8 to 27 cm of strong brown silt loam containing charcoal, burned and unburned adobe nodules, approximately 30 small sandstone rocks, and a few larger rocks. The boundary with Stratum 3 is clear and smooth. This stratum appears to be a mix of sediment similar to Stratum 1.

Stratum 3 is 25 to 34 cm of brown silt loam containing flecks of charcoal, adobe, and calcium carbonate, as well as occasional large chunks of unburned adobe. The boundary with the undisturbed B horizon is very abrupt and smooth. This stratum consists of culturally deposited secondary refuse. Two pit features exposed in this stratum extended downward into the sterile B horizon.

Feature 2 (Post Hole)

Feature 2 is located just south of the center of the excavation unit and 10 cm west of the east edge of the excavation unit. The pit measures 15 cm long and 13 cm wide, and it extends 13 cm into the undisturbed B-horizon sediment. The feature was filled with brown silt loam containing flecks of charcoal and calcium carbonate and a rotted post 26 cm long (the post extended above the top of the observable post hole). The post was not datable. This feature is probably associated with surface structures north of Structure 8 (pit structure).

Feature 3 (Post Hole)

A portion of Feature 3 was exposed in the southeast corner of the excavation unit, 25 cm south of Feature 2. The observable portion of the pit is 14 cm long and 10 cm wide, and it extends 13 cm into the undisturbed B-horizon sediment. The fill of the pit is a dark brown silt loam containing charcoal flecks and a rotted post measuring 6 cm long. The post was visible 5 cm above the level of detection of the post hole. Features 2 and 3 are probably the remains of surface structures associated with Structure 8 (pit structure) or, more unlikely, Structure 4 (kiva), both to the west.

Sampling Unit 118N/125E

Random unit 118N/125E is near the northeast edge of Sampling Stratum 4. It contains two strata of cultural material that extend a total of 20 to 30 cm below modern ground surface. No features were found in this unit.

Stratum 1 consists of approximately 5 cm of material that eroded off the rubble mound to the south after site abandonment. Stratum 2 is 15 to 25 cm of brown/gray brown silt loam containing charcoal, adobe, and calcium carbonate flecks. Most of this deposit is probably secondary refuse mixed with material eroding down from the rubble mound to the south. This stratum rests on undisturbed B-horizon sediment.

Inner Periphery (Sampling Stratum 4) Summary

Seven 1-×-1-m units (88N/121E, 93N/107E, 95N/128E, 98N/99E, 108N/105E, 112N/129E, and 118N/125E) were randomly selected to test the inner periphery (Figure 5.3). Excavators encountered one burned surface structure (Structure 9); one unburned, earth-walled pithouse (Structure 16); and five extramural features, at least three of which are post holes.

Structure 9 is represented by an alignment of vertical slabs and associated burned roof fall. The slabs are inferred to be the west wall of Structure 9, and they are also probably the east wall of an adjoining structure, but this could not be demonstrated in such a restricted area (Figure 5.4). The datable burned timbers indicate that construction occurred sometime after A.D. 665; the associated pottery is consistent with this interpretation. This structure would have been between 22 and 24 m northwest of the only known Basketmaker pithouse on the site (Structure 16); Structures 9 and 16 thus may not be directly associated with each other.

Interpretations of postabandonment filling of Structure 9 are limited by substantial recent looting. However, undisturbed burned roof fall beneath spoil dirt clearly indicates that the structure burned at abandonment.

Structure 16 is an unburned, earth-walled pithouse. Its architectural style and the pottery from the lower fill indicate that this structure also dates to the Basketmaker III period. Basketmaker III refuse and the absence of roof fall indicate that this pithouse was abandoned prior to overall site abandonment. The distance of Structure 9 from this pithouse suggests that they are not directly associated.

Extramural features were also documented in this sampling stratum. The two pits (one post hole and one possible post hole) in 93N/107E form an alignment that is parallel with an alignment of post holes in Sampling Stratum 3 (courtyard), 5 m to the northeast. The alignment of post holes in the courtyard has been postulated to be the remains of post-and-adobe rooms associated with Structure 16 (pithouse). Thus, it is possible that all seven of these features are evidence of Basketmaker surface structures. Two post holes in unit 112N/129E may be the remains of a surface structure associated with Structure 8 (pit structure).

Midden (Sampling Stratum 5, Nonstructure 1)

Sampling Stratum 5 is the most distinctly bounded--and latest--midden on the site. It is located south of Structure 6 (kiva). The boundaries of the midden were defined by artifact density and stained soil. This stratum encompasses an area of 110 m². Five 1-×-1-m units were randomly selected for excavation (81N/113E, 87N/114E, 89N/110E, 90N/115E, and 92N/113E) (Figure 5.3). Culturally deposited refuse, naturally deposited sediment, looters' disturbance, and one pit feature were encountered during testing. The stratigraphy in all five test pits is summarized below, followed by a description of the pit feature discovered in 92N/113E.

Stratigraphy (All Sampling Units)

The stratigraphy across the midden was generally consistent, with thickness of the refuse stratum being the greatest variable. In this section, the stratigraphy in the excavation units is characterized, beginning with the units with the least amount of cultural material.

The excavation units at the south (81N/113E) and west (89N/110E) edges of the midden contained the shallowest deposits. These edges are the farthest from the Pueblo III architecture. The stratigraphy in these pits consisted of 33 to 34 cm of brown sandy silt to silt loam containing charcoal flecks, small sandstone pieces, and adobe flecks. This material is secondary refuse.

The sampling units near the north edge of the midden (90N/115E and 92N/113E) and nearest to the Pueblo III architecture contained 40 to 44 cm of cultural deposits. Stratum 1 consisted of 20 to 34 cm of brown to strong brown silt loam to silty clay loam containing small sandstone rocks, charcoal, and adobe flecks. This deposit of secondary refuse may contain some looters' backdirt in unit 92N/113E. Stratum 2 consisted of 6 to 20 cm of brown to strong brown silty clay loam containing small sandstone rocks and charcoal flecks. Stratum 2 is another stratum of secondary refuse. Stratum 3 in these two units is 6 to 20 cm of strong brown silty clay loam that contains sparse charcoal flecks at the top of the stratum and grades to sterile by the bottom of the stratum. The bottom of this stratum is believed to have been prehistoric ground surface when use of the site began.

In the excavation unit nearest the center of the midden (87N/114E), 69 cm of cultural deposits were encountered. Stratum 1 is 28 to 30 cm of reddish brown silt to silt loam containing charcoal, small sandstone rocks, and burned and unburned adobe. Stratum 1 is secondary refuse. Stratum 2 is 7 to 12 cm of brown to dark brown sandy loam with sparse inclusions of charcoal and small sandstone bits. The sediment in this deposit appears to be windblown, but the artifacts must have been culturally deposited.

Stratum 3 in the center of the midden consists of 8 to 15 cm of reddish brown silty clay loam with charcoal, burned and unburned adobe, sparse calcium carbonate flecks, and small- to medium-size sandstone rocks. This earliest deposit of secondary refuse rests on a stratum of reddish brown silty clay loam, 9 to 12 cm thick, that contains sparse charcoal flecks at the top but is sterile at the bottom. This material is the prehistoric A horizon, or prehistoric ground surface at the beginning of site use.

Feature 1 (Post Hole)

This feature was found at the interface of secondary refuse and the undisturbed B horizon in unit 92N/113E. The feature is along the west edge of the unit, 30 cm south of the northwest corner. The portion of the feature exposed measures 18 cm long, 13 cm wide, and 15 cm deep. The fill of the pit is a strong brown silt loam containing adobe bits, one piece of chipped-stone debris, sparse charcoal flecks, one Late White Painted sherd, and a small sandstone rock. Although no post was contained in the pit, the feature is inferred to be a post hole because of its vertical walls, and because of its proximity to the post holes in the courtyard (Sampling Stratum 3, Features 3, 4, and 5 in unit 93N/113E).

Midden (Sampling Stratum 5, Nonstructure 1) Summary

The midden was sampled by the excavation of five randomly selected excavation units. Culturally deposited refuse as shallow as 33 cm and as deep as 69 cm was documented; test pits contained one, two, or three strata of culturally deposited material. Beneath the midden, one pit feature had been excavated into undisturbed B-horizon sediments. This feature is believed to be a post hole associated with the post holes in the adjacent excavation unit to the north (in Sampling Stratum 3).

The following artifacts were recovered during the testing of Sampling Stratum 5:

6 Chapin Gray sherds
3 Mancos Gray sherds
165 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
1 Mancos Corrugated Gray sherd
6 Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray sherds
1,056 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds
1 Indeterminate Neckbanded Gray sherd
3 Early White Painted sherds
9 Mancos Black-on-white sherds
24 Pueblo II White Painted sherds
10 McElmo Black-on-white sherds
35 Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds
338 Pueblo III White Painted sherds
34 Late White Painted sherds
578 Late White Unpainted sherds
1 Indeterminate Local White Painted sherd
12 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherds
1 Deadmans Black-on-red sherd
3 Indeterminate Local Red Unpainted sherds
4 Other Red Nonlocal sherds
1 Unknown White sherd
1 unfired sherd--possible mudware
7 modified sherds
15 abraders
2 two-hand manos
7 peckingstones
3 polishing stones
1 polishing/hammerstone
3 projectile points
1 core
1 biface
13 modified flakes
1 piece of petrified wood
3 fragments of eggshell
10 gizzard stones
1 human rib fragment
751 pieces of chipped-stone debris
nonhuman bone

The variety of artifacts recovered is indicative of one or more periods of permanent habitation. The pottery recovered from the midden indicates that some of the refuse was deposited during the Basketmaker III or Pueblo I period (Chapin Gray, Mancos Gray, Indeterminate Neckbanded Gray, Early White Painted, Deadmans Black-on-red), some was deposited during the late Pueblo II period (Mancos Black-on white and Pueblo II White Painted), and some during the Pueblo III period (McElmo Black-on-white and Mesa Verde Black-on-white). However, the largest number of black-on-white sherds that can be assigned to a traditional type are Mesa Verde Black-on-white, suggesting that most of the refuse was deposited during the Pueblo III period.

North Pit Structure (Sampling Stratum 6)

This sampling stratum was designed to test the slightly depressed area enclosed by the arc of the early rubble mound, which is northeast of the main rubble mound (Figure 5.3). A total of 28 m² is within this stratum, and four 1-×-1-m units were randomly selected for excavation (110N/122E, 110N/123E, 111N/118E, and 112N/120E). During testing, one kiva (Structure 4), one earth-walled pit structure (Structure 8), and four extramural features were encountered (Figure 5.4). The structures are discussed in numerical order, and feature descriptions follow under the appropriate excavation unit heading.

Structure 4 (Kiva)

Structure 4 is an unburned, masonry-lined kiva (Figure 5.23). Sections of the floor, northeast bench, and upper lining wall were exposed in excavation units 110N/122E and 110N/123E. The extrapolated diameter of the structure is 4.70 m, bench face to bench face.

Construction

The observed architecture in this kiva is described in this section, including the walls, roof, and floor.

Walls. A short section of the face of Bench 4 and the associated upper lining wall were exposed during testing. The upper lining wall consists of seven courses of semicoursed masonry, one stone wide. The exposed section is 1.13 m long, 80 cm high, and 16 cm thick. The stones are blocky (60 percent) and tabular (40 percent). Of these, approximately 25 percent are pecked, 25 percent are flaked, and 50 percent are unshaped. The mortar is a fine-grained sediment and is in beds 1.5 cm wide and 2 cm thick. The beds are flush, and contain a limited number of spall chinking stones.

