Nonstructure 167, extramural surface

Back to Study Unit

Features

Firepit (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
Round, extramural fire pit.
Use history
Fire pit used in an extramural area for light, heat, and cooking.
Associated features
None.
Excavation procedure
All of the fire pit present in the 1-x-2-m unit (Segment 1) was excavated in a full cut with a trowel. Twelve liters of ash were collected for flotation analysis.
Portion excavated
Approximately 3/4 of feature was excavated.
Horizontal location
South-central portion of unit along southern profile wall of 1-x-2-m unit 493.7N 503.2E.
Vertical location
Top of feature is at Nonstructure 167 Surface 1 or 97.28 m.
Construction
A round, basin-shaped pit was excavated from Nonstructure 167 Surface 1 into Structure 166 roof deposits. The pit was expediently constructed and was not prepared in any way.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
Sooting
Sealed
Yes. Sealed with primary refuse (ash) from use of feature; a layer of caliche was deposited over the pit to seal it.
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
Some bioturbation damage.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual: 
Inferred:  round
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
48
No
Measured east-west along south profile wall.
Width
30
No
Measured north-south.
Height
No
Depth
17
No
Measured from Nonstructure 167 Surface 1 to feature bottom.
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Primary refuse (ash) from use of fire pit.
Charcoal.
Bioturbation.
7.5 YR 7/2.
Ash.