ANTH-280
Lisa Hunter
December 2, 2008
Archaeology Internship
Semester Research Paper
EXCAVATION RESULTS OF THE 2008 SAN JUAN COLLEGE
TOTAH ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT FIELD SCHOOL
AT THE POINT SITE: LA 8619
ANTH-280
Lisa Hunter
December 2, 2008
Archaeology Internship
Semester Research Paper
EXCAVATION RESULTS OF THE 2008 SAN JUAN COLLEGE
TOTAH ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT FIELD SCHOOL
INTRODUCTION
Over the summer of 2008, between June 9 and July 18, excavation was conducted by four students, and
one intern, led by Totah Archaeological Project director and Point Site authority Linda Wheelbarger.
Students ranged in age from 20-89, and included intern Kelsey Kennedy, and field school students
Francesca Weiland, Katelyn Banta, Deanna Puphal , and Pete Saunders. The participants came from
Colorado, Illinois, New York New Mexico, and Texas respectively.
Point Site History: Past and Present
The Point Site, LA 8619, is located on the B Square Ranch (Figure 1). It is a large Puebloan habitation
built in a spectacular dominating position on a semi-circular upper bench on the face of the northern
most point of the Shannon Bluffs (Wheelbarger 2008). Wheelbarger (2008) indicates that the Point Site
dates from AD 800-1300, spanning the late ancestral Puebloan time period, with a possible early
ancestral Puebloan occupation prior to AD 800.
The Point site was most likely a major center for Totah Puebloans in this area. It has a clear view of the
west, north, and south; and a view of nearly all impressive landmarks in the San Juan Basin area,
including the La Plata Mountains, Twin Peaks, Angel Peak and Harris Mesa. The Point Site is also in a
prime position to communicate with other great houses, including the Fort, Sterling, Jacquez, Aztec and
Salmon great houses (Wheelbarger 2008).
1
Figure 1. Point Site LA8619 Location on the B Square Ranch.
2
In the mid 1900's, a road-The Tennessee Boulevard-was bulldozed through the site. This road was a
major oil and gas route, and the site was heavily potted by locals and workings using the Tennessee
Boulevard. Fortunately, the site has been protected since 1957, when Tom Bolack purchased around
4000 acres, which included the Point Site, as well as several others. Another aid to the preservation of
the Point Site is its extreme size. At nearly five acres, the Point Site is one of the largest settlements in
the area. Because of the Point Site's size, buried portions of the site still remain intact, even through the
years of destruction.
2006 - 2007 Field School Summary
In 2006, after eight years of excavation at the Tommy Site, a nearby late Puebloan small house, the San
Juan College Cultural Resource Management Project began gridding the Point Site, for eventual
excavation. The last two weeks of the 2006 summer field school were spent excavating five units in the
area northeast of the great kiva depression (Figure 2). Two main walls were discovered including a one
meter wide east-west trending cobble wall, and an 80 cm wide sandstone and cobble wall- paralleling it
four meters to the south (Puphal 2008). These walls proved to continue in the 2007 summer field school
(Fussner 2007), and parts of additional walls were also found (see Figure 2).
In the northeastern portion of the 2007 SU 50-2 excavation block a floor surface containing several
features was discovered in the 168N 120-126E area (see Figure 2). Only a portion of the western wall of
this room area was revealed along with a small fragment of the southern wall. The west wall was found
to be extremely expedient in nature, and it was comprised predominantly of mud, sandstone, and shale.
The features consisted of four hearths and a formal post hole that was lined with clay and rocks.
METHODS
As in previous years, the students were split into dig crews of two, although participation varied so that
crews varied also. Dig crews were assigned a number ranging from 1-3 and used a dig crate of the
corresponding number, and all forms were filed by the number also. Dig crates included trowels, picks,
paintbrushes, dust brooms, dust pans, a plastic pitcher to hold artifacts, and clipboards. Also included
was a toolbox holding smaller and more delicate items such mechanical pencils, sharpies, provenience
labels, paper bags, line levels, rubber bands, a protector/scale, and a three or eight meter tape measure.
Progress and finds were tracked using the San Juan College Cultural Resource Management Project
provenience system (Kotyk 1999:1), which is a three part hierarchal system: Site, Study Unit, and
Feature (Figure 3). Information on proveniences and artifacts are collected on forms using codes defined
by provenience designation codes (Figure 4) and field specimen codes (FigureS).
