Chapter 14: Castle Rock Pueblo, The Sand Canyon Archaeological Project: Site Testing

Castle Rock Pueblo was first recorded during the Hayden Survey, supervised by W. H. Jackson and W. H. Holmes in 1875 and 1876. In 1965, the site was assigned its state site number (5MT1825) and recorded in an archaeological survey of lower Sand Canyon undertaken by the University of Colorado, Mesa Verde Archaeological Research Center. In 1975, a ruins-stabilization inventory of the lower Sand Canyon area, which included Castle Rock Pueblo, was conducted by the Mesa Verde Research Center under the supervision of David A. Breternitz and Curtis W. Martin (Martin 1976). It was then that the stabilization needs of the site were assessed.

No other known formal investigation of the site was made until the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center began its investigations. Crow Canyon's work was divided into two phases: test excavations, conducted in 1990 and 1991 as part of the Sand Canyon Archaeological Project Site Testing Program, and intensive excavations, conducted from 1992 through 1994 in order to more thoroughly investigate several structures discovered during the testing phase. In addition, an archaeological survey of the lower Sand Canyon drainage, including Castle Rock Pueblo, was conducted in 1990 (Adler and Metcalf 1991). This chapter reports only the results of the testing phase (1990-1991) of the investigation.⁽¹⁾

The site name is the name used by local residents in reference to both the site and the long, narrow butte on and around which the site was constructed. Most subsurface deposits are intact despite vandalism, looting, and intensive surface collection at the site. Local residents recall surface collecting and excavating burials 20 to 30 years ago at the site. Walls that were recorded and illustrated by W. H. Jackson during the 1870s expedition were also reportedly knocked over in the last few decades. The area of the site is used today for recreation, and as a result, artifacts are still being picked up from the surface.

Castle Rock Pueblo is a year-round habitation site located about 7.5 km (4.5 mi) southwest of Sand Canyon Pueblo. The site is at 1682 m (5520 ft) in elevation and is situated around the base of a narrow sandstone butte in the Entrada Formation (Figure 1.7, Figure 14.1, Figure 14.2, Figure 14.3, and Figure 14.4). Most of the site is on the talus slope on the south and north sides of the butte, but there are also structures on the butte itself. The aspect of the site is to the southwest, west, and northeast and includes slopes of various gradients. A small portion of the site below the talus is based on the underlying Navajo Formation. The top of the Navajo Formation is exposed south of the site as a broad expanse of slickrock that dips slightly (about 5 to 10 degrees) toward the McElmo Creek floodplain to the south.

Vegetation communities surrounding the site include pinyon-juniper, sagebrush-grass, and riparian in the nearby McElmo floodplain. Plant species on the site include winterfat, prickly pear cactus, sagebrush, pinyon, and juniper. Historic use of the site includes grazing and recreation, and the nearby McElmo Creek floodplain has been cultivated for most of this century. A bulldozer scar in the talus slope north of the butte is related to mineral prospecting on the site.

McElmo Creek, which drains to the west, is visible about .6 km (2000 ft) to the south and is 120 to 150 ft lower in elevation than Castle Rock. Deep and well-drained soils with good agricultural potential are located on the alluvial valley floor of McElmo Creek. This drainage may have provided a permanent water source for the inhabitants of Castle Rock Pueblo.

Surface remains visible at Castle Rock Pueblo prior to excavation included 11 circular depressions, areas of sandstone rubble predominantly north of the depressions, several exposed masonry walls, and three stone rectangles (Figure 14.5). This surface evidence indicated that at least 11 kivas and an estimated 60 rooms existed at the site. The kiva depressions are typically 4 to 5 m in diameter, with one measuring about 9 m in diameter. The number of rooms was estimated by a formula used to calculate room area based on surface rubble. The formula was developed by Bradley (1992a) who used data from excavated rooms at Sand Canyon Pueblo to estimate number of rooms in unexcavated areas of rubble. A room with preserved floor beams is visible in a crevice high on the butte, and two rooms and a probable tower can be seen on the north side of the butte. An enclosed plaza is also observable in a flat sandy area north of the butte.

These surface remains were used to create a stratified random sample for the test excavations. The sampling strata at Castle Rock Pueblo are defined as follows (Figure 14.6). Sampling Stratum 1 is the area where we expected to find surface rooms. This area includes several partly intact masonry structures visible on the modern ground surface north of the butte and areas of sandstone building rubble on the talus slope around the base of the butte. Portions of several masonry walls were exposed in the building rubble, especially in the southwestern portion of the site.

Sampling Stratum 2 is the inner periphery sampling stratum. The inner periphery is the area outside the surface roomblock, pit structure, and midden areas, but it does not extend to the outermost limits of the site. Surface artifact density in Sampling Stratum 2 is lower than in the midden but higher than in the outer periphery. No surface indications of architecture were present within the inner periphery.

Sampling Stratum 3 is the pit structure stratum. This sampling stratum includes the 11 circular depressions visible on the modern ground surface. These depressions are believed to mark the locations of pit structures.

Sampling Stratum 4 is the courtyard sampling stratum. Courtyard areas were defined around the possible pit structure depressions. The large plaza area north of the butte was also included in Sampling Stratum 4.

Sampling Stratum 5 is the inferred midden area. Although no midden deposits were visible on the modern ground surface, it was suspected that these deposits were buried under wall fall downslope from roomblocks and pit structures.

Sampling Stratum 6 is the outer periphery sampling stratum. The outer periphery extends from the inner periphery to the site boundary. The site boundary was defined on the basis of one or more of the following: (1) the extent of the surface artifact scatter, (2) natural topographic features (for example, boulders), and (3) the exposed natural bedrock surface.

Sixty-five randomly selected sampling units were chosen for excavation during the 1990 and 1991 field seasons. In addition, 26 judgmentally selected test units were excavated. A number of the judgment squares were excavated to locate and trace roomblock walls and were not excavated far below the modern ground surface. Other judgment units were excavated adjacent to random sampling units inside of structures in order to facilitate the excavation of those structures.

A number of cultural features were identified during test excavations. These include 20 structures, deep midden deposits, and a possible plaza. Eight kivas, six masonry rooms, a tower, a 9-m-diameter stone enclosure, and four structures of unknown function were identified and sampled. Of the unknown structures, one is probably a masonry room and another a circular structure. The other two were defined on the basis of the postabandonment deposits which were characteristic of structural fill. Figure 14.7 illustrates the structures identified during excavation, as well as those obvious prior to excavation.

The grid at Castle Rock was oriented to the topography of the site. Grid north is 30 degrees east of true north and is perpendicular to the long axis of the butte that forms the central spine of Castle Rock Pueblo. A baseline was established parallel to the butte, and permanent data points were staked using rebar set in concrete at 100N/162E, 100N/134E, 100N/100E, 108N/96E, 116N/106E, 120N/116E, 136N/108E, and 136N/86E. Vertical Datum A was located at the top of the rebar at 100N/134E and arbitrarily assigned an elevation of 100 m. All other elevations at the site were derived from this original datum.

The following descriptions document all sampling units excavated during the 1990 and 1991 field seasons. These descriptions are organized by sampling stratum. Structures discovered within sampling units are discussed first, followed by descriptions of sampling units with no structures.

Surface Structure Area (Sampling Stratum 1)

Sampling Stratum 1 is the surface room sampling stratum. Of the 606 1-×-1-m units within this sampling stratum, 15 randomly selected and 12 judgmentally selected squares were excavated (Figure 14.6). Thirteen of the test pits are within cultural units. Random squares 146N/89E, 150N/109E, 116N/125E, 107N/94E, 100N/100E, and 107N/130E are located within Structures 401, 403, 303, 203, 205, and 111, respectively. Another random unit (105N/121E) is located in Structure 109, a surface room, and Structure 110, an adjacent kiva. Five sampling units are in kivas--99N/106E and 100N/106E within Structure 206, 110N/104E and 112N/104E within Structure 304, and 101N/144E within Structure 103. Two of those units (100N/106E and 110N/104E), were selected as judgment squares to facilitate excavation and interpretation of the kivas in which they were located. Occasionally, sampling units in adjacent sampling strata are inside structures next to Sampling Stratum 1 sampling units. These sampling units will be described as part of the structure descriptions. Another Sampling Stratum 1 random unit (98N/143E) is in Nonstructure 1, the midden, and will be described under that heading.

The additional 14 1-×-1-m grid units are not within definable cultural units. Ten judgment units (105N/132E, 105N/138E, 107N/138E, 107N/139E, 106N/147E, 107N/147E, 107N/148E, 105N/124E, 105N/133E, and 108N/148E) were excavated only slightly below the modern ground surface in search of wall lines. These excavations helped define the location of surface rooms likely associated with several kivas (Structures 103, 104, and 105). Four random units (116N/121E, 118N/113E, 98N/105E, and 105N/152E) that did not encounter structures were also excavated. In the following sections, the surface rooms are described first, followed by descriptions of the kivas, the midden, the random units with no structures, and, finally, the judgment excavations in the roomblock rubble.

Structure 303

Structure 303, found in sampling unit 116N/125E, is known only by the fill and floor observed in this sampling unit. On the basis of this data, Structure 303 is interpreted as a surface room. Grid square 116N/125E is located within sandstone rubble, on a steep, north-facing slope on high ground north of the butte. After the sandstone rubble was removed from the modern ground surface, the square was excavated in three strata that together measure about 55 cm to 1 m deep. A floor, but no walls or architectural features, were encountered in 116N/125E.

Construction

Floor. The floor of the structure was discovered at the base of Stratum 2. This was evidenced by a compact layer of clay covered by a dense scatter of sherds. The floor of Structure 303 was identified as a natural, use-compacted surface. It occurs on top of a natural, greenish clay that underlies that portion of the site. Recovered from just 1 m² of surface were 193 sherds, including one Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray and 163 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds, which may be parts of a reconstructible vessel. Other sherds found on the floor include two Indeterminate Plain Gray, 17 Late White Unpainted, seven Pueblo III White Painted, and three Unknown White. Two pieces of chipped-stone debris were found on the floor. A sediment sample of the natural clay was also collected for analysis.

Stratigraphy

Sampling unit 116N/125E was excavated in three strata. The upper layer, Stratum 1, is a 38- to 48-cm-thick layer of brown sandy loam containing large amounts of sandstone rubble and sparse artifacts. Also found within Stratum 1 is red clay loam that surrounds the rubble. The red clay loam is interpreted as mortar.

Stratum 2 is a 20- to 42-cm-thick deposit of silt loam. Like Stratum 1, Stratum 2 contains many sandstone pieces and few artifacts. Both Strata 1 and 2 are interpreted as natural fill with wall collapse.

Stratum 3 is interpreted as native sediment. It consists of a sterile greenish clay that underlies the surface of the room. The interface between Strata 2 and 3 is the floor of the room, and no artifacts were found below the floor.

Artifacts found in the fill of Structure 303 were a complete projectile point and 29 sherds (24 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, three Pueblo III White Painted, one Late White Unpainted, and one Indeterminate Local White Unpainted).

Interpretations

The location, depth, fill, and the presence of a cultural surface in sampling unit 116N/125E suggest that this unit is inside a surface structure. It is likely associated with Structure 302, a kiva, which lies a few meters downslope to the north. The presence of a Mesa Verde Corrugated rim sherd within the corrugated body sherds on the floor suggests that Structure 303 was occupied in the thirteenth century.

Structure 401

Structure 401 is a circular tower located in the northwest corner of the plaza north of the butte (Figure 14.7). Although only one Sampling Stratum 1 unit (146N/89E) was excavated within Structure 401, excavation of judgment unit 147N/91E in Sampling Stratum 2 exposed the exterior face of the masonry wall of the tower. Two floors and a fire pit were identified during excavation of grid unit 146N/89E.

Construction

Wall. The exterior face of the masonry wall of Structure 401 was exposed in sampling unit 147N/91E. The exposed wall measures 1.3 m in length across the top and 1.2 m at its base. It is four courses (57 cm) high and is based on native bedrock. The wall, which is double-stone-with-core in cross section, measures 60 cm thick. It is semicoursed and faced almost entirely of pecked sandstone blocks. Only an occasional piece of tabular sandstone is incorporated in the masonry. Mortar joints range from 2 to 4 cm thick and consist of a brown silt loam. No chinking materials are present in the portion of wall exposed.

Roof. A roof fall layer located between the two floors of Structure 401 suggests that the tower was roofed during the initial occupation. If so, the roof was likely wall supported. It is not known if Structure 401 was roofed during its last use.

Floor 1. Figure 14.8 illustrates the plan view of Structure 401 at the level of Floor 1. The upper floor consists of a gray ashy sand upon which several artifacts were located. These were a Mesa Verde Black-on-white dipper with a partial handle (PL 1), a two-hand mano (PL 14), a one-hand mano (PL 5), three pieces of chipped-stone debris, and two sherds (PLs 4 and 13) (one Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray and one Mesa Verde Black-on-white). Floor 1 postdates the lower floor.

Feature 1 (Fire Pit): This fire pit is an irregular basin-shaped pit that measures about 60 cm in diameter and extends 10 cm below the floor surface. Fill within this feature consists almost entirely of a light gray ash containing small chunks of charcoal and five Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds. Fire reddening occurred around the sides and portions of the base of the pit. This feature is inferred to have been a fire pit with its ash contents being primary refuse. A flotation sample taken from the fill of Feature 1 contained charred pieces of Atriplex, Ephedra, Juniperus, Pinus, and Purshia, probably used as fuelwood, and pieces of Stipa hymenoides and Cheno-am seeds, probably used as food. The rest of the ash from the fire pit was collected either as fine screen or pollen samples for future analysis.

Floor 2. Floor 2 is a 2-cm-thick lens of clay laid on bedrock. A metate fragment with reshaped edges was the only artifact found upon Floor 2. This was the original floor associated with Structure 401. A pollen sample taken from beneath the abrader contained large amounts of Zea (corn) and Cheno-ams, small amounts of Portulaca, and traces of a number of other economic plants.

Stratigraphy

Figure 14.9 illustrates the stratigraphic profile of Structure 401. The structure was excavated in three strata. The modern ground surface within the grid square was almost entirely covered by pecked-block sandstone rubble.

The upper layer, Stratum 1, is 12 to 53 cm thick and consists of a tan sandy fill that contains a large quantity of shaped, pecked, sandstone blocks. Stratum 1 is interpreted as natural fill with wall collapse.

Stratum 2 is 15 to 20 cm thick and consists of a weak red silt loam containing large amounts of fist-size unshaped sandstone pieces. Stratum 2 appears to be below most of the tower rubble. At the base of Stratum 2 is Floor 1. Stratum 2 is interpreted as natural fill that accumulated after the tower was abandoned, but before the walls started to collapse.

Stratum 3, which is 8 to 14 cm thick, is located between Floors 1 and 2. Stratum 3 is a red brown loam containing inclusions of adobe and charcoal and one sherd, an Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray. Some of the larger charcoal pieces, which included some beams 6 to 8 cm in diameter, were collected as tree-ring samples. Stratum 3 is interpreted as roof fall used as a construction deposit to form a base below Floor 1.

Dating

Of 34 tree-ring samples collected within Structure 401, 10 were datable (Table 14.1). A cutting date of A.D. 1264 suggests that Structure 401 was constructed during or after that year. The use of Floor 1 of Structure 401 is after A.D. 1264.

Interpretations

Structure 401 has the distinction of being the only tower thus far identified at Castle Rock Pueblo. Structure 401's position at the northern edge of the site and its proximity to the plaza and stone enclosure suggest that it may have functioned differently than other structures at the site. A beam dating to A.D. 1264, found in a roof fall deposit between the two floors, may indicate the date of construction for Structure 401, and it clearly indicates that the last use of Structure 401 postdates A.D. 1264.

Structure 403

Structure 403 is a surface room. Structure 403 is located at the north end of Castle Rock Pueblo within the two-room, two-kiva architectural group north of the large plaza. Structure 403 is defined within sampling unit 150N/109E. Figure 14.10 illustrates the plan view of Structure 403 at floor level. Figure 14.11 shows the architectural profile.

Construction

Wall. The interior face of Structure 403's north wall was discovered in the north half of grid square 150N/109E. The wall is semicoursed and consists of mostly pecked sandstone blocks (80 percent). A smaller percentage of the sandstone pieces used were tabular (20 percent). The wall as preserved measures nine courses (96 cm) high from its base on bedrock to its top. Although the type of cross section is unknown, it is assumed that the wall is two stones wide and possibly has a rubble core. This inference is based on both surface indications and comparison to the nearby intact wall of adjacent Structure 404. The interior face of Structure 403's north wall was chinked with tabular or spall-shaped sandstone pieces placed within a yellow clay or brown silt loam mortar that averaged between 1 and 2 cm between courses of sandstone.

Slightly above floor level in the room a masonry ledge was found. Figure 14.11 and Figure 14.12 illustrate the ledge in cross section. The ledge was plastered, obscuring its face. It varied from 8 to 14 cm in width and was one to two courses high (about 15 cm). The ledge is slightly above the floor of the structure.

Roof. Evidence of a roof exists in the fill directly above the floor (Stratum 2) of the room (Figure 14.12). It is assumed that the roof was supported by the walls.

Floor. The floor of Structure 403 consists of a thin (.5 cm) lens of gray ash compacted into a prepared clay matrix. Three sherds were located on the floor: two Pueblo III White Painted (PLs 2 and 3) and one Late White Unpainted (PL 5).

Stratigraphy

Figure 14.12 illustrates the stratigraphy of Structure 403 within sampling unit 150N/109E. The grid square is located within sandstone rubble on slightly south-sloping ground. It was excavated in four strata that together measure about 1.2 to 1.32 m. Stratum 1 is a 55- to 70-cm-thick layer of tan silt loam with a few sandstone pieces, small charcoal pieces, and artifacts. The artifacts found include seven pieces of chipped-stone debris, a modified sherd, an igneous chipped-stone tool fragment that may have been a hoe, and 28 sherds (eight Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, one Pueblo III Painted, 18 Late White Unpainted, and one unknown type). Stratum 1 is interpreted as natural fill with wall collapse.

Stratum 2 is a 28- to 33-cm-thick deposit of dark tan sandy loam. Inclusions in the fill consist of roof casts, adobe, small sandstone pieces, gravel, and charcoal in moderate quantities. Artifacts found include six pieces of chipped-stone debris, one modified and two complete cores, one modified sherd, and 25 sherds (16 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, four Pueblo III White Painted, and five Late White Unpainted). Two large pieces of charcoal were collected as tree-ring specimens but they were not datable. Stratum 2 is interpreted as a roof fall layer. Artifacts found in Stratum 2 may be refuse that collapsed with the roof at abandonment. The floor of the room is located at the base of Stratum 2.

Stratum 3 is an 11- to 16-cm-thick layer of compacted, brown sandy loam containing minimal inclusions of small sandstone pieces, charcoal flecking, and artifacts. Artifacts found were one piece of chipped-stone debris and two Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds. Stratum 3 is subfloor construction fill.

Stratum 4 is an 8- to 12-cm-thick layer of pinkish gray sandy loam. Inclusions found within Stratum 4 were small but numerous. These consisted of charcoal pieces, adobe, sandstone rocks, gravel, and many artifacts. The artifacts found were eight pieces of chipped-stone debris, a peckingstone, a drill, and 34 sherds. The sherds were 23 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, one Mesa Verde Black-on-white, two Pueblo III White Painted, seven Late White Unpainted, and one Mesa Verde Black-on-white. Ash was also mixed with the sediment. Stratum 4 lies on top of native decomposing bedrock (Stratum 5). This bedrock is at the same level as Structure 403's wall base. Stratum 4 is interpreted as secondary refuse.

Interpretations

Structure 403 is a surface room that is part of the two-room, two-kiva architectural complex located at the north end of Castle Rock Pueblo. The presence of a burned roof fall layer suggests that Structure 403 was burned. However, the absence of large pieces of burned wood suggests that the larger roofing materials were removed before the structure was burned. The two tree-ring samples collected from the structure were not datable. The presence of Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray and Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds beneath the floor of the room suggests that Structure 403 was built and occupied between A.D. 1200 and 1300. Excavation in Structure 403 was too limited to determine how the room functioned.

Structure 203

Structure 203 is a surface structure located on high ground at the western end of the Castle Rock butte. Its association with other structures at the site is unknown, as no adjacent structures were excavated. Structure 203 is constructed on steeply west-sloping bedrock. Structure 203 was defined in sampling units 107N/94E and 108N/95E, respectively, located within Sampling Stratum 1 and Sampling Stratum 5. Portions of three walls and a pit feature were located within Structure 203. Figure 14.13 is the plan view of Structure 203.

Construction

Walls. The northeast corner of Structure 203 was discovered in sampling unit 108N/95E. The northwest corner of Structure 203 was discovered in sampling unit 107N/94E. The exposed portion of the east wall, which is located in grid unit 108N/95E, is 43 cm long and is four courses, or about 32 cm, high. From the limited exposure of this sampling unit, it appears that the east wall is abutted by the room's north wall.

The north wall is exposed in both grid units 107N/94E and 108N/95E, allowing a view of both ends of the wall. The north wall is constructed of semicoursed masonry; some of the sandstone blocks are shaped. The wall measures 2.16 m long and is three to five courses, or 34 to 60 cm, high. The wall is about 38 cm thick at its top and is double-stone wide in cross section. The interior face of the north wall has mortar joints varying from 1 to 5 cm thick, with no chinking apparent.

The west wall of Structure 203 is defined in sampling unit 107N/94E. There the northwest corner of the room is exposed, showing that the north wall is abutted by the west wall. The west wall is semicoursed and constructed with both shaped and unshaped sandstone blocks. The wall measures 30 to 60 cm high and is 34 cm thick. The west wall has a compound cross section. The wall has mortar joints varying from 4 to 6 cm in thickness, with no chinking. There was no evidence to suggest that any of the walls were covered by plaster. All walls were based on an irregular and steeply sloping bedrock foundation.

Floor. No prepared floor could be identified. The floor in unit 108N/95E consists of the steeply sloping, apparently unaltered, bedrock surface. Most of the floor in 107N/94E is clean sand placed on the sloping bedrock as a leveler. A pit feature (Feature 1) is associated with this surface.

Feature 1 (Pit): Feature 1 is an oval pit that measures 33 cm long by 26 cm wide by 7 cm deep. Natural deposits with no artifacts filled the pit. The function of Feature 1 is unknown.

Stratigraphy

Only natural deposits are contained within Structure 203. Those sediments are a maximum of 86 cm deep from the modern ground surface to bedrock. Contained within a matrix of a brown sandy loam are minimal inclusions of charcoal and artifacts with larger numbers of sandstone pieces. Five pieces of chipped-stone debris, a fire-cracked rock, and seven sherds were recovered. The sherds were three Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, three Pueblo III White Painted, and one Late White Unpainted. The quantity of sandstone inclusions varies with depth, becoming less frequent near the base of the excavation unit. The sandstone pieces are probably wall collapse.

Interpretations

Structure 203 is a surface structure located at the base of the western end of Castle Rock butte. It is unknown which structures at Castle Rock Pueblo are associated with Structure 203. The absence of a level floor in Structure 203 implies that the room did not serve as a living room. The structure was probably a storage room.

Structure 205

Structure 205 is a surface structure located at the base of the southwest end of Castle Rock butte. Its location within a rubble area suggests that it is part of a roomblock (Figure 14.7). Its nearness to Structure 206, a pit structure, suggests that it may be associated with that structure. Structure 205 is exposed within sampling unit 100N/100E. A mealing bin and a pecked bedrock boulder surface, but no walls, were located within this grid unit. Figure 14.14 illustrates Structure 205.

Construction

Floor. Because the floor in this grid unit was destroyed by heavy animal burrowing, its location and physical characteristics are unknown. A mealing bin located in this room defined the floor. A portion of a prepared surface was noted in the form of a pecked area on top of the boulder adjacent to the mealing bin.

Feature 1 (Mealing Bin): Feature 1 consists of a small area enclosed on three sides by vertical sandstone slabs. The entire feature is suspended in fill except for the metate and northeast corner of the bin which rests on a buried boulder. The enclosure contains a slab metate, a fragmentary metate, and some burned animal bones. Feature 1 measures about 61 cm long by 43 cm wide. Fill within the feature was rodent-disturbed, loose, brown sand.

Stratigraphy

Structure 205 was excavated in two strata that together measure about 1.3 m deep. Stratum 1, which measures about 1 m thick, is a light brown sandy loam containing numerous sandstone pieces but sparse amounts of artifacts and charcoal pieces. Stratum 1 is a natural fill with wall collapse. Stratum 2 measures about 30 cm thick and consists of a red loam with few inclusions. Stratum 2 is below the metate bin and is interpreted as a natural deposit originating from decomposing bedrock, but it contains a few artifacts.

Artifacts within Strata 1 and 2 totaled 15 pieces of chipped-stone debris, one human bone, four animal bones, and 25 sherds. The sherds were 13 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, four Pueblo III White Painted, five Late White Painted, one Pueblo II White Painted, and two Mesa Verde Black-on-white.

Interpretations

Structure 205 is a surface structure located within a rubble area at the base of Castle Rock butte near its southwest end. Its location within that rubble area suggests that it may be part of a larger roomblock. Structure 205 may be associated with Structure 206, a pit structure located nearby to the east. The mealing bin incorporated within Structure 205 indicates that the surface structure served as a mealing room.

Structures 109 and 110

Structures 109 and 110 are within sampling unit 105N/121E. This square lies on the south side of Castle Rock butte near its base (Figure 14.7). A 60-cm-thick wall (built on native sediments) and a prepared floor north of that wall were found during excavation. The presence of the prepared floor was evidence of a structure, which was designated Structure 109. Because the wall occupies nearly all of the south half of the sampling unit, only minimal testing took place on the south side of the wall. This testing consisted of troweling within a 5- to 10-cm-wide trench along the south side of the sampling unit. This procedure prohibited excavation to any great depth. The shallow testing, however, did lead to the observation that the fill on the south side of the wall extended below the depth at which the prepared surface was found on the north side of the wall. This fill is probably the upper fill of a pit structure. The limited testing also exposed a 20-cm segment of a plastered masonry wall in the southwest corner of the sampling unit. The plastered wall appears to be a segment of either the upper lining wall or the bench face of a kiva. The area south of the wall was inferred to be within a kiva and therefore was designated Structure 110. Structure 109 is believed to be a surface room associated with Structure 110.

Construction

Wall. The wall located between Structures 109 and 110 measures 52 cm high from the floor of Structure 109 to its top. It is constructed of both block and tabular sandstone pieces. The 60-cm-thick wall is two stones wide and has a rubble core.

Floor. The floor in Structure 109 is gray, use compacted, 5 mm thick, and based on native sediments. Only one Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherd was found on the small area of floor excavated.

Stratigraphy

Sampling unit 105N/121E was excavated in three strata totaling about 1.14 to 1.38 m thick. Stratum 1, which is 26 to 50 cm thick, consists of a light red brown sandy loam with large amounts of sandstone inclusions. The sandstone pieces were both shaped and unshaped and of various sizes. Small amounts of artifacts and small charcoal pieces were also found. Stratum 1 is interpreted as a natural deposit with structural collapse.

Stratum 2 is a 45- to 55-cm-thick deposit of red brown or yellow red sandy loam containing occasional isolated pockets of ash and a few small pieces of sandstone. Except for the cultural deposits of ash, Stratum 2 is considered natural fill.

Stratum 3 is a 40- to 45-cm-thick layer of brown sandy loam that contains a few artifacts and small pieces of sandstone and charcoal. The artifacts were an animal bone, one piece of chipped-stone debris, and three sherds (two Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray and one Pueblo III White Unpainted). The charcoal pieces were larger and more numerous than those found in Stratum 2. It is possible that Stratum 3 is structural collapse. The wall located between Structures 109 and 110 is within Stratum 3 fill. The small amount of fill removed from Structure 110 resembles Stratum 3 of Structure 109.

Interpretations

Excavation in sampling unit 105N/121E located a 60-cm-thick masonry wall that lies between a kiva, Structure 110, and a surface room, Structure 109. The structures are located on the south side of Castle Rock butte near its base. A prepared floor was located within the surface room. Only limited testing could take place in the kiva due to the limited space. The test was within a narrow, shallow trench along the south edge of the sampling unit. This testing determined that fill exists deeper in Structure 110 than in Structure 109. The limited testing also exposed a 20 cm segment of a plastered masonry wall in the southwest corner of the sampling unit. The plastered wall appears to be a segment of either the upper lining wall or bench face of a kiva. No tree-ring dates are available for this excavation unit.

Structure 111

Structure 111 is defined in random sampling unit 107N/130E, which is located at the base of Castle Rock butte on the south side of the site (Figure 14.7). Two floors and two features were located within the sampling unit. Structure 111's position north of a kiva depression (Structure 105) and at the base of the butte suggests that the structure is a surface room.

Construction

Neither walls nor a roof fall layer were located within sampling unit 107N/130E. Two floors were recognized when the stratigraphic profile was drawn (Figure 14.15).

Floor 1. This floor consists of a 3-cm-thick red clay that contains a pit feature (Feature 1). No artifacts were associated with this floor.

Feature 1 (Pit): Feature 1 is a pit feature with an unknown function. The feature is about 11 cm in diameter and 30 cm deep below Floor 1. It is covered by a large, flat sandstone slab that measures 3 cm thick. No artifacts were found within Feature 1.

Floor 2. This floor lies on the top of native sediments. A hearth (Feature 2) is associated with this surface. No artifacts were found.

Feature 2 (Hearth): Feature 2 is a hearth that contains gray and white ash with charcoal inclusions. The hearth is estimated to be 59 cm in diameter and 11 cm deep, and it contains no artifacts.

Stratigraphy

Figure 14.15 illustrates the stratigraphic profile of Structure 111 within sampling unit 107N/130E. The sampling unit was excavated in five strata that together measure about 1.2 to 1.4 m thick. Strata 1, 2, and 3, which together are 65 to 81 cm thick, consist of either a red brown or yellow red sandy loam that contain large quantities of large sandstone pieces and sparse amounts of artifacts and charcoal pieces.

Stratum 4, which is 30 to 35 cm thick, is a red brown sandy loam containing many large sandstone pieces and sparse amounts of adobe, charcoal, and artifacts. The base of Stratum 4 lies on Floor 1 of Structure 111. Strata 1 through 4 are interpreted as natural fills with wall collapse.

Artifacts found in Strata 1 through 4 include a piece of chipped-stone debris, and several sherds. The sherds include five Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, one Mesa Verde Black-on-white, one Pueblo III White Painted, and one Late White Unpainted.

Stratum 5, which is 10 to 20 cm thick, is a construction fill found between Floor 1 and Floor 2. It consists of a red brown sandy loam with sparse amounts of small sandstone pieces and moderate amounts of artifacts and charcoal pieces. The artifacts found were seven pieces of chipped-stone debris and 50 sherds. The sherds were 27 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, five Indeterminate Plain Gray, six Pueblo III White Painted, 11 Late White Unpainted, and one McElmo Black-on-white.

Interpretations

Structure 111 probably functioned originally as a living room, based on the presence of a hearth associated with the lower floor. The presence of an upper floor indicates that the room was remodeled, perhaps changing its function. The sampling unit's location within a rubble area at the base of Castle Rock butte suggests that the room is within a roomblock. Structure 111's proximity to a kiva (Structure 105) suggests that those two structures are associated.

Structure 103

Structure 103 is a kiva first encountered in sampling unit 101N/144E, which is in the roomblock sampling stratum (Sampling Stratum 1). Although the surface topography and rubble had led us to believe that 101N/144E was in an area of collapsed surface rooms, excavation revealed the presence of a kiva, Structure 103 (Figure 14.7 and Figure 14.16). The plan view of Structure 103 is illustrated in Figure 14.17. A portion of a pilaster, a bench, and the upper lining wall and bench face were discovered within the random unit. In order to facilitate excavation and interpretation of Structure 103, an adjacent judgment unit (101N/145E, Sampling Stratum 3) was excavated. Excavation of that judgment unit exposed two prepared floors, postabandonment stratigraphy, and a portion of the bench face in Structure 103.

Structure 103 appears to be rectangular, as evidenced by the straight if not slightly outward curving segment of wall and bench that crosses this grid square. It was impossible to infer a size for the structure.

Construction

Walls. Structure 103 appears to be entirely lined with sandstone masonry. The bench face is a single stone wide and varies from 18 to 25 cm thick. It measures 1.03 m high from its base to the bench surface. This wall is almost completely covered with plaster, making it difficult to determine its construction style. However, the stones exposed appear to be sandstone pecked into blocks and then placed within a semicoursed wall. Mortar joints between the courses of sandstone measure an average of 2 cm and consist of red silt loam. The wall is based on native bedrock which was probably prehistorically leveled to form a foundation. The plaster coating, which was left intact, obscured whether chinking was present.

Very little of the upper lining wall was revealed upon excavation, so only limited observations could be made. The upper lining wall is a single stone (13 to 25 cm) wide and at least 71 cm high. Small patches of plaster still adhered to the wall.

Portions of two features are located in sampling unit 101N/144E. These were identified as Bench 3 and Pilaster 3. Their descriptions follow.

Feature 1 (Pilaster 3): Pilaster 3 is 45 cm wide by 66 cm high. Length of the pilaster is unknown. The pilaster is constructed of pecked-block masonry with an earthen core of construction fill. Some remaining plaster on the feature suggests that it may have once been entirely covered with plaster.

Feature 2 (Bench 3): A portion of Bench 3 was located within 101N/144E. That portion discovered within the sampling unit measures 58 cm long and 55 cm wide. The length is not complete, as the bench extends beyond the boundary of the grid square. The width measurement is complete and is the distance between the upper lining wall and the bench face. The height of the bench surface above Floor 1 is 1.72 m.

The bench surface consists of plastered reddish loam, about 1.5 cm thick, covered with a thin layer (2 mm) of ash. Two sherds and five pieces of chipped-stone debris were located on the bench surface. The sherds were two Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray (PL 1).

Sediments above the bench surface were excavated in two strata that totaled 44 cm thick. The upper fill, Stratum 1, is a 20-cm-thick layer of red brown loam containing some small charcoal chunks. This fill is a natural colluvial deposit. Stratum 2 is an unburned roof fall layer that is 5 to 10 cm thick and is just above the bench surface. It is similar to the fill just above Floor 1 in the main chamber, which is described below in the stratigraphy section.

Floors. Within Structure 103 two prepared floors separated by 1 cm of clean fill were found overlying a natural bedrock surface.

Floor 1: Floor 1 is a compacted, reddish brown plastered floor covered by 2 mm of dark gray ash. Fill on the floor consists of roof debris containing chunks of adobe and slivers of rotted wood. Two pieces of chipped-stone debris and 16 sherds were found on Floor 1. The sherds were the following: 11 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, two Pueblo III White Painted, one McElmo Black-on-white, one Mesa Verde Black-on-white, and one Late White Unpainted. Other collections taken from the floor surface or 5 cm above it consist of one tree-ring specimen and four pollen samples. Several of the pollen samples consist of ash lying directly on the floor surface. Floor 1 is the final use surface of Structure 103.

Floor 2: Floor 2 is smooth red plaster measuring 1 to 3 cm thick. No artifacts were located on Floor 2.

Floor 3: Floor 3 is on native bedrock, which at the base of Structure 103 is the red Dewey Bridge Member of the Entrada Formation. The surface is distinguished by a layer of fine sand and a thin film of dark loam sediment. The plaster that separates Floor 2 from Floor 3 is 1 cm thick near the wall and 3 cm thick along the eastern edge of the sampling unit. Floor 3 might not have served as a use surface as much as a construction surface. The smoothing and thin sand film could have resulted from foot traffic during the time of construction.

Stratigraphy

Figure 14.18 illustrates the stratigraphy of Structure 103. Structure 103 was excavated in two strata. Stratum 1 is naturally deposited colluvium and is a maximum of 1.03 m thick. It consists of yellowish red, loamy sand with inclusions of sandstone pieces and gravel, abundant roots, charcoal pieces, and artifacts. Artifacts found include 263 pieces of chipped-stone debris, seven animal bones, one two-hand mano fragment, one ground shale fragment, two cores, and 436 sherds (241 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, one Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray, one Indeterminate Plain Gray, four Mesa Verde Black-on-white, 50 Pueblo III White Painted, and 139 Late White Unpainted). This fill was deposited after abandonment of the site.

Stratum 2 is red sandy loam with inclusions of moderate amounts of artifacts, small charcoal pieces, building rubble, plaster, and unburned wood and adobe pieces. Artifacts found in Stratum 2 were 83 pieces of chipped-stone debris, 10 animal bones, four tools, and 117 sherds. The tools included a mano fragment, a drill, and an incomplete awl. A modified bone fragment was also present. The sherds were 80 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, three Mesa Verde Black-on-white, 16 Pueblo III White Painted, and 18 Late White Unpainted. Stratum 2 measures 67 to 101 cm thick and was interpreted as unburned roof fall. Within Stratum 2, two flotation samples were collected. One sample (PL 1) is believed to contain amaranth seeds and was located at the top of the roof fall layer. The other sample (PL 2) consists of .6 liters of ash and charcoal. These samples have not been analyzed.

Stratum 3 is a very chunky stratum of red loam or loamy sand. More than one-half of the stratum is composed of irregular chunks of Dewey Bridge sandstone. This deposit is inferred to be intentional construction fill associated with the construction of the upper lining wall of the kiva.

Dating

Only two tree-ring samples collected in Structure 103 yielded dates. These were noncutting dates of A.D. 1194 and 1200. The presence of white ware sherds on the floor identified as Pueblo III White Painted, McElmo Black-on-white, Mesa Verde Black-on-white, and Late White Unpainted suggests a Pueblo III occupation of Structure 103.

Interpretations

Structure 103 is one of three adjacent pit structures located on the talus slope south of Castle Rock butte. An adjacent rubble area suggests that associated rooms exist north of the pit structures. Structure 103 is masonry lined and appears to be rectangular, which is not common for kivas in this area. The structure has two prepared floors containing very few artifacts. The unburned roof fall layer covering the floor of Structure 103 and the absence of larger roof timbers suggest that the kiva roof may have been removed at abandonment for use elsewhere. The few sherds located on the floor of Structure 103 suggest that it was occupied during the Pueblo III period.

Structure 206

Structure 206 is a masonry kiva located near the southwest end of Castle Rock butte (Figure 14.7). The kiva is within a rubble area and adjacent to a mealing room (Structure 205), suggesting that rooms associated with Structure 206 exist. A roof fall layer was exposed during the excavation of random unit 99N/106E and judgment unit 100N/106E. Corn, human bones, and artifacts were abundant in the lower fill of the kiva. Figure 14.19 illustrates the plan view of Structure 206.

Construction

Walls. The upper lining wall and bench face of Structure 206 were exposed in grid unit 99N/106E. The upper lining wall is uncoursed and constructed with mostly unshaped sandstone blocks. The wall is a single stone wide (20 cm thick) and 48 to 68 cm high from the bench surface to the top of the wall. Mortar joints between courses measure up to 4 cm thick and are rarely chinked. Mortar between courses consists of a coarse textured reddish yellow or reddish black material.

The bench face consists of pecked sandstone blocks placed in a semicoursed, single-stone-wide wall. The wall measures about 90 cm from the floor of the kiva to the bench surface. The lower 40 cm of the wall is covered with plaster and is based on bedrock. No chinking materials exist within the mortar joints, which measure .5 to 1 cm thick. The mortar is a gray- or red-colored, medium-textured material.

Floor. Only one floor was located within Structure 206. It consists of red silt loam plaster placed on bedrock and covered by a cream-colored, powdery sediment, 1 to 10 mm thick. The floor was disturbed by insects. Found on the floor were several human bones, burned corn, and 18 sherds (one Late White Unpainted and 17 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray). A partial Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray vessel (PL 3), consisting of eight rim and five body sherds, was recovered from Segment 1, a small extension along the east edge of the original excavation unit. The artifacts appear to have been left behind when the structure was abandoned. Two pollen samples taken from the floor of Structure 206 contained small amounts of Zea (corn) and Umbelliferae (carrot family) and traces of a number of other economic plants.

Features. Two features were discovered in Structure 206. These consist of a portion of a bench (Feature 1) and an assortment of disarticulated human bones (Feature 2) found in the lower fill and on the floor.

Feature 1 (Bench 1): The portion of bench exposed within Structure 206 measures a meter long by a maximum 55 cm wide. The width is the distance between the upper lining wall and the bench face. The height of the bench surface above the floor of Structure 206 is about 87 cm.

Sediments above the bench consist of a dark brown loam containing adobe, charcoal, corn fragments, artifacts, and a human bone. Overlying the bench surface is a thin (1 mm) layer of ash, from which two pollen samples were taken. The bench surface is plastered with red loam. Four pieces of chipped-stone debris, six sherds, a human bone, and some charred corn were found on the bench surface. The sherds were five Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray and one Indeterminate Plain Gray.

Feature 2 (Burial 2): Feature 2 is not a burial in the traditional sense, but a concentration of badly weathered, miscellaneous human bones of at least two individuals. The bones were found scattered in Strata 4 and 5 and extend to the floor of the kiva. The condition and random scatter of the bones suggest that this was a secondary interment. A more detailed description of the human bones found at Castle Rock Pueblo can be found in Chapter 19 of this report.

