Structure 5-S, subterranean kiva

Features


Human remains occurrence , HRO 1 (Feature 1) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
Articulated subadult burial in an extended position.
Use history
Remains were placed on the floor of this structure at the time of abandonment, before the roof burned.
Associated features
Associated with at least nine other individuals, which are believed to have been placed in the kiva at approximately the same time.
Excavation procedure
Excavated sediment around the remains with a variety of bamboo tools, dental picks and brushes. Bones were described, mapped, and photographed in the field.
Portion excavated
Portion within excavation unit, which in this case was the entire skeleton except for the right arm, the feet, and part of the cranium.
Horizontal location
Northeast portion of excavation unit.
Vertical location
Rests on Surface 1.
Construction
Not applicable.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good.
Degree of preservation
Shape in plan view
Actual:  irregular.
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  irregular.
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
94
No
Width
27
No
From left elbow to edge of right rib cage.
Height
8
Yes
At cranium.
Depth
No
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture

Human remains occurrence , HRO 2 (Feature 2) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
Articulated, extended burial of a subadult.
Use history
Remains were placed on the floor of this structure at the time of abandonment, before the roof burned.
Associated features
Associated with at least nine other individuals, which are believed to have been placed in the kiva at approximately the same time.
Excavation procedure
Excavated sediment around the remains with a variety of bamboo tools, dental picks and brushes. Bones were described, mapped, and photographed in the field.
Portion excavated
Portion within excavation unit, which in this case was the entire skeleton except for the right foot, which extends into the north profile.
Horizontal location
Northeast portion of excavation unit.
Vertical location
Rests on Surface 1.
Construction
Not applicable.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
Yes. Distal end of the left radius has been burned nearly all the way through; see human remains screen for interpretation of burning.
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good.
Degree of preservation
Limited breakage and burning.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  irregular.
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  irregular.
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
127
No
134
Only missing right foot.
Width
40
Yes
From elbow to elbow.
Height
6
Yes
At cranium.
Depth
No
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture

Human remains occurrence , HRO 3 (Feature 3) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
Articulated, adult female burial.
Use history
Remains were placed on the floor of this structure at the time of abandonment, before the roof burned.
Associated features
Associated with at least nine other individuals, which are believed to have been placed in the kiva at approximately the same time.
Excavation procedure
Excavated sediment around the remains with a variety of bamboo tools, dental picks and brushes. Bones were described, mapped, and photographed in the field.
Portion excavated
Portion within excavation unit, which in this case was the entire skeleton except for the lower left and right legs and feet, which extend into the south profile.
Horizontal location
Located in the central and southeastern portion of Structure 5-S. Segment 1; upper half of the skeleton was in close proximity to Human Remains Occurrencess 2 and 5.
Vertical location
Remains make contact with the kiva floor (Surface 1).
Construction
Not applicable.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
Yes. Several bones show evidence of burning; the right scapula and the right rib bone closest to it both have red and black marks, as do several of the left ribs and left humerus, which are above the burned left radius of Human Remains Occurrence 2; see human remains occurrence screen for interpretation of burning.
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good.
Degree of preservation
Some breakage and localized burning (see human remains screen).
Shape in plan view
Actual:  irregular.
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  irregular.
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
99
No
Width
52
No
From elbow to elbow.
Height
14
Yes
At cranium.
Depth
No
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture

Human remains occurrence , HRO 4 (Feature 4) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
Articulated remains of a human represented solely by the lower right leg and foot bones.
Use history
Remains were placed on the floor of this structure at the time of abandonment, before the roof burned.
Associated features
Feature 4 is associated with at least nine other individuals, which we believe were placed on the kiva floor at roughly the same time.
Excavation procedure
Excavated sediment around the remains with a variety of bamboo tools, dental picks and brushes. Bones were described, mapped, and photographed in the field.
Portion excavated
Portion exposed wihtin excavation unit, which in this case was only the right leg of the skeleton.
Horizontal location
Along southwest profile of Structure 5-S, Segment 1; in fact, the feature protrudes from the west profile.
Vertical location
Bones are in contact or partial contact with the kiva floor (Surface 1); the small portion of the femur visible in this unit is suspended above the floor by postabadonment fill.
Construction
Not applicable.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Excellent.
Degree of preservation
Shape in plan view
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  irregular.
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  irregular.
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
57
No
Width
14
No
Taken at foot.
Height
6
No
From foot at floor to distal end of tibia.
Depth
No
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture

Human remains occurrence , HRO 5 (Feature 5) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
Feature 5 is a complete, articulated human child.
Use history
Remains were placed on the floor of this structure at the time of abandonment, before the roof burned.
Associated features
Feature 5 is associated with at least nine other individuals, which we believe were placed on the kiva floor at roughly the same time.
Excavation procedure
Excavated sediment around the remains with a variety of bamboo tools, dental picks and brushes. Bones were described, mapped, and photographed in the field.
Portion excavated
Entire skeleton.
Horizontal location
This feature is located in the northwestern quadrant of Structure 5-S, Segment 1, with the skull of this individual resting nearly in the center of the unit.
Vertical location
The skeleton is directly on the kiva floor (Surface 1).
Construction
Not applicable.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good.
Degree of preservation
A large piece of sandstone has compressed and fractured much of the upper torso; the skull had extensive recent postmortem fracturing; left femur fractured by overlying bone and auger test that occurred long before it was known that human remains were associated with this kiva.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  irregular.
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  irregular.
Inferred: 
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
108
Yes
Width
34
Yes
From elbow to elbow.
Height
10
Yes
At cranium.
Depth
No
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture

Human remains occurrence , HRO 6 (Feature 6) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
Feature 6 consists of an almost complete, articulated human left foot (only several of the phalanges are not accounted for, and they probably are in the south profile), and the distal end of a left tibia.
Use history
Remains were placed on the floor of this structure at the time of abandonment, before the roof burned.
Associated features
Associated with at least nine other individuals, which are believed to have been placed on the kiva floor at roughly the same time.
Excavation procedure
Excavated sediment around the remains with a variety of bamboo tools, dental picks and brushes. Bones were described, mapped, and photographed in the field.
Portion excavated
Portion within excavation unit, which in this case was only a human foot and lower leg bone.
Horizontal location
Feature 6 is located in the southwestern portion of Structure 5-S, Segment 1.
Vertical location
The portion of the skeleton exposed is on contact with the kiva floor (Surface 1). The bones that are not in direct contact with the floor are resting upon bones that are on floor contact.
Construction
Not applicable.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Excellent.
Degree of preservation
Shape in plan view
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  irregular.
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  irregular.
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
12
No
Width
16
No
Measured across foot.
Height
5
No
From foot to top of tibia.
Depth
No
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture

Human remains occurrence , HRO 7 (Feature 7) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
Articulated right foot of an adult.
Use history
Remains were placed on the floor of this structure at the time of abandonment, before the roof burned.
Associated features
These remains are associated with at least nine other individuals, which are believed to have been placed on the kiva floor at roughly the same time.
Excavation procedure
Excavated sediment around the remains with a variety of bamboo tools, dental picks and brushes. Bones were described, mapped, and photographed in the field.
Portion excavated
Portion within excavation unit, which in this case was only part of a human right foot.
Horizontal location
Located at the south end of Structure 5-S, Segment 1; remains extend beyond excavation unit to the south; immediately east of Human Remains Occurrence 6.
Vertical location
Several bones are on floor contact (Surface 1), however, most of the bones rest on an axe, which is in partial contact with the kiva floor.
Construction
Not applicable.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Excellent.
Degree of preservation
Shape in plan view
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  irregular.
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  irregular.
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
6
No
From proximal to distal end of metacarpal.
Width
8
No
From distal end of metacarpal to phalange.
Height
11
No
From phalange to proximal end of metacarpal.
Depth
No
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture

Human remains occurrence , HRO 8 (Feature 8) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
Articulated infant in an informal burial position.
Use history
Remains were placed on the floor of this structure at the time of abandonment, before the roof burned.
Associated features
Associated with at least nine other individuals, which we believe were placed on the kiva floor at roughly the same time.
Excavation procedure
Excavated sediment around the remains with a variety of bamboo tools, dental picks and brushes. Bones were described, mapped, and photographed in the field.
Portion excavated
Portion within excavation unit, which in this case was the entire skeleton except for the lower left leg which extends outside the excavation unit, and portions of the left torso, the left arm, and the cranium which are covered by large sandstone slabs. The slabs could not be removed because Human Remains Occurrence 9 rested on them. In addition, parts of Human Remains Occurrence 9 rest directly on top of this infant, making it impossible to observe parts of the torso and the right foot.
Horizontal location
This feature is located in the northwest quadrant of Segment 1, and is roughly parallel to Human Remains Occurrences 1, 2, and 5.
Vertical location
The skeleton makes contact with the kiva floor (Surface 1).
Construction
Not applicable.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
Yes. Possible burning of one of the right metacarpals.
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good.
Degree of preservation
Post-mortem damage to the skull.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  irregular.
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  irregular.
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
60
No
Width
20
No
From cranium to right humerus.
Height
7
Yes
At skull.
Depth
No
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture

Human remains occurrence , HRO 9 (Feature 9) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
Articulated sub-adult lying in an informal burial position.
Use history
Remains were placed on the floor of this structure at the time of abandonment, before the roof burned.
Associated features
Feature is associated with at least nine other individuals in Segment 1, that are believed to have been deposited at relatively the same time.
Excavation procedure
Excavated sediment around the remains with a variety of bamboo tools, dental picks and brushes. Bones were described, mapped, and photographed in the field.
Portion excavated
Portion within excavation unit; which in this case is the lower body of this individual; the upper body presumably lies in the west profile of Segment 1; part of the lower left leg is covered by Human Remains Occurrence 10.
Horizontal location
Feature 9 is located in the northwest quadrant of Segment 1; upper haldf of individual is bleieved to be located west of the excavation unit.
Vertical location
In general, the skeleton makes contact with the kiva floor (Surface 1), although many of the bones rest on either sandstone slabs or the bones of adjacent burials (Human Remains Occurrences 5 and 8).
Construction
Not applicable.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
No
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Good.
Degree of preservation
Several of the vertebral arches were broken due to postmortem compressive forces; the sacrum and os coxae have been damaged due to both compression and root activity (data partly obtained from osteological analysis forms).
Shape in plan view
Actual:  irregular.
Inferred: 
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  irregular.
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
70
No
From tip of right foot to top of westernmost exposed left rib.
Width
42
No
From knee to knee.
Height
7
No
From left rib on floor to highest left rib on slab.
Depth
No
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture

Human remains occurrence , HRO 10 (Feature 10) (NOTE: Additional information on human remains is archived at the Anasazi Heritage Center, Dolores, Colorado.) Top of page
General description
Portions of the right tibia and right fibula, and right ulna of a subadult; leg bones are in anatomic position, but ulna is not; bones are believed to come from the same individual based on similar size and fusion rates.
Use history
Remains were placed on the floor of this structure at the time of abandonment, before the roof burned.
Associated features
This individual is associated with nine other bodies that were all probably deposited on the kiva floor at about the same time.
Excavation procedure
Excavated sediment around the remains with a variety of bamboo tools, dental picks and brushes. Bones were described, mapped, and photographed in the field.
Portion excavated
Portion within excavation unit, which in this case was only the right ulna, right tibia, and right fibula; rest of skeleton is believed to be north and west of the excavation unit.
Horizontal location
This feature is located in the northwestern corner of Structure 5-S, Segment 1.
Vertical location
Bones rest above floor; part of tibia and fibula rest on left lower leg of Human Remains 9.
Construction
Not applicable.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
Yes. Black coloration on ulna may be from a low-intensity burning or the result of post-mortem staining.
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Poor.
Degree of preservation
The tibia and fibula were in excellent condition, however, the ulna was fractured; ulna believed to have fractured soon after death; see human remains screen for further discussion.
Shape in plan view
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  irregular.
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  irregular.
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
20
No
Along the tibia.
Width
9
No
From tibia to proximal end of ulna.
Height
10
No
Bottom of tibia to top of proximal end of ulna.
Depth
No
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture