Nonstructure 125, extramural surface

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Features

Burial pit (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
Oval pit excavated into natural sediment that was lined with stone slabs.
Use history
Feature excavated through an ephemeral use surface, likely associated with the deposition of Nonstructure 101 (midden), for intentional placement of burial; filled and sealed after individual interred; subsequent rodent burrowing disturbed fill and individual.
Associated features
Human Remains Occurrence 1 (Nonstructure 125, Feature 2).
Excavation procedure
Feature was excavated as full cut; excavation was limited to confirm F-2.
Portion excavated
Small portion towards edge of feature.
Horizontal location
Within EU 1.
Vertical location
Excavated into Nonstructure 125.
Construction
The feature appears to have been excavated through an ephemeral surface into natural strata; pit was lined with sandstone slabs; interment placed within pit (Feature 2); the pit was filled and sealed.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
Yes. Pit filled
Preservation
Excellent.
Degree of preservation
Shape in plan view
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  basin-shaped.
Shape in cross section
Actual:  elliptical.
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
93
Yes
Width
55
Yes
Height
No
Depth
40
No
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
A combination of overlying midden (Nonstructure 101) and natural fill from within depression of Structure 110
Charcoal
Rodent
Red-brown
Silty clay loam
Human remains occurrence , HRO 1 (Feature 2) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
Fragmentary human remains composed of three cranial fragments, two long bones, and several isolated human teeth; a single, worked Black-on-red sherd, probably a pendant, appears to have been a funerary object.
Use history
Individual interred in pit excavated into relatively clean, natural fill within Structure 110 that was subsequently excavated into to create burial pit, likely during accumulation of overlying Nonstructure 101 (midden); natural subsidence and rodent activity resulted in poor preservation and fragmentary nature of remains.
Associated features
Burial Pit (Nonstructure 125, Feature 1).
Excavation procedure
Exposed during excavation of 2-x-2-m unit; human remains were pedestaled to determine if remains wereisolated or associated with additional remains; excavation exposed edges of fill within Feature 1 and was subsequently terminated.
Portion excavated
Limited exposure of remains within 2-x-2 m unit.
Horizontal location
In the northeast quadrant of 2-x-2-m unit 474N 488E.
Vertical location
Approximately 97.88 meters.
Construction
Not applicable.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
Yes. Nonstructure 125, Feature 1 (Burial Pit) was sealed with redeposited native sediment after internment.
Preservation
Poor.
Degree of preservation
Natural decomposition and pressure; rodent burrowing in vicinity is extensive.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
No
Fragmentary
Width
No
Fragmentary
Height
No
Not applicable
Depth
No
Not applicable
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture