The Switchback Site

Structure 113 is a slab-lined surface room in the northwest section of an L-shaped roomblock that includes at least nine other similar rooms. The following construction sequence is based on upright slabs visible on the surface around the perimeter of the pit room and a 2-x-2-m test unit in the center of the room. Structure 113 is an irregular ovoid in shape measuring 2.10 long and 2.05 m wide. The inferred construction sequence is as follows: 1) an ovoid pit with sloping sides was excavated approximately .18 m deep into undisturbed native loess sediments and smoothed; 2) at least eight, but up to fifteen, medium to large upright slabs were socketed into customized footer trenches around the edge of the pit room to create the lower .5 m of wall ; 3) a second row of upright slabs were leaned against the interior of the socketed upright slabs and mortared into place; 4) brush and small diameter wood was likely seated between the upright slabs and then arched over the structure to opposite side of the pit to create the roof and walls of the structure; 5) this framework was covered with approximately .4 m of adobe and sporadic sandstone pieces to seal the roof and walls; 6) an .80 m wide gap was left in the east wall of the room, possibly as an access point from the room to the east, and a 7 cm in diameter upright post was seated in the structures floor on the south side of this opening to support the entryway; 7) and a .35 m deep storage pit was excavated into the floor of the pit room along the east wall.

other

The walls and roof of Pit Room 113 were constructed of brush and small diameter wood sandwhiched between entrenched double upright slabs along the interior wall and then arched across the top of the pit create a dome. A single upright post in the east wall angles towards the opening in the east wall and myahave helped frame the tapered entryway. This framework was covered with approximately .4 m of adobe and 40 sandstone pieces.