Approximately 50 cm of the bench surface and bench face masonry had apparently slumped after abandonment of the structure (Figure 5.23). The intact bench face is 61 cm long and rises 97 cm above the floor of the kiva. Plaster obscures 75 percent of the bench face masonry, and only four of the upper courses could be viewed. Three-quarters of the visible stones are tabular, and one-quarter are blocky; the majority appear to be shaped. The mortar is the same as that described for the upper lining wall.

Roof. Pilaster 4 and the possible Pilaster 5 are evidence of roof support. A stratum of roof fall (Figure 5.24, Stratum 7) overlay the structure floor. No vegetal material was noted in this deposit, and the timbers from the roof are thought to have been salvaged for reuse elsewhere on the site.

Surface 1. This surface is leveled, undisturbed sterile sediment, coated with a layer of adobe measuring 2.5 cm thick. Approximately .66 m² of the floor was exposed during testing.

Surface 1

Surface 1 is the floor of Structure 4. Three features and eight point-located artifacts are associated with the occupation of this kiva.

Features. One segment of bench surface, one pilaster, and another possible pilaster were documented.

Feature 1 (Bench 4): Almost one-half of this segment of bench surface was not preserved, presumably because of postabandonment slumping. The preserved portion measures 61 cm side-to-side and 32 cm front-to-back. The preserved area of bench surface consists of the tops of the tabular rocks that form the uppermost course of bench face masonry, and of smaller rocks behind these, and of adobe at the base of the upper lining wall (Figure 5.23). The adobe is charred gray. How this adobe came to be charred is unknown; there is no other evidence of burning in the exposed portion of Structure 4. Four artifacts were point-located on this bench surface (see Artifacts heading below). The bench is inferred to have been used for storage and pilaster support.

Feature 2 (Pilaster 4): Only a tiny portion of the southeast corner of Pilaster 4 was exposed in the north face of unit 110N/122E (Figure 5.24). The uppermost pilaster rock is 54 cm above the bench surface, and 2 cm of width and depth were exposed. Three stones with nicely pecked, 90-degree-angle corners protrude from the unit wall. This pilaster is set back from the bench face 4 cm. From its position in the kiva, this appears to be the fourth pilaster, counting clockwise from the southern recess. The feature is inferred to have helped support the structure roof.

Feature 3 (Pilaster 5): A very small portion of what is probably Pilaster 5 was observed abutting the upper lining wall in unit 110N/123E (Figure 5.23). Three vertical courses of pecked rocks are visible, rising a total of 28 cm above the bench surface. The feature measures 12 cm front-to-back, and 6 cm of width was exposed. Although this feature is probably Pilaster 5 (the fifth pilaster clockwise from the southern recess), this is not certain, because Pilasters 4 and 5 appear to be too close together for a kiva of this size. The extrapolated diameter of the structure is based on the curvature of the face of Bench 4 and on the presence of what is inferred to be the back side of the northwest upper lining wall in the southeast corner of excavation unit 111N/118E. However, Feature 3 certainly appears to be a pilaster.

Artifacts. Several artifacts or artifact clusters were point-located on use surfaces in Structure 4: one piece of chipped-stone debris (PL 1), one Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherd (PL 2), an abrader (PL 5), 42 pieces of chipped-stone debris (PL 8), one piece of chipped-stone debris (PL 9), one piece of chipped-stone debris (PL 10), one piece of chipped-stone debris (PL 11) and nonhuman bone (PL 12). PL 8 is a cluster of debitage that appears to be from one core. This cluster was apparently left on the bench at abandonment. The remainder of the artifacts appear to be incidental refuse.

Stratigraphy

The fill of Structure 4 consists of three strata. The stratigraphic profile includes four additional strata immediately east of the kiva (Figure 5.24). The stratigraphy is described from the modern ground surface down to the kiva floor.

Stratum 1 is a dark brown silt loam containing charcoal and calcium carbonate flecks, small sandstone rocks, and abundant unburned adobe. This stratum was naturally deposited after the site was abandoned.

Strata 2 through 5 are east of Structure 4, and all were truncated by the construction of Structure 4. Stratum 2 is a reddish brown silt loam containing large calcium carbonate flecks. The boundary with Stratum 4 is very abrupt and smooth. This deposit appears to be alluvial material that was deposited before the construction of Structure 4. Stratum 3 is a reddish brown silt loam containing a few charcoal and calcium carbonate flecks. The boundary with Stratum 4 is clear and smooth. Stratum 4 is a reddish brown silt loam containing charcoal flecks and sandstone bits. The boundary with Stratum 5 is clear and smooth. This stratum may be sediment that accumulated during the late Pueblo II/early Pueblo III occupation of the site (structures dating to that occupation are nearby to the west). Stratum 5 is a strong brown silt loam containing only a few small charcoal flecks. The boundary with the undisturbed B-horizon sediment is abrupt and smooth. The top of this stratum is postulated as prehistoric ground surface during the earliest occupation of the site.

Stratum 6 is a dark brown silt loam containing charcoal pieces, adobe chunks, and abundant sandstone ranging from small rocks to blocks and slabs of building-block size. This stratum contains too many artifacts to have been deposited naturally and is inferred to be a mix of natural and cultural deposition.

Stratum 7 is a dark brown silt loam containing abundant charcoal flecks and pieces up to 2 cm long; numerous chunks of unburned adobe, 7 to 8 cm in diameter; and 18 to 20 large sandstone blocks. This deposit is unburned roof fall. The absence of vegetal material indicates that the timbers were salvaged for reuse elsewhere, and the location of this stratum on the floor leads to the interpretation that the roof was dismantled when the structure was abandoned, before naturally deposited sediment could accumulate on the floor.

Artifacts recovered from the fill of Structure 4 include the following:

45 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
1 Mancos Corrugated Gray sherd
4 Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray sherds
485 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds
2 Early White Painted sherds
6 Mancos Black-on-white sherds
11 Pueblo II White Painted sherds
9 McElmo Black-on-white sherds
7 Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds
101 Pueblo III White Painted sherds
18 Late White Painted sherds
177 Late White Unpainted sherds
11 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherds
2 Indeterminate Local Red Unpainted sherds
1 Other White Nonlocal sherd
4 modified sherds
1 shaped sherd
1 unfired sherd
4 abraders
3 two-hand manos
1 maul
1 hammerstone
5 peckingstones
1 projectile point
1 biface
1 awl
3 modified flakes
2 cores
1 siltstone animal effigy
2 stone disks
1 possible pendant
3 gizzard stones
374 pieces of chipped-stone debris
nonhuman bone

These artifacts are predominantly from the upper fill of the structure, which indicates that they were not left on the floor or bench at abandonment. This number of artifacts would not have been deposited naturally into the fill of a structure, but must have been deposited as secondary refuse.

Dating

No tree-ring samples were collected from Structure 4. The only means of dating this kiva are architectural style and pottery. The structure is well constructed, fully lined with masonry, and probably contains six pilasters, all of which indicates that it was constructed during the Pueblo III period. However, the masonry in this structure is less finely executed than the masonry in Structure 6 (kiva). The presence of Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds in the upper fill indicate that this fill was deposited sometime after A.D. 1180.

Interpretations

Structure 4 is an unburned, masonry-lined kiva constructed during the middle building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component at the site. Testing exposed approximately .66 m² of floor area, one section of bench and upper lining wall, and two pilasters. A number of artifacts were associated with the bench and floor surfaces. The construction style is consistent with that of other Pueblo III masonry-lined kivas. The collapse of a portion of the bench is unusual; kiva benches are usually in pristine condition. Thus, it is possible that this damage did not occur naturally.

There is evidence that Structure 4 was constructed at least partly within an earlier pit structure. What is inferred to be the back side of the upper lining wall of Structure 4 was exposed in the southeast corner of 111N/118E, and a short section of a shallow, earth-walled pit structure (designated Structure 8) was encountered just to the northwest in the same unit (Figure 5.4). Another section of Structure 8 wall was discovered along the south edge of unit 112N/120E. In the area of Bench 4, however, the kiva masonry backs up against undisturbed, sterile sediments. Thus, the Structure 8 wall either coincides with the kiva wall, or was west of the kiva wall and was destroyed during the construction of the kiva.

Structure 4 is dated on the basis of architectural style and pottery. These two lines of evidence indicate that the kiva was constructed during the middle building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component and that the structure filled sometime after A.D. 1180.

It appears that the roof of the kiva was dismantled at abandonment and the timbers salvaged. Occupation of the site may have continued; the fill above roof fall contains enough artifacts to indicate that refuse was culturally deposited. Structure 6, another Pueblo III kiva on this site, also contained some culturally deposited refuse. However, the fill of Structure 4 contains more than twice as many artifacts per cubic meter of fill as Structure 6. The Pueblo III sherd assemblages in Structures 4 and 6 are comparable, so if one of these structures predates the other, it is not evident in the Pueblo III pottery recovered. The Structure 6 assemblage contains twice as much Pueblo II pottery as the Structure 4 assemblage, a fact that appears to be at odds with the finer architecture in Structure 6.

Structure 8 (Pit Structure)

Structure 8 is a shallow, earth-walled pit structure with evidence of limited burning. Random excavation units 111N/118E and 112N/120E exposed sections of curved northwest and north walls, respectively, and approximately .33 m² of floor area (Figure 5.4). Two features are associated with the floor. Too little of this structure is exposed to extrapolate the overall dimensions.

Areas of the floor and fill of Structure 8 had been truncated by the construction of Structure 4 (kiva). This was observed in unit 111N/118E, where the outside face of the upper lining wall of Structure 4 was exposed in the southeast corner of the unit. Thus, the construction of Structure 4 probably destroyed a substantial amount of the Structure 8 floor.

Construction

What little Structure 8 architecture could be observed is described in this section, including the walls, roof, and floor.

Walls. In unit 111N/118E, the existing wall of Structure 8 consists of 64 vertical centimeters of undisturbed sterile sediment. This is probably not the original wall face, as it slopes substantially (Figure 5.25). The original wall face was probably more or less vertical. In unit 112N/120E, 80 cm of sloping wall was exposed. The lower 50 cm of wall face is undisturbed sterile sediment, and the upper 30 cm of wall is formed of fill that accumulated before the construction of Structure 8. Small areas of fire-reddening were noted, indicating that at least a portion of the structure burned and that the wall face as defined is not far from the original face.

Roof. The only evidence of roofing for this pit structure was the presence in unit 112N/120E of what appeared to be a thin stratum of burned roof fall along the north wall that continued down into the structure. Also, it is conceivable that Feature 3, a pit feature on the floor of Structure 8, originally contained a roof-support post.

Surface 1. Surface 1 is the floor of Structure 8. It consists of use-compacted, undisturbed sterile sediment, coated with a grayish brown film. This surface was truncated by the construction of Structure 4; evidence of this could be seen in the southeast corner of unit 111N/118E, where the outside face of the Structure 4 upper lining wall was exposed.

Surface 1

Small areas of the floor of Structure 8 were observed. In 111N/118E, .34 m² of floor area was exposed, and two features--a hearth and a small pit of unknown function--were documented. The only artifacts associated with the floor are those recovered from the hearth. The floor exposed in 112N/120E consisted of a strip 10 to 20 cm wide along the south edge of the unit. No features or artifacts were associated with the floor in this excavation unit.

Feature 2 (Hearth). This feature is located in the southeast corner of unit 111N/118E and was partly destroyed when Structure 4 (kiva) was constructed. The surviving portion of the hearth measures 32 cm long, 17 cm wide, and 16 cm deep. The feature was excavated into the undisturbed sterile sediment beneath the floor of Structure 8. The adobe rim of the pit is 6 cm wide and is fire-altered. The uppermost 13 cm of hearth fill appeared to be construction material associated with the upper lining wall of Structure 4. The lower 4 cm of fill was use-associated ash with adobe and charcoal flecks. Recovered from this fill was a bone awl, a projectile point, one Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherd, and one piece of chipped-stone debris. This hearth is in a very unusual location, as it is within 20 cm of the northwest wall of a pit structure. The reason for its being constructed in this location is unknown.