Stratigraphy

Figure 14.20 illustrates the stratigraphy of Structure 206. The structure was excavated in five strata that together extended 1.55 to 1.76 m below the modern ground surface. Stratum 1, which is 20 to 65 cm thick, is a reddish brown and yellowish red sandy loam containing average quantities of sandstone gravel and building stones, a few artifacts, and a few small pieces of charcoal.

Stratum 2, which is 10 to 26 cm thick, is a reddish brown sandy loam with an average amount of charcoal (flecks) and a few artifacts and large sandstone blocks. Washed-in laminated sands are still preserved within Stratum 2. Strata 1 and 2 are natural deposits that contain wall collapse from the roomblock to the northwest.

Stratum 3, which is 22 to 30 cm thick, is a red silt loam containing numerous large pieces of sandstone mixed with mortar. Stratum 3 is a collapsed wall of either Structure 206 or of a room to the north.

In total, 42 sherds, 26 pieces of chipped-stone debris, and a complete biface were found in Strata 1 through 3.

Stratum 4 is a maximum of 22 cm thick and consists of a reddish brown sandy loam with common amounts of charcoal chunks and human bones scattered throughout. Stratum 4 has roof fall below and natural fill above.

Stratum 5 is a roof fall layer that measures up to 97 cm thick. It consists of a reddish brown sandy loam that contains common amounts of adobe chunks, some sandstone blocks, and an abundance of charcoal pieces, human bones, corn kernels, and cob fragments. Stratum 5 overlies the floor of Structure 206. There were no large beams recovered from Stratum 5, but small samples of charred wood were recovered for tree-ring dating.

The large quantity of artifacts and the human bones found within Strata 4 and 5 indicate a cultural rather than a natural deposition. Over 450 sherds, 21 complete or partial tools, and 58 pieces of chipped-stone debris were found in Strata 4 and 5. The sherds were 36 Late White Unpainted, 25 Pueblo III White Painted, three Indeterminate Local White, two Moccasin Gray, one Mancos Corrugated Gray, one Unknown type, and 386 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray. Two Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray rims were present. The tools found include two bone awl fragments, one drill, two hammerstones, one metate fragment, several highly polished stones, and modified flakes. Over 60 human bones from at least one individual were also collected from Strata 4 and 5. The artifacts probably were refuse thrown into the structure along with the kiva roofing materials.

Dating

Table 14.2 lists the dated tree-ring samples collected in Structure 206. Two cutting dates of A.D. 1255 and 1260 suggest that the structure was constructed as late as A.D. 1260. The presence of three Mesa Verde Black-on-white and eight Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray sherds in the lower fill or on the floor of Structure 206 support the late tree-ring dates. The presence of Feature 2 within the lower fill indicates that other parts of the site were still being occupied when Structure 206 was filling.

Interpretations

Structure 206 is a masonry kiva located near the southwestern end of Castle Rock butte. Associated rooms probably exist beneath the rubble pile that lies adjacent to Structure 206. The lower fill of the kiva contains abundant human bones, corn, and artifacts, mixed in a roof fall layer without large beams. It is possible that the large beams were salvaged and the smaller material that remained was burned. The large quantity of artifacts and ecofacts found in the lower fill of the kiva suggests a cultural rather than a natural deposition. The roof was possibly dismantled at the same time that the human remains, corn, and artifacts were deposited within the kiva, also implying that other areas of the site were still being occupied. The disarticulation of the bones suggests that the burials were secondary in nature. Tree-ring data and the types of pottery found on the floor and in lower fill suggest that the structure was constructed in A.D. 1260 or later.

Structure 304

Structure 304 is a masonry-lined kiva located at the base of Castle Rock butte on its western end (Figure 14.7). The structure was identified within Sampling Stratum 1 in an area thought to contain surface structures. Excavation within random unit 112N/104E and judgment unit 110N/104E located a pilaster, vent tunnel, and the southern recess of Structure 304. Figure 14.21 illustrates the plan view of Structure 304.

Construction

Wall. Only a portion of the southern recess wall was located during excavation. The portion exposed is burned, 61 cm high, and 32 cm thick. Although plaster covers most of the wall, the masonry observed consists of pecked sandstone blocks placed in a semicoursed, single-stone wide wall.

Features. Excavation of grid units 110N/104E and 112N/104E located the southern recess, Pilaster 6, and a portion of the ventilator tunnel.

Feature 1 (Bench 6): Bench 6, the southern recess, was located in both grid squares excavated within Structure 304. A burned roof fall layer was found overlying the bench surface within both units. The burned roof fall layer, Stratum 1, measures 42 to 64 cm thick. It consists of a loose, brown sandy loam that contains numerous small charcoal pieces and adobe chunks. Many of the charcoal pieces were collected as tree-ring samples. The bench surface consists of a 1.5-cm-thick layer of orange clay plaster and contains no artifacts. Artifacts found in the roof fall layer include 63 pieces of chipped-stone debris, five animal bones, a human bone, seven tools, and 189 sherds. The tools were a single-bitted axe, a pendant, a complete tube, a core, a modified bone fragment, and two modified sherd fragments. The sherds were 146 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, one Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray, two Indeterminate Plain Gray, one Indeterminate Neckbanded Gray, three Mancos Black-on-white, one Pueblo II White Painted, six Mesa Verde Black-on-white, 11 Pueblo III White Painted, one Late White Painted, and 17 Late White Unpainted. One of the Mesa Verde Black-on-white artifacts is an intact canteen. The large quantity of artifacts in the roof fall layer was likely refuse thrown into the structure when or after the kiva roof was disassembled.

Feature 2 (Ventilator Tunnel): The top of the vent tunnel was located at the surface level of the southern recess. The absence of the bench surface indicates that it collapsed into the vent tunnel. This feature was not excavated during the 1991 field season.

Feature 3 (Pilaster 6): Pilaster 6 consists of well-shaped (pecked) sandstone blocks mortared into a semicoursed masonry column. Remnants of plaster still adhere to portions of the pilaster. The pilaster is four courses (65 cm) high and three courses (45 cm) wide. A thin (1 cm) mortar joint separates the pilaster from the bench surface. The eastern wall of the southern recess appears to be incorporated with the construction of Pilaster 6. A small portion of Bench 5 is contained within 112N/104E but was not excavated.

Stratigraphy

Because 110N/104E was not excavated to bedrock, only fill from the modern ground surface to the southern recess surface was observed. Fill above the southern recess surface is a burned roof fall layer described under Feature 1. Fill above the roof fall consists of a light brown sandy loam that measures 8 cm thick and contains sparse amounts of small sandstone and charcoal pieces. This upper fill is naturally deposited.

Dating

Table 14.3 lists the dated tree-ring samples collected within Structure 304. A cutting date of A.D. 1248 and late noncutting dates of A.D. 1257 and 1274 suggest that Structure 304 was constructed and/or remodeled in the last half of the thirteenth century. A.D. 1274 is the latest date from the Site Testing Program. It indicates that Structure 304 was one of the last structures occupied and possibly one of the last constructed in the region before the area was abandoned.

Other dated specimens suggest that reused beams were used in the construction of Structure 304. This is evidenced by a weak cluster of four dates between A.D. 1146 and 1148 and a strong cluster of 10 noncutting dates and two cutting dates (A.D. 1165 and 1170) between A.D. 1163 and 1171.

The presence of an intact Mesa Verde Black-on-white canteen and five Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds in the roof fall stratum of Structure 304 supports the interpretation of a late Pueblo III occupation of the kiva.

Interpretations

Structure 304 is a masonry-lined kiva located at the base of the western end of Castle Rock butte. The structure was located within an area thought to contain surface structures. It is apparent that the structure was burned. The absence of large burned beams within the roof fall layer suggests that beams were "robbed" for use elsewhere before the structure was burned. Tree-ring evidence suggests that Structure 304 was probably constructed after A.D. 1250, and possibly after A.D. 1274. Pottery in the roof fall stratum supports the post-A.D. 1200 occupation. The tree-ring data also suggest that reused beams from the twelfth century were incorporated into the structure.

Midden Deposits

One sampling unit within Sampling Stratum 1 (98N/143E) encountered secondary refuse deposits, which were provenienced Nonstructure 1. Other midden deposits were located within Sampling Strata 4 and 5 and are described under those headings.

Sampling Unit 98N/143E

This sampling unit is in the surface structure sampling stratum between, and a little south of, Structures 103 and 104. A segment of a retaining wall was visible in the north half of the grid square prior to excavation.

This grid unit was excavated in five strata with a total depth of 1.55 to 1.71 m below the modern ground surface. Because Stratum 5 is sterile sediment, the distance between the modern ground surface and the prehistoric ground surface measures about 1.28 to 1.39 m.

The uppermost stratum, Stratum 1, is reddish brown loam with inclusions of small charcoal pieces and gravel, but the predominant inclusions are blocky sandstone pieces. Stratum 1 is considered to be a slopewash and wall fall deposit. The sandstone pieces probably are remnants of the retaining wall visible on the surface of the square.

Stratum 2 contains secondary refuse deposits 45 to 58 cm thick. It consists of reddish brown loam with inclusions of charcoal, ash, and pockets of red gravelly sediments. It also contains abundant artifacts and sandstone pieces. The largest charcoal pieces were collected as tree-ring samples, and the ash was collected as flotation samples. Within Stratum 2, a second retaining wall was discovered and identified as Feature 1 of the midden. Feature 1 is described below.

Artifacts found in Stratum 2 include over 850 sherds, numerous tools, and pieces of chipped-stone debris. The total count of chipped-stone debris for all sampling units in the midden is included in Midden Artifacts under Sampling Stratum 5. Nearly all the sherds found were Pueblo III. Only one white ware sherd (Mancos Black-on-white) dated to the Pueblo II period. The Pueblo III pottery includes 560 corrugated body sherds, six Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray, three Indeterminate Plain Gray, two McElmo Black-on-white, 30 Mesa Verde Black-on-white, 82 Pueblo III White Painted, 52 Late White Painted, 141 Late White Unpainted, one Indeterminate Local Red Unpainted, one Other Red Nonlocal, and one piece of unknown type. Complete and fragmentary tools include one metate fragment, two peckingstones, two pebbles, four projectile points, five awls, four modified bones, five modified sherds, one other pottery artifact, eight modified flakes, three other chipped-stone tools, four cores, 17 mineral samples, two stone disks, and four other modified stones. Eggshell, one human bone, and 15 animal bones were also recovered from Stratum 2 of this sampling unit.

Stratum 3 is a layer of clean reddish yellow silt loam that is visibly distinct from the midden deposits above and below it. It is 12 to 27 cm thick and contains occasional sherds and small flecks of charcoal. The density of artifacts, sandstone debris, and ash is substantially less than that of Strata 2 and 4.

Stratum 4 is a 24- to 39-cm-thick layer of midden deposits similar to those described in Stratum 2.

Stratum 5, which is 27 to 32 cm thick, consists of a sterile, decomposing bedrock layer that underlies the fill within the sampling unit.

Feature 1 (Wall). Feature 1 crosses the southeast corner of sampling unit 98N/143E. It is a wall constructed of roughly coursed masonry that measures 40 cm high and 36 cm wide. It appears to be a section of retaining wall that was constructed earlier than the retaining wall visible on the modern ground surface in the square. It also predates the midden, as it rests on Stratum 5. The midden deposits (Strata 2 and 4) and the intervening clean fill (Stratum 3) are deposited against the retaining wall on the upslope side.

Dating

Two tree-ring samples collected from Strata 2 and 4 were dated to A.D. 1181 and A.D. 1206, respectively. The 1206 date indicates that the midden accumulated entirely during the 1200s. These dates, and the occurrence of these deposits after the construction of the wall (Feature 1), suggest that the midden in this square accumulated rapidly in the late Pueblo III period. With the exception of one Mancos Black-on-white sherd, all the pottery from the midden dates from the Pueblo III period. The six Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray and 30 Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds found suggest that the midden accumulated between A.D. 1200 and 1300.

Interpretations

The midden deposits within sampling unit 98N/143E are associated with either or both Structures 103 and 104. These deposits accumulated during the thirteenth century. A retaining wall found within this sampling unit was built on native sediments before the secondary refuse was deposited.

Remaining Random Units

Sampling Unit 105N/152E

This sampling unit is located on sloping sandstone rubble south of the butte on the east end of the site. It was excavated in two strata down to sterile sediments, which were found between 41 to 57 cm below the modern ground surface. Both strata contain naturally deposited fills consisting of a matrix of sandy loam with sparse artifacts. Stratum 1 contains large quantities of shaped sandstone pieces and is 29 to 56 cm thick. Stratum 2 is a maximum of 21 cm thick and contains no sandstone pieces. Neither walls nor floors of any structures were found within this test pit.

Sampling Unit 98N/105E

Sampling unit 98N/105E is located just south of Structure 206 on southeast-sloping ground. The random square was excavated in one stratum that measures 32 to 80 cm deep. Stratum 1 is a mixed deposit consisting of red gravelly fill containing few artifacts. In the northeastern corner of the unit, the red gravel is mixed with a dark brown gravel containing some sandstone rocks, charcoal, and adobe pieces. This mixed fill is interpreted as being either disturbed or redeposited and associated with the construction of Structure 206.

Sampling Unit 118N/113E

This random square is located immediately north of Structure 308 and west of Structure 302 and it slopes to the north. The square was excavated in two strata that measure 31 to 44 cm deep. Both Strata 1 and 2 are natural deposits that contain a yellowish red sandy loam with small amounts of artifacts, charcoal, and small sandstone pieces.

Sampling Unit 116N/121E

This sampling unit is located south of Structure 302. Sandstone pieces covered the modern ground surface of this steep north-sloping grid square. The square was excavated in one stratum to a depth that ranged between 86 cm and 1.30 m. Stratum 1 is a brown loam that contains numerous artifacts and pieces of sandstone. Stratum 1 is interpreted as natural filling with wall collapse.

Partly Excavated Judgment Units

Ten grid units were judgmentally selected to locate and trace roomblock walls. These squares were placed just north of the row of three kivas (Structures 103, 104, and 105) in areas of sandstone rubble near the base of Castle Rock butte. These include grid squares 105N/124E, 105N/132E, 105N/133E, 105N/138E, 107N/138E, 107N/139E, 106N/147E, 107N/147E, 107N/148E, and 108N/148E. These test pits were not excavated far below the modern ground surface; the deepest was 35 cm deep. All the grid squares contain a tan sandy loam with large quantities of both shaped and unshaped sandstone pieces. This fill type is interpreted as naturally occurring with collapsed walls. Only one of the grid units (106N/147E) was excavated into a possible roof fall layer. This consists of a red loam with charcoal pieces, burned adobe, and large amounts of artifacts.

Sections of two walls were found. A section of one wall is located in sampling units 105N/132E and 105N/133E. This consists of two to three courses of wall that run east-west in the north half of the units. This wall is semicoursed and constructed of pecked sandstone blocks. Another wall is located between grid units 107N/138E and 107N/139E. The portion of wall observed consists of semicoursed masonry, two to three courses high and one course thick. The exposure of these walls confirm the presence of surface rooms to the north of Structures 103, 104, and 105.

Surface Structure Area (Sampling Stratum 1) Summary

Sampling Stratum 1 was designed to test the rubble mounds believed to be associated with collapsed surface rooms. Surface rooms were found, but other types of features were present as well. Sampling within the surface structure area defined 11 structures, which include six rooms, four pit structures, and a tower. These structures were defined within 12 sampling units. The six surface rooms include Structures 303, 403, 203, 205, 109, and 111. Sampling Stratum 1 also had one sampling unit that encountered midden deposits and four random sampling units that were outside of cultural study units. In addition, 10 judgment units were partly excavated to define the layout of the rooms in the large rubble mound on the south side of the site.

Structure 303 is defined in sampling unit 116N/125E by a floor covered with 193 sherds. The pottery included 163 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds, which may have been part of a reconstructible vessel. No walls or architectural features were encountered. Structure 303 is likely a surface room associated with Structure 302, a kiva, which lies a few meters downslope to the north.

Structure 403 is a surface room located within sampling unit 150N/109E. The structure is one room of the two-room, two-kiva complex located on the north end of Castle Rock Pueblo. A masonry wall, a burned roof fall layer, and a prepared floor surface were found in the 1-×-1-m sampling unit. The absence of large pieces of burned wood within the roof fall layer suggests that the larger roofing materials were removed for use elsewhere. No tree-ring dates are available from Structure 403.

Structure 203 is defined in sampling units 107N/94E and 108N/95E respectively within Sampling Strata 1 and 5. Portions of three walls and a pit feature were located. The floor of the room consists of unmodified bedrock. Structure 203 may have functioned as a storage room.

Structure 205 is a mealing room defined within sampling unit 100N/100E. A mealing bin and a pecked bedrock surface were found. The walls of this room were not exposed in the sampling unit.

Structures 109 and 110 are within sampling unit 105N/121E, which lies on the south side of Castle Rock butte near its base. Excavation in the sampling unit located a 60-cm-thick wall built on native sediments, and a prepared floor north of that wall within a probable surface room, Structure 109. Minimal testing took place on the south side of the wall. The shallow testing discovered fill that is probably the upper fill of a pit structure, and it exposed a 20-cm segment of a plastered masonry wall that appears to be the wall of a kiva. The kiva was designated Structure 110. No dating evidence was located within either Structure 109 or 110.

Structure 111 is a surface room located in sampling unit 107N/130E. Two floors, a hearth, and a pit feature were located in this sampling unit. Neither walls nor a roof fall layer were encountered. Structure 111's position north of a kiva depression (Structure 105) suggests that it is associated with that structure. The presence of two floors suggests a relatively long use life, and the hearth on the lower surface may indicate that the structure functioned as a living room when it was first built.

The four pit structures found within Sampling Stratum 1 are Structures 103, 110, 206, and 304. Structure 103 is a rectangular kiva defined in 101N/144E (Sampling Stratum 1) and 101N/145E (Sampling Stratum 3). Two prepared floors, a bench, a pilaster, and both the upper lining wall and bench face were discovered. The absence of large roof timbers within an unburned roof fall suggests that the kiva roof may have been removed at abandonment for use elsewhere. Two tree-ring samples found within the structure were dated to A.D. 1194 and 1200.

Structure 110 is a kiva defined by limited testing within sampling unit 105N/121E and summarized with Structure 109 above.

Structure 206 is a masonry kiva defined in sampling units 99N/106E and 100N/106E. A bench, an unburned roof fall layer, and abundant corn and human bones were located within the two grid units. Two cutting dates of A.D. 1255 and 1260 suggest that Structure 206 was constructed in the last half of the thirteenth century. Evidence suggests that the roof was deliberately dismantled at the same time that the human remains and corn were deposited within the kiva. The large number of artifacts and the human bones found within the lower fill of Structure 206 indicate a cultural rather than a natural deposition. The artifacts were probably refuse thrown into the structure when the roof was disassembled. The presence of an unburned roof fall layer without evidence for large beams suggests that the roof may have been dismantled for use elsewhere. The salvaging of timbers suggests that Structure 206 was abandoned before the end of construction at the site, which dates to the 1270s.

Structure 304 was located within sampling units 112N/104E and 110N/104E. A pilaster, vent tunnel, southern recess, and a burned roof fall layer were located. At least the southern recess within Structure 304 is burned. The absence of large burned beams within the roof fall layer suggests that beams were "robbed" for use elsewhere before the structure was burned. The large number of artifacts found in the roof fall layer of Structure 304 suggests that refuse was thrown into the structure when or after the roof was disassembled. Tree-ring evidence suggests that the structure was constructed after A.D. 1236 and possibly as late as A.D. 1274.

Structure 401 is a circular tower defined in sampling unit 146N/89E. Excavation of judgment unit 147N/91E in Sampling Stratum 2 exposed the exterior wall of the structure. Two floors separated by 8 to 14 cm of sediment were located. The upper floor had a fire pit associated with it and represents a remodeling above the original floor. A Mesa Verde Black-on-white dipper with a partial handle and a one-hand mano were found on the upper floor.

Structure 401 is the only tower identified thus far at Castle Rock Pueblo. Structure 401's position at the northern edge of the site and its proximity to the plaza and the large stone enclosure suggest that it functioned differently than most other structures at Castle Rock Pueblo. Large plazas are considered to be public architecture and integrative at other large sites in the region (for example, Sand Canyon Pueblo). Structures associated with these nonhabitational areas may have had an integrative function also. A piece of charcoal with a cutting date of A.D. 1264 found between the two floors suggests that Structure 401's upper floor was constructed after that date.

In addition, one sampling unit (98N/143E) landed within midden deposits. The midden deposits found within that grid unit are associated with either or both Structures 103 and 104. A retaining wall that predates the midden also exists in the lower fill of the square. The types of pottery found in the midden suggest that the midden accumulated between A.D. 1200 and 1300.

The remaining 14 sampling units within Sampling Stratum 1 are not within definable cultural units. Ten of those squares were excavated only slightly below the modern ground surface in search of wall lines. Two walls were located, but it was indeterminate whether the squares were inside or outside structures.

