Nonstructure 216, extramural surface

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Features

Pit: slab-lined (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
Feature 1 is a slab-lined pit with evidence of thermal alteration on the extramural surface 4 m south-southeast of Pithouse 205-226.
Use history
Feature 1 appears to have alternately functioned as a thermal feature and a storage/refuse feature througout its use. There is evidence that it initially functioned as a thermal feature. .At some point, any ash and charcoal from this event was cleaned out and a layer clean fill with some secondary refuse was deposited in the pit. A portion of this fill appears to have been cleaned out which is indicated its absence in parts of the feature. The feature was then again used for thermal activity. After abandonment, the pit filled with natural deposits.
Associated features
None, but the feature is directly southeast of Structure 205.
Excavation procedure
This slab-lined pit feature was identified to the southeast of Structure 205 by the presence of upright sandstone slabs in a circular alignment.. The post-occupational overburden (aeolian loess) was removed from the entire 2-x2-m unit in two strata (Stratum 1 and Stratum 2). This exposed the outline of the pit fill, which had smeared slightly outside of the slabs. The feature was then bisected and the north portion excavated in three natural strata (Stratum 1, Stratum 2, and Stratum 3). After the profile was documented, the southern third of the feature was excavated in the same three natural strata. Although the feature was dug in two portions, the artifacts and PD forms were later combined. Adobe, sherds, flakes, a core, shaped sandstone, a projectile point, and ground stone were recovered from the feature. Flotation and pollen samples were collected from each stratum.
Portion excavated
The entire feature was excavated.
Horizontal location
2-x2-m unit 1364N 489E.
Vertical location
Surface 1.
Construction
A subround pit was excavated into the prehistoric ground surface and lined with at least six (but possibly seven to nine) upright slabs. The complete slabs stood about 35 to 40 cm tall) and lined the sides of the pit. Two of the slabs were recycled metates fragments.
Remodeling/ modification
Yes. The absence of Stratum 3 in the northwest corner of the feature indicates that the contents of the pit (Stratum 3) were removed from a portion of the pit and it was refilled with Stratum 2 at a later time.
Thermal alteration
Yes. One upright slab and the bottom of the pit are fire-reddened and the sediment in the bottom of the pit is charcoal rich.
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
Historic chaining of the Dillard Site has affected this feature heavily. A slab in the northeast portion of the feature has been crushed, and the southeast portion of the feature was blown out by heavy machinery. Several other slabs appear to have been displaced and two to three were broken in half. A large sage bush present in the center of the feature caused root disturbance, and the bottom of the pit was riddled with insect holes. Despite this disturbance, the actual pit fill was relatively intact except for some smearing onto the prehistoric ground surface.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  elliptical
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
105
Yes
95
Slabs are blow out, so fill may have smeared outward.
Width
80
Yes
Height
No
Depth
32
Yes
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Mixed deposit: naturally deposited sediment mixed with pit fill.
None.
Roots.
7.5YR 3/4 (dark brown).
Silty clay loam.
2
Culturally deposited: secondary refuse with possible thermal activity.
Sandstone, charcoal.
Roots.
5YR 4/4 (reddish brown).
Silt loam.
3
Culturally deposited: secondary refuse.
Sandstone, charcoal.
Roots.
5YR 3/3 (dark reddish brown).
Silt loam.
Posthole (Feature 2) Top of page
General description
Small posthole in the extramural surface 3 m south of Pithouse 205-226.
Use history
This posthole may be associated with an extramural ramada or other ephemeral consruction.
Associated features
Posthole 3. A similar pattern of a shallower posthole (POS 2) close to a deeper one (POS 3) has been noted in Structure 205 as well.
Excavation procedure
Posthole was excavated in a full cut with a trowel. All fill was collected as a flotation sample (about 0.5 liters).
Portion excavated
The entire feature was excavated.
Horizontal location
1-x2-m unit 1366N 489E, towards the north end of the unit and adjacent to the west wall.
Vertical location
Surface 1.
Construction
Posthole was dug into red loess of the prehistoric ground surface (only 3 cm deep). No slabs or plaster were present.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
Minimal bioturbation.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  round
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
13
Yes
Width
11
Yes
Height
No
Depth
3
Yes
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Midden fill inside posthole.
Charcoal.
Minimal bioturbation.
Dark brown.
Silty clay.
Posthole (Feature 3) Top of page
General description
Posthole in the extramural surface 3 m south of Pithouse 205-226.
Use history
This posthole may be associated with an extramural ramada or other ephemeral consruction.
Associated features
Posthole 2.
Excavation procedure
Feature was excavated with a trowel in a full cut. One two-liter flotation sample was collected from the fill.
Portion excavated
The entire feature was excavated.
Horizontal location
1-x2-m unit 1366N 489E, towards the southeast end of the unit.
Vertical location
Surface 1.
Construction
Posthole was excavated into preoccupational sediment. No slabs or plaster were used.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
Minimal bioturbation.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  round
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
31
Yes
Width
31
Yes
Height
No
Depth
21.5
Yes
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Secondary deposit inside posthole.
Charcoal.
Minimal bioturbation.
Reddish brown with dark brown mottling.
Silty clay.