Feature 3 (Pit). This feature is located along the south edge of unit 111N/118E, 18 cm west of the hearth. Only about one-half of the pit is within the excavation unit. This portion of the feature measures 13 cm long, 9 cm wide, and 10 cm deep, and it was excavated into the undisturbed sediment below the floor of Structure 8. The fill was a grayish brown silty loam containing charcoal and calcium carbonate flecks. The function of this pit is unknown.

Stratigraphy

The fill in Structure 8 includes four strata (Figure 5.25). Stratum 1 consists of a dark yellowish brown silt loam containing sandstone bits. The boundary with Stratum 2 is abrupt and smooth. This material is recent, naturally deposited sediment.

Stratum 2 is a dark brown silty clay loam containing small pieces of sandstone and flecks of charcoal and adobe. The boundary with Stratum 3 is clear and smooth. This stratum is difficult to interpret; if the profile face had been extended to the south, it is likely that this deposit would have been subdivided into more strata. The lower portion of Stratum 2 probably contains deposits from the construction of Structure 4 (kiva), and the upper portion undoubtedly includes recent, naturally deposited material.

Stratum 3 is a dark brown silty clay loam containing unburned adobe nodules and flecks, charcoal flecks and bits, and sandstone bits and rocks. The boundary with Stratum 4 is abrupt and smooth. Stratum 3 contains more unburned adobe and charcoal than does Stratum 2, and it is inferred to be material from the roof of Structure 8. This stratum was probably truncated when the pit for Structure 4 was excavated.

Stratum 4 is a reddish brown silty loam containing charcoal, a small number of calcium carbonate flecks, and a few small sandstone rocks. The boundary with undisturbed sterile sediments is abrupt and smooth. This stratum appears to be either the result of the original excavation of Structure 8 (backdirt) or a deposit that was truncated by the construction of Structure 8. Features 2, 3, and 4 in the northern portion of this excavation unit are also excavated into Stratum 4 and are believed to be associated with Structure 8. Feature 1, on the other hand (Figure 5.25) was excavated into undisturbed sterile sediment and is apparently associated with a use surface that predates Structure 8.

The fill of Structure 8 contained the following artifacts:

28 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
60 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds
1 Mancos Black-on-white sherd
1 Pueblo II White Painted sherd
1 McElmo Black-on-white sherd
8 Pueblo III White Painted sherds
2 Late White Painted sherds
16 Late White Unpainted sherds
4 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherds
1 mano fragment
1 metate fragment
1 single-bitted axe
1 possible needle
2 modified flakes
1 modified core
52 pieces of chipped-stone debris
nonhuman bone

This is a large quantity of artifacts for such a small volume of fill; this fill undoubtedly contains some culturally deposited refuse.

Dating

Five tree-ring samples were collected from the lower fill of Structure 8; only one produced a date: A.D. 1067 +vv. Pottery sherds recovered from the fill include McElmo Black-on-white and Pueblo III White Painted sherds, indicating that the refuse was deposited sometime after A.D. 1075.

Interpretations

Structure 8 is a shallow, earth-walled pit structure that shows some evidence of burning on the walls and has a small amount of burned roof fall. A limited area of floor was exposed during testing, and a hearth and a miscellaneous pit were documented. The one tree-ring date indicates that Structure 8 was constructed sometime after A.D. 1067, during the late Pueblo II component, which is not inconsistent with the late Pueblo II/Pueblo III pottery from the fill of the structure. The structure is interpreted to have filled sometime after A.D. 1075.

The function of this structure is unknown, as the available data do not form a coherent picture. The curvature of the walls suggests that it was a circular structure of a diameter comparable to a kiva. However, it is much shallower than a kiva. Subterranean mealing rooms of the Pueblo II period can be as shallow as Structure 8, but these are usually small, rectangular or subrectangular structures. Also, the hearth is 20 cm from the northwest wall, which is an unusual location for a hearth in any kind of ancient Puebloan pit structure. Thus, the data are too limited to suggest a function for Structure 8.

The structure postdates at least one occupation surface at the site (Feature 1, Sampling Stratum 6, discussed below in sampling unit 112N/120E) and predates the building episode associated with the construction of Structure 4 (kiva, Sampling Stratum 6) and Structure 5 (surface room, Sampling Stratum 7). Structure 8 had evidence of limited burning at abandonment. The burned roof fall inside the structure was truncated when Structure 4 was constructed partly inside Structure 8 during the middle building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component at the site. The construction of Structure 4 truncated the fill and probably a substantial portion of the Structure 8 floor (Figure 5.4).

Sampling Unit 112N/120E

The stratigraphy in this excavation unit has been described as the fill in Structure 8 (Figure 5.25). Outside of Structure 8, four features were documented.

Feature 1 (Pit)

A small area of this feature was exposed in the northeast corner of 112N/120E. The portion observed measures 24 cm in diameter and 9 cm deep. The basined pit was excavated into the undisturbed B-horizon sediment. The feature was filled with reddish brown silt loam containing abundant charcoal and calcium carbonate flecks. This fill is indistinguishable from Stratum 4 (Figure 5.25). The pit is associated with a surface that predates Structures 4 and 8, which means that it was constructed prior to A.D. 1067. It also predates Features 2, 3, and 4 in this unit, which are associated with a use surface at the top of Stratum 4.

Feature 2 (Post Hole)

A very small portion of this feature was exposed along the north edge of the excavation unit. The pit is 40 cm from the northeast corner of the unit. The feature (as exposed in the north profile face) measures 14 cm long and 21 cm deep. The pit is excavated into Stratum 4 (Figure 5.25, and described under Structure 8 stratigraphy). The pit was filled with brown silt loam containing charcoal, calcium carbonate flecks, and sizable nodules of burned adobe. This feature is labeled a post hole because of its size and vertical sides and because it contains what appears to be burned roof fall. This roof fall could be from Structure 8 (pit structure) to the south or from a surface room associated with Features 2, 3, and 4.

Feature 3 (Pit)

Feature 3 was also found along the north edge of the excavation pit and is 10 cm west of Feature 2. The exposed portion is 30 cm long and 16 cm deep. This feature is also excavated into Stratum 4. The pit is filled with reddish brown silt loam containing charcoal and calcium carbonate flecks and small adobe nodules. Like the fill in Feature 2, this material appears to be burned roof fall, which could be from Structure 8 to the south or from a surface structure associated with Features 2, 3, and 4.

Feature 4 (Wall)

This feature is a possible wall which is exposed near the north edge of the excavation unit. The possible wall consists of an east-west alignment of four tabular stones 10 cm south of Features 2 and 3. The exposed portion of the feature measures 82 cm long and 4 to 17 cm wide; it is a maximum of 25 cm tall. The two middle stones are oriented vertically, the easternmost stone is lying horizontally (perhaps collapsed), and the westernmost stone is at a 45 degree angle. Like Features 2 and 3, this feature is associated with the top of Stratum 4 (Figure 5.25), and all three features may be the remains of a burned surface structure associated with Structure 8 (post-A.D. 1067 pit structure).

North Pit Structure (Sampling Stratum 6) Summary

This sampling stratum was defined to test the pit structure depression north of the main rubble mound. Four randomly selected 1-×-1-m units were excavated to test this stratum (110N/122E, 110N/123E, 111N/118E, and 112N/120E). During testing, one kiva (Structure 4), one earth-walled pit structure (Structure 8), and four extramural features were encountered.

Structure 4 is an unburned, masonry-lined kiva that dates from the middle building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component; it is believed to have filled after A.D. 1180. Portions of the upper lining wall, Bench 4, floor, and Pilasters 4 and 5 were exposed. A substantial area of the Bench 4 face and surface had been destroyed; how this occurred is unknown. The absence of timbers in the roof fall indicates that roofing material was salvaged when the structure was abandoned.

Structure 8 is a shallow, earth-walled pit structure that shows evidence of limited burning. A hearth and one additional pit were documented on the small area of floor exposed. The one tree-ring date places construction sometime after A.D. 1067, and pottery dates the filling of the structure to sometime after A.D. 1075. The function of Structure 8 is unknown; its curved walls, shallow depth, and the presence of a hearth near its north wall are not typical of pit structures. The floor and fill of Structure 8 were truncated when Structure 4 (kiva) was constructed partly inside it (Figure 5.4).

Three of the extramural features (a pit, post hole, and wall) documented in Sampling Stratum 6 may be the remains of a burned surface structure associated with Structure 8. They are all associated with one occupation surface, which postdates the pre-A.D. 1067 use surface associated with Feature 1 and predates the construction of Structure 4 (kiva that filled post-A.D. 1180).

North Mound (Sampling Stratum 7)

This sampling stratum was designed to sample the arc-shaped mound north of the main rubble mound at Kenzie Dawn Hamlet. This mound is not as high topographically as the main mound, and the associated sandstone rocks were fewer and smaller. The perimeter of this stratum was defined primarily by the topographic rise of the mound. The southeast boundary includes a narrow buffer strip around the north pit structure sampling stratum.

One hundred square meters are encompassed by this sampling stratum. Four 1-×-1-m units were randomly selected for excavation (110N/113E, 110N/124E, 114N/118E, and 116N/120). In the course of excavating these units, two surface structures (Structures 5 and 7), one pit structure (Structure 12), and 12 extramural features were documented. The structures are discussed in numerical order, and feature descriptions follow.

No features were encountered in unit 110N/124E, and the stratigraphy in this unit is included in the stratigraphic profile of Structure 4 (kiva) in Sampling Stratum 6. Thus, no data for that unit appear in this section.

Structure 5 (Surface Room)

Evidence of this unburned structure was exposed in unit 114N/118E and consists of portions of north and west masonry walls, three post holes, and .43 m² of floor (Figure 5.4 and Figure 5.26). The overall dimensions of the structure cannot be extrapolated from the available data.

Construction

The observed architecture of this room is described in this section, including the walls, roof, and floor.

Walls. Small portions of the north and west walls of Structure 5 were exposed. The observable portion of the north wall (Feature 2) is 80 cm long, 35 cm wide, and 26 cm high. The wall appears to be of compound construction, and it abuts the west wall. The one surviving vertical course does not permit the type of coursing to be assessed. The stones are tabular (90 percent) and irregular (10 percent). Of these, 80 percent are unshaped and 20 percent are ground.

The mortar is a reddish brown, fine-textured sediment containing charcoal flecks and sandstone bits. The mortar beds are flush and are 1 cm wide and 1 cm thick. Eighty percent of the chinking stones are spalls, and 20 percent are chunks. Four sherds were recovered from the mortar in the north wall: two Late White Unpainted sherds, one Pueblo III White Painted sherd, and one Pueblo II White Painted sherd.

The west wall is abutted by the north wall. It measures 48 cm long and 23 cm high (one course), and 22 cm of width is exposed in this excavation unit. This wall appears to be compound also. The one observable rock face in this wall is pecked. The mortar and chinking stones are the same as for the north wall.

Roof. Three post holes in the floor are the only evidence of the roof of Structure 5. The actual function of the posts is unclear; they may have been part of wall construction, roof support, or both.

Surface 1. This floor was inferred to be near the bottom of the masonry walls but was not observable during excavation because it was constructed on fill (Figure 5.27).

Surface 1

Three features (Features 1, 3, and 4) were documented on the .43 m² of floor area exposed in Structure 5. Feature 2, the north wall of the structure, was described above. The only artifacts associated with this surface were recovered from fill in the features.

Feature 1 (Post Hole). Feature 1 is a post hole near the northwest corner of Structure 5. The pit measures 24 cm long, 21 cm wide, and 12 cm deep. The feature was excavated into the fill beneath the Structure 5 floor. Contained in the pit was the base of a rotted post that measured 18 cm in length. The post was surrounded by brown silty clay with inclusions of small burned adobe nodules, one Indeterminate Plain Gray sherd, and one small sandstone rock. A small amount of charring was noted on the base of the post. This post was submitted for tree-ring analysis and dated to A.D. 930 +vv. The post was probably salvaged from an earlier construction, because this date is too early to be consistent with the pottery recovered from the room.

Feature 3 (Post Hole). Feature 3 is also a post hole near the northwest corner of this room. The pit measures 20 cm in diameter and 34 cm deep. The pit contained a rotted post surrounded by brown silt loam containing charcoal, burned adobe, one Late White Unpainted sherd, one Pueblo III White Painted sherd, and rodent bone. The post was not datable.

Feature 3 is directly above Feature 9 (post hole), which is on Surface 2 (Sampling Stratum 7). It is possible that these two features are actually one feature. The boundaries of the post holes (as well as the use surfaces themselves) in this excavation unit were difficult to define because the sediment within the post holes was nearly identical to the fill into which the pits had been excavated. Thus, each feature was defined primarily by the post remnant itself (which was up to 40 cm long); the surface with which a post was associated could be anywhere along the vertical expanse of that post. Because Feature 9 is in a row of post holes on Surface 2, the best guess is that this post is associated with that surface (see Figure 5.30 later in this chapter).

Feature 4 (Post Hole). Feature 4 was detected in the south face of the excavation unit. The pit is 20 cm in diameter and approximately 40 cm deep. The post hole contained a rotted post surrounded by charcoal-flecked, dark brown silt loam. The post dates to A.D. 1031 ++vv. During excavation, it was not clear whether this feature originated on Surface 1 of Structure 5 or on Surface 2 of Sampling Stratum 7, which is 15 to 20 cm beneath Structure 5. Although the rotted post itself was clearly visible, the post hole boundaries were not, because the post hole had been excavated into fill. It is inferred that Feature 4 is not associated with the other posts on Surface 2, however, because during excavation it was noted that the top of the post extended above the level of Surface 1 in Structure 5. It is assumed that Structure 5 would not have been constructed with a earlier post remnant protruding from the floor. Also, the posts on Surface 2 are all charred, and the post in Feature 4 was not charred. Thus, the tentative interpretation is that Feature 4 is part of the west wall construction of Structure 5.

Stratigraphy

Three strata are associated with Structure 5 (Figure 5.27). Strata 1 and 2 will be described here, and Strata 3 through 6 will be described with the remainder of this excavation unit under the Sampling Unit 114N/118E heading below.

Stratum 1 is a brown silt loam containing medium-size sandstone rocks and small sandstone bits. The boundary with Stratum 2 is abrupt and smooth. This deposit consists of a small amount of postabandonment wall fall in alluvial and aeolian sediments.

Stratum 2 is a dark brown silt loam containing sandstone bits, charcoal, and adobe flecks and nodules. The boundary with Stratum 4 is clear and smooth. Somewhere in this stratum, presumably near the bottom of the masonry wall, is the floor of Structure 5. The posts in Features 1 and 3 (post holes) extended above the definable post holes, and so the surface with which they are associated was not definable by the level of their detection.

No artifacts were recovered from the fill of Structure 5.

Dating

Five tree-ring samples were collected from the fill and floor of Structure 5. Two of these samples yielded dates: A.D. 930 +vv and 1031 ++vv. The timbers from which the samples were collected were apparently reused or damaged, because Pueblo III White Painted pottery was recovered from the mortar in the masonry north wall of the room and because timbers dated to the middle A.D. 1000s were recovered from the fill beneath Structure 5. The Pueblo III White Painted pottery in the wall indicates that this room was constructed sometime after A.D. 1075.

Interpretations

Structure 5 is an unburned surface room. During testing, sections of the north and west masonry walls, as well as three post holes containing rotted posts, were encountered. Because the room was constructed on fill from an earlier occupation of the site, the unprepared floor surface was difficult to detect during excavation and in profile. The function of the room is unknown, as no artifacts were associated with the floor. Rotted timbers from posts associated with the room date too early to be consistent with the pottery associated with the room, and tree-ring samples that date approximately 30 years later were recovered from the deposits beneath Structure 5 (see sampling unit 114N/118E discussion below). Associated pottery indicates only that the room was constructed sometime after A.D. 1075. This room may have been part of a masonry roomblock that dates from the middle building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component at the site. However, such a small quantity of rubble was present in this area that the walls of this room may not have been full-height masonry. Alternatively, the stones may have been salvaged for later masonry construction on this site.

Structure 7 (Surface Room)

Structure 7 is an unburned, masonry surface room with a flagstone floor, located north of the main rubble mound (Figure 5.4 and Figure 5.28). A short stub of a west wall was exposed in the southwest corner of unit 110N/113E. The flagstone floor was encountered in the eastern two-thirds of the unit; this floor was absent along the western edge of the unit, where the west wall of the room had probably been dismantled.

Construction

Structure 7 measures at least 1 m north-south and at least 92 cm east-west. Only the location of the west wall is known. The observed architecture of the room is described in this section, including the wall, roof, and floor.

Walls. A stub of a masonry wall that appears to be oriented north-south was exposed in the southwest corner of the excavation unit. This stub rests on a foundation of Structure 12 fill and measures 30 cm long, 28 cm high, and 31 cm wide. The wall appears to have been fully coursed, and five courses plus one foundation course survive. In cross section, the wall is double-stone wide with a rubble core interior (Figure 5.29). Not much of the wall face is observable, but approximately 40 percent of the stones appear to be pecked, and some are flaked. Ninety percent of the stones are blocky, and 10 percent are tabular.

The mortar consists of a strong brown silty clay loam to clay loam containing calcium carbonate inclusions. The mortar beds are extruded and are 1 to 2 cm wide and 1 to 2 cm thick. One spall-type chinking stone was observable. No plaster was preserved.

Roof. There is no evidence of the roof of Structure 7. No post holes were observed, and no deposit that was clearly roof fall was noted in the fill of the room. If the structure was roofed, the roof was probably supported by the walls.

Surface 1. This surface is the floor of Structure 7. It consists of sandstone slabs set in adobe mortar (Figure 5.28 and Figure 5.29). Four sherds and one piece of modified stone were set into this adobe mortar as part of the construction of the surface.

Surface 1

An area of floor measuring .71 m² was exposed during testing. This floor was generally level but had subsided somewhat as a result of the compaction of the fill in Structure 12 below. No features were documented. Five artifacts were recovered from the adobe construction material: an Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherd (PL 1), two Late White Unpainted sherds (PL 2), a piece of ground and polished sandstone (PL 3), and an Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherd (PL 4). Because these artifacts are set into the floor adobe, they are associated with the construction, rather than with the abandonment, of the room. Recovered from just above the floor were two Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds, two Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds, two Late White Unpainted sherds, one Pueblo III White Painted sherd, and nine pieces of chipped-stone debris, including three edge-damaged flakes.

Stratigraphy

Four strata are associated with Structure 7. Figure 5.29 illustrates the stratigraphy in both Structure 7 and Structure 12; only Strata 1 through 4 will be discussed in this section.

Stratum 1 is a dark brown loam to silt loam containing charcoal flecks, small adobe nodules, and small- to medium-size sandstone rocks. The boundary between Stratum 1 and Stratum 2 is abrupt and smooth. This loosely compacted stratum was deposited recently and has been affected by historic land clearing and looter activity.

Stratum 2 is a strong brown silty clay loam containing charcoal flecks, burned and unburned adobe bits, and water-deposited laminae. The boundary with Stratum 3 is abrupt and smooth. Stratum 2 is probably the result of mixed depositional processes. The presence of laminae indicates that some natural deposition has occurred. There may also be some structural collapse from natural deterioration or from the intentional dismantling of the structure.

Stratum 3 is a dark brown silt loam containing charcoal, adobe, and calcium carbonate flecks. The boundary with Surface 1 of Structure 7 is abrupt and smooth. This stratum may have accumulated on the floor of Structure 7 during the occupation of the room.

Stratum 4 is strong brown to dark brown silt loam containing bits of sandstone, charcoal, calcium carbonate, and unburned adobe. The boundary with Stratum 5 is abrupt and smooth. The absence of laminae suggests that this stratum may have been culturally deposited, possibly to create a level foundation for the construction of Structure 7.

No artifacts were recovered from the fill of Structure 7.

Dating

No tree-ring samples were collected from the fill or floor of Structure 7. A sample collected from Stratum 4, which either predates Structure 7 or is construction material associated with the building of Structure 7, dates to A.D. 1017 +vv. Whichever is the correct interpretation, Structure 7 clearly postdates A.D. 1017. Three Tusayan Polychrome sherds were recovered from the stratum beneath the floor of Structure 7. This pottery type is believed to date to A.D. 1150-1250/1300 (Lucius and Breternitz 1992:30; Schroeder 1982:220), which pushes the construction date of Structure 7 to post-A.D. 1150. Therefore the structure is tentatively being associated with the late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component at the site.

Interpretations

Structure 7 is an unburned, masonry surface room with a flagstone floor. During testing, a short stub of the west wall and .71 m² of floor were exposed. The locations of the other three walls are unknown. No features were found, but five point-locations were assigned to artifacts incorporated into the floor adobe. The function of this room is unknown, but the flagstone floor may have deterred vermin from spoiling food or other items stored in the structure.

Stratigraphically, construction of the room dates to sometime after A.D. 1017. The pottery recovered from the floor and fill indicate that the room was abandoned sometime after A.D. 1075. The pottery from beneath the floor, however, indicates that the room was constructed after A.D. 1150, probably during the late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component at the site.

The abrupt but irregular termination of the six-course-high west wall suggests that it was partly dismantled after abandonment, possibly so that materials could be reused elsewhere. The absence of roof fall also suggests that the abandoned room was scavenged for materials. Thus, the site may have been used after Structure 7 was abandoned.

Structure 12 (Pit Structure)

Structure 12 is an unburned, circular, earth-walled pit structure encountered beneath Structure 7 in unit 110N/113E (Figure 5.4 and Figure 5.28). During testing, a section of west wall and a small area of floor were exposed. The extrapolated diameter of the structure is 1.4 m.

Construction

The architecture of Structure 12 is described in this section, including the walls, roof, and floor.

Walls. A section of west wall 1.02 m long and 1.32 m deep was exposed. This wall consists of undisturbed sterile sediment; the lower wall bells very slightly (4 cm). No plaster was observed, but digging stick marks were detected. These marks are 2 to 3 cm wide and slope diagonally down and to the south. These marks are not as pronounced as the digging stick marks in the walls of Structure 14 (Sampling Stratum 1).

Roof. Unburned roof fall was noted in the fill of Structure 12. Roof fall sediment and a number of rotted timbers were documented during the excavation and stratigraphic profiling of this structure (Figure 5.29).

Surface 1. The floor of Structure 12 is of undisturbed sterile sediment. A very thin and discontinuous gray lens of unknown origin was noted on this surface.

Surface 1

An area of floor .93 m² was exposed. No features or artifacts were associated with this floor.

Stratigraphy

The fill of Structure 12 is depicted in Figure 5.29 as Strata 5 through 8. Strata 1 through 4 in this profile were described with the Structure 7 discussion above.

Stratum 5 is a strong brown to dark brown silt loam containing charcoal pieces 1 to 2 cm long, burned and unburned adobe nodules, medium-size sandstone rocks, water-deposited laminae, sparse calcium carbonate flecks, and several rotted timbers. The boundary with Stratum 6 is clear and smooth. This deposit appears to be unburned roof fall mixed with some culturally deposited refuse, and a small amount of alluvial sediment.