Inner Periphery (Sampling Stratum 2)

Sampling Stratum 2 is the inner periphery of the site. Of a possible 1,795 sampling units in Sampling Stratum 2, nine random squares and one judgment square (147N/91E) were chosen for investigation (Figure 14.6). Only one of the units (79N/109E) located a structure (Structure 204). A judgment unit adjacent to Structure 401 exposed the exterior wall of that structure. This wall was described above under Sampling Stratum 1, where Structure 401 is located. Descriptions of the sampling units within Sampling Stratum 2 follow.

Structure 204

Structure 204 was discovered during excavation of sampling unit 79N/109E (Figure 14.7). This grid square is located on relatively flat ground near the southwestern edge of Castle Rock Pueblo. No architectural features were found, but the inference of a structure is based on the presence of burned roof fall debris and a prepared floor surface. The absence of walls or other features makes it impossible to determine the structure form or type.

Construction

Floor. The single floor surface in Structure 204 is natural bedrock in the northern half of the grid square and a plastered surface in the southern half. The undulating bedrock surface slopes gently downward to the south, and the plaster levels and smooths the surface somewhat. No artifacts were present upon the exposed portion of the floor.

Stratigraphy

Figure 14.22 illustrates the stratigraphic profile of Structure 204. Grid unit 79N/109E was excavated in three strata that are a combined thickness of 89 to 102 cm from the modern ground surface to the floor surface of Structure 204. Stratum 1 is naturally deposited brown sandy loam that measures 7 to 10 cm thick. Gravel and sandstone blocks are common, and many small artifacts are scattered throughout Stratum 1.

Stratum 2, which is 22 to 38 cm thick, is a strong brown sandy loam with sandstone blocks and common chunks of charcoal less than 1 cm thick. Artifacts were sparse within this stratum.

Stratum 3 is a burned roof fall layer about 50 cm thick that covered the floor surface. Charred beams, burned and unburned adobe, and abundant amounts of unshaped burned sandstone pieces were found within an ashy, gray matrix of sediment. Forty tree-ring samples were collected from the roof fall layer. Artifacts found within Stratum 3 included 11 pieces of chipped-stone debris, a complete two-hand mano, and 50 sherds. The sherds are 35 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, eight Late White Unpainted, six Pueblo III White Painted, and one Mesa Verde Black-on-white.

Dating

Twenty-seven of the 40 tree-ring specimens from Structure 204 roof fall were datable. A terminal cluster of six cutting dates in A.D. 1255 and 1256 suggests that the structure was built around 1256. Ahlstrom (1985a) argues that the best evidence for dating construction episodes are terminal clusters. The presence of a Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherd within the roof fall stratum also suggests a late Pueblo III occupation. Table 14.4 lists the results of tree-ring analysis for Structure 204.

Interpretations

Other than a floor and a roof fall layer, which indicated the presence of a structure within 79N/109E, there were no architectural features that suggested structure type. Analysis of tree-ring data indicates that Structure 204 was constructed about A.D. 1256. The presence of a burned roof fall layer suggests that Structure 204 may have been occupied up to the time the site was abandoned (approximately A.D. 1280-1290).

Sampling Units 116N/91E, 98N/76E, and 128N/84E

These sampling units are located at the west end of the site near the base of the talus slope. They contain similar fill types consisting of brown sandy loam overlying decomposing sandstone bedrock. All are relatively shallow, ranging from 5 to 22 cm thick. Inclusions within the sandy loam matrix consist of sparse amounts of artifacts, sandstone, and charcoal. The fill within these grid squares consists of natural slopewash that was deposited after the site was abandoned.

Sampling Unit 86N/127E

This grid square is located near the southern edge of the site. It was excavated in two strata to a depth of 36 to 48 cm below the modern ground surface. It contains only erosional, postabandonment deposits. The upper stratum, Stratum 1, is dark brown sandy loam with relatively abundant artifacts and charcoal pieces, although not as plentiful as within the midden deposits. Stratum 1 is 6 to 16 cm thick.

Stratum 2 is about 25 to 30 cm thick and contains decaying sandstone and gravel from native bedrock mixed with some slopewash. It contains only a minimum of artifacts and charcoal.

Sampling Unit 88N/98E

This sampling unit lies near the southwest end of Castle Rock Pueblo. Large boulders surround all but the western side of the square. The square was excavated in one stratum that measures about 30 cm thick from the modern ground surface to bedrock. It contains brown sandy loam slopewash with inclusions of blocky sandstone pieces and gravel. Found within the square is a double-stone-wide masonry wall that crosses the unit from northwest to southeast.

Feature 1 (Wall)

This wall consists of double-stone-wide masonry constructed with minimally shaped sandstone pieces. The wall is 30 cm wide and a maximum of three courses, or 25 cm, high. It is built on a thin (5-cm-thick) layer of fill, but follows the steep and irregular slope of bedrock.

Although the wall's construction is similar to surface room walls, excavation revealed no evidence of a prepared floor to associate the wall with a structure. Nor does the wall seem to be a retaining wall, as it runs down the slope instead of across it. Further excavation is needed to determine the function of this wall.

Sampling Unit 91N/139E

This grid unit is located in the south central portion of the site near the base of the midden slope. It contains a relatively high frequency of artifacts. The grid square was excavated in three strata that are a maximum of 51 cm from the modern ground surface to bedrock.

The upper stratum, Stratum 1, is yellowish brown sandy loam that measures 10 to 13 cm thick. It contains inclusions of small sandstone gravel, larger cobbles, and abundant artifacts, but minimal amounts of charcoal.

Stratum 2 is also sandy loam with inclusions similar to those found in Stratum 1, but Stratum 2 is darker. Stratum 2 is 19 to 23 cm thick, and both Strata 1 and 2 are interpreted as slopewash deposits from the midden.

Stratum 3 is yellowish red sandy loam contained within a natural depression in the bedrock. This depression is present only in the east edge of the sampling unit. Fill in the depression contains sandstone pieces, small charcoal flecks, and a few artifacts. It measures a maximum of 20 cm thick and is inferred to be construction fill.

Sampling Unit 78N/101E

This grid unit is near the southwestern end of Castle Rock Pueblo on a steep, southwest-facing talus slope. Visible upon the modern ground surface is a rough, unshaped-block retaining wall that crosses the square from the southeast to the northwest where the wall abuts a small boulder. The presence of the wall creates a terrace above and north of it.

The grid unit was excavated in two strata and measures about 50 to 60 cm in total depth. The upper stratum, Stratum 1, is a 15- to 20-cm-thick layer of brown sandy loam with inclusions of small sandstone pebbles and minimal amounts of charcoal pieces.

Stratum 2 is reddish brown loam that measures about 30 to 40 cm thick and has inclusions similar to those found in Stratum 1. Stratum 2 rests on bedrock. Both strata are interpreted as slopewash deposits.

Sampling Units 148N/91E and 147N/91E

These grid units are located north of Structure 401. Sampling unit 147N/91E, a judgment unit, was excavated to reveal the exterior face of the wall of Structure 401. That wall is described under Structure 401 in Sampling Stratum 1.

Stratigraphy

The modern ground surface of the grid units, which slopes away from Structure 401 to the north, contains numerous sandstone pieces. Upon removal of the rubble, the two sampling units were excavated in one stratum. Stratum 1, which is 21 to 50 cm deep, is a light brown sandy loam containing numerous shaped sandstone pieces. Artifacts and charcoal pieces are sparse. Stratum 1 is a natural postabandonment fill with wall collapse from Structure 401.

Inner Periphery Artifacts

Artifacts recovered from the inner periphery were plentiful. These included all artifacts from Sampling Stratum 2 except those found in Structure 204. Artifacts recovered from the inner periphery include 2,432 sherds, 30 tools, and 843 pieces of chipped-stone debris. The sherds found were predominantly Pueblo III types. Only three sherds date before the Pueblo III period. These were one Early White Unpainted, one Mancos Corrugated Gray, and one Deadman's Black-on-red. White ware and red ware pottery that dates to the Pueblo III period include three McElmo Black-on-white, 21 Mesa Verde Black-on-white, 243 Pueblo III White Painted, 117 Late White Painted, 590 Late White Unpainted, one Other Red Nonlocal, and one Unknown Red. The late gray ware sherds include five Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray, 10 Indeterminate Plain Gray, and 1,438 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray. The presence of five Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray and only one Mancos Corrugated Gray suggests that most of the corrugated body sherds were from the Pueblo III period.

Complete and fragmentary tools recovered from the inner periphery include one metate, three manos, five hammerstones, two peckingstones, two axes, one projectile point, two modified flakes, four cores, three chipped-stone tools, one modified cobble, and five other modified stones/minerals. A number of animal bones were also recovered from the inner periphery.

Inner Periphery (Sampling Stratum 2) Summary

The inner periphery is the area surrounding the main cultural features (the surface room rubble mounds, the pit structures, and the middens) at Castle Rock Pueblo. Ten sampling units were excavated within Sampling Stratum 2, and only one located a structure. Structure 204 was defined within sampling unit 79N/109E, where a prepared floor surface and a burned roof fall layer were found. No walls or features were found to distinguish what type of structure it was. Twenty-seven tree-ring specimens from the roof fall layer were datable. A terminal cluster of six cutting dates in A.D. 1255 and 1256 suggests that the structure was built around 1256. The fact that the roof burned may indicate that the structure was occupied up to the time the site was abandoned (Lightfoot 1993).

The other nine sampling units contained a lower artifact density than expected within this sampling stratum. Three of those units contained walls. Grid square 147N/91E is a judgment unit that was excavated to expose the exterior wall of Structure 401. A wall of unknown function and a retaining wall were found respectively within sampling units 88N/98E and 78N/101E.

Pit Structure and Courtyard Area (Sampling Strata 3 and 4)

Sampling Stratum 3 is the pit structure sampling stratum. Of a possible 238 1-×-1-m sampling units within Sampling Stratum 3, five were randomly selected and five judgmentally selected for investigation (Figure 14.6). Two of the random units (119N/121E and 119N/123E) and a judgment unit (119N/122E) are within Structure 302, a kiva. Another of the random units (132N/86E) located Structure 402, the 9-m-diameter stone enclosure. In order to further investigate Structure 402, two additional judgment squares (134N/86E and 134N/85E) and several auger tests were placed within it. Judgment unit 134N/85E was both inside and outside Structure 402 and was a square selected from Sampling Stratum 4. Structures 302 and 402 will be discussed below.

Sampling Stratum 4 consists of the courtyard areas surrounding the pit structure depressions, and a possible large plaza on the north side of the site. Out of 650 sampling units in this sampling stratum, 15 were chosen for investigation (Figure 14.6). These consist of 11 random and four judgment units. Not all of these encountered the courtyard or the plaza. Random sampling units 99N/141E and 98N/138E were located in Structure 104. Two judgment units (99N/138E and 99N/140E) within Sampling Stratum 3 were placed in Structure 104 to facilitate excavation of the random units. Judgment unit 141E/118E located Structure 406. Structures 104 and 406 are described below. Three random units (137N/114E, 69N/172E, and 134N/84E) fell within the midden, which was buried beneath postabandonment colluvial deposits.

Four random squares (140N/118E, 137N/100E, 141E/96E, and 140N/93E) and one judgment square (139N/118E) are located within the plaza on the north end of the site. These will be described under Plaza Sampling Units.

The three remaining random units (68N/169E, 104N/96E, and 103N/138E) and one judgment square (84N/106E) in Sampling Strata 3 and 4 are not within structures or definable nonstructures. These will be described below. One random unit (70N/167E) was occupied by a large boulder.

The remaining judgment square, 101N/145E (Sampling Stratum 3) was in Structure 103, which was discovered in sampling unit 101N/144E (Sampling Stratum 1). Structure 103 was described above in the section on Sampling Stratum 1.

The following descriptions will present the kivas first, followed by the stone enclosure (Structure 402), midden deposits, the large plaza, and finally the remaining sampling units that encountered no structures.

Structure 302

Structure 302 is a kiva located on the north side of Castle Rock butte (Figure 14.7, Figure 14.23, and Figure 14.24). The structure is situated on the talus beneath the cliff. It was found below wall fall rubble of an associated roomblock. Two random squares (119N/121E and 119N/123E) and a judgment square (119N/122E) were excavated to the floor of the kiva. Found in that 1-×-3-m trench were a pilaster, a bench, the hearth, and the deflector. Assorted artifacts and numerous human bones were also located. Figure 14.25 is the plan view of Structure 302.

Construction

Walls. Both the upper lining wall and bench face were encountered within grid square 119N/123E. The upper lining wall in this area is the natural bedrock that the kiva was constructed within. The bench face is constructed of mostly pecked sandstone blocks placed in a semicoursed, single-stone-thick wall and based on bedrock. The bench face measures 82 cm from the floor to the top of the wall. Some plaster still adheres to the lower courses of masonry. Mortar joints between the masonry measure .5 to 2 cm thick and consist of either reddish brown or yellowish red fine-grained materials. No chinking materials were observed within the mortar. A pilaster was found associated with the walls.

Feature 1 (Pilaster): The pilaster exposed within 119N/123E is either Pilaster 5 or 6 of Structure 302. It is one course (26 cm) wide and three courses (48 cm) high. It was likely higher; its upper courses probably collapsed into the fill of the kiva. The length of the pilaster (48 cm) includes only that portion within grid square 119N/123E. The exposed portion of masonry consists of well-shaped, pecked sandstone blocks. The pilaster abuts the upper lining wall of the kiva, which is native bedrock.

Feature 2 (Bench): A portion of either Bench 4 or 5 was discovered in sampling unit 119N/123E. Its length, 68 cm, is only that portion of the bench uncovered within the sampling unit. Its width, 23 cm, is the distance between the upper lining wall and the bench face. The bench surface is 82 cm above the floor of the kiva and is still covered in places by a thin coat of plaster. Artifacts and samples collected from the bench surface include a polished bird bone pendant, a small pocket of gray ash, two pollen samples, and three flotation samples. Fill above the bench surface measures 10 cm thick and consists of a brown loam that contains some heat-altered sandstone pieces and sparse artifacts.

Floor. The floor of Structure 302 is a compacted, reddish brown, plastered adobe covered by a thin lens of ash. Artifacts found upon the floor are illustrated in Figure 14.25 and listed in Table 14.5. These consist of at least five complete or partial vessels. Two of the vessels are Mesa Verde Black-on-white partial bowls; one is a Pueblo III White Painted bowl; one is a Mesa Verde Black-on-white mug (intact); and the last one is a Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray jar. The top of the jar was found within Stratum 5 of the kiva, which may indicate that other sherds from this or other vessels on the floor may be mixed within the lower fill of the kiva. These vessel types indicate a late Pueblo III occupation of Structure 302.

Excavation uncovered the hearth and the deflector associated with the floor. In addition, a burial was found on the floor and in the overlying fill.

Feature 3 (Burial 3): Feature 3 consists of the numerous human bones found in the lower fill and on the floor of Structure 302. The bones found are disarticulated and do not resemble a formal burial. A more detailed description of the skeletal remains found at Castle Rock Pueblo is contained in this report in Chapter 19.

Feature 4 (Hearth): The hearth is a pit, 63 cm in diameter, excavated 24 cm below the floor of the kiva. Only the portion of the hearth within sampling units 119N/121N and 119N/122E was excavated. The hearth contains two strata. The upper stratum is a 6- to 11-cm-thick layer of reddish yellow sandy loam similar to Stratum 5, described below under Stratigraphy. The lower stratum consists of a gray ash deposited during the use of the hearth. One pollen and two flotation samples, three sherds, and a burned animal bone were collected from within the fill of the hearth. The sherds were an Indeterminate Corrugated Gray, a Pueblo III White Painted, and a Late White Unpainted. Found in the pollen sample taken from the base of the hearth were small amounts of Zea (corn) and Umbelliferae (carrot family) and traces of a number of other economic plants. The flotation samples included charred fragments of Juniperus, Atriplex, Chrysothamnus, Ephedra, and Artemisia, probably used as fuelwood, and Mentzelia albicaulis, Cheno-am seeds, Zea mays kernel fragments, and Stipa hymenoides, probably used as food.

Feature 5 (Deflector): A masonry deflector is located 38 cm south of the rim of the hearth. The masonry is semicoursed and consists of pecked sandstone blocks that are still partly covered with plaster. The deflector is two stones wide and three to four courses high. The deflector measures 91 cm long, 26 cm wide, and 24 cm high.

Stratigraphy

The stratigraphy of Structure 302 is illustrated in Figure 14.26. Structure 302 was excavated in five strata with a combined thickness of 2.02 to 2.15 m. Stratum 1, which is 25 to 50 cm thick, consists of a light brown sandy loam containing many large sandstone pieces, both shaped and unshaped, and sparse amounts of charcoal flecks and artifacts.

Stratum 2 is a 6- to 8-cm-thick layer of a reddish yellow loam with the same inclusions as found in Stratum 1. Both Strata 1 and 2 are interpreted as natural postabandonment deposits with wall collapse.

Stratum 3, which is 12 to 30 cm thick, is a light brown sandy loam. It contains fewer sandstone pieces, but more and larger charcoal pieces than within Strata 1 and 2. Stratum 3 is interpreted as a mixed deposit. It is a transition between the natural deposits above and the cultural deposits below.

The artifacts found within Strata 1, 2, and 3 are sparse as compared to those found in Strata 4 and 5. In total, 11 pieces of chipped-stone debris, four tools, and 74 sherds were found within Strata 1 through 3. The tools found include a peckingstone, an awl fragment, and a modified bird bone. The sherds are 64 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, one Mesa Verde Black-on-white, three Pueblo III White Painted, and six Late White Painted.

Stratum 4, which is 97 to 118 cm thick, is a brown to dark brown sandy loam that contains less sandstone but more and larger charcoal pieces than were found in the strata above. Artifacts are also more plentiful in Stratum 4 than in the strata above. These artifacts are 85 pieces of chipped-stone debris, 21 tools, and over 600 sherds. The tools include two polishing stone fragments, one fragmentary and three complete projectile points, one complete and two fragmentary awls, one core, three pieces of modified bone, one modified sherd, and one modified flake. Also found was one turquoise bead. The sherds are five Indeterminate Plain Gray, nine Mesa Verde Black-on-white, 54 Pueblo III White Painted, 61 Late White Unpainted, and 506 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray. Seven Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray rims were found. Roof casts and adobe pieces are also present. A number of the larger charcoal pieces were collected as tree-ring specimens. Stratum 4 is interpreted as a burned roof fall layer but without the large roof-support beams. This suggests that large beams were removed from the structure for reuse elsewhere. The many artifacts found may be refuse that was thrown into the kiva when the roof was disassembled.

Stratum 5 is 22 to 35 cm thick and is found directly above the floor. Stratum 5 is a reddish yellow sandy loam with small amounts of sandstone pieces, charcoal, roof casts, and adobe. Artifacts found in Stratum 5 are more common than in Strata 1 through 3, but less than those found in Stratum 4. These consist of 19 pieces of chipped-stone debris, one modified sherd, a polishing stone fragment, and 322 sherds. Some of the sherds found in Stratum 5 are parts of the reconstructible vessels found on the floor of the kiva. The sherds found in Stratum 5 are five Mesa Verde Black-on-white, 12 Pueblo III White Painted, 17 Late White Unpainted, one Indeterminate Plain Gray, and 287 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray. Four Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray rims were found. The majority of the human bones in Burial 3 were found in Stratum 5. The roof casts, adobe, and human bones were unburned. Stratum 5 is believed to represent a period of roof collapse after the abandonment of the structure but before it was burned. Perhaps deliberately dismantling the roof may have resulted in this deposition.

Dating

Twenty-eight tree-ring samples collected from Structure 302 were datable, including three which provided cutting dates of A.D. 1261 (Table 14.6). Twenty of the dates are in the A.D. 1200s, with a terminal cluster of 15 dates from A.D. 1255 to 1261. This would suggest that Structure 302 was constructed in the early 1260s. The presence of two partial Mesa Verde Black-on-white bowls and a complete Mesa Verde Black-on-white mug on the floor, as well as 14 Mesa Verde Black-on-white and 11 Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray sherds in the lower fill, also suggests a late date of occupation for Structure 302.

Interpretations

Structure 302 is a masonry-lined kiva located on the north side of Castle Rock butte. Structure 302 stratigraphy suggests that the roof was dismantled and then deliberately burned. This absence of the large support beams in the lower fill suggests that they were removed for reuse elsewhere, perhaps at Castle Rock Pueblo. This also implies that Structure 302 was abandoned prior to the abandonment of other structures at the site. The presence of disarticulated and unburned human bones in the lower fill and on the floor of the kiva suggests that the remains were placed there deliberately prior to the structure's conflagration. Tree-ring data suggest that the structure was constructed in the early 1260s. The pottery assemblage on the floor and in the lower fill of Structure 302 supports the interpretation of a late occupation of the structure.