In 2008, the area south of the great kiva depression and on the south side of the road that cuts through
the Point Site was gridded. Six rows of 2x2 meter units, from BON to 142N and from 100E to 110E were
staked with plastic capped rebar. The northwestern units ofthis area were not staked because they are
in the roadbed. The main datum for the Point site is set at lOON 100E with an arbitrary elevation of 100
meters and is located in the southwest corner of the site.
3
"T1 ciQ' t: it; N
iii'"~
.... ____ .:: Feature 2 Feature 3 j' tN
- - -;' Feature 6o C'\
I
o
I ~ I 1 Cl", 4b CM Wide Sandstone WallN o Feature 7o -..l m
.j::. X Deteriorating Sandstone n III and Cobble Walls ~ _ 0 I
,<J
'" III< • f I _V /17 I 1 I I'....O· <> ~
l:l:l 0" n , J -- ORa' " 1.-. ' I I ;0;
2006 Excavation Units
POINT SITE LA 8619
Plan View Study Unit 50-1 2006-2007 Excavation Block
<iii' 106E 108E 110E l12E l14E l16E 118E 120E 122E 124E l26E 128E ~ ( f I , ..,--- , , r I t
l72NoVI.... Sandstone, Shale, and Mud Wall Feature 5 c.. " Featre 1 _ , Jill '"' 170N t:
< . • "yO; I I I ',h,l I .,' I C ~ 1M Wide Cobble Wall ;:::;: With Two Cross Walls VI /"o
()o " I 168Nt ~/- Wall Fragment
Feature 4
166N
164N
l62N I
1 ° fOGO.
2M -I 158N
_.156N
STUDY UNIT STUDY UNIT STUDY UNIT (Nonstructure)(Arbitrary) (Structure)
POPO PO
Figure 3. Provenience System
5
--~-;....,
ciQ' c... SJC·CAMP pROVENIENCE DESIGNATION (POI CODES '·90
"'"/D .j::o
STUDY UNIT TYPE Code Description
0"... 10 Arbitrary Unit 20 Structure< 50 Nonstructure/D
::J FEATUREiii' ~ Descriotion
n 10 Ashplt - adobe lined /D 11 Ashpit - earthen
12 Ashpit - slab-lined
::J
0 13 Ashpit - adobe and slab /DIII 14 Ashpit - other
ciQ' 20 Thermal - adobe lined
III 21 Thermal .. earthen !:!'. 22 Thermal - slab-lined 0 23 Thermal • adobe and slab ::J 24 Thermal· other
::J
n 30 Pit - adobe lined 0 31 Pit - earthen '32 Pit· slab-lined
c.. ::J 33 Pit - adobe and slab OQ 34 Pit - other VI :r 40 Bin - adobe lined /D 41 Bin - earthen /D 42 Bin· slab·lined
43 Bin - adobe and slab 44 Bin - other
.... 4B MealiO{j 'bin 49 Mealino trough
0'\
50 Post/posthole - primary51 Post/posthole - secondary52 Post/posthole - ladder 53 Post/posthole ·indeterm.
60 Bench 51 DoHcctof 62 Floor vault 63 Platform 64 RccC!ss 65 Tunnel 66 Vent shaft/tunnel 67 'Wall niche 68 Wingwall
90 8ur;al • human 91 Burial - animal
100 Fire-cracked rock 101 Rock aIiGnment/pil%coner 102 T'ash lens 104 Ephemeral stain
997 Natural phenomenon 99B Other 999 Unknown
HORIZONTAL CODES £!!J!.ll. Description 10 Surface stripping 11 Trench 12 Auger test 13 Shovel test/trench
20 50-by-50-cm square 21 1-by-l-m square 22 1·by-2·m square 23 2-by-2-m square 24 4-by-4-m square 25 5-by-5-m square 27 1O-by-l O·m square 2B 20-by-20-m square
30 Complete horizontal
40 North 1/2 41 South 1/2 42 East 1/2 . 43 West 1/244 Northeast 1/245 Northwest 1/246 Southeast 1/247 Southwest 1/2
50 North 1/4 51 South 1/462 East 1/4 53 West 1/454 Northeast 1/455 Northwest 1/456 Southeast 1/4 57 Southwest 1/4
60 North portion,61 South portion 62 East portion 63 West portion64 Northeast portion 65 Northwest portion66 Southeast portion 67 Southwest portion
70 Partial excavation
lEVEL CODes Code Description 10 Modern ground surface 15 Vertical lace·prolile
20 Arbitrary ISem) 21 Arbitrary l10eml 22 'Arbitrary (200m) 23 Arbitrary 12 t-50cm) 24 Arbitrary 151-100em) 25 Arbitrary (1.0-1.6m) 26 Arbitrary (1.5-Z.0m)
30 Strat (a-Semi 31 Strat (6-10em) 32 Strat (I 1-Z0eml 33 Strat (Z, -50cm! 34 Stral (51-100em) 35 Strat (La-105m) 36 Strat I1.S-2.0m)
50 Fill above floor (Scm) 51 Fill above floor (lOem! 52 Fill above floor (20oml 63 Fill above floor (Z1-50eml 54 Fill above Iloor (51-100em) 55 Fill above floor 11.0-1.5ml 56 Fill above floor (l.6-2.0ml
69 Floor contact
60 Fill above surface (50m) 61 Fill above surface (lOem! 62 Fill above surface (lOoml 63 Fill above surface tZ1-6Oorn) 64 Fill above surface (O_s·1.Orn) 65 Fill above surface 11.Q-1.5rn) 66 Fill above surface I1.S-Z.OmI
69 SurfaCe contact
999 Unexcavated/sampled only
STRAT CODES ~ Description
Modern ground surface
1 Strat 1 2 Strot :< 3 Stra! 3 4 Strat 4 5 Strat 5 6 Strat 6 7 Strat 7 8 Strat 8 9 Strat 9 10 Strat 10 11 Strat 11 12 Strat 12 13 Strat 13 14 Strat 14 15 Strat 15 16 Strat 16 17 Slrat 17 16 Strat 18 19 Strat 19 20 Strat 20
30 MfJltiple strats
41 Floor '1 42 Floor #2 43 Floor #3
61 Surface #1 62 Surface #2 63 Surface #3 64 Surface #4
97 Not applicable 98 Unknown 99 Itldeterminate
~1>'WJip]rnDES I MOdern ground surface
t6 Multiple deposits
21 Cultural, prim.ry r.lu•• 22 . Cultural, .&condery foftH•• 23 Cultrual, d. Idcro ,.rUle 24 Cultural, mIxed rdfuso 28 Cultural, other 29 Cultural. not opcclned
31 Mixed, cultural/noncuHurol 32 Mixed, reoent distufbenco 38 Mi)(c.d, othor 39 Mixed, not .ptlciliad
41 Non-cultural (natfJrall
50 Ash lens 51 Charcoal, fens 62 Burned earth. lens 53 Ash/charcoaJ/burned
earth lens
60 Roollall 61 Walllall 62 Roollall and/or waillall
70 Construction material 1'1 Sublloor matrix
80 In situ post 61 In situ artifact
190 Rodent disturbance 191 Mechanical disturbance
197 Other 198 Unknown 199 Indeterminate
REEN IZ DescrlQtlon Not screened
1 1/4~nch screened 2 liB-Inch screened, 3 11l6-lnch screened 4 Flotation screened 5 Point located 6 Surface collection 7 Water-screened
-- -.._.. "'-.."'..
'TlQQ' c... lb VI
'Tl iii' e. VI
"t:I lb Q. 3 lb ::;,
n o e. ::;,
Otl VI ':S' lb lb r+
~
SJC·CRMP
CERAMICS ICERI !&2.2.. Description CFG Figurine LDH Ladle/ladle handle PIP Pipe SHD Sherd!sl UCl Unfired clay/sherd YES Whole/partial vessel
flAKED STONE IFLS) Code Description BIF Bilace CHO Chopper COR Core DEB Debitage HAM Hammerstone HOE Hoc OBS Obsidian PPT Projectile point RET Retouched flake
GROUNDSTONE IGRS) ~ DescriptionABR Abrader ANV Anvil AXE Axe FET Fetish GFG Fiourine GOR Lithic Ornament GPG Ground pigment MAN Mano MET Metate MOR Mortar PES Pestle PLS Polishing stone SHS Shaft straightener SLA Slab; groundj.tteped(wo,ked
UNMODIFIED STONE lUST} ~ Description CAL Calcile COA Coal CON Concretion FDS Fossil GYP GypsumMIC Mica . MIN Mirleral, unkrlOwn OCR Ouart>. crystal TUR Turquoise UPG Pioment, inc1udirlg ocher
FIELD S.pECIMEN (FSl CODES
fAUNA IFAU) ~ DesC(iptloo ANI Animal internment ANT Antler ATL Atlatl spur AWL Awl EGG Eggshell FLA Flaker FOR Bone Ornament FPl Worked/polished/cut bone GAM Gaming piece NEE Needle POI Point SCR Scraper UMB Unmodified bone
SHELL (SHEI ~ Descriolion CRL Coral MAR Marino SOR Shell ornament STL Shell tool TER Terrestrial
VEGETAL (VEGI ~ DescriptIon BAS Basketry CHA Charcoal COC Corn cobls) COK Corn kernels (only) IMP Plarlt impression NET . Netting PLA Plant materials RTH Roof thatching SAN Sandals SEE Seeds TEX Textilo TWI Twine/rope WFR Wood fragments WWD Worked wood
FLOTATION IFLOI ~ Description FAF Artifact/vessel fill FBA Burial·anatomical region FBF Burial fill FFC Floor!base contact FFF Floorlbase fill FGF General fill FMS' Surface control FRF Rooffall fill FSF Subfloor fill FTF Trash fill
POLLEN IPOll ~ Description PAF Artifact/Vessel fill PBA Burial-analomical region PBC Burial fill PFC Floorlbase contact PFF Floorlbase fill PFS Floorlbase scrape PGF General fill PRF Pollen roolfall PSC _.Surface control PSF Subfloor fill PTF Trash fill
PHYTQLlTH WHY) Code Dcscrjptiorl'i'AF Artifact/vesse) fill YBA BUrial-anatomical regiorl' YBC . Burial fill YFC Floorlbase contact YFF Floorlbase fill YFS . Floor scrape YGF General fill YRF Rooffall fill YSC Surface control YSC Subfloor fill YTF Trash fill
WATER-SCREEN IWSCI ~ DgScription WAF Artifact fill WFC Floor/surface contact WFF Floor/surface fill WGF General fill WRF Roolfall fill WSF Subfloor fill WTF Trash fill
1-96
TREE·RING I DENDRQ IDEN} ~ Description OPT Post in situ' ORF Rooffall DEN Dendro, not specified'
RADIOCARBON IC141 ~ Description CAF Artifact fill CFC Floor/surface contact CFF Floor/surface fill CGF General fill CNF Non-.;ultural matrix CRF Rooffall fill . CSF Subfloor fill CTF Trash fill
MISCELLANEOUS lMOTI ~ pescrioUao DAU Ado!lefdaub/jacal FAR Fire..altered rock FEA Feathers FUR Fur HAl Hair HUM Human burial!s) HMF Human isolated fragments MAG Archeomagnetic samples SED Sediment samples FSC Fine·screen sample THL Thermoluminesnce samples
HISTORIC MATERIALSIHTHI ~ Descriotion CLO Cloth EAC Euro-American ceramics GLA Glass HBN Bone HSH Shell LEA Leather MTL Metal PTC Plastic RUB Rubber WOO Wood
t.
RESULTS
The goal of the 2008 field school session was to follow the two walls showing up in the southern cut
bank of the road on the south side ofthe great kiva. Nine 2x2 meter units were excavated in the block
area that was gridded over the walls and was designated Study Unit 50-2 (Figures 6 and 7). The walls
were revealed to be the key-hole portion of a kiva, with apparent square rooms continuing to the east
(Figure 8). The western and northern portions of the excavation block were cut by a road that was
previously bulldozed through the site, thus resulting in most of the kiva having been destroyed. At
least one level was excavated using the Study Unit 50-2 designation in each of the nine excavation units.
Once the kiva was exposed it was designated Study Unit 20-1. It contained a vent shaft/tunnel that was
designated Feature 1 and a recess that was designated Feature2. Items recovered from the vent shaft
were provenienced separately from those recovered from the tunnel. Excavation of Study Units 20-2
and 20-3 were designated upon discovery of walls leading to the east from the eastern wall of the Study
Unit 20-1 kiva. Only a small bit offloor surface remained in the Study Unit 20-1 kiva. After artifacts
were plotted on that surface, excavation was continued and the area below was designated Study Unit
20-4.
A summary of the results for each ofthe study units is presented below. In Study Unit 50-2 the results
are presented by excavation unit.
Study Unit 50-2
Excavation Unit 134N 104E
The first level of this unit contained dusty sand, very little rock, few artifacts, very little charcoal, and no
stains - typical for first layer. Of significance, a projectile point was found in Levell (Figure 9). The
single metal object found was a spent 22 cartridge casing. The second level revealed a presence of
charcoal stained dirt in the SW corner of unit. Only east half of Level 3 was excavated. The center top
ofthe east section revealed a rodent hole with some charcoal. Figure 9 also shows all of the B\W
ceramics from this unit. Items recovered in the unit are shown below in Table 1.
Table 1. Artifacts/Samples from Unit 134N 104E
Level PD# Bag # Type Count
83 1 Projectile
Point 1
1 83 2 Sherds 71 83 3 Debitage 46 83 4 Metal 1 86 1 Piqment 2
2 86 2 Sherds 51 86 3 Debitage 23
3 88 1 Sherds 31 88 2 Debitaqe 12
8
, "
?Q!n1
1C,IrU'~' IOIl1'AAO$ o
t • * ~ ~ mfm ~"..._..~....,_._,,~
e lGOloltlVlS e:E:::.~,-::;::::::.7.~.:··:·:::::.7:.~
Point Site L~ 8619
H'E
Name: FARMINGTON SOUTH Location: 120752512 E "066213 N NAO 21 Dal~l ... 0,:.:7!5l2007 captlon: Point Site June 2001 Od Road ~::;;.
S"rrcw' 0 Scaie:' IllChequalsZ&Jfeet ~ef:(:";
O.Louil Huber Dr¥l.g.- ..·'" "'0'-'i1t\llb~'.~ 5~ s
Figure 6. Overview of Point Site Showing Excavation Blocks SU 50-1 and SU 50-2, and Site Datum.
1 TN
106E 108E 110E104E
Excavated Units (at least partially)
102E
140NI--
138N f----~::_____;,,<---,::to,.!::J(_;_"'-'~+----+_---_t "".,
136N~'_<_-_/___l_------o;,.J:::.----+----- ....-- .....
132NI--_.;f--I-----I-----I-----t-----i
142N ,---:-,--,-,--""7-.--.,.-r-----,\,
"
13ON~ --' _'_ ....... ...l.._ __J
100E
Point Site LA 8619
0 2m I
Plan View of Study Unit 50-2 2008 Excavation Block
Figure 7. Plan View of Study Unit 50-2 2008 Excavation Block
9
•
••
•
Scale
Point Site LA 8619 Plan View of Study Unit 20-1, 20-2, 20-3, and 20-4.
Figure 8. Plan View of Study Unit 20-1, 20-2, 20-3, and 20-4.
II, ,~. ~ " A
.~_.a .4 . ... •, ••
Figure 9. B/W Ceramics and Projectile Point from Unit 134N 104E
10
Excavation Unit 134N lOGE
Although a relatively large quantity of sherds was discovered in the dusty sand of level one, virtually no
charcoal or rocks indicating wall fall were found. Most ofthe sherds were very small gray ware body
sherds. Four cores and seven terrestrial snail shells were found in level two. A patch of clay was found
in the southwest corner of level two. Excavation was terminated due to the lack of wall fall. Large
quantities of artifacts were recovered with the majority being sherds and debitage (Table 2). Figure 10
shows S/W sherds from both levels of the unit.
Table 2. Artifacts/Samples from Unit 134N lOGE
Level PD# Bag# Type Count 82 1 Sherds 131
1 82 2 Debitage 127 82 3 Core 1 87 1 Sherds 95
87 2 DebitaQe 107 87 3 Core 1 87 4 Core 1
2 87 5 Core 1 87 6 Core 1
87 7 Terrestrial
Snail 7
87 8 Unmodified
Bone 10 87 9 Pigment 1
Figure 10. B/W Ceramics from Unit 134N lOGE
11
Excavation Unit 136N l04E
Quite a few rocks were observed on the surface in the north half and the southwest quarter of the unit.
Excavation into Levels 2 and 3 revealed an increasing number of rocks that were ultimately determined
to represent a wall and rock-lined vent shaft. Excavation was terminated under the SU 50-2
provenience at the end of level three, but excavation continued as SU 20-1. Only a moderate amount
of artifacts was discovered in Levels 1-3 (Table 3). B/W sherds are shown in Figure 11.
Table 3. Artifacts/Samples from Unit 136N l04E
Level
1
2
3
PD# 91 91 91 91 91 91 91 92 92 92 92 92 95 95
95
95
95
Bag # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2
3
4
5
Type Sherds Core Core
DebitaQe PiQment Metate
Chopper Sherds
Debitage Pigment
Core Mana
Sherds DebitaQe
Unmodified Bone Wood
Fragment Ground Lithic
Ornament
Count 47 1 1
26 1 1 1
25 16 6 1 1
25 11
7
1
1
I
Figure 11. B/W Ceramics from Unit 136N l04E
12
Excavation Unit 136N l06E
Although no rocks were observed on the surface of the unit, a number of rocks were found in the north
half ofthe unit during excavation of Levell. A wall became apparent in Levels 3 and 4. Excavation was
terminated under the SU 50-2 provenience at the end of Level 4, but excavation continued as SU 20-l.
Only a moderate amount of artifacts were discovered in Levels 1-4, including 11 cores, a chopper and a
hammerstone (Table 4). The quantity of large lithic tools may indicate they had been incorporated into
the wall construction. B/W sherds are shown in Figure 12.
Table 4. Artifacts/Samples from Unit 136N l06E
Level PD# Bag # Type Count
1
84 1 Sherds 67 84 2 Debitage 53 84 3 Core 1
84 4 Unmodified
Bone 1
2
89 1 Sherds 86 89 2 DebitaQe 51 89 3 Core 1 89 4 Core 1
89 5 Hammer
Stone 1 89 6 Chopper 1
89 7 Retouched
Flake 1 89 8 Daub 2
89 9 Core 1 89 10 Piqment 2
89 11 Unmodified
Bone 6
3
90 1 Sherds 96 90 2 Debitaqe 71
90 3 Retouched
Flake 1 90 4 Core 1 90 5 Core 1 90 6 Core 1 90 7 Core 1 90 8 Daub 1
90 9 Unmodified
Bone 15
4
93 1 Sherds 95 93 2 Debitaqe 71
93 3 Unmodified
Bone 3 93 4 Core 1 93 5 Core 1 93 6 Core 1
13
Figure 12. B/W Ceramics from Unit 13GN lOGE
Excavation Unit 136N lOBE
Excavation was initiated in this unit in order to follow the wall found in the unit to the west. However,
excavation was abruptly terminated during Levell due to invasion of nasty biting ants. Subsequently,
excavation continued through Level 2. Additional excavation is necessary in order to determine whether
the wall continues. Items recovered from the unit are shown below in Table 5. B/W sherds are shown in
Figure 13.
14
Table 5. Artifacts/Samples from Unit 136N lOSE
Level PD# Bag # Tvpe Count
97 1 Hammer
Stone 1 97 2 Chopper 1
1 97 3 Mana 1
97 4 Mana 1
97 5 Sherds 72 97 6 DebitaQe 100
110 1 Corn Cob 1
2 110 2 Unmodified
Bone 8 110 3 Sherds 7 110 4 Debitaqe 3
Figure 13. B/W Ceramics from Unit 136N lOSE
15
Excavation Unit 138N 104E
This unit is situated on the steep slope ofthe southern road cut of the road going through the Point Site.
A portion of a wall was visible on the surface of the southwest corner of this unit. Levell is comprised
of scraping off the loose soil from the surface and was terminated once an adobe wall was discovered in
southeast corner of the unit. Based on its location in relationship to the presumed key-hole kiva walls,
the adobe wall was thought to be a deflector. Excavation was terminated after Levell when this unit
was discovered to be part of SU20-1. Items recovered in this unit are shown below in Table 6. Only one
B/W sherd was found in this Level (Figure 14).
Table 6. Artifacts/Samples from Unit 138N 104E
Level PD# Bag # Type Count
85 1 Sherds 40
85 2 DebitaQe 21
1 85 3 Unmodified
Bone 10
85 4 Slab 1
85 6 Daub 1
Figure 14. B/W Ceramic from Unit 138N 104E
16
Excavation Unit 138N l06E
Excavation of Levell revealed large quantities of rocks, representing the junction of three walls. As a
result, subsequent levels were provenienced to SU 20-1, 20-2 and 20-3. A great deal of charcoal was
discovered on the east side of the unit, and that turned out to be room 20-2. Sandy soils were found in
the southwest corner, which subsequently turned out to be the recess of kiva 20-1. The northwest
corner of the unit was subsequently excavated as the only remaining patch of the floor of kiva 20-1.
Items recovered in this unit are shown below in Table 7. Two B/W sherds were found in this Level
(Figure 15).
Table 7. Artifacts/Samples from Unit 138N l06E
Level PD# Bag # Type Count 94 1 Sherds 37
94 2 DebitaQe 35
1 94 3 Core 1
94 4 Core 1
94 5 Unmodified
Bone 10
Figure 15. B/W Ceramics from 138N l06E
17
Excavation Unit 13SN lOSE
Only the northwest quarter of this unit was excavated in an attempt to follow the wall in the unit to the
west. The expedient nature of the wall made it difficult to follow, and ultimately excavation was
terminated due to lack oftime. Items recovered in this unit are shown below in Table 8. Only a few
B/W sherds were found in this unit (Figure 16).
Table S. Artifacts/Samples from Unit 13SN lOSE
Level PD# Bag # Type Count 104 1 Sherds 73
104 2 Debitaqe 73
104 3 Unmodified
Bone 10 104 4 Core 1 104 5 Core 1
1 104 6 Core 1
104 7 Retouched
Flake 1 104 8 Daub 2
104 9 Polishing
Stone 1 104 10 Piqment 1
Figure 16. B/W Ceramics from Unit 13SN lOSE
18
Excavation Unit l40N lOGE
A north-south wall was visible on the surface of this unit which is situated on the steep southern cut
bank of the road going through the Point Site. Only one level was excavated under the SU 50-2
provenience. Subsequent levels were provenienced as SU 20-3 on the east side of the wall and 20-4 on
the west side of the wall. Based on the unit to the south, which revealed the only patch of SU 20-1 kiva
floor surface, additional 20-1 floor surface should have been situated in this unit; however, the road
took it all out. SU 20-4 will probably be revealed as an earlier kiva that was remodeled into the SU 20-1
kiva. The four metates, one mano and other large lithic tools were incorporated into the construction
of the wall. Items recovered in this unit are shown below in Table 9. B/W sherds were found in this
unit and are shown in Figure 17.
Table 9. Artifacts/Samples from Unit l40N lOGE
Level PD# Bag # Type Count
1
103 1 Sherds 87 103 2 DebitaQe 92
103 3 Unmodified
Bone 29 103 4 Metate 1 103 5 Metate 1 103 6 Metate 1 103 7 Metate 1
103 8 Wood
Fragment 15 103 9 Mana 1 103 10 Axe 1 103 11 PiQment 2
103 12
Ground Ceramic
Ornament 1 103 13 Daub 3
103 14 Fire-Altered
Rock 1 103 15 Core 1 103 16 Core 1 103 17 Core 1 103 18 Chopper 1
103 19 Retouched
Flake 1 103 20 Chopper 1
19
Figure 17. B/W Ceramics from Unit 140N lOGE
Study Unit 20-1
Excavation of the SU 50-2 area was begun in 2008 because of the presence of two large walls visible in
the southern road cut of the road going through the Point Site. The walls are south of the large
depression that is presumed to represent a great kiva. It was hoped that the 2008 excavation would
reveal a room block. However, the walls were found to represent the key-hole walls of a smaller kiva
that was ultimately designated SU 20-1. Because of the damage from road construction, only a portion
of the key-hole walls, the masonry lined vent shaft, and adjoining adobe walled tunnel (shaft and tunnel
combined into Feature 1) leading to the vent shaft remained (see Figure 8: Figure 18).
A small patch of kiva floor was located in excavation unit 138N 106E, and two vessels were discovered
on the floor surface. Vessel #1 (see PLl on Figure 7) consists of a large corrugated cooking pot
represented by 400 sherds (Figure 19). Vessel #2 (see PL2 on Figure 7) consists of two large fragments
of a large late Pueblo III B/W bowl (Figure 20 and 21). Additional floor surface should have been
situated to the north and to the west, but this area was taken out by the road cut. Artifacts recovered
from the area under the floor surface were provenienced as SU 20-4 which will probably be revealed as
remnants of an earlier kiva that was remodeled into the SU 20-1 kiva.
