Nonstructure 134, extramural surface

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Features

Burial pit (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
Burial pit excavated into post-abandonment natural fill within Structure 136.
Use history
Burial pit excavated for the interment of Human remains occurrence 3.
Associated features
Human remains occurrence 3 (Nonstructure 134, Feature 2).
Excavation procedure
Exposed during excavation of Backhoe Trench 133.
Portion excavated
An unknown portion of the north pit and fill within Backhoe Trench 133; feature not present in north profile.
Horizontal location
In south profile of Backhoe Trench 133 above Structure 136.
Vertical location
Nonstructure 134, Surface 1.
Construction
Burial pit excavated from Surface 1 into natural fill which accumulated above the collapsed roof sediments of Structure 136.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
Yes. Sealed with fill from excavation.
Preservation
Good.
Degree of preservation
Rodent burrows.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  irregular.
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  rectangular.
Shape comments
Plan view rectangular to oval.
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
190
Yes
Measured east-west.
Width
No
No basis to assess.
Height
No
Depth
67
No
Varies from 50-67 cm, but truncated by plow zone.
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
C
Mixture of natural post-abandonment fill excavated to crerate pit and cultural deposits.
Sherds, charcoal flecking.
Rodent.
Yellowish-red.
Silty loam.
Human remains occurrence , HRO 3 (Feature 2) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
Seveal long bones and cranial fragments of an adult individual.
Use history
Not applicable.
Associated features
Burial Pit (Nonstructure 134, Feature 1).
Excavation procedure
This feature was exposed during the excavation of Backhoe Trench 133. The remains were visible within a burial pit (Nonstructure 134, Feature 1) in the southwestern portion of the trench.
Portion excavated
Unknown; the feature was distubed by the excavation of Backhoe Trench 133.
Horizontal location
In south profile wall of Backhoe Trench 133, within Structure 136. Approximately 476.3N 480E.
Vertical location
Approximately 98.12-98.44 meters.
Construction
A burial pit (Nonstructure 134, Feature 1) was excavated into natural, post-occupational fill within Structure 136. The human remains, composed of long bones and cranial fragments, were interred within the pit along an east-west orientation. Natural and cultural fill were used to cover the remains.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
Yes. The burial pit (Nonstructure 134, Feature 1) was sealed with natural and cultural fill.
Preservation
Good
Degree of preservation
Evidence of ground-weathering and root etching on remains.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  basin-shaped
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual: 
Inferred:  elliptical
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
No
Not applicable; disturbed by Backhoe Trench 133.
Width
No
Not applicable; disturbed by Backhoe Trench 133.
Height
No
Not applicable; disturbed by Backhoe Trench 133.
Depth
No
Not applicable; disturbed by Backhoe Trench 133.
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
C
Natural and cultural deposits.
Sandstone, charcoal, adobe, and caliche.
Bioturbation
5 YR 4/6 Yellowish Red
Silty Loam