Structure 3-S, subterranean kiva

About this Structure

General Location

Lower west side; base of talus slope near canyon bottom.

Specific Location

South of Structure 2-S and a large boulder with a possible tower on top of it.

Interpretive Type

Not assigned.

Structure Use

Kiva-type use based on the presence of a hearth and a possible sipapu; floor associated artifacts (an incomplete awl, a complete core, and an incomplete projectile point) and roof fall artifacts (a complete peckingstone, two incomplete projectile points, and an incomplete mano) suggest that a variety of domestic activities took place in the kiva and/or on top of the kiva in the courtyard.

Abandonment

A few items were left on the floor, and possibly the roof, however, most of them were not complete. Roof appears to have been intentionally dismantled. The paucity of floor artifacts and the absence of roof timbers suggest a planned abandonment or that items may have been salvaged by others after the structure was no longer in use. Ash lens in roof fall may represent limited burning of roof debris, secondary refuse, or an old ash deposit that rested on the roof and collapsed with it.

Postabandonment

Kiva filled with wall fall and eolian and alluvial deposits.

Excavation Details

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 2 Area of canyon bottom
section LW Lower west side (canyon bottom)
subperiod 8 Early Pueblo III (A.D. 1140-1225)