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Nonstructure 3.3-N, midden
About this Nonstructure
General Location
Upper west side. South of cliff face, on steep talus slope and south of a cluster of buildings that includes Structure 7 (a tested kiva).
Specific Location
Lower half of 1-x-1-m 390N 406E (EU 10) . Rests below Nonstructure 3.1-N. Nonstructure 3.2-N is near the top of the deposit.
Selection Criteria
Part of Nonstructure 3-N testing; see Nonstructure 3-N and associated EU for description and explanation of testing strategy.
Use
The high quantity of ash, charcoal, and artifacts suggests this deposit has not moved far, if at all; if this is the case, it is not clear where the refuse originated from as there are no visible structures close to this deposit; it may be that nearby structures are buried underneath collivium and are not visible from modern ground surface; alternatively, this refuse may have originated from structures further upslope, since this deposit rests in a relatively flat area on a steep talus slope, where redeposited remains could easily accumulate.
Abandonment
Not applicable.
Postabandonment Process
Covered with postoccupational natural deposits that include redeposited secondary refuse.
Dating of Midden
A noncutting tree-ring date of A.D. 1231vv came from this deposit; the predominant formal white ware types include Mancos Black-on-white, McElmo Black-on-white, and Mesa Verde Black-on-white. Pottery and tree-ring data suggest this refuse was deposited during late Pueblo II and Pueblo III times.
Date Range
3 (A.D. 1000–1280)
Site-Wide Dating
Groups to Which This Study Unit was Assigned
See The Archaeology of Woods Canyon Pueblo (specifically the chapters on architecture, chronology, and artifacts) for more information on study unit groupings at Woods Canyon Pueblo.
| Type | ID | Description |
| area | 5 | Area of upper west side |
| section | UW | Upper west side |
| subperiod | 9 | Late Pueblo III (A.D. 1225-1280) |
Excavation Details for Excavation Units
In order by excavation unit number.
Excavation Unit
10
Location
1-x-1 meter grid unit 390N 406E.
West of main drainage; upper west side on steep talus slope.
Along south edge of Nonstructure 3; approximately 14 meters south of Structure 7.
Selection Criteria
Random. Second randomly-selected unit for excavation in NST 3.
Excavation Strategy
Strata subdivided into arbitrary levels.
Unit Ends at
Undisturbed native sediment.
Study Unit(s) Identified in this Excavation Unit