Stratum 6 is a dark brown silt loam containing inclusions similar to those found in Stratum 5 but with more calcium carbonate nodules, more unburned roof fall, and some large sandstone rocks. The boundary with the floor of Structure 12 is abrupt and smooth.

Stratum 7 is a dark brown silt loam containing charcoal and adobe flecks and sparse calcium carbonate flecks. The boundary with Stratum 8 is abrupt. This stratum was the prehistoric ground surface when Structure 12 was in use.

Stratum 8 is a strong brown silty clay loam containing tiny charcoal flecks. This sediment was the prehistoric ground surface when occupation of the site began, before Structure 12 was constructed.

The following artifacts were recovered from the fill of Structure 12:

1 Chapin Gray sherd
1 Indeterminate Neckbanded Gray sherd
26 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
86 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds
10 Mancos Black-on-white sherds
14 Pueblo II White Painted sherds
1 McElmo Black-on-white sherd
1 Late White Painted sherd
53 Late White Unpainted sherds
11 Pueblo III White Painted sherds
7 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherds
2 projectile points
3 modified flakes
2 eggshell fragments
1 gizzard stone
52 pieces of chipped-stone debris
nonhuman bone

These artifacts are too numerous to have washed into the structure depression naturally and are therefore assumed to have been deposited as refuse after the structure was abandoned.

Dating

Six tree-ring samples were collected from the fill of Structure 12. Only two of these samples yielded dates (A.D. 917 vv and A.D. 960 vv). These timbers were probably salvaged from earlier structures, because the pottery recovered from the fill of Structure 12 indicates deposition after A.D. 1075. The absence of Mesa Verde Black-on-white pottery indicates that the structure may have filled before A.D. 1180, although the absence of this pottery type may be due to the small sample size.

Interpretations

Structure 12 is a small, unburned, circular, earth-walled structure that is beneath, and therefore predates, Structure 7 (surface room). Structure 12 is similar to Structure 14 a few meters to the south, which is also beneath a slab-floored, masonry-walled room (Structure 15). The small diameter, the substantial depth, and the earth walls of the structure lead to the interpretation that the pit functioned as a storage cist. The tree-ring-dated timbers yielded dates too early to be consistent with the pottery recovered from the fill of the structure. The presence of McElmo Black-on-white and Pueblo III White Painted sherds indicates that the structure began filling after A.D. 1075. Structure 12 may therefore be associated with Structures 13 and 14 (pit structures), dating to the early building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component at the site. Refuse in the fill of Structure 12 indicates that the fill was culturally deposited.

Sampling Unit 114N/118E

This sampling unit is just northwest of Structures 4 (kiva) and 8 (pit structure). Structure 5 is in the upper deposits of this excavation unit (Figure 5.27). A cultural surface with several features was defined beneath Structure 5 (Figure 5.30). This surface in Sampling Stratum 7 and its associated features are described below, followed by a discussion of the stratigraphy between Structure 5, Surface 1, and Sampling Stratum 7, Surface 2, in this excavation unit.

Surface 2

Surface 2 is 20 to 25 cm below Surface 1 of Structure 5 in this excavation unit and is 50 to 65 cm below the modern ground surface (Figure 5.27). Surface 2 is a use surface associated with post-and-adobe rooms, and it consists of use-compacted refuse fill beneath burned roof fall. A thin, discontinuous lens of reddish brown silty clay loam that covered the use-compacted surface in some areas of the excavation unit might be the remains of surface preparation. Eight features--all remnants of post-and-adobe wall construction--were documented on Surface 2; the seven that are visible in plan are shown in Figure 5.30. These features are described below in numerical order. All of the pit features were excavated into the fill beneath Surface 2 (Figure 5.27).

Feature 1 (Post Hole). Feature 1 is a post hole measuring 25 cm long, 18 cm wide, and 33 cm deep. The pit contained a rotted post. Fill in addition to the post consisted of a brown silt loam with flecks of charcoal, one piece of chipped-stone debris, nonhuman bone, and five Late White Unpainted sherds. The rotted post dated to A.D. 986 vv. This feature is interpreted to have been part of an east-west post-and-adobe wall.

Feature 3 (Post Hole). This post hole is 15 cm long, 14 cm wide, and 16 cm deep. A small sandstone rock set vertically along the north wall of the pit served as a shim stone. The pit contained an undatable post remnant which was surrounded by brown and reddish brown silt loam containing inclusions of adobe nodules, charcoal and calcium carbonate flecks, and one Indeterminate Plain Gray sherd. The portion of the post that extended above Surface 2 was charred, but the portion within the post hole was rotted. Apparently, the structure that this post was incorporated into burned at abandonment. This feature appears to be a corner post of a post-and-adobe structure.

Feature 4 (Post-and-Adobe Wall). Feature 4 was designated in order to document the post holes and associated sandstone rocks as an integrated whole. It actually includes the east-west and the north-south post-and-adobe wall construction (Figure 5.30), which consists of five post holes (Features 1, 3, 5, 9, and 13), a trench (Feature 12), and vertical and horizontal sandstone slabs. This construction measures 1.0 m east-west and 60 cm north-south. It is a maximum of 20 cm high and 22 cm wide. The posts contained in the post holes were charred. The sandstone is thought to have helped support the bottom of the wall. Each of the individual features that make up the composite is described separately in this section.

Feature 5 (Post Hole). Feature 5 is 18 cm long, 15 cm wide, and 23 cm deep. This pit contained a post remnant surrounded by brown sandy loam with inclusions of burned adobe nodules, two small sandstone rocks, charcoal flecks, and one Indeterminate Local Corrugated sherd. The upper part of the post was partly charred; the lower part was rotted. Along with Feature 3, this post formed part of a north-south post-and-adobe wall. Feature 10 (post hole) was later documented directly beneath Feature 5; the relationship between these two features is unclear. The best guess is that they are one feature, which originated at Surface 2, and are part of this post-and-adobe wall. The Feature 5 post dates to A.D. 1024 +vv.

Feature 9 (Post Hole). Feature 9 is between Features 1 and 3 in the east-west-trending post-and-adobe wall. It is 20 cm long, 14 cm wide, and 18 cm deep. The pit contained an undatable post remnant that was charred at the top and rotted at the bottom. Sediment within the pit consisted of a brown silt loam containing adobe nodules, three small sandstone rocks, a few pieces of charcoal, and one piece of chipped-stone debris.

Feature 9 may be the same feature as Feature 3 on Surface 1 of Structure 5. The boundaries of the post holes (as well as the use surfaces themselves) in this excavation unit were very difficult to define because the sediment within the post holes was nearly identical to the fill into which the pits had been excavated. Thus, each feature was defined primarily by the post remnant itself (which was up to 40 cm long), and the surface with which a post was associated could be anywhere along the vertical expanse of that post.

Feature 10 (Post Hole). Feature 10 contained an undatable post approximately 10 cm directly beneath Feature 5 (post hole) and is probably the same feature. The situation is similar to that described for Feature 9 in the discussion above.

Feature 10 was 15 cm long, 9 cm wide, and 10 cm deep. It was excavated into undisturbed sterile sediment. The fill is strong brown and contains charcoal flecks. If Feature 10 is not the same as Feature 5, then Feature 10 must originate at an undefined Surface 3 beneath Surface 2, just above undisturbed sterile sediments in this excavation unit. This use surface would date to the same occupation as Feature 1 in excavation unit 112N/120E (see Figure 5.25).

Feature 12 (Trench). This feature was observed only in the north profile of the excavation unit. Thus, the length is unknown, the width measures 15 cm, and the depth is 27 cm. The trench has straight sides and is filled with brown silt loam containing nodules of adobe, sandstone bits, and sparse charcoal and calcium carbonate flecks. It is thought that this feature is a trench in which smaller-diameter vegetal material was seated in order to fill the gaps between the larger posts. Alternatively, this feature could be an additional post hole in the north-south wall.

Feature 13 (Post Hole). Feature 13 was observed only in the west profile wall of the excavation unit (Figure 5.27). The post hole measures 15 cm wide and 20 cm deep. The pit contains a strong brown silt loam with inclusions of charcoal and calcium carbonate flecks and a small, vertical fragment of undatable rotted wood. This post hole is horizontally aligned with Features 1, 3, and 9, and is inferred to have been part of that east-west post-and-adobe wall.

Stratigraphy

The fill in unit 114N/118E that was not discussed with Structure 5 (Strata 3 through 6) is described in this section (Figure 5.27).

Stratum 3 is a reddish brown silty loam containing a few charcoal flecks and occasional calcium carbonate flecks. This stratum is inferred to be cultural material placed here during the construction of the Pueblo III wall.

Stratum 4 is a brown sandy loam containing adobe flecks, sparse calcium carbonate flecks, numerous charcoal flecks, and very sparse sandstone bits. The boundary with Stratum 5 is abrupt and smooth. This stratum is inferred to be cultural material that accumulated prior to the construction of the post-and-adobe structure on Surface 2 in this excavation unit.

Stratum 5 is a brown to dark brown silt loam containing charcoal flecks and some sandstone bits. The boundary with Stratum 6 is abrupt and smooth. This deposit is interpreted to be sediment that accumulated during one of the occupations of the site.

Stratum 6 is a strong brown silt loam containing numerous charcoal flecks at the top of the stratum; the charcoal gradually diminishes until none is observable at the bottom of the stratum. The boundary with undisturbed sterile sediment is abrupt and smooth. This material was the prehistoric A horizon when the site was first occupied.

Dating

Dating of the cultural deposits beneath Structure 5 in this excavation unit is based on pottery sherds and tree-ring dates. The fill of this excavation unit has been disturbed by burrowing animals; however, six Pueblo III sherds were recovered from the fill below the surface of Structure 5. Eight tree-ring samples were collected from post holes and burned roof fall associated with Surface 2. Four of these samples are datable: Feature 1 post (A.D. 986 vv), Feature 5 post (A.D. 1024 +vv), roof fall (A.D. 1036 +vv), and burned roof fall (A.D. 1061 vv). These tree-ring dates indicate that the structure was built sometime after A.D. 1061, and the pottery suggests that the fill accumulated above Surface 2 during the Pueblo III period.

Interpretations

Beneath Structure 5 in excavation unit 114N/118E is an occupation surface (Surface 2) on which the remains of a burned post-and-adobe structure were observed. A segment of an east-west wall and a segment of a north-south wall were exposed during testing. The function of the structure is unknown, because no other features were defined on Surface 2. This surface was generally difficult to define; the structure was constructed on fill associated with one or more previous site occupations.

The structure burned, as evidenced by the charring of the posts in the post holes and the wood in the burned roof fall directly above Surface 2 (this stratum was not observable in the west profile face--Figure 5.27). The construction of the structure was dated by tree-ring samples to sometime after A.D. 1061. The refuse above Surface 2 dates to the Pueblo III period. Structure 5 was built above this fill sometime after A.D. 1075, probably during the middle building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component at the site.

Sampling Unit 116N/120E

This excavation unit is located 4 m north of Structure 8 (pit structure). During testing, a cultural surface and four associated features were documented in this unit. The surface is discussed first, followed by a description of the stratigraphy in the excavation unit.

Surface 2

Surface 2 is the only cultural surface defined in this test unit. It was designated Surface 2 because it is inferred to be the same surface as Surface 2 in excavation unit 114N/118E, which exhibited similar features and is near the same elevation. Surface 2 in this excavation unit is 65 to 70 cm below modern ground surface. The surface consists of charcoal-flecked silt loam that has been fire-altered to gray black. Surface 2 was well preserved in the southernmost 35 to 38 cm of the excavation unit but was poorly preserved, perhaps eroded, in the remainder of the unit.

