Structure 4-S, subterranean kiva

About this Structure

General Location

East side of pueblo.

Specific Location

Lower portion of talus slope.

Interpretive Type

Not assigned.

Structure Use

Many items were left on the latest floor including a complete awl, a complete axe, a complete mano, an incomplete abrader, and at least two partial/reconstructible vessels; items in roof fall include complete polishingstones and/or hammerstones, a complete awl, an incomplete awl, and an incomplete abrader; these items may have once rested on the roof or were stored in the ceiling; if so, these items, coupled with the floor items, indicate a variety of domestic activities took place during the final use of this area; two small floor pits are associated with the earliest surface, but their function is unknown.

Abandonment

Primary roof beams appear to have been salvaged and the remainder of the roof was burned or left to deteriorate. This inference is based on the small burned and unburned beam fragments found in roof fall. Some whole items were left on the floor and possibly the roof. Some items may have been intentionally discarded in the kiva when the roof fell.

Postabandonment

Kiva filled with wall collapse and natural 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 3 Area of east talus slope
section E East side (east talus slope)
subperiod 9 Late Pueblo III (A.D. 1225-1280)