Nonstructure 131, extramural surface

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Features

Burial pit (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
Fairly uniform elliptical or sub-rectangular burial pit apparently excavated through, or into, midden deposits for the purpose of placing a secondary burial; unlined pit excavated into undisturbed native sediment; individuals remains placed with long bones oriented approximately east-west along pits maximum axis, then covered with a large flat sandstone slab and filled in with soil from midden and original excavation deposits.
Use history
Pit excavated for placement of the remains of an individual; remains placed in it and covered with a sandstone slab and another stone; filled in with midden or undisturbed native sediment from pit excavation.
Associated features
Human remains occurrence 2 (Nonstructure 131, Feature 2).
Excavation procedure
This feature was encountered in Backhoe Trench 127; it was sectioned and the upper fill was removed from the western portion of the pit.
Portion excavated
Unknown portion of western edge of pit and upper fill.
Horizontal location
In east profile and base of Backhoe Trench 127; located approximately south of Structure 110; approximate grid location is 462N 491E.
Vertical location
Surface 1.
Construction
Excavated into undisturbed native sediment; unlined.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
Yes. Sandstone slab placed over the burial.
Preservation
Excellent.
Degree of preservation
Some disturbance by backhoe trench.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped.
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual: 
Inferred:  elliptical.
Shape comments
Inferred shape in plan view could be elliptical or sub-rectangular.
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
52
No
Measured east-west; west edge to profile.
Width
40
Yes
Measured north-south; recorded at widest point.
Height
No
Depth
53
No
Disturbed by plow zone; unknown upper limits.
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Combination of sterile sediment from its excavation and adjacent/overlying secondary refuse deposit.
Mottling with sterile sediments or daub pieces.
None.
Red-brown.
Silty clay loam.
Human remains occurrence , HRO 2 (Feature 2) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
Feature 2 consists of the long bones and vertebra of an older individual that were placed east-west into a burial pit (Feature1). Sandstone slabs were placed over the individual at the time of internment and redeposited fill from the pit was placed over the slabs. This feature appeared to be disarticulated, suggesting a secondary burial.
Use history
Not applicable.
Associated features
Nonstructure 131, Feature 1, Burial Pit.
Excavation procedure
Human Remains Occurrence 2 was detected in the eastern profile wall of Backhoe Trench 127. This feature was not further excavated once exposed.
Portion excavated
The top and western portions of the feature were exposed, but was not further excavated once confirmed to be human remains.
Horizontal location
In east profile wall of Backhoe Trench 127. Located approximately 7 meters south of Structure 110. Grid location is approximately 462N 491 E.
Vertical location
Approximately 97.00 meters.
Construction
A burial pit (Nonstructure 131, Feature 1) was excavated from the prehistoric ground surface into undistrubed native sediment. Human Remains Occurrence 2 was placed in an east-west orientation into the pit and covered with sandstone slabs. The fill excavated from the pit as well as secondary refuse was used to cover the remains and slabs.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
Yes. The burial pit containing this feature was sealed with sandstone slabs and natural and cultural fill.
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
Unknown; disturbed by plow zone.
Width
No
Unknown; disturbed by plow zone.
Height
No
Unknown; disturbed by plow zone.
Depth
No
Unknown; disturbed by plow zone.
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Mixture of naturl, redeposited fill and secondary refuse.
Adobe
None
Reddish Brown
Silty Clay Loam