Four features were defined on this surface. The only artifacts associated with the surface are from the feature fills. The features are described in numerical order.

Feature 2 (Post Hole). Feature 2 is located in the northwest corner of the excavation unit and is exposed in the north and west profile faces. The pit measures 24 cm long and 22 cm wide, and it extends 44 to 50 cm below the level of Surface 2. The feature is excavated through 10 cm of fill, and continues 38 cm down into undisturbed sterile sediment. The post hole contained an undatable charred post that measured 65 cm long; in addition to the post, fill consisted of a brown silt loam with charcoal flecks, three small sandstone rocks, one Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherd, one Indeterminate Plain Gray sherd, and two pieces of chipped-stone debris. This feature is believed to be part of the post-and-adobe structure exposed in unit 114N/118E (Surface 2).

Feature 6 (Pit). Feature 6 is 50 cm east of Feature 2 and is exposed in the north profile face. The pit measures 10 cm long and 5 cm deep. It was excavated into the fill beneath Surface 2. The feature was filled with gray brown silt loam with a high ash content. Inclusions consisted of adobe flecks, charcoal pieces, and sparse calcium carbonate flecks. The origin of the ash is unclear, as is the function of the feature.

Feature 7 (Pit). Feature 7 is adjacent to, and east of, Feature 6 and is in the northeast corner of the excavation unit. It was observed only in the north face of the unit. The pit is 20 cm long and 10 cm deep, and it was excavated into the fill beneath Surface 2. The feature is filled with dark brown silt loam containing charcoal flecks, ash, sandstone bits, and sparse calcium carbonate flecks. The function of this feature is unknown, but if the upper part of the pit was destroyed by erosion, as it appears Surface 2 was, then the pit would have been deep enough originally to have been a post hole.

Feature 8 (Pit). Feature 8 is located along the east edge of the excavation unit, 10 cm south of the northeast corner. The feature was observed primarily in the profile of the unit. The pit measures 12 cm long and 14 cm deep and is filled with a brown to dark brown silt loam containing sandstone bits, charcoal flecks, and small adobe nodules. The function of this feature is unknown.

Stratigraphy

In this section, the fill in unit 116N/120E is described from the modern ground surface down to undisturbed sterile sediment. Stratum 1 is 0 to 27 cm of brown silt loam containing abundant sandstone rocks (mostly of medium size), adobe and calcium carbonate flecks, and sparse charcoal flecks. The boundary with Stratum 2 is abrupt and smooth. Stratum 1 appears to be wall fall in aeolian and alluvially deposited sediments. This masonry wall fall originated from the roomblock of one of the Pueblo III occupations of the site (such as Structure 5).

Stratum 2 is 40 to 58 cm of strong brown silt loam containing much less sandstone than in Stratum 1, numerous charcoal pieces and flecks, adobe flecks and nodules, and numerous artifacts. The boundary with Stratum 3 is abrupt and smooth. The number of artifacts in this stratum indicates that the deposit contains secondary refuse that was probably deposited during one of the Pueblo III occupations of the site.

Stratum 3 consists of 6 to 10 cm of reddish brown silt loam containing charcoal flecks and pieces. The top of this stratum is Surface 2. The boundary with sterile is abrupt and smooth. Stratum 3 accumulated prior to the use of Surface 2, either during the same occupation or during an earlier occupation of the site.

Dating

Four tree-ring samples were collected from this excavation unit. Two of these samples were datable, yielding dates of A.D. 942 vv and 1056 vv. The datable samples were collected from secondary refuse approximately 40 cm above Surface 2. The charring and vertical location of Surface 2 suggest that it is the same surface as Surface 2 in unit 114N/118E, which was tree-ring dated to sometime after A.D. 1061. Three early Pueblo III sherds were recovered from below Surface 2 in 116N/120E.

Interpretations

A fire-altered use surface with four features was defined in this excavation unit. The surface is interpreted to be the same surface that in unit 114N/118E has evidence of a burned post-and-adobe structure that was tree-ring dated to sometime after A.D. 1061. The surface and its features (a charred post and three other pits) in unit 116N/120E are therefore interpreted to be associated with that post-and-adobe structure. The secondary refuse deposited above this surface was tree-ring dated to sometime after A.D. 1056 and pottery-dated to sometime after A.D. 1075. A few early Pueblo III sherds were recovered below the surface, which may indicate that this surface and the two occupation surfaces in 114N/118E all postdate A.D. 1100 and are associated with the late Pueblo II component.

North Mound (Sampling Stratum 7) Summary

Four randomly selected units were excavated to test this rubble mound (110N/113E, 110N/124E, 114N/118E, and 116N/120E). Unit 110N/124E is a few meters east of Structure 4 (kiva) and was included in the stratigraphic profile for that structure. Because this unit contained no features, it was not discussed with this sampling stratum.

During test excavations in the north rubble mound, two masonry-walled rooms (Structures 5 and 7), one earth-walled pit structure (Structure 12), and evidence of a post-and-adobe roomblock were encountered. Structure 5 is an unburned surface room that was constructed sometime after A.D. 1075 (inference made on the basis of the recovery of a Pueblo III White Painted sherd from the mortar in the north wall). The room dates stratigraphically to the Pueblo III habitation component and is probably associated with Structure 4 (kiva), built during the middle building episode.

Structure 7 is an unburned, masonry surface room with a flagstone floor that was built on the fill of Structure 12 (pit structure). The high elevation of the floor suggests that this structure was built during one of the late components at the site. Stratigraphically, the room dates to sometime after A.D. 1017. The sherds associated with the floor indicate that the room was abandoned sometime after A.D. 1075. The presence of Tusayan Polychrome sherds in the stratum beneath the floor suggests that Structure 7 was built sometime after A.D. 1150, during the late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component. The west wall and roofing materials appear to have been salvaged for reuse after the abandonment of the structure.

Structure 12 is a deep, circular, small-diameter, earth-walled structure that is thought to have served as a storage cist. This structure is beneath, and therefore predates, Structure 7. The pottery in the fill of Structure 12 indicates that the structure filled sometime after A.D. 1075. This structure may be associated with Structures 13 and 14 (pit structures), which are similar to Structure 12.

Beneath Structure 5 in unit 114N/118E is evidence of a burned post-and-adobe room. Similar evidence was encountered at a comparable elevation in unit 116N/120E. These remains are believed to be part of a sizable post-and-adobe roomblock that was constructed sometime after A.D. 1061 and that may be associated with Structure 8. Pueblo III sherds from beneath these post-and-adobe rooms suggest that the rooms were constructed after A.D. 1100, during the late Pueblo II component at the site.

North Outer Periphery (Sampling Stratum 8)

This area was designated in order to sample the peripheral artifact scatter in the northern half of the site (Figure 5.3). The stratum boundaries were defined by the county road on the north, the extent of the artifact scatter on the east, and by the extent of Pueblo III sherds on the west (an earlier artifact scatter is adjacent to Kenzie Dawn Hamlet to the west and southwest).

The northern outer periphery encompasses 1,958 m², and four 1-×-1-m units were randomly selected for excavation (105N/152E, 111N/138E, 113N/141E, and 114E/82E). No features or architecture were encountered during testing. Stratigraphy and artifacts are summarized in this section.

Units 105N/152E, 111N/138E, and 113N/141E are located in the cultivated field east of the architecture at the site, and all have similar stratigraphy consisting of a single stratum of brown silt loam with charcoal inclusions and only a few artifacts. The stratum ranges from 23 to 35 cm thick. The cultural material in this stratum is thought to have eroded down from the denser artifact concentrations to the west, although some cultural deposition is also possible.

Unit 114N/82E is located west of the architecture at the site and contains two strata of cultural material. Stratum 1 is 10 cm of brown sandy loam to silty loam; one piece of charcoal was noted. This deposit is the result of postabandonment erosion from the topographically higher area of the site to the east. Stratum 2 consists of 2 to 8 cm of reddish brown silty clay loam containing charcoal flecks. This stratum is interpreted to be the prehistoric ground surface during the occupation of the site.

South Outer Periphery (Sampling Stratum 9)

This area was designated in order to sample the peripheral artifact scatter in the south half of the site (Figure 5.3). The boundaries of the stratum were defined by the southern boundaries of the inner periphery and the north outer periphery on the north, by the limits of the artifact scatter on the east and south, and by the extent of Pueblo III pottery on the west (to exclude artifacts from an earlier artifact scatter adjacent to Kenzie Dawn Hamlet on the west).

The southern outer periphery is 2,001 m² in area. Four 1-×-1-m units were randomly selected to test this stratum (52N/111E, 61N/123E, 84N/85E, and 86N/142E). One of these pits is east of the main midden, one is west, and two are south of the main midden. No features or architecture were encountered during testing. The stratigraphy documented is described in this section.

All four units contain one stratum. This deposit is 20 to 30 cm of brown to reddish brown silt loam to silty clay loam. The number and type of inclusions vary depending on the location of the test pit. Units 86N/142E and 84N/85E, east and west of the midden, respectively, contained nothing but sparse charcoal flecks. Unit 61N/123E contained charcoal pieces and flecks, a few small sandstone rocks, a few artifacts, and abundant calcium carbonate flecks. In unit 52N/111E, Stratum 1 was very mottled and contained sizable calcium carbonate nodules. This deposit was probably disturbed during historic chaining.

Looters' Pits (Sampling Stratum 10)

The looters' pit sampling stratum was designated in order to specify the observable areas where artifact provenience would be questionable (Figure 5.2). Eight distinct areas of the site were included in this sampling stratum, primarily in the main rubble mound and west and southwest of the main rubble mound. These areas were defined by recent irregular pits or depressions, and associated mounding of soil that was either free of vegetation, or had younger and smaller vegetation than the surrounding area. Some of the pits contained exposed masonry walls. It became obvious when testing was underway that only the most recent potholes were visible from the modern ground surface, and additional disturbed areas were discovered below the surface.

The looters' pit stratum encompasses 74 m². Four 1-×-1-m units were randomly selected to test this stratum (93N/103E, 98N/109E, 104N/102E, and 104N/107E). Unit 98N/109E was inadvertently left unexcavated and is not mapped on Figure 5.3. During testing, two undisturbed pit structures (Structures 10 and 11) were encountered. These structures will be discussed in numerical order, then the unit devoid of structures (104N/102E) will be described.

Structure 10 (Pit Structure)

Structure 10 was encountered in unit 104N/107E, at the southwest edge of the rubble mound (Figure 5.4). This is an unburned, benchless, masonry-lined pit structure (Figure 5.31 and Figure 5.32). A section of west wall and a small area of floor were exposed during testing. Although the masonry wall segment appears to curve somewhat in plan view, the rocks at the south end of the wall had been slightly displaced, and the wall is actually substantially straighter than it appears on the map. Thus, the structure is believed to be rectangular in plan, but the overall dimensions cannot be extrapolated from the available data.

Construction

The architecture observed in Structure 10 is described in this section, including the wall, roof, and floor.

Walls. One section of west masonry wall was exposed. This section is 1.0 m long and 1.04 m high, and 9 cm of width was observed. However, from the top of the masonry wall up to prehistoric ground surface is an additional 40 cm. Thus, the floor of the structure is 1.45 m below prehistoric ground surface and 1.88 m below modern ground surface (Figure 5.33).

The wall is a single stone wide, seven courses high, and is backed by undisturbed sterile sediment. Coursing ranges from semi- to fully coursed. The majority (70 percent) of the stones are blocky and the remainder are tabular; 50 percent exhibit minimal scabbling, 30 percent are pecked, 5 percent are ground, and the remainder are unshaped. The basal course is formed of large, shaped blocks that rest on caliche.

