Type: Storage Pit
Dimensions
Length: 2.6 ft
Width: 2.3 ft
Depth: 3.1 ft
Volume: 18.54 ft3
Area: 5.98 ft2
by Gary L. Petherick
Feature 10 was located near Structure 3 at 251.6R70.0. This was a deep cylindrical pit with undercut walls that gave it a bell-shaped profile. This feature was 2.6 ft long, 2.3 ft wide, and was 3.1 ft deeper than the top of subsoil. The depth-to-diameter ratio (1.55) and volume (18.54 ft3) suggest that the pit was used for storage of food or other materials. It probably served as the primary subterranean storage facility for members of the Structure 3 household.
Feature 10 contained two zones of fill. The upper zone, Zone 1, was a dark brown loam that contained a variety of cultural remains. These remains consisted of potsherds, lithic artifacts, kaolin-clay pipe fragments, glass trade beads, animal bone, wood charcoal, and charred plant food remains. Deer was the only identifiable animal species represented. The plant remains recovered were hickory nut, acorn, peach, and corn; wood charcoal also was fairly abundant. The lower portion of this zone contained most of the above material, as well as a small concentration of fire-cracked rock, charcoal, and sandy ash. The fill probably represents a brief disposal episode of household debris, including hearth materials. Zone 2 was a deposit of dark, brownish-orange, mottled clay loam that extended to the bottom of the pit. This zone was about 2.5 ft thick and contained over 700 g of animal bone fragments representing deer, box turtle, squirrel, and turkey. A small amount of plant food remains were recovered, consisting of hickory nut and a trace of corn. Wood charcoal was well preserved but in a smaller amount than in the overlying zone. Potsherds were more abundant than in Zone 1. Zone 2 seems to represent the initial filling of this pit upon its abandonment as a storage facility. A lack of lenses in the fill suggests that it accumulated fairly rapidly. It is not possible to determine the origin of this fill, although its mottled color and variety of cultural debris may identify it as a redeposited mixture of humus soil, midden, and clay subsoil.
