Nonstructure 203, extramural surface

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Features

Firepit (Feature 1) Top of page
General description
Shallow firepit on an extramural surface.
Use history
Used as firepit; covered by additional deposits of cultural material.
Associated features
Excavation procedure
Cross-sectioned north-south; excavated south half first.
Portion excavated
Only the portion within the excavation unit; feature continues outside the excavation unit to the north and the east.
Horizontal location
Located in the northeast corner of a 2 x 1 excavation unit; 1.10 m north of the roomblock in Architectural Block 200.
Vertical location
Dug into prehistoric ground surface at base of masonry wall about 1.07 m below modern ground surface.
Construction
Pit was excavated into underlying cultural sediments.
Remodeling/ modification
No
Thermal alteration
Yes. Fairly extensive fire-reddening and charcoal staining on pit, sandstone rocks, and artifacts.
Sooting
No
Sealed
No
Preservation
Excellent.
Degree of preservation
Shape in plan view
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  rectangular.
Shape in cross section
Actual:  unknown.
Inferred:  irregular.
Shape comments
Dimensions
 
Actual
Complete?
Inferred
Comments
Length
81
No
North-south.
Width
63
No
East-west.
Height
No
Depth
17
No
Maximum; Map 269.
Stratigraphy
Stratum
Interpretation
Inclusions
Disturbance
Color
Texture
1
Fill is burned material resulting from use as firepit
sandstone pebbles; charcoal; abundant fist-sized sandstone rocks
sage root
dark brown
sandy loam