Structure 104

Structure 104 is a circular kiva tested by two randomly selected (98N/138E and 99N/141E) and two judgmentally selected sampling units (99N/138E and 99N/140E). The two random units were located within the courtyard sampling stratum (Sampling Stratum 4). The judgment units were excavated to facilitate excavation of the random test pits and assist in interpretation of Structure 104.

These excavations exposed two bench segments, two pilasters, the ventilator shaft, and about 1.25 m² of the floor. The kiva has two floors; a broken mug was present on the final use surface. Figure 14.27 and Figure 14.28 illustrate Structure 104.

Construction

Walls. Structure 104 appears to be lined with sandstone masonry. The bench face is 98 cm from Floor 1 to the top of the wall. The wall is semicoursed and constructed of mostly pecked sandstone blocks. It is a single stone wide and approximately 10 courses high. No plaster was observed on the wall during excavation. Mortar joints between the masonry measure about 2 cm and consist of multicolored (yellow, brownish yellow, red) fine-grained materials. Beneath the wall is a compact red loam considered to be construction fill. No chinking is present within the exposed mortar joints. The outer wall had collapsed and was not encountered during the excavation.

Feature 2 (Ventilation System): The entire shaft and a section of the tunnel was exposed during excavation of sampling units 99N/140E and 99N/141E. The vent shaft is located adjacent to and northeast of Pilaster 6 instead of south of the southern recess as is typical. The opening at the top of the shaft is nearly rectangular and is 54 cm long and 36 cm wide. The feature is 1.51 m deep from the top of the shaft to its base on native sediments.

The base of the vertical shaft is lined on three sides by sandstone slabs from its base to 90 cm above. The fourth side is missing the vertical slabs near its base, which provides the opening where the vent tunnel intersects the shaft. The fill outside the vertical slabs is native sterile sediment which forms a foundation for three to four courses of horizontal masonry that line the shaft above the sandstone slabs. The shaft and Pilaster 6 were apparently built at the same time, as their masonry construction appears to be integrated.

The length of the tunnel is unknown, but it extends southwestward from the shaft, where it likely turns back to the north to enter the kiva. The tunnel is 64 cm high where it meets the shaft. Other dimensions of the tunnel are unknown.

Fill within the vent shaft is a homogeneous reddish brown sandy loam with inclusions of many large sandstone pieces especially near the top of the shaft. Also included are some small adobe, plaster, charcoal pieces, a piece of burned corn, an animal bone, 24 sherds, and pieces of chipped-stone debris. The fill was naturally deposited after the abandonment of the structure.

Feature 3 (Pilaster 6): Pilaster 6 was discovered within sampling unit 99N/140E. Pilaster 6 is constructed of pecked-block masonry and stands three courses, or 45 cm, high. It likely stood higher originally. Pilaster 6 is 71 cm long by an estimated 60 cm wide. The vent shaft (Feature 2) is incorporated into the northeast corner of this pilaster.

Feature 4 (Pilaster 1): Only the basal course of Pilaster 1 was encountered during excavation of sampling unit 98N/138E. The upper courses of this feature have collapsed downslope to the south. The basal stones of the pilaster are constructed of pecked sandstone blocks. What remains of Pilaster 1 is 72 cm long by 60 cm wide by 17 cm high.

Feature 5 (Bench 5): Only a small portion of the Bench 5 surface was exposed within sampling unit 99N/140E. This section of bench is about 62 to 68 cm wide from the upper lining wall to the bench face. The top of Pilaster 6 is 49 cm above the bench; the top of the vertical shaft is 69 cm above the bench.

The fill above the bench was excavated in two strata measuring about 30 cm thick. Stratum 1 is a 22-cm-thick natural deposit that consists of reddish brown sandy loam with a few medium-size sandstone pieces and small gravel. Charcoal flecks and a few artifacts are also contained in Stratum 1. Stratum 2 is a 9-cm-thick layer of roof fall containing roof casts, charcoal pieces, and adobe. A single charred corncob (PL 1) was found on the Bench 5 surface.

Feature 6 (Southern Recess): Small portions of the southern recess were observed in two grid squares, but the feature was left unexcavated.

Floor 1. Floor 1 is the upper, or final, floor in Structure 104. It consists of a compacted gray clay about .5 to 1 cm thick. Immediately above the floor is a 2-cm-thick layer of ashy material that contains neither artifacts nor charcoal. Artifacts found on Floor 1 include a broken Mesa Verde Black-on-white mug (PLs 1, 3, 4, and 5) and a peckingstone (PL 2). Other artifacts found were one Late White Unpainted and three Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray sherds and one piece of chipped-stone debris. A flotation sample was also taken from this floor. It consisted of a floor scrape that included most of the organic material on Floor 1.

The 6 cm of fill that separates Floors 1 and 2 consists of red loam construction fill composed of redeposited erosional sediment from the Dewey Bridge Member of the Entrada Sandstone. The lower course of masonry was mostly covered by this layer of construction fill.

Floor 2. Floor 2 consists of a homogeneous, yellowish red loam placed over gravelly loam construction fill. Only one pit feature was found on this floor.

Feature 1 (Pit): Feature 1 is a pit on Floor 2 of Structure 104. It was evidenced by a circular stain 16 cm in diameter. The feature was not excavated.

Stratigraphy

Figure 14.29 illustrates the stratigraphic profile of Structure 104. Structure 104 was excavated in four strata with a combined thickness of 1.05 to 1.38 m from the modern ground surface to the final use surface.

Stratum 1 is a 10- to 22-cm-thick deposit of structureless brown loamy sand with large and small sandstone pieces, charcoal flecks, and sparse artifacts. Stratum 1 is interpreted as postabandonment slopewash.

Stratum 2 is 10 to 13 cm of pale brown gravelly sand. This stratum is apparently the result of the in-place decomposition of a buried sandstone boulder.

Stratum 3 is 36 to 51 cm of brown sandy loam with inclusions of gravel, small charcoal pieces, and artifacts. Sediments become slightly darker and contain more inclusions, especially charcoal, with depth. Stratum 3 resulted from the natural filling of the pit structure basin.

Artifacts were more abundant in Strata 1 through 3 than within Stratum 4. Artifacts found in the upper fill of Structure 104 are 71 pieces of chipped-stone debris, four tools, and 114 sherds. The tools are one abrader, one peckingstone, one other chipped-stone tool and one other modified igneous stone. The sherds are 63 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, three Mesa Verde Black-on-white, 18 Pueblo III White Painted, three Late White Painted, and 27 Late White Unpainted. It is probable that the artifacts within the upper fill of Structure 104 washed in from the roomblock that is upslope from the kiva.

Stratum 4 is 54 to 70 cm of reddish brown sandy loam with many inclusions that make up approximately 50 percent of the deposit. These consist mostly of pecked sandstone blocks, but also include unshaped sandstone, smaller gravel, and artifacts. The artifacts found in Stratum 4 consist of a modified sherd, 30 pieces of chipped-stone debris, and 59 sherds. The sherds are 31 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, six Pueblo III White Painted, six Late White Painted, and 16 Late White Unpainted. The quantity of artifacts found in the roof fall stratum of Structure 104 is less than within roof fall layers of other kivas (Structures 206, 302, and 304) at Castle Rock Pueblo. This may indicate a different abandonment process occurring within Structure 104 than at the other kivas. Charcoal and organic matter are sparse. Beneath this stratum and lying directly on the floor of the kiva is a 2-cm-thick layer of ash. Stratum 4 is interpreted as unburned, collapsed structural debris, consisting of both wall and roofing elements.

Dating

A fragment of charcoal collected from the fill between Floor 1 and Floor 2 of Structure 104 produced two noncutting dates (vv) of A.D. 1144 and 1219. The occurrence of these specimens in fill between floors supports an inference that the structure was either remodeled or built after A.D. 1219. The presence of the Mesa Verde Black-on-white mug on the floor of Structure 104 suggests an occupation between A.D. 1200 and 1300.

Interpretations

The unburned roof fall layer covering the floor of Structure 104 and the absence of any evidence for larger roof timbers suggest that the roof beams may have been removed at abandonment for use elsewhere. The relatively few artifacts in the roof fall layer of Structure 104 as compared with Structures 206, 304, or 302 suggest a different abandonment process. Tree-ring evidence suggests that Structure 104 was constructed or remodeled after A.D. 1219. Pottery evidence suggests an occupation between A.D. 1200 and 1300. The presence of two floors suggests a relatively long use life for this structure.

Structure 406

This structure is the easternmost kiva in the two-room, two-kiva architectural complex located adjacent to the plaza area on the north end of the site (Figure 14.7). Excavation within 141N/118E, a judgment square, revealed the ventilator shaft of Structure 406. In adjacent units 139N/118E and 140N/118E (a judgment unit and a random square, respectively), a massive sandstone wall was found. The wall possibly encloses Structure 406. This wall is discussed under Sampling Units 139N/118E and 140N/118E, below.

Feature 1 (Ventilator Shaft)

Only the upper portion of the vent shaft was excavated. This exposed two to four courses of masonry or the upper 78 cm of the feature. The top of the vent shaft measures 46 cm by 36 cm. At the base of the excavation, the feature measures 34 cm by 33 cm. The vent shaft is bounded on four sides by block or tabular-shaped sandstone pieces. Fill within the vent shaft consists of a tan silt loam containing small sandstone pieces, charcoal flecks, five sherds, and an animal bone. This fill was deposited naturally. Identification of the ventilator confirms the interpretation based on surface remains that Structure 406 is a kiva.

Structure 402

Structure 402 is a boulder enclosure that measures about 9 m in diameter. It is located on the north end of Castle Rock Pueblo, west of the large plaza (Figure 14.7). One random square (132N/86E) and a judgment square (134N/86E) were excavated within the structure. Another judgment unit (134N/85E) was located both inside and outside of Structure 402.

Construction

Walls. Both sides of the wall and its base were exposed in grid square 134N/85E. This excavation revealed that the wall was based on native sediments and was constructed with large sandstone boulders that were left unprepared.

Floor. A prepared floor could not be located within Structure 402. It is inferred that the prehistoric floor was at the top of native sediments.

Stratigraphy

Figure 14.30 illustrates the stratigraphy of Structure 402 and Nonstructure 1 in adjacent unit 134N/84E. Only the three strata within Structure 402 will be described here. Three strata were excavated in Structure 402 that together extend about 95 cm below the modern ground surface. Stratum 1, which is 38 to 54 cm thick, is a light yellowish brown loamy sand. Inclusions within Stratum 1 consist of sparse amounts of gravel, small charcoal pieces, and artifacts.

Stratum 2, which is 15 to 32 cm thick, is a brown sandy loam with minimal amounts of gravel, charcoal flecks, and artifacts. Strata 1 and 2 are interpreted as postabandonment alluvial deposits.

Stratum 3, which is 20 to 26 cm thick, consists of a compact, pinkish-white, decomposing sandstone believed to be sterile sediments.

Artifacts within Structure 402 fill totaled 38 sherds and 31 pieces of chipped-stone debris. The sherds were 13 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, one Mancos Corrugated Gray, one McElmo Black-on-white, three Mesa Verde Black-on-white, five Pueblo III White Painted, and 15 Late White Unpainted.

Interpretations

Structure 402 was a large boulder enclosure of unknown function. Evidence of ashy refuse deposits was found outside of Structure 402 in grid squares 134N/84E and 134N/85E. The proximity of this ash refuse to Structure 402 and the fact that no other structures are nearby suggest that the ash possibly came from a hearth located in Structure 402. These ash deposits are discussed further in the stratigraphy of 134N/84E and 134N/85E under Midden Deposits.

Midden Deposits

Four sampling units in the courtyard sampling stratum located midden deposits (Figure 14.6). These were grid units 134N/84E, 134N/85E, 69N/172E, and 137N/114E which are described below. These were not recognized as midden on the surface because they were covered by postabandonment colluvium. Other midden deposits were found within Sampling Strata 1 and 5 and are described under those headings.

Sampling Units 134N/84E and 134N/85E

The stratigraphy of grid squares 134N/84E and 134N/85E is illustrated in Figure 14.30. These units consist of a random square (134N/84E) and judgment unit (134N/85E) west of Structure 402. Grid unit 134N/85E is both inside and outside of Structure 402 and exposes both the interior and exterior face of Structure 402's wall. Only that portion of 134N/85E outside of Structure 402 will be described here. The modern ground surface of these units slopes away to the west of Structure 402. These units were excavated in four strata that together measure from 55 to 110 cm deep below the modern ground surface.

Stratum 1, which is 3 to 40 cm thick, consists of a tan sandy loam containing sparse amounts of artifacts and small charcoal pieces, and moderate amounts of small to medium-size unshaped sandstone pieces. Stratum 1 is a natural deposit.

Stratum 2, which is about 16 to 20 cm thick, is a light, brownish gray ash lens. Some small- to medium-size unshaped sandstone pieces and large amounts of artifacts and small charcoal pieces were found within Stratum 2. Stratum 2 is interpreted as secondary refuse or trash deposits. The large amount of ash within Stratum 2 mixed with artifacts suggests that Stratum 2 was the result of hearth "clean outs" within Structure 402. This implies that Structure 402 had a hearth.

Stratum 3, which is 15 to 26 cm thick, is a light brown clean sand with no inclusions.

Stratum 4, which is 9 to 18 cm thick, is a light brown sand similar to Stratum 1, but with more inclusions. These inclusions consist of a moderate amount of small-size sandstone pieces. Strata 3 and 4 are interpreted as a natural filling prior to the deposits of trash.

Sampling Unit 137N/114E

This sampling unit is in a flat sandy area north of the butte and south of the two-room, two-kiva architectural complex that lies adjacent to the large plaza. The midden deposits were unexpected because there was no trace of them on the modern ground surface. The midden deposits are most likely associated with the suite of structures immediately to the north (Structures 405 and 406).

The grid unit was excavated in two strata, with a total depth of 57 to 62 cm from the modern ground surface to sterile sediments. Stratum 1 is a 7-cm-thick natural deposit consisting of yellowish brown loamy sand with inclusions of small charcoal pieces and artifacts but no sandstone.

Stratum 2 is a 50- to 65-cm-thick midden deposit consisting of gray brown sandy loam with concentrations of ash. Stratum 2 contains abundant artifacts and pieces of sandstone, especially near the top of Stratum 2.

Sampling Unit 69N/172E

This sampling unit is near the southeastern end of Castle Rock Pueblo and southeast of an uninvestigated kiva depression (Structure 101). The modern ground surface slopes gradually to the south and a large boulder protrudes into the east edge of the square. The square was excavated in three strata with a total thickness of 1.07 m. Figure 14.31 illustrates the stratigraphy of sampling unit 69N/172E.

Stratum 1 is postabandonment slopewash that is about 35 cm thick. It consists of a reddish brown sandy loam containing large quantities of shaped sandstone pieces that were probably collapsed walls of the nearby kiva or its retaining wall.

Stratum 2 is a 50- to 57-cm-thick deposit of dark brown sandy loam with ash pockets and a high density of artifacts. Also present within Stratum 2 were charcoal pieces, bone, and some adobe. Three charcoal pieces were large enough to be collected as tree-ring samples.

Stratum 3 is a 16- to 22-cm-thick deposit of dark, reddish brown loam that underlies the midden deposits. It contains some charcoal and decomposing sandstone, but artifacts are sparse. This stratum is based on red loam sterile sediment.

Stratum 2 is interpreted as a midden deposit that is likely associated with untested Structure 101. Three pieces of charcoal from Stratum 2 produced noncutting (vv) dates of A.D. 1052, 1109, and 1129. Because these are noncutting dates there is no way of knowing the true age of these timbers.

Artifacts

Artifacts found in the midden deposits in the courtyard sampling stratum include 474 sherds, 28 tools, and many pieces of chipped-stone debris. All but two sherds found within Sampling Stratum 4 midden sampling units were from the Pueblo III period. Pre-Pueblo III sherds found include one Mancos Gray and one Mancos Corrugated Gray. The Pueblo III sherds are one Indeterminate Plain Gray, four Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray, 244 corrugated body sherds, two McElmo Black-on-white, 14 Mesa Verde Black-on-white, 69 Pueblo III White Painted, one Late White Painted, 132 Late White Unpainted, one Indeterminate Local White Unpainted, and four pieces of Unknown Pottery. Complete and fragmentary items found include one two-hand mano, three peckingstones, two pebbles, two projectile points, one awl, one pendant, one other pottery artifact, two unfired sherds, three modified flakes, two mineral samples, one other modified mineral (clay), and three modified stones. Eggshell, two human bones, and 13 animal bones were also recovered.

Interpretations

Although this was the courtyard sampling stratum, the following sampling units encountered midden deposits. These include 134N/84E, 134N/85E, 137N/114E, and 69N/172E. Midden deposits located upon excavation of Sampling Stratum 4 sampling units were structure specific. Each unit (provenienced as Nonstructure 1) was found adjacent to a pit structure. Sampling units 134N/84E and 134N/85E contain trash deposits associated with Structure 402. Sampling units 137N/114E and 69N/172E contain trash deposits associated respectively with Structures 406 and 101. The presence of four Mesa Verde Corrugated and 14 Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds and the absence of all but two pre-Pueblo III sherds suggest that most of these midden deposits accumulated during the thirteenth century.

Plaza Sampling Units

Five random sampling units were located in the large plaza area on the north end of the site. None were in structures. One square (140N/118E) located the top of a wall that may enclose the plaza. An adjacent unit (139N/118E) exposes the south side of that wall. These sampling units are described below.

Sampling Units 141N/96E and 140N/93E

These sampling units are near one another in the large enclosed plaza area north of the butte. Fill within both of the units contained sediments that were naturally deposited with wall collapse. Fills varied between brown sandy loam and red brown silt loam and contained both shaped and unshaped sandstone, small charcoal pieces, and some artifacts. The squares contained sediments that measured a maximum of 52 cm thick and a minimum of 33 cm thick.

Sampling Units 139N/118E and 140N/118E

Random sampling unit 140N/118E located the top of a wall which occupied most of the unit. Two judgment squares (139N/118E and 141N/118E) were excavated on either side of the wall. Grid unit 141N/118E exposed a ventilator shaft, which is described above in Structure 406. Grid square 139N/118E exposed the southern face of the wall which will be described below.

Wall. It is unclear whether the wall in 139N/118E and 140N/118E encloses kiva Structures 405 and 406 or if it is a wall that encloses a large plaza area. Such an interpretation would require more excavation in the area around the wall. The wall is constructed of large sandstone pieces, both shaped and unshaped. The sandstone was shaped into blocks by flaking and then mortared into a semicoursed wall. Mortar joints average about 2 cm and consist of a light brown fine-grained material. About 30 percent of the visible mortar joints were chinked with sandstone chunks. The wall exposed is 1 m high and 1 m long at its top. A large boulder becomes the base of the wall in the northwestern corner of grid unit 139N/118E. The boulder measures about 62 cm high and 34 cm wide. The masonry is incorporated around the top and side of the boulder. The wall is about 90 cm thick in cross section and is either a compound wall with a core or two parallel walls placed side by side.

Stratigraphy. Judgment unit 139N/118E was excavated in three strata that together measure 1.01 to 1.18 m deep below the modern ground surface. Stratum 1, which is 60 to 76 cm thick, is a brown silt loam containing some fist-size sandstone pieces and numerous artifacts. Charcoal pieces were sparse. One isolated pocket of gray ash found within Stratum 1 was partially collected as a flotation sample. Stratum 1 is interpreted as a mixed deposit, containing both natural fill and secondary refuse. The secondary refuse probably originated from Structure 406 to the north.

Stratum 2, which is 8 to 10 cm thick, is a light brown sandy loam containing isolated patches of gray ash, adobe roof casts, small sandstone and charcoal pieces, and numerous artifacts. Stratum 2 is interpreted as a mixed deposit of both secondary refuse and roof fall that probably originated in Structure 406.

Stratum 3, which is 30 to 40 cm thick, is a light brown sandy loam with numerous small inclusions. These consist of decomposing sandstone pieces, gravel, and broken up stones from the Dewey Bridge Member of the Entrada Sandstone. Smaller amounts of charcoal pieces and artifacts were found. Stratum 3 is interpreted as a construction fill that forms the foundation for the wall.

Sampling Unit 137N/100E

This random unit is located directly below a juniper tree about 7 m east of Structure 402. The modern ground surface is flat and contains neither artifacts nor sandstone pieces. The grid unit was excavated in one stratum that was 15 to 25 cm deep below the modern ground surface. Stratum 1 is a tan loamy sand with abundant roots, but sparse amounts of small sandstone pieces, charcoal flecks, and artifacts. Stratum 1 was naturally deposited.

Interpretations

Excavation in the plaza did not define a use surface or the limits of the plaza area. Excavation in sampling units 139N/118E and 140N/118E, however, did expose a wall that lies between the plaza and Structure 406. The wall forms the northern boundary of the plaza.

