Nonstructure 248, extramural surface

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Features

Pit: not further specified (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
An irregular pit, evidenced by a distinctly darker, organic fill; pit appears to have been excavated into an ephemeral use surface associated with the accumulation of Nonstructure 238 midden deposits; pit could result from rodent activity and unusual fill.
Use history
Unknown; pit appears to have been excavated for deposition of organic-rich sediment, but content of fill is not markedly different than surrounding deposit; irregular shape suggests that this could be an intrusive rodent feature that has differentiated fill.
Associated features
None.
Excavation procedure
Entire feature was excavated without horizontal or vertical subdivision.
Portion excavated
The whole pit was excavated.
Horizontal location
In south-central portion of 2-x-2-m unit 511N 544E.
Vertical location
Surface 1.
Construction
Irregular pit excavated through an ephemeral surface into underlying cultural debris (Nonstructure 238); feature excavated to irregular depths and appears to have exposed sandstone that was already in place prior to pit excavation.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good.
Degree of preservation
Rodent damage.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  irregular.
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  round.
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Irregular outline is roughly circular.
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
52
Yes
Measured east-west.
Width
56
Yes
Measured north-south.
Height
No
Depth
26
Yes
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Organic rich deposit.
Charcoal flecking.
Possible-rodent.
Gray-black.
Silty clay.