Nonstructure 112, extramural surface

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Features

Pit: slab-lined (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
Basin shaped pit south of Room 117.
Use history
The pit feature was constructed adjacent to the south wall of Pit Room Structure 117. It was modified to create a smaller basin at some point. This pit partially filled with oraganic rich material. The top of the pit eventually filled with construction deposits from the south wall of Structure 117.
Associated features
Built and used in tandem with Footer Trench Feaure 2 from Structure 117.
Excavation procedure
The feature was bisected north-south and both halves were excavated in a full cut. Two floatation samples and pollen samples were collected. All remaining fill was screened through 1/8" mesh.
Portion excavated
Whole feature.
Horizontal location
Feature 1 is located on the south side of Structure 117, adjacent to the structures south wall.
Vertical location
Nonstructure 112 extramural Surface 1, 15 cm below modern ground surface.
Construction
The pit was excavated into the extramural surface on the south side of Structure 117. The north end of the pit cuts into Structure 117 Feature 1 which is the footer trench for the south wall of the structure.
Remodeling/ modification
Yes. The lower two-thirds of the feature were eventually filled with construction material to create a smaller basin.
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
Roots.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  elliptical
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
40
Yes
Width
30
Yes
Height
No
Depth
12
Yes
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Adobe wall construction material associated with the south wall footer of Structure 117.
Calcium carbonate and carcoal.
None
Light reddish brown
Compact clayey silt
2
Cultural deposit.
Charcoal and calcium carbonate.
Roots
Greyish brown
Loamy silt
3
Construction deposit.
Sporadic calcium carbonate.
Roots
Light orangish tan
Compact silt
Pit: not further specified (Feature 2) Top of page
General description
Irregular pit dug into Surface 1 southwest of Structure 117 (pit room).
Use history
Pit of unknown function dug into Surface1 just southwest of Structure117.
Associated features
Excavation procedure
Feature identified while exposing Surface 1. It was bisected into northern and southern halves which were excavated in full cut. Floatation and pollen samples were taken from the north half. All other fill was screened through 1/8-inch mesh.
Portion excavated
Entire feature.
Horizontal location
Just southwest of Structure 117.
Vertical location
Dug into Surface 1, Nonstructure 112.
Construction
An irregular pit was excavated into Surface 1 comprised of construction fill.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
Minor root disturbance.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  irregular
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
25
Yes
Width
22
Yes
Height
No
Depth
34
Yes
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Mixed feature fill.
Charcoal, adobe, and decomposing stone.
Roots.
Grayish brown.
Silt.
Pit: not further specified (Feature 3) Top of page
General description
Shallow pit feature southwest of Pit Room 117.
Use history
Feature 3 is a small pit southwest of Pit Room 117. It likely served as a storage pit or low intensity thermal feature.
Associated features
Pit Feature 2 on extramural surface Nonstructure 112 to the east.
Excavation procedure
The feature was exposed on the extramural surface. The exposed portion was bisected and each half excavated in a full cut. A float sample and a pollen sample were collected from the base of the feature. All remaining sediment was screened through 1/8" fill.
Portion excavated
Eastern three quarters.
Horizontal location
The pit feature is .75 m southwest of Pit Room 117 in the roomblock north of Pithouse 101-103.
Vertical location
Extramural surface covered by construction material from Pit Room 117.
Construction
Pit was excavated into an extramural surface.
Remodeling/ modification
Yes. A 3 cm thick layer of silty construction material was deposited on the north interior face of the pit reducing its size. This construction deposit continues as a mound of material on the surface to the north.
Thermal alteration
Yes. High charcoal content in the feature fill.
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  elliptical
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
31
Yes
Width
23
No
31
Height
No
Depth
8
Yes
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Redeposited thermal fill.
High content of large charcoal pieces and burned adobe.
rootlets
greyish brown
compact silt
2
Construction deposit.
Charcoal flecking.
none
orangish tan
compact silt