Fill within the sampling units was naturally deposited, except in unit 140N/118E (which was not excavated) and in unit 139N/118E. Fill within sampling unit 139N/118E consisted of natural deposits, secondary refuse, and construction sediments. The secondary refuse probably originated from Structure 406 to the north. The construction fill forms the foundation for the wall that was found.

Remaining Sampling Strata 3 and 4 Sampling Units

Sampling Unit 104N/96E

This sampling unit is near the western end of Castle Rock butte on ground that slopes steeply to the south. The sampling unit was excavated in three strata, with a total thickness of 70 to 107 cm from the modern ground surface to bedrock. All strata are natural, postabandonment deposits.

Stratum 1 is 40 to 50 cm of brown sandy loam containing abundant sandstone rubble but only occasional artifacts. Stratum 2 is about 20 to 22 cm thick and consists of reddish brown sandy loam containing very few artifacts or sandstone pieces. Stratum 3 is a layer of yellowish red sandy loam measuring 31 to 35 cm thick with only occasional inclusions of small sandstone pieces, charcoal bits, and artifacts.

Sampling Unit 103N/138E

This sampling unit is south of the butte and north of Structure 104. The unit was excavated in two strata and measured about 1 m deep from the modern ground surface to bedrock.

Stratum 1 consists of 10 cm of loamy sand slopewash mixed with numerous sandstone pieces. The rubble is probably from collapsed rooms to the north.

Stratum 2 is 94 cm of reddish brown silt loam containing sparse artifacts but abundant gravel and larger sandstone chunks. The exterior face of the north wall of Structure 104 was encountered on the south edge of the sampling unit. Stratum 2 is interpreted as intentional construction fill.

Sampling Unit 68N/169E

This grid square is adjacent to and south of an unexcavated kiva (Structure 101) near the southeastern edge of the site. A large boulder occupies almost the entire square. Less than 10 percent of the square required excavation. The sediment excavated consists of a layer of compact brown sandy loam 17 to 20 cm thick. A few pieces of chipped-stone debris and a sherd were found.

Sampling Unit 84N/106E

This judgment sampling unit is located near the southwestern end of the site on steep south sloping ground. It was believed before excavation that this square might land within or adjacent to a kiva. The modern ground surface contained a relatively large number of artifacts that probably originated from the midden area north and upslope of this unit. The square was excavated in two strata that together measure about 55 to 70 cm deep below the modern ground surface.

Stratum 1, which is 20 to 26 cm thick, consists of a red loam with small amounts of sandstone, charcoal pieces, and artifacts. A large boulder was uncovered and occupied the northern half of the square. Stratum 1 is interpreted as naturally deposited postabandonment fill.

Stratum 2, which is 37 to 47 cm thick, is a light brown sandy loam with moderate amounts of small charcoal pieces and fist-size sandstone pieces, isolated ash concentrations, and many artifacts. Stratum 2 is interpreted as a mixed deposit of natural fill and secondary refuse.

Sampling Strata 3 and 4 Summary

Five randomly selected and five judgmentally selected sampling units were excavated within Sampling Stratum 3. Five of the squares, two of which are judgmental, are within either Structures 302 or 402. Three other judgment units were placed either in Structures 103 or 104 to facilitate excavation of adjacent random units drawn from the courtyard and surface structure sampling stratum.

The courtyard stratum at Castle Rock Pueblo contains the large plaza and the courtyard areas predicted to surround pit structures. Fifteen sampling units were excavated within this stratum. Although some of these sampling units did encounter extramural areas like the large plaza and the smaller courtyards, several sampling units encountered structures, and others encountered midden deposits. Three of the sampling units were located within the kivas, Structures 104 or 406. Another judgment unit (134N/85E) is located both inside and outside Structure 402.

Structure 302 was defined in two random (119N/121E and 119N/123E) and one judgment square (119N/122E). Within the excavated units a burned roof fall layer, an assorted artifact assemblage, numerous human bones, and several architectural features were located. The features include a pilaster, bench, hearth, and deflector. The artifacts include an intact Mesa Verde Black-on-white mug, three reconstructible bowls, two of which are Mesa Verde Black-on-white bowls, and a reconstructible Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray jar on the floor. Structure 302 stratigraphy suggests that the roof was dismantled and deliberately burned. The absence of large support beams within the burned roof fall suggests that the beams were dismantled and used elsewhere at Castle Rock Pueblo. The presence of a large quantity of artifacts (85 pieces of chipped-stone debris, 21 tools, and over 600 sherds) found within the burned roof fall layer (Stratum 4) suggests the possibility that refuse was thrown into the kiva when the roof was disassembled. Tree-ring evidence suggests that Structure 302 was constructed in the 1260s. The pottery assemblage indicates that Structure 302 was occupied between A.D. 1200 and 1300. If the roof was in fact dismantled, Structure 302 was abandoned before the site abandonment.

Structure 104 is a kiva originally found within two random units in the courtyard stratum (98N/138E and 99N/141E) that were supplemented by excavation of two judgment units (99N/138E and 99N/140E) selected from the pit structure sampling stratum. These excavations exposed two bench segments, two pilasters, the ventilator shaft, two floors, and an unburned roof fall layer. A reconstructible Mesa Verde Black-on-white mug and a peckingstone were found on Floor 1. The absence of any evidence for larger roof timbers in the roof fall suggests that the kiva roof beams may have been removed at abandonment for use elsewhere. The smaller quantity of artifacts within the roof fall of Structure 104 as compared to roof fall layers of other kivas (Structures 206, 302, and 304) at Castle Rock Pueblo may indicate different abandonment processes. The existence of two floors indicates that Structure 104 was remodeled. A fragment of charcoal collected from the fill between Floor 1 and Floor 2 of Structure 104 suggests that the structure was either remodeled or built after A.D. 1219. The reconstructible Mesa Verde Black-on-white mug found on Floor 1 indicates that Structure 104 was occupied between A.D. 1200 and 1300.

Structure 406 is a kiva defined within sampling unit 141N/118E, a judgment square that reveals only the top of a ventilator shaft. In adjacent units 139N/118E and 140N/118E, a massive sandstone wall was found. The wall may be enclosing Structure 406. Grid square 139N/118E exposes the southern face of the wall.

Structure 402 is visible on the modern ground surface as a 9-m-diameter stone enclosure constructed with large sandstone boulders. Sampling of Structure 402 took place in sampling units 132N/86E and 134N/84E. Another judgment unit, 134N/85E, was located both inside and outside of the structure. Excavation within these units determined the structure was unroofed and had no prepared floor. The large size of Structure 402 and its position in the large plaza at Castle Rock Pueblo suggest that it functioned as an integrative structure.

Midden deposits were found in sampling units 137N/114E, 69N/172E, 134N/84E, and 134N/85E. All these grid units are located in Sampling Stratum 4. These were not recognized as midden on the surface because the refuse was covered by postabandonment colluvial deposits. These sampling units with midden deposits were associated with either Structures 402, 406, or unexcavated Structure 101.

The other seven sampling units in Sampling Stratum 4 are not within cultural units. Four squares contain only natural deposits with few artifacts. Another unit, 84N/106E, was not in a pit structure as predicted prior to excavation. It contained mixed deposits of natural fill and secondary refuse. The remaining two sampling units within Sampling Stratum 4 (139N/118E and 140N/118E) exposed the top and southern face of a massive wall that probably encloses the kivas, Structures 405 and 406. A mixed deposit, containing both natural fill and secondary refuse was found within 139N/118E. The secondary refuse probably originated from Structure 406 to the north.

The two remaining random sampling units in Sampling Stratum 3 were 103N/138E, which is located just north of Structure 104, and 104N/96E, which is on steeply sloping ground near the western end of Castle Rock butte.

Midden Area (Sampling Stratum 5)

Sampling Stratum 5 is the midden sampling stratum. No distinctive midden deposits characterized by high artifact frequencies were apparent on the modern ground surface. Sampling Stratum 5 was instead defined on the basis of where middens have been found on other excavated sites. At Castle Rock, the most likely places for midden deposits are the talus slopes in front of the roomblock-kiva complexes. These areas are covered by postabandonment colluvial deposits that include wall fall from the buildings upslope. Excavations at Sand Canyon Pueblo and the other tested sites located on talus slopes demonstrated that midden deposits are present in these locations.

Of 755 sampling units within Sampling Stratum 5, 13 random squares and three judgment squares were selected for investigation (Figure 14.6). Six random units encountered secondary refuse deposits (Nonstructure 1). These were 94N/125E, 92N/108E, 90N/121E, 93N/106E, 93N/122E, and 94N/133E. Another random unit (108N/95E) landed in Structure 203. The remaining nine units did not encounter secondary refuse or any type of cultural unit. Six of those sampling units were randomly selected: 99N/93E, 94N/155E, 93N/146E, 149N/119E, 153N/110E, and 126N/124E. The judgment units selected (122N/106E, 123N/111E, and 123N/119E) were excavated to test for suspected midden deposits on the talus slope north of Castle Rock butte. None were found. All these sampling units, except for 108N/95E in Structure 203, are described below. Because a random unit within Sampling Stratum 1 also landed in Structure 203, sampling unit 108N/95E was described under Sampling Stratum 1.

The midden was provenienced as Nonstructure 1 throughout the entire site. Figure 14.7 illustrates the location of four areas of midden across the site. The Nonstructure 1 assignment was made only when a particular stratum within a sampling unit had a high artifact density and substantial ash and organic content in the matrix. Midden deposits were also encountered in sampling units in other sampling strata. These sampling units have been reported within the sampling stratum where they were found and their descriptions will not be repeated here. These additional sampling units that encountered secondary refuse deposits include one sampling unit (98N/143E) in Sampling Stratum 1 (the roomblock sampling stratum) and four squares (69N/172E, 137N/114E, 134N/84E, and 134N/85E) in Sampling Stratum 4 (the courtyard sampling stratum). The following discussion will first present the sampling units where secondary refuse was encountered, followed by the sampling units where no refuse was encountered.

Sampling Units with Refuse Deposits

Sampling Units 94N/125E, 93N/122E, and 94N/133E

These sampling units are near to one another in the south-central portion of the site. Their position downslope of Structures 105 and 110 suggests that they are associated with those structures. Sampling unit 94N/133E is on a gradual slope to the south; the other two squares are on steep, south-facing slopes. All three sampling units contained relatively deep midden deposits. The maximum midden depth in each of these squares was between 75 and 107 cm. The characteristic midden deposits were loose reddish brown silt loam to sandy loam with numerous artifacts and isolated pockets of ash. Also contained in this matrix were numerous small charcoal pieces, sandstone pieces of various sizes, occasional adobe pieces, and isolated inclusions of red dirt, possibly construction daub. Flotation samples were collected from the isolated ash pockets. Charcoal pieces that were large enough were collected as tree-ring samples.

The only difference between the three sampling units was that two additional strata--one above the midden deposit, the other below--were contained within grid square 94N/133E. The stratum above the midden, Stratum 1, was interpreted as slopewash. This layer of fill, which is 8 to 34 cm thick, is a red brown sandy loam containing sandstone, charcoal, and artifacts, but in lesser quantities than in the midden. The layer below the midden, Stratum 3, measures 18 to 23 cm thick and consists of yellowish red silt loam with few artifacts and little charcoal.

Feature 2 (Pit). A portion of an irregularly shaped pit was found in 94N/133E. It was 60 cm long, 55 cm wide, and 20 cm deep. The feature was filled with trash deposits and its function is unknown. Artifacts found in Feature 2 included a core, an animal bone, six pieces of chipped-stone debris, and 14 sherds. The sherds were nine Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, one Pueblo III White Painted, three Late White Unpainted, and one Other Red Nonlocal.

Approximately 19 pieces of charcoal from 94N/133E were submitted as tree-ring samples, and five of these produced noncutting (vv) dates: A.D. 1061, 1116, 1118, 1219, and 1231. Although these dates do not eliminate the possibility of a late Pueblo II and early Pueblo III occupation at the site, they also suggest that wood was still being collected and discarded at the site well into the 1200s.

Sampling Unit 90N/121E

This sampling unit is near the squares described above. Its location downslope of Structure 110 suggests that it is associated with that structure. The square contains a 25 to 30 cm stratum of homogeneous midden fill with a high artifact density. It differs from the previous three sampling units in being shallower and lacking the isolated pockets of ash.

Sampling Units 93N/106E and 92N/108E

These two sampling units are on a steep slope in the southwestern portion of the site. Their location downslope from Structure 206 suggests that the midden deposits found within them are associated with Structure 206. The two squares encountered three similar strata and are between 90 and 105 cm deep.

Stratum 1 sediments consist of brown silt loam to sandy loam slopewash. This deposit has sandstone and small charcoal inclusions but does not contain ash or abundant artifacts. Stratum 1 is 35 to 60 cm thick in 92N/108E and 11 to 30 cm thick in 93N/106E. The greater depth in 92N/108E may have been caused by a large boulder that occupies the downslope (southeastern) edge of the square and probably trapped slopewash sediments rather than allowing them to wash further downslope.

Stratum 2 in both squares is typical midden deposits consisting of a reddish brown silt loam with ash concentrations, large amounts of charcoal, abundant artifacts, and sandstone debris. The sandstone likely originated from the collapse of structures or retaining walls visible upslope and to the north of these squares. Stratum 2 is 48 to 60 cm in 90N/106E and 25 to 30 cm in 92N/108E.

Stratum 3 is a 9- to 17-cm-thick layer of reddish brown loam with sparse artifacts and charcoal that overlies bedrock.

Artifacts

The midden artifacts discussed here do not include those found in the sampling units in the midden areas in Sampling Strata 1 and 4. Refer to Strata 1 and 4 text, specifically the sections titled Midden Deposits, for discussions of those artifacts.

Artifacts found in the midden deposits of Sampling Stratum 5 units include 2,907 sherds, 93 tools, and many pieces of chipped-stone debris. The total count of chipped-stone debris found in all midden deposits (Sampling Strata 1, 4, and 5) is 2,461 pieces. The sherds found are predominantly late pottery (Pueblo III). The only early (pre-Pueblo III) white ware sherds found were one Early White Painted and one Early White Unpainted. Late white ware pottery found includes 14 McElmo Black-on-white, 71 Mesa Verde Black-on-white, 373 Pueblo III White Painted, 48 Late White Painted, and 510 Late White Unpainted. The only early gray ware sherds found were two Mancos Corrugated Gray. Late gray ware pottery includes 13 Indeterminate Plain Gray, 15 Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray, and 1,859 corrugated body sherds. Complete and fragmentary tools found include two metates, one two-hand mano, two axes, four peckingstones, five pebbles, one polishing stone, five projectile points, two drills, two awls, four modified bones, one shaped sherd, eight modified sherds, six modified flakes, eight cores, and five other modified stones/minerals. Eggshell, five gizzard stones, and many animal bones were also recovered. Plant species identified in flotation samples collected from all midden sampling units (Sampling Strata 1, 4, and 5) include pieces of Juniperus, Pinus, Amelanchier/Peraphyllum, Purshia, Artemisia, Atriplex, and Populus/Salix, probably used as fuelwood, and Opuntia, Mentzelia albicaulis, Plantago, Cheno-am seeds, and Zea mays cupules, probably used as food.

Remaining Sampling Stratum 5 Sampling Units

Sampling Unit 99N/93E

This grid square lies on a gradual south slope towards the western end of Castle Rock Pueblo. It is below and not too distant from Structure 203. This grid unit was excavated in one natural stratum that measures 10 to 14 cm thick. Stratum 1 is dark brown sandy fill with inclusions of small sandstone gravel and few artifacts. Two petroglyphs are located on a boulder to the east of this grid square.

Sampling Unit 94N/155E

This sampling unit lies south of Castle Rock butte about 6 to 8 m southeast of Structure 103. It is located adjacent to a boulder on a steep south slope. The unit was excavated in four natural strata to a total depth of 1.14 m.

Stratum 1 is strong brown gravelly loam containing few artifacts but many unshaped sandstone pieces of various sizes. Stratum 2 consists of the same brown loam found in Stratum 1, in addition to yellowish sand that appears to be sandstone decomposing in place. Together, Strata 1 and 2 are about 30 to 50 cm thick. Both are interpreted as natural deposits.

Stratum 3 is a tan sandy stratum that is 10 to 15 cm thick. It appears to be sterile; however, an artifact was found in the fill.

Stratum 4 is 40 to 60 cm thick and is composed of very compact, red tan sandy sediment with few artifacts and little charcoal but larger numbers of sandstone pieces. Stratum 4 was naturally deposited on top of sterile sediments.

Sampling Unit 93N/146E

This sampling unit is located south of the butte about 6 to 8 m south of and below Structure 103. It lies on a steep gradient that slopes to the southwest. The grid square was excavated in three strata. Sterile sediments are a maximum of 80 cm below the modern ground surface.

The upper stratum, Stratum 1, is brown loam slopewash that lacks the loose ashy texture of midden deposits. Stratum 1 is 15 to 20 cm thick and contains only a few pieces of blocky sandstone, some small charcoal pieces, and a few artifacts. A section of a retaining wall that crosses the square in its northwest corner became visible during the excavation of Stratum 1.

Stratum 2 is red loam containing chunks of decomposing native sediments from the Dewey Bridge Member of the Entrada Sandstone. This stratum is up to 30 cm thick and is interpreted as construction debris. Excavation within Stratum 2 revealed a large boulder that occupies the majority of the square.

Stratum 3 is loosely compact, yellowish red sandy loam with white sandstone gravel and charcoal bits. It only occurs in a small portion of the square south of the wall and west of the large sandstone boulder. It is 25 to 40 cm thick and it is considered a natural deposit that is based on native sediments.

Feature 1 (Wall). Feature 1 is a segment of a single-coursed masonry wall that stands 20 cm high and is 20 cm thick; its length is unknown. The exposed segment is located in the northwest corner of the sampling unit. The wall is constructed on Stratum 2 fill, which is interpreted as being construction debris.

Sampling Unit 149N/119E

This random sampling unit is located on east-sloping ground east of Structure 404. Many sandstone pieces but no artifacts were located on the modern ground surface. The square was excavated in two strata that measure 73 to 108 cm deep below the modern ground surface.

Stratum 1, which is 45 to 70 cm thick, is a brown loam containing a large quantity of both shaped and unshaped sandstone pieces, artifacts, and charcoal pieces. Stratum 1 is interpreted as a mixed deposit containing natural fill, wall collapse, and secondary refuse.

Stratum 2, which is 28 to 38 cm thick, is a light brown sandy loam with sparse amounts of artifacts and charcoal flecks. Stratum 2 is interpreted as a natural deposit.

Sampling Unit 126N/124E

This random sampling unit was located on north-sloping ground north of Structure 302. A large boulder and sandstone pieces covered most of the surface of the grid unit. The square was excavated in one stratum that measures about 28 to 33 cm deep. Stratum 1 is a reddish brown sandy loam with lots of sandstone and charcoal inclusions but few artifacts. One of the charcoal pieces collected as a tree-ring sample provided a noncutting date of A.D. 1234. Stratum 1 is interpreted as a natural fill with wall collapse.

Sampling Unit 153N/110E

This random sampling unit was located north of Structure 403 on a gradual north slope that contained many large sandstone pieces but no artifacts. The square was excavated in one stratum that was 23 to 39 cm deep below the modern ground surface. Stratum 1 is a tan silty clay loam with moderate amounts of fist-size and larger sandstone pieces, pockets of a yellow clay thought to be mortar, sparse charcoal flecks, and no artifacts. Stratum 1 was interpreted as a natural deposit with wall collapse originating from Structure 403.

Sampling Units 122N/106E, 123N/111E, and 123N/119E

These three judgmentally selected 1-×-1-m squares were placed north of Castle Rock butte in areas thought to contain subsurface midden deposits. Excavation in these squares discovered only naturally deposited fill with wall collapse. All the units were located on north sloping ground and contained lots of sandstone but no artifacts upon the modern ground surface. All were excavated in one stratum and contained a light yellowish brown sandy loam with few artifacts or charcoal flecks. Sandstone inclusions were found in varying quantities in all three squares. Only the depth of the deposits within the units varied. Deposits in sampling unit 123N/111E were the thickest, measuring 17 to 55 cm. Deposits in sampling unit 123N/119E were the thinnest, measuring only 3 to 14 cm. Stratum 1 in 122N/106E was 18 to 46 cm thick.

Midden (Sampling Stratum 5) Summary

At Castle Rock Pueblo, obvious midden deposits were not visible upon the modern ground surface. The suspected midden location (Sampling Stratum 5) was originally mapped as a continuous area around the site, defined by the presence of building rubble on steep slopes below inferred roomblock and kiva areas. Sixteen sampling units, including three judgment squares, were selected for excavation from within this sampling stratum. Excavation revealed that the midden deposits were common in this zone, but were not continuous within it or limited to this zone. Trash dumping appears to be very structure specific and not generalized at Castle Rock Pueblo.

