Nonstructure 1102, extramural surface

Back to Study Unit

Features

Pit: slab-lined (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
Burned slab-walled pit on extramural surface.
Use history
Pit was excavated into undisturbed sterile sediments, except for the western edge, which may have truncated the east edge of a midden deposit. Pit was used to contain fire for some unknown purpose (cooking, food processing etc.). No evidence of use-type found in fill during excavation, except for a few burned faunal remains.
Associated features
None.
Excavation procedure
Bisected length of feature; excavated east half, then west half in a full cut.
Portion excavated
All.
Horizontal location
Crosses the northeastern portion of 2-x-2 m unit 657N 379E; in 1100 roomblock midden area.
Vertical location
25-30 cm below modern ground surface at the base of plow zone; top of undisturbed soil.
Construction
A rectangular pit was excavated into sterile deposits; pit walls were lined with upright slabs. Bottom of pit was flat except for two round pits (30 cm diameter) excavated into the floor; sandstone slabs were set into each of these pits (see map #121). Adobe was used in front of and around the slabs.
Remodeling/ modification
Yes. No evidence.
Thermal alteration
Yes. Walls and edges of the floor were heavily oxidized; floor and floor slabs were heavily charred.
Sooting
Yes. Could be possible with the charring; soil was too damp to tell.
Sealed
Yes. No evidence
Preservation
Good.
Degree of preservation
Top of feature truncated by plowing.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  rectangular.
Inferred:  rectangular.
Shape in cross section
Actual:  rectangular.
Inferred:  rectangular.
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
133
Yes
Measurement taken from outside of rocks.
Width
68
Yes
Height
No
Depth
10
No
15
Top of feature removed by plowing.
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
A
Use-associated fill on the feature bottom mostly composed of charred organic residue
abundant charcoal flecks; nodules (4 cm diameter); burned adobe up to 5 cm diameter; few small sandstone rocks (less than 5 cm long); bits of slab that the plow chipped from the feature walls
Insect and plow
7 YR 4/4 (taken damp) Brown/Dark brown
silty clay loam