Block 1000, northeast quadrant of site.

Nonstructure 1000 is the open area (courtyard) in the east-central portion of Block 1000. It is located between the site-enclosing wall to the east and the kiva (Structure 1004) to the west. It is bordered on the north and south by surface rooms (Structures 1002, 1003, and 1005-1007). It is also below Arbitrary Unit 1014.

This courtyard area is thought to have been used as an outdoor work space and living area. It allowed access into Structure 1005 through a floor-level doorway, into Structure 1002 through a raised-sill doorway, and through the site-enclosing wall into Structure 1008 (lower story of tower) through a retro-constructed, "punched-out" doorway. Informal firepits were used in this space for warmth, cooking, lighting, or any combination thereof; three postholes suggest the presence of one or more additional features such as drying racks or perhaps a ramada. One of the final uses of this area was as a midden.

Assumed to have been abandoned in the same manner as the kiva suite--as the result of a warfare event. Numerous human femur fragments and a fibula fragment were found in the uppermost layer of refuse on this surface.

Upper walls of surrounding structures collapsed onto the midden and additional sediment was naturally deposited.

Four tree-ring dates are available for this study unit, although only the latest is a cutting date--1266+r. This sample was recovered from the lowermost level of fill (secondary refuse) beneath the courtyard surfaces and thus indicates that these surfaces were constructed sometime after A.D. 1266. The uppermost courtyard surface, at least, is thought to have been used after the surrounding rooms were constructed.

See "Surfaces."

Assumed to have been abandoned when this kiva suite was abandoned, sometime after A.D. 1266.

No evidence of reuse.

1 (A.D. 1250–1280)

Site-Wide Dating