Six of the 16 sampling units were within midden deposits. Sampling units 94N/125E, 93N/122E, 94N/133E, and 90N/121E are on south-facing slopes on the south side of Castle Rock Pueblo and contain relatively deep midden deposits measuring up to 1 m deep. Some or all of these midden deposits are likely associated with unexcavated Structure 105. Analysis of the tree-ring samples from these units suggests that wood was being collected and discarded at the site well into the 1200s. Sampling units 93N/106E and 92N/108E are on a steep slope in the southwestern portion of the site and contain midden deposits that measure up to 60 cm deep. These midden deposits are probably associated with Structure 206 which lies uphill to the north.

Pottery found within sampling units excavated in Sampling Stratum 5 midden deposits are predominantly Pueblo III. The presence of 15 Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray and 71 Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherds suggests that most of the midden deposits, if not all, were deposited between A.D. 1200 and 1300.

One sampling unit (108N/95E) in Structure 203 was also defined by another random unit in Sampling Stratum 1 and was therefore described under that heading.

The remaining nine 1-×-1-m units were not located within any defined cultural unit. None of these sampling units contained the midden deposits that were expected prior to excavation. Most fills contained within them were naturally deposited. Several of the sampling units encountered mixed deposits where secondary deposits were mixed in with naturally deposited material. Perhaps these mixed deposits are the result of erosion of midden deposits. A wall was found in one of the sampling units (93N/146E), but its function is unknown.

Outer Periphery (Sampling Stratum 6)

Sampling Stratum 6 is the outer periphery of the site. Of 1,400 sampling units within Sampling Stratum 6, 13 were randomly selected and one was judgmentally selected for investigation (Figure 14.6). Unexpectedly, three structures were discovered within Sampling Stratum 6. Two random units, 79N/166E and 75N/160E, were within Structures 108 and 107, respectively. The structure types of Structures 107 and 108 are unknown. The judgment unit, 76N/178E, fell within Structure 112, a kiva. The other units did not locate any cultural study units. These sampling units will be described below.

Structure 107

Structure 107 is in the southeastern portion of Castle Rock Pueblo, about 8 to 10 m west of unexcavated Structure 101. There was no surface evidence to indicate the existence of the structure, and its discovery was unexpected.

The structure was located during excavation of sampling unit 75N/160E. Excavation within that unit exposed a segment of wall based on bedrock that curves enough within the grid square to suggest a circular structure. Figure 14.32 illustrates the plan view of Structure 107.

Construction

Walls. The wall exposed in random unit 75N/160E is 33 to 42 cm high above bedrock and is 15 cm thick. The wall is composed of pecked sandstone blocks, three courses high and a single stone thick. The wall is semicoursed with mortar joints that measure a variable 0.5 to 4 cm in width. No chinking materials were located within the mortar joints. The wall curves, suggesting a round structure of about 4 m in diameter.

Floor. The floor exposed within Structure 107 consists of a decomposing bedrock surface covered by a thin layer (1 to 3 mm) of fine tan sand. Fifteen sherds were found in the 5-cm-to-surface level. They were four Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, eight Pueblo III White Painted, and three Late White Unpainted. Three sherds directly on the surface were given PL numbers, including two corrugated body sherds (PLs 3 and 4) and one Late White Unpainted jar sherd (PL 5).

Stratigraphy

Structure 107 was excavated in four strata. The upper two strata, Strata 1 and 2, are natural deposits that together measure 52 to 57 cm thick. These strata consist of brown sandy loam with minimal amounts of artifacts and sandstone pieces.

Stratum 3, which is 20 to 25 cm thick, is a light brown sandy layer with abundant rubble. Upon removing rubble within this stratum the masonry wall of Structure 107 was discovered. Stratum 3 is a natural deposit containing collapsed structural materials.

Stratum 4 is a 21- to 27-cm-thick layer of reddish brown loam containing abundant small sandstone rocks and clumps of gray clay. Charcoal and artifacts were scarce. Stratum 4 is considered a rubble fill that is neither washed-in sediments nor the roof fall typical of other excavated structures.

Artifacts in the fill of Structure 107 were five pieces of chipped-stone debris and 26 sherds. The sherds were 14 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, two Mesa Verde Black-on-white, four Pueblo III White Painted, and six Late White Unpainted.

Interpretations

There is not enough rubble or depth of sediments to suggest that Structure 107 is a kiva. The curvature of the wall, however, suggests that it is a circular structure. Further excavation is needed to adequately characterize this structure.

Structure 108

Structure 108 was discovered in sampling unit 79N/166E, which is in the southeastern end of Castle Rock Pueblo. Structure 108 is immediately northwest of Structures 101 and northeast of Structure 107. No walls were located within the grid square, but a deep, oxidized hearth with stratified ash deposits and an ash-covered, prepared floor were observed. This type of hearth is unlikely to occur outside a structure, especially in such an excellent state of preservation. Figure 14.33 illustrates the plan view map of Structure 108. The hearth was associated with both floors.

Floor 1

Floor 1 is an ash-covered sand floor constructed on sterile, red sediments. A variety of artifacts were present on the floor. These include 19 pieces of chipped-stone debris, 25 sherds, and five tools. The tools were two peckingstones (PLs 14 and 17), one complete (PL 13) and one fragmentary bone awl, and a two-hand mano fragment. The sherds were 19 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, five Pueblo III White Painted, and one Late White Unpainted. Flotation and pollen samples were collected from the ash and other sediments on the floor. Artifacts directly on the floor surface were given PL numbers: sherds (PLs 1, 8, 10, and 20), chipped-stone debris (PLs 2, 3, 6, 11, 12, 16, and 19), animal bone (PL 9), a complete bone awl (PL 13), and two peckingstones (PLs 14 and 17). PLs 13, 19, and 20 were not mapped.

Feature 1 (Hearth). Feature 1 is a deep, basin-shaped hearth filled with ash and charcoal. Only that portion of the hearth within grid square 79N/166E was excavated, so its actual dimensions are unknown. The hearth basin was prehistorically excavated about 23 cm deep below Floor 1. The sides and base of the hearth are fire-reddened and the feature was remodeled. The remodeling is suggested by a layer of clean fill around the rim of the hearth that is distinguishable from the ash deposits above and below it. A 5-cm-thick layer of fill containing ash, charcoal, and clumps of adobe corresponds in elevation to the sandy loam construction fill found around the hearth rim. These two fill types are apparently related to the upper floor surface and remodeling of the hearth.

Artifacts within the fill of the hearth were 78 pieces of chipped-stone debris, four animal bones, and five sherds. The sherds were three Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, one Mesa Verde Black-on-white, and one Late White Unpainted. Zea mays cupules were found in flotation samples taken from the hearth.

Floor 2

Floor 2, which is 2 cm below Floor 1, occurs only in the southwest corner of the sampling unit. Floor 2 is associated with an earlier construction of the hearth (Feature 1), which had its rim about 12 cm farther west than its final version. One Late White Unpainted sherd was associated with Floor 2.

Feature 2 (Fire Pit). Feature 2 is a shallow, basin-shaped pit filled with ash and capped with a red loam. The portion of the feature within sampling unit 79N/166E measures 60 cm long and was prehistorically excavated to 6 cm below Floor 2. The center of the feature floor shows evidence of burning. Because this feature was found below the floor and was capped with construction fill, it is inferred to predate the final use surface of the structure. No artifacts were found in Feature 2. However, cupules of Zea mays and pieces of Juniperus, Artemisia, and Amelanchier/Peraphyllum were found in a flotation sample taken from the feature.

Stratigraphy

The fill of Structure 108 was excavated in three natural strata that together measure 70 cm deep from the modern ground surface to the final use surface of the structure.

The upper fill, Stratum 1, is a layer of slopewash that measures between 10 and 35 cm thick. It consists of yellowish red sandy loam with few artifacts, charcoal flecks, and sandstone pieces.

Stratum 2 sediment is similar to that of Stratum 1, but Stratum 2 contains more sandstone. Ash and some charcoal pieces were also present in Stratum 2. Artifacts were rare. Stratum 2 is about 15 to 20 cm thick, and it is interpreted to be structural collapse mixed with natural deposits.

Stratum 3, which is 30 cm thick, is structural collapse mixed with washed-in sediments. The alluvial fill consists of dark red, silty clay loam that interfingers with a red brown sandy loam. Stratum 3 contains fewer sandstone pieces but more artifacts than Stratum 2.

Artifacts found in the fill of Structure 108 include 123 pieces of chipped-stone debris, four tools, and 84 sherds. The tools were a peckingstone, a two-hand mano fragment, a modified bone, and a modified flake. The sherds were 41 Indeterminate Local Corrugated Gray, 17 Pueblo III White Painted, 24 Late White Unpainted, and two Mesa Verde Black-on-white.

Dating

Two tree-ring samples collected from Structure 108 provided dates. They were noncutting dates of A.D. 1045 and 1106. The one Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherd found in the hearth, however, suggests a later date of A.D. 1200 to 1300.

Interpretations

The formal construction of the hearth within Structure 108 suggests that it is contained within a structure despite the absence of walls within the sampling unit. Structure 108's type is unknown. The proximity of Structure 107 to Structure 108 suggests that these two structures are associated. The lower fill of Structure 108, as within Structure 107, does not look like a roof fall layer. Perhaps both of these structures were abandoned before the remainder of the site and had building materials robbed for use elsewhere on the site. A single tree-ring date from the fill of the hearth, Feature 1, in Structure 108 produced a noncutting date of A.D. 1045 vv. A second noncutting date of A.D. 1106 vv was obtained from a sample recovered from Stratum 2 of this square, in the fill above what was designated as Structure 108 fill. A Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherd found on Floor 1 of Structure 108 suggests use of the structure between A.D. 1200 and 1300.

Structure 112

Structure 112 was discovered during excavation of judgment unit 76N/178E. The structure is located on the southeastern end of Castle Rock Pueblo between natural boulders on a small terrace 5 m east of an unexcavated kiva (Structure 101). During the last week of the 1991 field season, a burned roof fall layer was found 1.5 m deep below the modern ground surface. This suggests that the sampling unit is probably within a pit structure. The unit is unfinished.

Construction

Only a roof fall layer was encountered during an incomplete test within the study unit. Further testing would be needed to provide more information on the architectural characteristics of Structure 112.

Stratigraphy

Three strata were encountered during excavation. Stratum 1, which is 74 to 105 cm thick, is a reddish brown loam with sparse amounts of sandstone, charcoal, and artifacts. Sandstone and artifacts become more common near the base of Stratum 1. Stratum 1 is interpreted as a natural deposit.

Stratum 2, which is 66 to 72 cm thick, is a red loam similar to Stratum 1, but containing more sandstone inclusions. Within Stratum 2, a large rodent disturbance in the northeastern corner of the grid unit exposed a dark fill with numerous charcoal inclusions. This fill is similar to that found within Stratum 3. Stratum 2 is interpreted as a natural deposit with wall collapse.

Stratum 3 was observed only in a 20-cm-square test pit excavated 10 cm deep in the northern end of the sampling unit. Within that test pit, a roof fall layer was located. Stratum 3 is a dark fill containing burned sagebrush, roof casts, charcoal pieces, and ash. Two larger charcoal pieces were collected as tree-ring samples.

Dating

Two tree-ring samples collected from Stratum 3 of Structure 112 produced two noncutting dates of A.D. 993 vv and 1140 vv.

Interpretations

The depth of the sediment within grid unit 76N/178E and evidence for a burned roof suggest the presence of a burned structure, probably a kiva.

Remaining Sampling Stratum 6 Sampling Units

Sampling Units 77N/90E, 80N/188E, 125N/85E, and 157N/103E

Although these sampling units are on opposite ends of the site, they all contain similar natural, postabandonment deposits that are relatively shallow. None contain fill deeper than 26 cm below the modern ground surface. The predominant fill within these squares is brown or reddish brown sandy loam with occasional sandstone pieces but rarely an artifact or piece of charcoal.

Sampling Units 80N/125E and 86N/153E

These test units are south of the butte on opposite sides of an exposed slickrock area at the south edge of the site. Both units contain a single stratum (Stratum 1) of natural deposits that measures 22 to 32 cm deep from the modern ground surface to bedrock. Stratum 1 is a reddish brown sandy loam with many small to medium-size sandstone pieces, some small charcoal pieces, and artifacts. Artifacts were scarce within 80N/125E but are more common in 86N/153E.

Sampling Unit 81N/119E

This sampling unit is located near the southern edge of Castle Rock Pueblo. The unit was excavated in two strata to bedrock, which was 65 to 78 cm below the modern ground surface.

Stratum 1 is about 35 cm thick and consists of a tan sandy loam with numerous sandstone blocks and gravel. Stratum 1 also contains a moderate number of artifacts and some small charcoal pieces.

Stratum 2 is a red brown loam containing small pieces of sandstone gravel but rarely an artifact or piece of charcoal. Stratum 2 is about 30 to 40 cm thick and overlies bedrock. Both Strata 1 and 2 are natural deposits.

Sampling Unit 81N/176E

This random unit is located near the southeastern end of Castle Rock Pueblo on slightly south-sloping ground. The sampling unit was excavated in three strata that together measure about 50 to 70 cm deep. Stratum 1, which is 35 to 50 cm thick, consists of a red brown loam with sparse amounts of artifacts, charcoal flecks, and sandstone pieces. Sandstone inclusions, however, become more frequent towards the base of Stratum 1. This stratum is interpreted as natural fill.

Stratum 2 is a 7- to 11-cm-thick layer of light brown loam. Inclusions in Stratum 2 are small and occur frequently. These consist of charcoal and sandstone pieces, artifacts, and ash concentrations.

Stratum 3, which is 5 to 15 cm thick, is a deposit of reddish brown loam with the same inclusions as in Stratum 2 but in lesser quantities and without ash. Strata 2 and 3 are interpreted as secondary refuse.

Sampling Unit 63N/178E

This random unit is located at the southeastern end of Castle Rock Pueblo. Only a thin layer of sediment overlies the native slickrock. Stratum 1 is a 5- to 10-cm-thick layer of reddish brown sandy loam that was naturally deposited. It contained only a few artifacts.

Sampling Units 71N/183E and 74N/184E

These randomly selected 1-×-1-m sampling units are located among boulders near the southeastern end of Castle Rock Pueblo. Both contain a single stratum measuring about 30 to 50 cm thick that was naturally deposited. Stratum 1 in both units consists of a red brown loam containing sandstone pieces, charcoal flecks, and artifacts. Sampling unit 74N/184E contained more artifacts; grid unit 71N/183E contained more sandstone pieces. The sandstone pieces found in 71N/183E were mostly large and unshaped and were probably deposited as the result of the collapse of a large retaining wall (Feature 1) found in the eastern half of that unit.

Feature 1 (Retaining Wall). This feature is a retaining wall that spans the 2 m gap between a massive boulder to the north and a row of smaller natural boulders to the south. Together the wall and boulders define a small terrace to the east. The wall was constructed with large unshaped or minimally shaped sandstone pieces that were mortared with a reddish brown loam. A 1-m-long section of the wall was exposed in the eastern half of grid unit 71N/183E. This consists of a semicoursed wall that was four courses (77 cm) high and based on native sediments. The wall was at least 46 cm wide.

Outer Periphery (Sampling Stratum 6) Summary

Fourteen 1-×-1-m test pits, including one judgmentally selected test pit, were excavated to sample Sampling Stratum 6. Unexpectedly, three structures were discovered. These were Structures 107, 108, and 112.

Structure 107 was defined in sampling unit 75N/160E. Exposed within that unit is a segment of wall that curves enough to suggest a circular structure about 4 m in diameter. Also exposed was a bedrock surface on which 15 sherds were found.

Structure 108 was defined in sampling unit 79N/166E. No walls were located but a deep, remodeled, basin-shaped hearth and a prepared floor were found. Artifacts present upon the floor include 19 pieces of chipped-stone debris, 25 sherds, two peckingstones, two bone awls, and a two-hand mano fragment. A shallow, basin-shaped pit feature, deliberately capped with construction fill, was also found.

Structure 112 was defined within judgment unit 76N/178E where a burned roof fall layer was located. The depth of the roof fall layer at about 1.5 m below the modern ground surface suggests the presence of a burned kiva. The square was not completed by the end of the 1991 field season.

The other 11 sampling units did not encounter cultural study units. All but one of the random units contained shallow, natural deposits with few artifacts. Random unit 81N/176E contained some secondary refuse that might be considered midden deposits. One of the sampling units (71N/183E) contained a retaining wall that defined a small terrace. No other features were encountered.

Other Investigations

Structure 301

Structure 301 was built on top of the butte at Castle Rock Pueblo (Figure 14.34). The floor of the structure is built partially across a crevice that is spanned by seven juniper beams. Closing material and floor sediments still cover these beams, but a hole in the floor sediments has allowed erosion to take its toll on the remnants of the structure. The uniqueness and fragile nature of the structure led us to exclude it from our stratified random sample, because we did not want to further disturb the structure.

A core sample was removed from each of the seven unburned and well-preserved timbers that support the floor of the structure. Four of these seven samples produced noncutting tree-ring dates. The four dates are A.D. 959 vv, 1003 vv, 1179 vv, and 1199 +vv. The latest date puts the construction of Structure 301 after A.D. 1199. These samples were only about 3/8 inch in diameter, which is probably why the tree-ring analyst was unsure whether the outside ring of the sample was the true outside ring of the tree. However, Ricky Lightfoot, who collected the samples, observed that the outsides of the beams were intact. A few rings on the samples may have been obscured by drying, cracking, or weathering, but the dates indicated are certainly within a very few years of being cutting dates. In other words, if a larger specimen had been collected, we are confident that it would have been assigned at least a "v," if not an "r," as the date suffix.

Rock Art

Two panels of rock art are present at Castle Rock Pueblo--one on the southern face of the butte, near its west end, and the other on a boulder near the southwestern edge of the site. The panel on the butte contains three anthropomorphic figures with large rectangular protrusions from their backs, somewhat like backpacks or burden baskets (Figure 14.35). At least two, if not all three, of these figures are holding bows and arrows. The two figures that clearly have bows and arrows are facing away from each other. The third figure is on the left and holds either a smaller bow and arrow or perhaps a shield pointed toward the central figure. This panel has been recorded photographically in both color and black-and-white.

Architectural Features With Unknown Function (AWUF)

At Castle Rock Pueblo, an alignment of large boulders (some weighing over a ton), and several short wall segments between the boulders completely enclose structures at the south base of Castle Rock butte. This alignment begins on the talus slope on the southeast and southwest sides of Castle Rock butte, and extends across the slickrock at the base of the site. This alignment is most easily recognized from the top of the butte or from aircraft. This boulder alignment could not have prevented access into Castle Rock Pueblo, but could have defined a physical or symbolic boundary at the site.

This alignment is one of several, usually subtle, architectural features having no known modern function. These types of features have been investigated by Crow Canyon Archaeological Center researchers who refer to these features as "Architecture with Unknown Function" or AWUF (Thompson et al. 1997). These features, like great kivas and large plazas, are noticeable at a number of Pueblo III sites and may have had a role in the social integration of the community.

Other features believed to be AWUF at Castle Rock Pueblo are three stone rectangles located on the northern perimeter of the site. The three stone rectangles are well defined and measurable. They are located on the edge of a present day arroyo about 5 to 10 m north of the two-room, two-kiva architectural complex (Structures 403 through 406) on the northern end of Castle Rock Pueblo (Figure 14.5 and Figure 14.7). Their interiors measure approximately 1.5 m in length by 1 m in width. Their function is unknown.

Castle Rock Pueblo Artifacts

More artifacts were recovered from Castle Rock Pueblo than from any of the other tested sites. A list of all the artifacts found at Castle Rock Pueblo is presented in the material culture tables presented at the end of this chapter (Table 14.7, Table 14.8, Table 14.9, Table 14.10, and Table 14.11). A total of 15,083 sherds was recovered from the site. Early (pre-Pueblo III) pottery is relatively scarce. Early decorated white wares (earlier than Pueblo II) include Early White Painted (N = 1), Early White Unpainted (N = 2), Mancos Black-on-white (N = 4), and Pueblo II White Painted (N = 2). The early white ware sherds together make up less than 0.1 percent of the total sherds found at Castle Rock Pueblo. Late (Pueblo III) pottery is plentiful. These include McElmo Black-on-white (N = 42), Mesa Verde Black-on-white (N = 333), Pueblo III White Painted (N = 1,689), Late White Painted (N = 298), Late White Unpainted (N = 2,979), and Indeterminate Local White (N = 10). Together, the late white ware sherds make up 35.5 percent of the total sherds found at Castle Rock Pueblo.

