Nonstructure 109, extramural surface

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Features

Posthole (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
Posthole 1 is a deep, circular posthole with a tapering bottom dug into the prehistoric ground surface below the east midden.
Use history
Posthole 1 may have held a post used to support a shelter or ramada in an outdoor work area. The post was probably salvaged upon abandonment, and the posthole was filled with sediment and light refuse deposits via a mixture of cultural and natural processes.
Associated features
Posthole 1 may have worked in tandem with Posthole 2 to the southwest.
Excavation procedure
Posthole 1 was excavated in a full cut using a trowel. A two-liter flotation sample (PL 1) and a pollen sample (PL 2) were collected from the feature fill; the rest was screened with 1/8" mesh. One gray ware sherd and one core were recovered from the feature fill.
Portion excavated
The entire feature was excavated.
Horizontal location
1-x1-m unit 1501N 1781E.
Vertical location
Surface 1.
Construction
Posthole 1 was dug into the prehistoric ground surface.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
A possible rodent run has disturbed the east edge of the feature; roots are protruding from the feature walls near the bottom of the feature.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  irregular
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  rectangular
Inferred: 
Shape comments
In cross section, the posthole tapers towards its bottom.
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
17
Yes
Width
20
Yes
Height
No
Depth
30
Yes
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Midden fill mixed with naturally deposited sediments.
Moderate charcoal.
Rodent run on east edge, sparse roots.
5 YR 3/3 (dark reddish brown).
Silty clay loam.
Posthole (Feature 2) Top of page
General description
Posthole 2 is a deep, circular posthole with a tapering bottom dug into the prehistoric ground surface below the east midden.
Use history
Posthole 2 may have held a post used to support a shelter or ramada in an outdoor work area. The post was probably salvaged upon abandonment, and the posthole was filled with sediment and light refuse deposits via a mixture of cultural and natural processes.
Associated features
Posthole 2 may have worked in tandem with Posthole 1 to the northeast.
Excavation procedure
Posthole 2 was excavated in a full cut using a trowel. A two-liter flotation sample (PL 3) and a pollen sample (PL 4) were collected from the fill; the rest was screened with 1/8" mesh. One flake was recovered from the fill.
Portion excavated
The entire feature was excavated.
Horizontal location
1-x1-m unit 1501N 1781E.
Vertical location
Surface 1.
Construction
Posthole 2 was dug into the prehistoric ground surface.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
A thick root is growing through the posthole, but the edges are preserved.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  irregular
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  round
Inferred: 
Shape comments
In cross section, the posthole tapers towards its bottom.
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
13
Yes
Width
15
Yes
Height
No
Depth
18
Yes
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Midden fill mixed with natural sediments.
Moderate charcoal.
Moderate root disturbance.
5YR 3/3 (dark reddish brown).
Silty clay loam.
Posthole (Feature 3) Top of page
General description
Posthole 3 is a shallow, circular posthole dug into the prehistoric ground surface below the southeast midden. The burnt core of the original post appears to be still in situ.
Use history
Posthole 3 may have held a post used to support a shelter or ramada in an outdoor work area. The post was burned and the core remained in situ. The rest of the posthole was eventually filled with light midden deposits.
Associated features
None.
Excavation procedure
Posthole 3 was excavated in a full cut using a trowel. A two-liter flotation sample (PL 5) and a pollen sample (PL 6) were collected from the fill. The flotation sample contained large pieces of charcoal that may have been the remnants of an in-situ post (this post was too fragile to collect as a dendrochronological). The rest of the fill was screened with 1/8" mesh. No artifacts were recovered.
Portion excavated
The portion of the posthole extending into the 1-x1-m EU was excavated (probably about 60 to 70 percent of the feature).
Horizontal location
Along north edge of 1-x1-m unit 1495N 1776E.
Vertical location
Surface 1.
Construction
Posthole 3 was dug into the prehistoric ground surface.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Excellent
Degree of preservation
Some roots are present.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual: 
Inferred:  round
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
16
No
This reflects the maximum length of the visible segment.
Width
21
No
This reflects the maximum width of the visible segment.
Height
No
Depth
13
Yes
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Light midden deposits mixed with charcoal from the burned post.
Abundant charcoal.
Sparse root disturbance.
7.5YR 4/6 (strong brown).
Silty clay loam.