The mortar consists of a strong brown silty clay loam containing calcium carbonate flecks. The mortar beds are extruded and measure 1 to 2 cm wide and 1 to 2 cm thick. No evidence of plaster was noted.

Roof. Structure 10 was roofed; unburned roof fall was documented in structure fill. This roof fall included split pieces of juniper located side-by-side, and a layer of juniper bark on top of this. This roof was probably supported on prehistoric ground surface, since no benches, pilasters, or post holes were discovered during testing.

Surface 1. Surface 1 is the floor of Structure 10, and it consists of a layer of adobe on top of caliche. A thin organic film was noted on the adobe surface.

Surface 1

An area of floor measuring .60 m² was exposed during testing. One artifact (PL 4, a Pueblo III White Painted sherd) and a large sandstone slab were discovered on the floor of Structure 10.

Stratigraphy

Structure 10 contains unburned roof fall and natural deposits (Figure 5.33), with the possibility of some cultural deposition. The strata are described from the modern ground surface to the floor.

Stratum 1 is a dark brown silt loam containing charcoal and adobe bits and sandstone from bit size to building-block size. This material is believed to be backdirt within a looter's pit.

Stratum 2 is a strong brown silt loam containing calcium carbonate flecks, charcoal bits, and small sandstone rocks. This is probably naturally deposited material, but well-defined laminae are not observable. The top of this stratum was truncated by a looter's pit that encompasses all but the northeast quadrant of the excavation unit.

Stratum 3 is a dark brown silt loam containing charcoal and adobe nodules. This material may have accumulated during the use of Structure 10.

Stratum 4 is a red silt loam to silty clay loam containing charcoal flecks. A thin lens of ash and charcoal within this stratum indicates the location of a surface that may have been the prehistoric ground surface when Structure 10 was constructed. Charcoal flecks decrease below this lens and finally cease near the bottom of the stratum. Stratum 4 rests on undisturbed sterile sediment.

Stratum 5 is a yellowish red silt loam containing calcium carbonate flecks, large charcoal nodules and small sandstone rocks. This loosely consolidated deposit appears to have been mostly naturally deposited, but some cultural deposition is possible.

Stratum 6 is a strong brown silt loam to silty clay loam. Unburned wood, a small amount of sandstone wall fall, small charcoal pieces, and abundant calcium carbonate flecks and nodules were included in this sediment. This stratum contains sections of split juniper timbers lying side-by-side and a layer of juniper bark above these. Stratum 6 is clearly unburned roof fall from this structure.

The following artifacts were recovered from the fill of Structure 10 (that is, from mid-Stratum 2 down to the structure floor, as shown in Figure 5.33):

1 Chapin Gray sherd
28 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
1 Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray sherd
143 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds
3 Pueblo II White Painted sherds
2 McElmo Black-on-white sherds
7 Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds
30 Pueblo III White Painted sherds
3 Late White Painted sherds
67 Late White Unpainted sherds
6 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherds
1 Nonlocal pottery sherd
1 Unknown Gray sherd
1 two-hand mano
1 projectile point
1 piece of petrified wood
4 abraders
6 gizzard stones
116 pieces of chipped-stone debris
nonhuman bone

This is a large number of artifacts to have been deposited naturally in only 0.7 m³ of pit structure fill. Therefore, many of these artifacts may have been deposited as refuse.

Dating

Eight tree-ring samples were collected from the rotted roofing material in Structure 10; three of those samples were datable. The dates returned are A.D. 1061 +vv, 1110 vv, and 1129 vv. Because these dates are too early to be consistent with the pottery recovered from the structure, the timbers are thought to have been reused from a structure built during an earlier occupation of the site. The presence of Mesa Verde Black-on-white pottery indicates that the structure was filled sometime after A.D. 1180.

Interpretations

Structure 10 is an unburned, masonry-lined, benchless, probably rectangular pit structure of unknown function. The absence of a bench, the presence of a masonry lining, and the possibly rectangular plan could indicate that this structure served as a mealing room. Structure 10 is similar to Structure 6 at Lookout House (Chapter 9), which is also of unknown function.

The latest tree-ring date is A.D. 1129 vv; pottery from the fill suggests that the structure filled sometime after A.D. 1180. Available data suggest that the structure dates to the late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component at the site. The large quantity of artifacts in the structure fill indicates that the structure contains some culturally deposited refuse. Thus, the site probably continued to be used after the abandonment of this structure.

Structure 11 (Kiva)

Structure 11 is approximately 10 m southwest of the main rubble mound and was found in excavation unit 93N/103E (Figure 5.4). The portion of the structure exposed consists primarily of a poorly preserved ventilator tunnel and a small area of southern recess bench surface, so it is difficult to characterize the structure as a whole. These features are described, followed by a discussion of the stratigraphy observed.

Feature 1 (Bench 6)

This feature is designated Bench 6 (southern recess) because this structure is inferred to be a kiva. This inference is based on the presence of a ventilator tunnel and the fact that a bench surface is adjacent to it. The bench surface was not preserved in the area of the tunnel and is believed to have collapsed into the tunnel after abandonment of the structure.

An area of bench surface measuring .29 m² (80 cm north-south by 30 cm east-west) was exposed east of the ventilator tunnel, and a narrow strip of bench surface measuring less than 10 cm wide was noted along the west edge of the tunnel.

The bench actually has two surfaces. The later, or upper, surface is composed of a 5- to 10-cm-thick layer of adobe that is coated with a thin film of ash. No artifacts were associated with this surface. Surface 2, the original surface, consists of use-compacted caliche in some areas; in other areas, the caliche is coated with 1 cm of adobe. A film of ash was noted on this surface as well. No artifacts were associated with this surface.

Feature 2 (Ventilator Tunnel)

The ventilator tunnel as preserved consists of a trench that extends 45 cm below the surface of Bench 6. The roof of the tunnel (Bench 6 surface) had collapsed into the tunnel after the structure was abandoned. The portion of the tunnel in unit 93N/103E measures 80 long and 58 cm wide.

The upper half of the east wall of the vent tunnel is lined with three courses of masonry; the lower half is undisturbed caliche. The west wall of the tunnel was formed of undisturbed caliche; no masonry lining was present. The floor of the tunnel slopes up slightly at the edges and is composed of undisturbed caliche covered with a thin layer of ash-coated adobe. No artifacts were found on this surface.

The following artifacts were recovered from the fill of Feature 2:

8 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
2 Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray sherds
36 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds
4 Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds
10 Pueblo III White Painted sherds
1 Early White Unpainted sherd
15 Late White Unpainted sherds
3 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherds
1 modified sherd
21 pieces of chipped-stone debris
1 modified flake
1 polishing stone
1 metate fragment
nonhuman bone

The presence of Mesa Verde Black-on-white pottery near the floor of the ventilator tunnel indicates that the feature filled sometime after A.D. 1180.

Stratigraphy

Six strata were documented in the excavated portion of Structure 11, including the ventilator tunnel (Figure 5.34). These strata will be described from modern ground surface to the floor of the ventilator tunnel.

Stratum 1 is a dark brown silt loam containing charcoal flecks and small sandstone rocks. This material is backdirt from looting.

Stratum 2 is a dark brown silt loam containing charcoal pieces, small sandstone rocks, and calcium carbonate flecks. This deposit appears to be the result of a combination of forces, as no clear laminae are observable, but there is no clear evidence of cultural deposition either.

Stratum 3 is general structure fill that consists of a reddish brown silt loam. This sediment contains charcoal pieces, sandstone bits, less adobe than in Stratum 4, and numerous calcium carbonate flecks. The sediment in this stratum may be primarily aeolian and alluvial, but the inclusions are large enough and numerous enough that they may have been culturally deposited.

Stratum 4 was deposited after the bench surface collapsed and is present both in the tunnel and above the level of Bench 6. This deposit is a heavily mottled strong brown silt loam containing calcium carbonate flecks, charcoal pieces, sandstone bits, and a substantial amount of burned and unburned adobe. This stratum probably contains a large admixture of structure roof fall, although some culturally deposited refuse may also be present.

Stratum 5 is also fill within the vent tunnel. It consists of a yellowish red silt to silt loam containing some charcoal flecks and abundant unburned adobe. This stratum was deposited as a result of the collapse of the Bench 6 surface.

Stratum 6 is a reddish brown silt loam containing charcoal flecks, abundant calcium carbonate flecks and nodules, and large nodules of unburned adobe. This stratum is the first material to have been deposited on the tunnel floor. It is thought to have been primarily naturally deposited, but some culturally deposited refuse may also be present.

Recovered from the fill of Structure 11 (minus the ventilator tunnel fill) are the following artifacts:

33 Indeterminate Plain Gray sherds
1 Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray sherd
153 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds
1 Early White Painted sherd
1 Mancos Black-on-white sherd
4 Pueblo II White Painted sherds
4 McElmo Black-on-white sherds
9 Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds
70 Pueblo III White Painted sherds
10 Late White Painted sherds
82 Late White Unpainted sherds
1 Indeterminate Local White Painted sherd
3 Indeterminate Local White Unpainted sherds
1 Indeterminate Local Red Unpainted sherd
3 modified sherds
1 peckingstone
1 polishing stone
2 modified flakes
1 abrader
122 pieces of chipped-stone debris

The recovery of more than 500 artifacts from 0.9 m³ of fill suggests that at least some of the material must have been culturally deposited during the use of the site.

Dating

No tree-ring samples were collected from Structure 11. The architecture (prepared bench surface above a ventilator tunnel) indicates that this is probably a Pueblo III kiva. The presence of Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds just above the ventilator floor is consistent with this interpretation, and indicates that the structure was abandoned after A.D. 1180.

Interpretations

The presence of a southern recess and a ventilator tunnel leads to the interpretation that Structure 11 is a kiva. Because of the limited exposure of the structure, no overall size can be extrapolated. The structure did not burn, and the absence of vegetal material in the fill indicates that roofing timbers were salvaged for reuse elsewhere, perhaps on this site. Available data suggest that the structure was constructed during the late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component. More than 600 artifacts were recovered from the test pit, which suggests that the site was still being used when this structure filled. The pottery from the fill and from just above the floor of the ventilator tunnel indicates that the structure was abandoned sometime after A.D. 1180.

Sampling Unit 104N/102E

This excavation unit is west of the main rubble mound. No features or architecture were encountered in this unit; the stratigraphy will be described in this section.

The unit exhibits one stratum of cultural material as much as 41 cm thick. This stratum is a brown silt to silt loam containing small sandstone rocks and flecks of charcoal and adobe. This material is inferred to be a mixture of natural and cultural deposits recently disturbed by looters.

Looters' Pits (Sampling Stratum 10) Summary

Four 1-×-1-m units were randomly selected to test this sampling stratum (93N/103E, 104N/102E, 104N/107E, and 98N/109E). Due to oversight, unit 98N/109E was not excavated. Two pit structures that were beneath the looter-disturbed sediments were encountered.

Structure 10 is an unburned, benchless, masonry-walled, probably rectangular pit structure. These architectural features indicate that this structure could be a mealing room. The latest tree-ring date from the roof indicates a post-A.D. 1129 construction date; pottery from the fill suggests the structure filled sometime after A.D. 1180. The large quantity of artifacts in the fill indicates that refuse was deposited into the structure depression while the site continued to be used.

Structure 11 is an unburned pit structure; the ventilator tunnel and a small area of southern recess were the only features exposed. These features indicate that the structure is a kiva. The location of Structure 11 suggests that it is associated with the late building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component at the site. The pottery recovered from the fill is used to date the abandonment of the structure to sometime after A.D. 1180. The large quantity of artifacts in the fill suggests that the site was occupied after this structure was abandoned.

Kenzie Dawn Artifacts

Artifact data are summarized in tabular form at the end of this chapter (Table 5.2, Table 5.3, Table 5.4, Table 5.5, and Table 5.6). Because Kenzie Dawn is a complex, multicomponent site, artifacts have been discussed structure by structure throughout this chapter. Because few of the artifacts were found directly on floor surfaces, the types of artifacts recovered were not used to infer structure function. However, pottery types were used to date structures and the refuse in structure fills. Nearly every structure tested contained culturally deposited refuse, evidence of the lengthy use of the site. The abundance and variety of artifacts recovered suggest that the site was used as a year-round habitation. At least two occupations are postulated, but the exact number of occupations cannot be specified with certainty, given the limited nature of the testing and the mixing of the assemblages. A structure-by-structure summary of the site is given in the Site Summary and Conclusions section below, including pottery and tree-ring dating arguments for each structure.

In the overall site assemblage, there are several artifacts of nonlocal origin. Fourteen sherds of nonlocal origin were identifiable:

7 Tsegi Orange Ware sherds
1 Mogollon Smudge Brown Ware sherd
4 Tusayan Polychrome sherds
1 Cibolan White Ware sherd, probably Escavada Black-on-white
1 Tsegi Polychrome sherd

The presence of these sherds on the site indicates direct or indirect contact with the Kayenta (roughly northeastern Arizona), Cibola (northwestern New Mexico), and Mogollon areas.

Nonlocal lithic materials from the site include petrified wood, Washington Pass chert, obsidian, and nonlocal chert/siltstone. Outcroppings of petrified wood are common in northwestern New Mexico and southeastern Utah. Washington Pass chert was obtained from an area just west of Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. The obsidian could have come from any of various locations, but the nearest source is Polvadera Peak in northwestern New Mexico. The origin of the nonlocal chert/siltstone is unknown. In general, little movement of nonlocal goods is reflected in this artifact assemblage.

Site Summary and Conclusions

Kenzie Dawn Hamlet was tested by excavating 43 randomly selected 1-×-1-m units. No judgment excavation occurred. Testing resulted in the definition of nine pit structures, seven surface structures, and 25 extramural features. These structures and features are believed to date to at least two separate occupations of the site. The site is inferred to have been a permanent habitation during all but the final use of the site. This inference is based on the types of structures and the number and variety of artifacts encountered during testing.

The earliest occupation represented is Basketmaker III; Structures 9 (surface room) and 16 (pithouse) date to this component. Structure 9 is believed to be the remains of a surface storage room and is represented by an alignment of vertical slabs, a use surface, and burned roof fall. Structure 16 is a shallow, unburned, earth-walled pithouse. No tree-ring dates are available for this structure, but Basketmaker III pottery was recovered from the floor and just above the floor. Structures 9 and 16 may not be strictly contemporaneous--they are more than 20 m apart. The aligned post holes in Sampling Stratum 3 (Features 1 through 5) are probably from post-and-adobe rooms that are more likely to have been directly associated with Structure 16. If there is a pithouse associated with Structure 9, it was not found during testing. The only tree-ring dates for this occupation indicate that Structure 9 was constructed sometime after A.D. 665.

The second occupation of the site appears to have been a long, relatively continuous occupation with no discernible abandonments. This occupation consisted of one late Pueblo II component, one Pueblo III habitation component, and one Pueblo III limited-use component. The best guess for the construction sequence of structures dating to this occupation follows.

The late Pueblo II component is represented by Structure 8 (pit structure) and by the post-and-adobe structures north of Structure 8. Structure 8 is a shallow, earth-walled pit structure that shows evidence of limited burning. The function of this structure is unclear because of the unusual presence of a hearth near its north wall and because of the shallowness of the structure. Structure 8 appears to have filled after A.D. 1075.

During the early building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component, Structures 12, 13, and 14 were constructed. Structure 12 is a small, deep, unburned, earth-walled structure (beneath Structure 7), inferred to have been a storage cist that filled with refuse after A.D. 1075. Structure 13 is an earth-walled pit structure of unknown size and function beneath Structures 1 and 2. During its use, a remodeling of the structure occurred that involved building a curved masonry wall on the floor. The structure was filled with refuse after it was abandoned. Structure 13 filled sometime after A.D. 1142 and probably before A.D. 1180. Structure 14 is a small, deep, unburned, earth-walled pit structure beneath Structures 3 and 15 (surface rooms). This pit is similar to Structure 12, and both are believed to have been storage cists. Structure 14 was constructed after A.D. 1110 and filled with refuse before A.D. 1180.

Structures 4 (kiva) and 5 (surface room) are believed to have been constructed during the middle building episode of the Pueblo III habitation component. Structure 5 may have been partly dismantled after use, and Structure 4 was filled with refuse.

Structures built during the late building episode include Structure 1 (surface room), Structure 2 (surface room), Structure 6 (kiva), Structure 7 (surface room), Structure 10 (pit structure), Structure 11 (kiva), and Structure 15 (surface room). Structures 6 and 15 may have been constructed first, with Structures 1 and 2 added to the east end of the roomblock. Structures 10 and 11 could have been built at any time during this episode. Most of the midden south of Structure 6 probably also accumulated during the use of these structures.

Structure 1 is an unburned masonry surface room of unknown function. It was constructed above Structure 13 on refuse fill. The finely executed masonry and the room's location in the main rubble mound indicate that Structure 1 is associated with the late building episode. It filled naturally after A.D. 1180.

Structure 2 is a possible masonry surface room adjacent to, and north of, Structure 1. The south wall of Structure 2 is the north wall of Structure 1, and a west wall was also observed. Whether north and east walls were ever present is questionable, as the stratigraphy is not easily interpretable. If Structure 2 was a fully enclosed and roofed room, it was constructed during the same episode as Structure 1.

Structure 4 is an unburned, masonry-lined kiva that was constructed at least partly within Structure 8 (pit structure). No tree-ring dates are available; the pottery indicates that the structure filled after A.D. 1180. The large number of artifacts recovered from the fill indicates that refuse was deposited after the structure was abandoned.

Structure 5 is an unburned surface room of unknown function, defined by the presence of short sections of north and west masonry walls, and three post holes containing rotted posts. The masonry is not as finely constructed as the masonry in the main rubble mound. The posts were reused from earlier construction, but pottery from beneath this structure indicates that it was constructed after A.D. 1075; Pueblo III sherds are in the fill below it.

Structure 6 is an unburned, masonry-lined kiva. Its finely executed masonry and its location south of the main rubble mound suggest that it is associated with the late building episode. The pottery associated with the structure indicates that it filled after A.D. 1180 and before 1225. The roofing timbers were salvaged at, or after, abandonment.

The refuse found in the fill of Structure 6 could have been intentionally thrown into the structure, or it could have been incorporated into roof-construction materials, which later fell into the structure when the roof collapsed. The fill does contain a substantial number of Pueblo II sherds, which could indicate that the kiva was excavated through an earlier midden, with some of the refuse being incorporated into the construction.

Structure 7 is an unburned, masonry surface room with a flagstone floor. This room was constructed on the fill in Structure 12. The flagstone floor may indicate that the structure functioned as a storage room. The condition of the west wall of Structure 7 suggests that it was dismantled after abandonment. Tusayan Polychrome sherds recovered from the stratum beneath the floor indicate that the room was constructed sometime after A.D. 1150.

Structure 10 is an unburned, masonry-lined, benchless pit structure of unknown function that was probably subrectangular. The architecture is not inconsistent with subterranean mealing rooms. Rotted timbers in the fill yielded inconclusive dates, but the pottery indicates that the structure filled after A.D. 1180. The presence of refuse in the fill suggests that the site was still occupied when the structure was filling.

Structure 11 is an unburned pit structure. The presence of a ventilator tunnel and a southern recess led to the interpretation that this structure is a kiva. The absence of timbers in roof fall indicates that beams were salvaged. The pottery in the refuse fill dates abandonment of the structure to sometime after A.D. 1180.

Structure 15 is an unburned masonry surface room with a flagstone floor. This room was constructed on the fill of Structure 14 (pit structure). It is slightly beneath Structure 3 (surface room). The flagstone floor may indicate that the room was used for storage. Artifacts recovered from a trash-filled pit associated with this room indicate that the room filled after A.D. 1180.

During the late, limited-use component at the site (sometime between A.D. 1180 and 1300), Structure 3 (surface room) was constructed, and a large, intrusive pit was excavated into the naturally deposited fill in Structure 1. Structure 3 is an unburned, masonry surface room that is above, and therefore postdates, Structures 14 (pit structure) and 15 (surface room). This room contains a hearth, and so may have been used, at least briefly, as a domicile. Tree-ring dates from Structure 15 indicate that Structure 3 was constructed sometime after A.D. 1128, but sherds from beneath this room date construction to after A.D. 1180. Structure 3 is the only structure tested that shows evidence of having been constructed after A.D. 1180.

The large, intrusive pit in the fill of Structure 1 was constructed after this room in the main roomblock was abandoned (post-A.D. 1200) and had filled naturally with aeolian sediments and collapsed wall material. This pit filled with refuse after it was no longer being used.

Dating these occupations was facilitated by the results of tree-ring and pottery analyses. Over 100 tree-ring samples were submitted to the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research; 42 were datable. Tree-ring dates have been presented by structure throughout this report, but are presented again in Figure 5.35 for the site as a whole. Pottery recovered from the site as a whole is presented in tabular form at the end of this chapter (Table 5.2).

So many timbers were clearly reused during the multiple occupations of the site that it may be helpful to consider the dates as a group to see if periods of construction can be discerned. At least one Basketmaker III occupation is clearly represented in the tree-ring dating record as occurring sometime after A.D. 665. After this occupation, there is a hiatus.

There are 26 (noncutting) dates between A.D. 917 and 1068. None of the tested structures or artifact assemblages appear to date to this time period. It is possible that these timbers are missing many rings, and thus are from a later component, or that these timbers were salvaged from a nearby site for construction at Kenzie Dawn during the Pueblo III period. However, an alternative explanation is that early Pueblo II structures are present on the site and were not encountered during testing. A few early Pueblo II sherds were recovered from the site (one Cortez Black-on-white, 20 Mancos Gray, 14 Indeterminate Neckbanded Gray, and five Deadmans Black-on-red).

The two cutting dates from the site, A.D. 1081 and 1087, may indicate when the second occupation began. A late Pueblo II component is indicated by tree-ring dates and associated sherds. The structures that have been dated to this occupation contain refuse and show no clear evidence of any episode of natural deposition in their fills. Thus, although the tree-ring record falters here, the absence of naturally deposited strata in the fills of these structures suggests that occupation of the site may have continued while the structures associated with the Pueblo III habitation component were constructed. Thus, it is possible that most of the structures tested on the site (the post-and-adobe structures beneath Structure 5, and Structures 8, 12, 13, 14, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, and 15) were constructed during one long occupation beginning sometime around A.D. 1081 and lasting until sometime after A.D. 1180.

From the limited data available from testing, it appears that Structure 3 (surface room) and the large intrusive pit in the fill of Structure 1 date to the Pueblo III limited-use component (after the Pueblo III habitation component). Associated pottery indicates that Structure 3 was constructed after A.D. 1180, and the intrusive feature in Structure 1 was dug after Structure 1 had been abandoned and had filled naturally for a substantial period of time.

Kenzie Dawn Hamlet appears to have been abandoned prior to the abandonment of the area as a whole, because roofing timbers were salvaged from even the latest structures tested at this site. Thus, the site probably predates Sand Canyon Pueblo, but the date of abandonment cannot be determined from the data recovered during test excavations.

The Sand Canyon Archaeological Project: Site Testing

The Sand Canyon Archaeological Project

Site Testing

Edited by Mark D. Varien

5

Kenzie Dawn Hamlet