Nonstructure 9007, extramural surface

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Features

Burial pit (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
Oval-shaped burial pit.
Use history
Feature 9 was used as a burial pit throughout its use-life.
Associated features
Feature 8, Human Remains Occurrence #10.
Excavation procedure
Not excavated.
Portion excavated
Not excavated; the pit was defined.
Horizontal location
In southern portion of 1-x-1-m unit 477N 560E.
Vertical location
Top of burial pit is at Surface 1, or approximately 97.54 m; bottom of pit is unknown because it was not excavated.
Construction
an oval-shaped pit was excavated from Surface 1 into undisturbed native sediment. The pit was not prepared in any way.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
Yes. The pit was sealed with secondary refuse after the remains were placed in it.
Preservation
Excellent
Degree of preservation
Some bioturbation caused by roots and rodents.
Shape in plan view
Actual: 
Inferred:  basin-shaped
Shape in cross section
Actual: 
Inferred:  elliptical
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
100
No
Measured east-west.
Width
25
No
Measured north-south; 25 cm on west side of pit, 12 cm on east side of pit.
Height
No
Depth
No
Not excavated.
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Secondary refuse.
Charcoal; caliche; sandstone; adobe.
Roots and rodents.
7.5 YR 4/3 Brown/dark brown.
Silty clay loam with ash pockets.
Human remains occurrence , HRO 10 (Feature 2) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
This feature is represented by a cranium and one middle phalange. The visible remains probably represent a small exposed portion of a complete inhumation. The exposed elements include: (1) the left and right anterior portions of the frontal, including the left and right orbital plates and the left and right zygomatics; (2) the complete maxilla; (3) decidious dentition; (4) permanent dentition; and (5) a portion of a middle phalange. Based on data, this individual is a child between 8 and 24 months of age. Sex could not be determined on an individual of this age.
Use history
Not applicable.
Associated features
Nonstructure 9007, Feature 1 (Burial Pit).
Excavation procedure
Human Remains Occurrence 10 was exposed within 1-x-1-m unit 477N 560E. Once the elements were identified as human remains, excavation ceased.
Portion excavated
Only portions of the cranium and one middle phalange was exposed within the excavation unit.
Horizontal location
Located in the southern portion of 1-x-1-m unit 477N 560E.
Vertical location
97.42 meters.
Construction
This individual was interred within a burial pit (Nonstructure 9007, Feature 1) excavated into undisturbed native sediment and covered with secondary refuse.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
Yes. Sealed with secondary refuse.
Preservation
Excellent.
Degree of preservation
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped
Inferred:  basin-shaped.
Shape in cross section
Actual: 
Inferred:  elliptical
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
No
Not applicable.
Width
No
Not applicable.
Height
No
Depth
No
Not applicable.
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Secondary refuse.
Charcoal, caliche, sandstone, and adobe.
Rodents, roots.
7.5 YR 4/3 Brown/Dark Brown
Silty Clay Loam