Nonstructure 120, extramural surface

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Features

Pit: not further specified (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
Medium-sized extramural pit near surface rooms.
Use history
Pit of unknown function subseuqntly filled with small sandstone rocks and mixed sediment.
Associated features
Excavation procedure
Feature was identified while clearing Surface 1. It was bisected into north and south halves and both were excavated in full cut (the south half was excavated first). All fill was screened with 1/8-inch mesh.
Portion excavated
Entire feature.
Horizontal location
Northeast quarter of 2-x-2-m unit; 15 cm north of the north rim of Structure 116 and and about 20 cm west of the west wall of Structure 110.
Vertical location
Dug into Surface 1; appears to be the same surface that Structure 116 was excavated into.
Construction
A pit was dug into undisturbed native sediment that formed the prehistoric ground surface. No other construction noted.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
Yes. Although the fill contained about a dozen small sandstone rocks and so might have been filled intentionally.
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
Erosion, roots, insects.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  irregular
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  irregular
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
30
Yes
East-west.
Width
25
Yes
North-south.
Height
No
Depth
16
Yes
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Mixed cultural fill.
A few tiny charcoal flecks, about a dozen small sandstone rocks most of which are tabular-- up to 4.5 cm diameter.
Roots, insect burrows.
Strong brown.
Silty clay loam.
Pit: not further specified (Feature 2) Top of page
General description
Extramural pit feature just north of Structure 116.
Use history
Uknown; filled with charcoal-stained sediment after use.
Associated features
Excavation procedure
Feature identified while clearing Surface 1. It was excavated in a full cut and one 1 liter floatation sample was collected. All other fill was screened through 1/8-inch mesh.
Portion excavated
Unknown; only the portion in the 2-x-2-m excavation unit.
Horizontal location
Northwest corner of 2-x-2-m excavation unit; about 60 cm north of Nonstructure 109, Feature 1.
Vertical location
Dug into Surface 1, Nonstructure 120.
Construction
A pit was dug into undisturbed native sediment comprising the prehistoric ground surface.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
Erosion, roots, cicadas.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped
Inferred:  basin-shaped
Shape in cross section
Actual:  irregular
Inferred:  irregular
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
19
No
North-south.
Width
17
No
East-west.
Height
No
Depth
6
No
Might go deeper outside excavation unit.
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Mixed fill.
Abundant charcoal flecking.
Rootlets and cicada holes.
Dark brown.
Silt loam.