Nonstructure 208, extramural surface

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Features

Pit: not further specified (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
Feature 1 is a large shallow basin-shaped pit dug into the extramural surface between Structures 205-226 and 220-234.
Use history
The function of Feature 1 is unclear. Possible functions include a small pit room or a lightly fired surface thermal pit.
Associated features
Another large shallow basin feature (PNS-3) is located 4 m directly west and Burial Pit 2 is just 2 m to the west. Another burial (BUP-3) was identified 7 m northeast of Burial Pit 2 on the northwest side of Pithouse 205-226.
Excavation procedure
Feature 1 was excavated in one stratum down to its base (sterile sediment). Flotation, constant volume, and bulk soil samples were collected from the fill. The rest was screened with 1/8" mesh. Artifact density was low.
Portion excavated
The southeast portion of the feature was excavated (the remainder extends into the north and west walls of the excavation unit).
Horizontal location
Feature is located in the northwest corner of the 2-x2-m unit 1370N 493E.
Vertical location
Feature is dug into Surface 1.
Construction
Pit was excavated into sterile Surface 1.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  irregular
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
130
No
Feature continues into north wall of EU.
Width
120
No
Feature continues into west wall of EU.
Height
No
Depth
10
No
Center point of pit is outside of unit.
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Midden fill inside pit feature.
Burned sandstone, charcoal, caliche, adobe.
Roots.
5YR 3/3 (dark reddish brown).
Silty clay loam.
Burial pit (Feature 2) Top of page
General description
Burial Pit 2 was excavated through midden deposits into sterile sediment. A burial (HRO 1) was then placed in the pit, and the pit was partially refilled with midden materialt. The burial pit was then sealed with reddish-brown mortar. Sandstone slabs were also mortared into place along the northeast edge (see map). Midden from the occupation of the site then accumulated over time on top of the pit.
Use history
The feature was initially a large shallow basin of unknown function. The burial pit was excavated into the west side of this basin and HRO 1 was interred.
Associated features
Two large shallow basin features (PNS-1 and PNS-3) flank Burial Pit 2 to the east and west. Another burial (BUP-3) was identified 5 m northeast of Burial Pit 2 on the northwest side of Pithouse 205-226. In addition, there is an electrical resistance anomally with a similar resistivity signature just 2 m southeast of Burial Pit 2. This anomally may represent a third burial pit in the vicinity.
Excavation procedure
The feature was excavated in three strata down to the discovery of human remains. Artifacts (including sherds and flakes) were collected from each stratum as well as flotation, constant volume, and bulk soil samples. All fill and artifacts were returned to the pit after the burial was analyzed.
Portion excavated
The north portion of the feature was excavated. It is unclear if this section comprises the north half since the pit was determined to be a burial and no further excavation was done in the remainder of the pit.
Horizontal location
North portion of 2-x2-m unit 1370N 495E on the top of the ridge between Pithouses 205-226 and 220-224.
Vertical location
BUP 2 was excavated into extramural Surface 1.
Construction
A pit was excavated through midden and into Surface 1. Then HRO 1 was placed in the pit and the pit was filled with redeposited midden. Next, a reddish brown mortar was constructed over HRO 1 and sandstone slabs were mortared in place around the northeast end of the pit.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
Yes. BUP 2 was sealed with Stratum 2, a reddish-brown material.
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
Shape in plan view
Actual:  unknown
Inferred:  unknown
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown
Inferred:  round
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
170
No
200
Only the north portion of the feature was excavated.
Width
90
No
Only the north portion of the feature was excavated.
Height
No
Depth
52
No
Only the north portion of the feature was excavated.
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Midden fill.
Sandstone, conglomerate.
None.
7.5YR 3/3 (dark brown).
Silty clay loam.
2
Construction material.
None.
None.
5YR 3/4 (dark reddish brown).
Silty clay.
3
Midden fill.
Sandstone.
None.
7.5YR 3/3 (dark brown).
Silty clay loam.
Pit: not further specified (Feature 3) Top of page
General description
Feature 3 is a large shallow basin-shaped pit dug into the extramural surface between Structures 205-226 and 220-234.
Use history
The function of Feature 3 is unclear. Possible functions include a small pit room or a lightly fired thermal pit.
Associated features
Another large shallow basin feature (PNS-1) is located 4 m directly east and Burial Pit 2 is just 2 m to the east. Another burial (BUP-3) was identified 7 m northeast of Burial Pit 2 on the northwest side of Pithouse 205-226.
Excavation procedure
Feature 3 was excavated in one stratum to its base. Several floats, constant volume, and bulk soil samples were collected from the fill; the rest was screened with 1/8" mesh. Only the northwest portion of the feature was excavated, as the remainder of Feature 3 continues into the south and east profile face.
Portion excavated
Approximately the northwest quarter of the feature was excavated (the portion extending inside the 2-x2-m excavation unit).
Horizontal location
Southeast portion of 2-x2-m unit 1370N 497E.
Vertical location
Excavated into Surface 1.
Construction
Feature 3 was excavated into extramural Surface 1.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
66
No
Width
64
No
Height
No
Depth
19
No
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Midden fill inside pit feature.
Charcoal, burned adobe, unburned adobe, flake.
Roots, insects.
5YR 3/2 (dark brown).
Silt loam.
Human remains occurrence , HRO 1 (Feature 4) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
Feature 4 is a burial interred in BUP 2.
Use history
Feature 4 is a formal burial interred in Burial Pit 2. The remains were confirmed to be that of an adult female American Indian lying on her back with at least her right leg flexed. The remnants of an unburned vessel in the midden deposit above the sealed burial pit is the only possible funerary item. All fill and artifacts reburied in place.
Associated features
HRO-1 was interred in Burial Pit Feature 2. A second burial (HRO-2) was identified 4 m northeast of HRO-1.
Excavation procedure
Feature 4 was not located until the pit was approximately 20 cm deep. The burial pit was bisected when the top of the femur was observed and the north half excavated. Fill was removed to expose HRO 1.
Portion excavated
Unknown.
Horizontal location
North portion of 2-x2-m unit 1370N 495E.
Vertical location
Interred in BUP 2, which is excavated into Surface 1.
Construction
The body was laid in a pit (BUP 2) and covered with a layer of midden deposits. The pit was then sealed with mortar and sandstone slabs.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
Yes. The pit was then sealed with mortar and sandstone slabs.
Preservation
Poor
Degree of preservation
Shape in plan view
Actual: 
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual: 
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Shape not applicable, as feature is a human remains occurrence.
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
45
No
Width
35
No
Height
No
Depth
8
No
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture