Nonstructure 912, extramural surface

Back to Study Unit

Features

Burial pit (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
A burial pit associated with HRO-5.
Use history
The basin-shaped pit was excavated to place HRO-5 and was sealed with secondary refuse.
Associated features
Feature 5, HRO-5.
Excavation procedure
All of feature within 1-x-1 m unit, Segment 1, was excavated with a trowel and a brush and sediments were screen with a 1/4 inch screen until HRO-5 was encountered.
Portion excavated
All of feature within 1-x-1 m unit 544N 536E was excavated until HRO-5 was encountered.
Horizontal location
Located in northern half of Nonstructure 901 1-x-1 m unit 544N 536E.
Vertical location
Approximately 4 cm below Surface 1, 98.99 m.
Construction
A basin-shaped pit was excavated into undisturbed native sediment into Surface 1; the feature was not prepared in any way.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
Yes. Secondary refuse was deposited into the feature after it fell out of its original use
Preservation
Good.
Degree of preservation
Some ground weathering and rodent disturbance.
Shape in plan view
Actual: 
Inferred:  basin-shaped.
Shape in cross section
Actual:  elliptical.
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
96
No
Measured east-west along north profile wall.
Width
61
No
Measured north-south along east profile wall.
Height
No
Depth
4
No
Measurement not complete because HRO-5 encountered.
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Secondary refuse
Sandstone; charcoal; caliche
Roots; rodents; insects
7.5 YR 5/4
Ashy clay loam
Human remains occurrence , HRO 5 (Feature 2) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
A small portion (10-x-10-cm) of a child's superior cranium.
Use history
Not applicable.
Associated features
Burial Pit (Nonstructure 912, Feature1).
Excavation procedure
A small portion of a child's superior cranium was exposed within 1-x-1-m unit 544N 536E. Excavation ceased once indentified as human.
Portion excavated
Only a small portion (10-x-10 cm) was exposed of a child's superior cranium within 1-x-1-m unit 544N 536E. Excavation ceased once identified as human.
Horizontal location
In the west-central portion of 1-x-1-m unit 544N 536E.
Vertical location
At approximately 98.98 m.
Construction
A burial pit (Nonstructure 912, Feature1) was excavated into undisturbed native sediment. Once interred, the remains were covered with secondary refuse.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
Yes. Sealed with secondary refuse.
Preservation
Good.
Degree of preservation
Shape in plan view
Actual: 
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 mixed with natural, post-occupational sediments.
Sandstone; charcoal; calcium carbonate.
Roots, animals, insects.
7.5 YR 5/4 Brown.
Ashy, clay, loam.