Nonstructure 109, extramural surface

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Features

Pit: slab-lined (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
Slab-lined thermal pit.
Use history
This moderately large slab-lined thermal pit appears to have been used repeatedly and was even partiioned into two cells during its final use. It is either a roasting pit or pottery kiln.
Associated features
Excavation procedure
Feature was identified on modern ground surface as a series of upright slab. A 1-x-1-m unit was placed over the uprights and excavated to the prehistoric ground surface. The north and south halfs of the features were excavated in full cuts. Six floatation samples and eight pollen samples were collected from the fill.
Portion excavated
The western 75% of the feature was excavated.
Horizontal location
The feature is extramural and located southwest of the Block 100 midden.
Vertical location
Nonstructure 109 Surface 1.
Construction
The pit was dug into a cleared extramural ground surface. A layer of redeposited native sediment was added to shape the base of the feature and slabs were used to line the bottom and sides of the pit.
Remodeling/ modification
Yes. The feature was partitioned east-west with an alignment of stacked stones.
Thermal alteration
Yes. All stones are fire-reddened and the pit was filled with charcoal.
Sooting
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
A two-track road runs over the feature but has only caused surficial damage.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  round
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
96
No
100
north-south
Width
78
No
100
east-west
Height
No
Depth
22
Yes
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Thermal sediments.
Sandstone pieces, adobe, charcoal, and calcium carbonate flecking.
Road
7.5 YR 3/4 Brown
Silty loam