Nonstructure 106, extramural surface

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Features

Firepit (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
Fire-pit.
Use history
Fire-pit used for expedient fire; used for light, heat, and food preparation.
Associated features
None.
Excavation procedure
Entire portion of feature exposed was excavated as a full cut.
Portion excavated
Entire feature exposed within the 1-x-1-m unit was excavated.
Horizontal location
Feature is along north wall of 1-x-1-m unit with little exposed; unit is north of Backhoe Trench 113.
Vertical location
Nonstructure 106, Surface 1.
Construction
Feature is fairly shallow and was excavated into undisturbed native sediment. Along the bottom and southern edge are rocks, ranging from 5-10 cm in size which have been embedded in the natural clay deposits.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
Yes. Fairly extensive charring of the edges and bottom of the pit in addition to several of the embedded rocks; discoloration ranges from black to gray and white.
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good.
Degree of preservation
Located at bottom of plow zone; no sign of other disturbances.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  basin-shaped.
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  elliptical.
Shape comments
Small portion of feature was exposed in the 1-x-1-m unit; inferring the shape is difficult.
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
99
No
Measured east-west; feature continues into east and west walls of 1-x-1 m unit.
Width
22
No
Measured north-south; measured at widest point along west wall; continues into north wall.
Height
No
Depth
7
No
Measured at deepest point exposed; large part of feature remains in the north wall.
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
More charcoal was evident at the base of the hearth but otherwise the deposits appeared the same throughout; mottling may be due to mixing of intact deposits with overlying plow zone/natural post-abandonment deposits.
Small charcoal chunks, ash.
None noted; plow damage likely.
Mottled brownish orange. with dark brown
Silty clay.