The gray ware assemblage found at Castle Rock Pueblo reveals the same pattern as the white ware assemblage. Substantially more Pueblo III pottery was found than pre-Pueblo III pottery. Early (pre-Pueblo III) pottery includes Chapin Gray (N = 1), Moccasin Gray (N = 4), Mancos Gray (N = 1), Indeterminate Neckbanded Gray (N = 1), Mancos Corrugated Gray (N = 11), and possibly Indeterminate Plain Gray (N = 64). Pueblo III gray ware pottery consists of 69 Mesa Verde Corrugated Gray sherds. The 9,541 Indeterminate Corrugated Gray body sherds were the most frequently found pottery type at Castle Rock Pueblo (63.3 percent of the site total). The presence of approximately six times as many Mesa Verde Corrugated rim sherds as Mancos Corrugated rim sherds suggests that most of the corrugated body sherds came from Pueblo III vessels.

The number of red wares and unknown types of pottery found at the site was insignificant (together, 0.2 percent of the site total). These include Abajo Red-on-orange (N = 1), Deadmans Black-on-red (N = 2), Indeterminate Local Red Painted (N = 2), Indeterminate Local Red Unpainted (N = 1), Other Red Nonlocal (N = 4), Polychrome (N = 1), Unknown Gray (N = 2), Unknown White (N = 3), Unknown Red (N = 1), and pottery of unknown type (N = 14).

The scarcity of pre-Pueblo III sherds (less than 1 percent) and the predominance of Pueblo III pottery at the site suggest that only a late occupation of Castle Rock took place. The sparse amounts of early pottery at the site suggest either an earlier, limited use of the site or the use of curated sherds.

Complete and fragmentary tools found at the site include 12 metates, 21 manos, five abraders, 10 hammerstones, 36 peckingstones, six axes, seven bifaces, 18 projectile points, six drills, 33 modified flakes, 45 cores, eight other chipped-stone tools, two modified cobbles, two polishing stones, two stone disks, and 43 other modified stones/minerals. Five beads, eight pendants, numerous animal bones, eggshell, gizzard stones, and 6,261 pieces of chipped-stone debris were also recovered.

Nonlocal material is relatively scarce at Castle Rock Pueblo. Nonlocal pottery includes Abajo Red-on-orange (N = 1), Deadmans Black-on-red (N = 2), and Other Red Nonlocal (N = 4). Of the stone tools found, only about 9 percent were made of nonlocal materials. These include tools made of agate/chalcedony, turquoise, jet, obsidian, nonlocal chert/siltstone, and petrified wood. Chipped-stone nonlocal material includes 65 pieces of agate/chalcedony, 17 pieces of nonlocal chert/siltstone, five pieces of obsidian, three pieces of petrified wood, and one piece of jet; this nonlocal material is approximately 1 percent of the total chipped-stone debris. The relative scarcity of nonlocal materials found at Castle Rock Pueblo indicates that the inhabitants engaged in limited long-distance exchange.

Castle Rock Pueblo Conclusions and Interpretations

Castle Rock Pueblo is a mid-size habitation site located near the McElmo Creek floodplain, about 7.5 km (4.5 mi) southwest of Sand Canyon Pueblo. Testing during the 1990 and 1991 field seasons involved the excavation of 65 randomly selected and 26 judgmentally selected 1-×-1-m sampling units. These excavations documented that Castle Rock Pueblo was a habitation site used year round. Structures dated by tree-ring analysis indicate that the major part of the occupation began in approximately A.D. 1250 and ended before A.D. 1300. It is possible that Structures 103 and 104 were constructed earlier.

Castle Rock Pueblo covers nearly 3 acres and contains an estimated 13 to 16 kivas, 40 to 75 rooms, a plaza, a tower, a large stone enclosure believed to be public/integrative architecture, three stone rectangles, and an alignment of boulders of unknown function.

Architectural remains tested include eight kivas, six masonry rooms, the tower, the stone enclosure, and several structures of unknown function. Deep midden deposits and the plaza were also tested. Data from testing are summarized and described below.

Testing in all structures was accomplished by excavation within randomly and/or judgmentally selected 1-×-1-m sampling units. None of the structures were excavated in their entirety. Surface structures, except for Structure 203, were tested with just one sampling unit. Kivas were most often tested with multiple sampling units. All random units, except one in Structure 304 and one in Structure 110, were excavated to the structure's floor and below to sterile sediments. Judgment units were not always excavated to the floor.

Structures 103, 104, 206, 302, and 304 (all kivas) were tested with both random and judgment squares. Structure 204, a probable kiva, was tested by excavating just one random square. All these structures, except Structure 304, were excavated to their floors and below. Structure 304 was excavated to the level of the southern recess surface. One random square in Structure 304 overlapped the bench and the main chamber. The portion of the random square within the main chamber could not be taken to the floor without excavation of an adjacent judgment unit. Because the 1991 field season was nearing its end, this excavation was not completed. Testing of Structures 103, 104, and 206 was completed.

Structures 110, 112, and 406 were not excavated to their floors and therefore cannot be compared with the other kivas. Structure 112 was excavated to the top of a burned roof fall layer in a judgment square during the last week of the 1991 field season. Excavation of a judgmental square in Structure 406 was discontinued at the point at which the vent shaft was located, because it seemed unlikely that continued excavation would contribute much in the way of useful comparative site data. Only a very small portion of Structure 110 was located within a random sampling unit. To test Structure 110 to the floor would have required the excavation of one or possibly two adjacent judgment squares.

Structures 103, 104, 206, 302, 304, and 204 are compared below. Structures 103 and 104 have similar characteristics except for their different plans: Structure 104 is round, whereas Structure 103 appears to be rectangular. Both kivas are lined with masonry and have two floors with relatively few artifacts on them. Neither structure burned and neither has large beams or large quantities of artifacts in their unburned roof fall deposits. Pottery is the only means of dating the structures, because burned beams were absent from the fill. The pottery recovered indicates that Structures 103 and 104 were abandoned in the thirteenth century. Both of these kivas have two floors, which suggests that they were remodeled and used for a relatively long time compared with the kivas that have only one floor. The relatively few artifacts on the floors and in the unburned roof fall strata suggest that Structures 103 and 104 were abandoned relatively late in the site's history. There is no evidence to suggest that Structures 103 or 104 were ritually abandoned.

Structures 206, 302, and 304 are similar to one another. Structures 206, 302, and 304 are masonry lined, have relatively large quantities of artifacts in their roof fall layers, and their construction can be dated by tree-ring analysis to after A.D. 1250 (Structure 304) or A.D. 1260. Structures 206 and 302 have just one floor each. Relatively few artifacts were recovered from the floor of Structure 206, but several restorable vessels were found on the floor of Structure 302. Disarticulated human bones were scattered on the floor and in the lower fill of both structures. Testing in Structure 304 was not completed, so the number of floors and the presence of human bone cannot be assessed. The roofs of Structures 302 and 304 were burned; the roof of Structure 206 was not. None of the roof fall in these three structures contained large beams. A late noncutting date of A.D. 1274 for Structure 304 may indicate that the roof of this kiva was remodeled in or after that year.

The presence of large quantities of artifacts in the roof fall of Structures 206, 302, and 304 suggests the possibility that refuse was deliberately "dumped" into the kivas after abandonment. Disarticulated human bones are present in the lower fill and on the floors of Structures 206 and 302. The mixing of refuse deposits, roof fall, and human bones indicates that these materials were deposited at or near the same time, immediately after structure abandonment. The absence of large beams within the roof fall layers of Structures 206, 302, and 304 suggests that the large beams were removed for use elsewhere and the smaller parts of the roof (for example, closing material, secondary beams) were deliberately burned. This implies that construction was still occurring at Castle Rock Pueblo after these kivas were abandoned, probably in the A.D. 1270s or 1280s. The large quantities of artifacts within the lower fill of all these kivas, the burned and disassembled roof parts in Structures 302 and 304, and the human bones in Structures 302 and 206 suggest ritual abandonment of these three kivas. The salvaging of the large beams and the burning of the smaller roof parts after abandonment could not have occurred from an accidental event such as a spark from the fire igniting the roof.

Structure 204, although not adequately tested, is probably a kiva. If so, it has several characteristics different from the other kivas tested. Structure 204 has one floor, and no artifacts were associated with the area of floor exposed. Artifacts in the roof fall layer, which is burned, are relatively sparse as compared with Structures 206, 302, and 304. Unlike the other burned kivas, Structure 204 has large beams in the burned roof fall. The results of tree-ring analysis suggest that Structure 204 was constructed after A.D. 1256. The presence of the large, burned beams in the roof fall layer indicates that they were not removed from the structure at abandonment. This implies that the structure may have been occupied up to the time that the site was abandoned.

The six surface rooms tested at Castle Rock Pueblo are Structures 303, 403, 203, 205, 109, and 111. Only Structure 403 differs markedly from the other rooms. Structure 403 has a burned roof fall layer, but without the large-diameter, charred wood characteristic of large roof-support beams. This suggests that the large beams were removed for use elsewhere on the site before the rest of the roof was burned. There are more artifacts in the roof fall layer of Structure 403 than in the roof fall layers of the other rooms but fewer than in the roof fall layers of the kivas. Only a few sherds were found on the prepared floor of Structure 403. Refuse deposits were found beneath the floor of Structure 403. The types of pottery found on and below the floor suggest that the structure was constructed in the thirteenth century. The fact that refuse was found beneath the floor indicates that Castle Rock Pueblo was occupied before Structure 403 was constructed. The burned roof fall layer indicates that Structure 403 burned, either accidentally or deliberately. Accidental burning would have depended on the presence of a hearth in the room. Deliberate burning would suggest a ritual abandonment. This phenomenon was observed in some kivas at the site but not in any of the other rooms.

The characteristics of Structures 303, 203, 205, 109, and 111, with a few exceptions, are similar to one another. None of the rooms have burned roof layers with large numbers of artifacts. None, except Structure 303, has more than a few floor artifacts. A concentration of corrugated sherds, possibly the remains of a whole or partial vessel, was found on the floor of Structure 303. All of the rooms, except Structure 111, have one floor. Structure 111 has two prepared floors, which suggests a longer use life than was the case with the other rooms. Because no tree-ring samples were collected from the rooms, none of the rooms could be dated precisely. The types of pottery found in Structure 303 suggest that the room was constructed and occupied after A.D. 1200.

The evidence suggests that the functions of these six rooms were different. Structure 111 is believed to have been a living room, as suggested by the presence of a hearth on its lower floor. However, the function of Structure 111 may have changed when an upper surface was constructed. It is unknown what this new function might have been. Structure 203 probably functioned as a storage room; its slanting bedrock surface would have provided an unsatisfactory living surface. Structure 205 may have functioned as a mealing room, as suggested by the presence of a metate bin located between two large boulders. The function of Structure 403 is unknown; however, its location within an area of the site thought to have been used for socially integrative activities may indicate that it had a special function. Structures 110 and 303 were not sufficiently tested to determine how they functioned.

Structure 401 is the only tower identified thus far at Castle Rock Pueblo. It has two floors with a burned roof fall layer between the floors. One sherd and numerous tree-ring samples were collected from the roof fall layer. The dated tree-ring samples suggest that the upper floor of Structure 401 was constructed in or after A.D. 1264. The upper floor has an associated fire pit, and artifacts included a two-hand mano and a Mesa Verde Black-on-white dipper with a partial handle. The presence of two floors suggests that Structure 401 was used for a longer period of time than structures with single floors at Castle Rock Pueblo. The location of Structure 401, near both the plaza and Structure 402 (the large, 9-m-diameter stone enclosure), suggests that it may have had a special function.

Structures 107 and 108 had unknown functions. The proximity of Structures 107 and 108 suggests that they may have had associated functions, but more excavation would be needed to characterize these structures.

Structure 107 is circular, but its shallow depth and the absence of a prepared floor suggest that it is not a kiva. A few Pueblo III sherds were scattered across its bedrock floor. The lower fill of Structure 107 contains few artifacts and does not look like roof fall. Perhaps Structure 107 did not have a roof. The paucity of artifacts and the absence of roofing materials may indicate that Structure 107 was abandoned earlier than other structures at the site.

Testing in Structure 108 revealed two floors and a formally constructed and remodeled hearth. A Mesa Verde Black-on-white sherd in the hearth suggests that the structure was used sometime between A.D. 1200 and 1300. The lower floor also contains a shallow, basin-shaped fire pit that had been deliberately capped with construction fill. The remodeled hearth, presence of two floors, and deliberately filled-in fire pit suggest that Structure 108 had a longer use life than many of the other structures at the site. More artifacts were found on the floor and in the hearth of Structure 108 than in many of the other structures at Castle Rock Pueblo. The lower fill of Structure 108 contains sparse artifacts and, as in Structure 107, does not appear to be roof fall. Perhaps building materials were "robbed" for use elsewhere on the site. This suggests that Structure 108 was abandoned earlier than other structures at the site.

Although untested, it is believed that Structure 301 may have been a very important structure to the inhabitants of the site. Its position at the top of Castle Rock butte affords a commanding view of the entire site, the Ute Mountains, and the McElmo floodplain for several miles in all directions. Although the function of Structure 301 is unknown, its unique position at Castle Rock Pueblo suggests that it may have served as a tower. Whether the tower served a defensive purpose is unknown.

Structure 402 is a 9-m-diameter stone enclosure constructed with large sandstone boulders. The structure was not roofed, it lacks a prepared floor, and it contains only a few artifacts. On the basis of ashy refuse deposits found outside the enclosure, it is believed that the structure once contained a hearth. The large size of Structure 402, its location near the tower, Structure 401, and its position adjacent to the large plaza at Castle Rock Pueblo suggest that it functioned as an integrative structure. This is discussed in more detail below.

Trash deposits at Castle Rock Pueblo were found in four isolated areas of the site. These deposits are probably associated with excavated Structures 103, 104, 206, 402, and 406 and unexcavated Structures 101, 105, 110, and 405. The midden deposits found on the south side of Castle Rock butte and associated with Structures 103, 104, 105, and 110 are the deepest, measuring more than 1 m deep. The midden deposits associated with Structures 206 and 101, also located on the south side of Castle Rock butte, are up to 60 cm deep. The depth of these deposits suggests either that the south side of the site was occupied earlier and longer or that the two parts of the site functioned differently. Midden deposits on the north side of Castle Rock butte are found in two isolated areas. One deposit, adjacent to Structure 402, is up to 20 cm deep. The other deposit is in the plaza south of Structures 405 and 406; it measures up to 65 cm deep. Tree-ring and pottery analyses indicate that all midden deposits found at Castle Rock Pueblo accumulated sometime during the thirteenth century.

The excavation data are summarized in Table 14.12 and can be used to reconstruct the use history of the site. First, tree-ring dates indicate that the earliest construction at the site occurred about A.D. 1250 in Structure 304. The latest tree-ring date of A.D. 1274, also from Structure 304, indicates that the site was abandoned some time after A.D. 1274. Trash and/or secondary burials above the floor indicate that Structures 206, 302, and 304 were abandoned before the remainder of the site was abandoned. Salvaged roof timbers in Structures 103 and 104 suggest that these structures were also abandoned before site abandonment. Of the structures tested, only Structure 204 may have been used until the time of site abandonment.

The presence of multiple floors in Structures 103, 104, 108, and 111 suggests that these structures had the longest use lives. This is consistent with the evidence from the midden excavations, which suggests that the south side of Castle Rock Pueblo has deeper middens and was therefore occupied earlier and used longer than the north side of the pueblo.

Pottery recovered from Castle Rock Pueblo indicates that this is a single-component site occupied in the A.D. 1200s. Pottery sherds that date to before the Pueblo III period make up less than 1 percent of the site total.

Stratigraphy, artifact assemblages, midden accumulations, and remodeling can also be used to speculate on the use history of the site and the relative use lives of individual structures. If the presence of deep midden deposits associated with specific kivas and the presence of remodeling are indicators of longer use, then Structures 103 and 104 were used longer than the other tested kivas at the site. Both of these structures have two floors and deep associated middens. There was also evidence of remodeling in Structures 108, 111, 401, and possibly 304, suggesting that these structures, too, had relatively longer use lives. Midden deposits were not as deep adjacent to Structure 402 or in the plaza area on the north side of the site. Could this mean that Structures 402, 405, and 406 were not used as long as Structure 401 or were not constructed as early? The absence of large beams in the roof fall of kivas is probably the result of the timbers having been salvaged for use in structures elsewhere. This phenomenon occurs in Structures 103, 104, 206, 302, and 304 (all kivas) and suggests that they were abandoned earlier than other structures at the site. If Structures 206 and 302 were constructed as late as the early A.D. 1260s and remodeling was still occurring as late as A.D. 1274 in Structure 304, then these structures may not have been abandoned until the late A.D. 1270s or 1280s. Structure 204, which may have been constructed during the late A.D. 1250s and had large beams within the burned roof fall, possibly was one of the latest kivas to be abandoned at Castle Rock Pueblo.

Observation of surface remains and the results of test excavation can be used to propose a dual division of the site: (1) the flat, sandy area below the talus slope on the north side of Castle Rock butte and (2) the rubble area with associated kivas along the base of the butte, especially on the south side. Although the rubble areas associated with the kivas along the base of Castle Rock butte were only tested, the results of our investigation suggest a possible room-to-kiva ratio of 6:1. This ratio is comparable to that inferred for the mesa-top habitation sites included in the Site Testing Program and for other Pueblo I-Pueblo III unit pueblos in the northern San Juan region (Lipe 1989). This ratio suggests that each kiva and its associated rooms were inhabited by a relatively small social group such as an extended family. It is assumed that the area along the base of the south side of Castle Rock butte was used primarily for habitation. The area below the talus slope on the south side of Castle Rock Pueblo (in the area of Structures 107 and 108) has not been sufficiently tested to assess room-to-kiva ratios; however, it is assumed that this area of the site is habitational as well.

The room-to-kiva ratio in the flat, sandy area below the talus slope on the north side of the butte is no more than 1:1. This area of the site contains a two-room, two-kiva architectural complex (Structures 403 through 406), a tower (Structure 401), and a 9-m-diameter stone enclosure (Structure 402). These six structures are adjacent to, and probably associated with, the large plaza area located at that end of the site. The size of Structure 402, which is comparable to that of small great kivas in the Southwest, suggests that it served the site occupants, and possibly the surrounding lower Sand Canyon community, as an integrative structure. Large plazas and great kivas are considered to be "public" architecture that served socially integrative functions at other large sites in the region (for example, Sand Canyon Pueblo). Structures adjacent to these nonhabitational areas may have had specialized functions also.

This area of Castle Rock Pueblo can be compared to a special-function religious precinct at Sand Canyon Pueblo. This precinct at Sand Canyon Pueblo is described by Bradley (1992a) as having a number of facilities, including a central plaza, a large D-shaped building, a complex of kiva-dominated architectural blocks, a great kiva, and possibly a tower to the south of the great kiva. It is believed by most Southwestern researchers that great kivas functioned as suprahousehold--and possibly community--integrative structures. Various theories have been proposed for the use of D-shaped buildings: Rohn (1977) argues that they were used for rituals that served to integrate dispersed communities; Vivian (1959) postulates that they served as domiciles of a "developing Priestly class." E. C. Adams (1989) believes that the enclosed plaza expanded the integrative role of the great kiva by making aspects of ritual accessible to many or all village members. Although on a smaller scale, which may be relative to overall site and community size, Castle Rock seems to have had its own special-function religious precinct.

Sand Canyon Pueblo, like Castle Rock Pueblo, appears to have had a dual division. Bradley (1992a) contends that the east side of Sand Canyon Pueblo functioned primarily as a habitation, whereas the west side was more specialized in function. He made that assessment by excavating six kiva suites (a kiva and its associated rooms) at Sand Canyon Pueblo that had different room-to-kiva ratios. The kiva suites excavated on the west side of the Pueblo had a ratio of about 10 rooms to one kiva. Those excavated on the east side of the Pueblo, on average, had a much lower room-to-kiva ratio and included kivas with no associated rooms.

The presence of 13 to 16 kivas and 40 to 75 rooms at Castle Rock Pueblo makes this the largest known site in the lower Sand Canyon area (Adler and Metcalf 1991; Gleichman and Gleichman 1989). If there were at least eight kivas occupied contemporaneously, and if each kiva was used by five to 10 people, the site population can be conservatively estimated at 40 to 80 people. The size of Castle Rock Pueblo and the presence of integrative architecture at the site indicate that Castle Rock Pueblo may have functioned as the center for the surrounding lower Sand Canyon community.

1. A final electronic site report on Castle Rock Pueblo is being compiled by Kristin Kuckelman. The final report will include data from both the testing (1990-1991) and intensive (1992-1994) excavations conducted at the site. In some cases (for example, Structures 303 and 402), the results of intensive excavation led to a revision of the interpretations and conclusions presented in this chapter.

The Sand Canyon Archaeological Project: Site Testing

The Sand Canyon Archaeological Project

Site Testing

Edited by Mark D. Varien

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Castle Rock Pueblo