20
Figure 18. Final photo of Study Unit 50-2 Excavation Block; Contains SU 20-1 through SU 20-4
Figure 19. Corregated Jar Vessel #1 (PL 1) from SU 20-1 Kiva Floor Surface
21
Figure 20. Interior of Mesa Verde B/W Bowl Vessel #2 (Pl2) from SU 20-1 Kiva Floor Surface
Figure 21. Exterior of Mesa Verde B/W Bowl Vessel #2 (Pl 2) from SU 20-1 Kiva Floor Surface
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A Chaco Type II wall junctions with the east side of the vent tunnel (Figure 22), and on the interior
surface ofthat wall a series of small green shale chinker stones have been set into the mortar in a
tripartite pattern (Figure 23). There is no evidence of another wall junctioning with the west side ofthe
vent tunnel. The north-south wall on the east side of the wall mentioned above also exhibits a Chaco
Type II wall facing on the interior of the wall, but the exterior of that wall is expedient and not at all
Chacoan in morphology.
Figure 22. Chaco Type II Style Masonry on Interior Facing of Kiva's Keyhole Walls
Figure 23. Tripartite Green Shale on Interior Facing of Kiva's Keyhole Wall
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The keyhole walls that define the eastern and southern edge of the SU 20-1 floor surface continue well
below that floor surface, leading to the conclusion that there is an earlier kiva beneath kiva SU 20-l.
The area to the west, east, and south of the vent shaft was excavated as Feature 2, defined as the recess
area of the kiva.
The masonry lining of the vent shaft portion of Feature 1 was constructed predominately of cobbles,
exterior dimensions of the shaft hole are 65 x 60 cm and interior dimensions are 35 x 35 cm. The floor
of the vent shaft is 75 cm below the top of the vent shaft and is comprised of a layer of clay on top of an
earlier wall. The wall of the vent tunnel is constructed predominantly of adobe with sparsely scattered
sandstone rocks, and measures between 7 and 10 cm wide. One bone bead, six possible bone beads,
and 108 unmodified bones were discovered in the vent tunnel. Many of the unmodified bones appear
to represent portions of a hawk skeleton. Of the nine sherds found in the vent tunnel, only one is B/W
and it is a rim sherd of a beautiful B/W late Pueblo III bowl (Figure 24).
Items recovered from the floor surface, vent shaft, vent tunnel, and recess area are shown below in
Table 10. B/W sherds from the vent shaft and the recess are shown in Figure 25.
Figure 24. Mesa Verde B/W Bowl Rim Sherd from Feature 1, Vent Tunnel of SU 20-1 Kiva
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Table 10. Artifacts/Samples from Study Unit 20-1
Floor/Feature PD# 6a9# Type Count 100 1 Debitaqe 8 100 2 Sherds 3
Floor Surface 100 3 Unmodified Bone 1 100 4 Vessel #1 (PL1) 400 100 5 Vessel #2 (PL2) 2
Feature 1 96 1 Sherds 13 Vent Shaft 96 2 Debitaqe 13
Level 1 96 3 Mano 1 98 1 Sherds 4
Feature 1 Vent Shaft
Level 2
98 2 Debitaqe 2 98 3 Wood Fragment 1 98 4 Unmodified Bone 9 98 5 Chopper 1
98 6 Worked/Polished/Cut
Bone 1 98 7 Core 1 105 1 Sherds 9 105 2 Unmodified Bone 108 105 3 Bone Ornament 1 105 4 Chopper 1 105 5 Core 1 105 6 Hammer Stone 1
105 7 Worked/Polished/Cut
Bone 1
105 8 Worked/Polished/Cut
Bone 1 Feature 1
Vent Tunnel 105 9 Worked/Polished/Cut
Bone 1 Complete 105 10 Core 1 Horizontal 105 11 Hammer Stone 1
105 12 Wood Fraqment 1 105 13 Hammer Stone 1
105 14 Worked/Polished/Cut
Bone 1
105 15 Worked/Polished/Cut
Bone 1
105 16 Worked/Polished/Cut
Bone 1 105 17 Hammer Stone 1 105 18 Charcoal 1 105 19 Debitaqe 5 102 1 Sherds 9 102 2 Debitaqe 11
Feature 2 102 3 Unmodified Bone 1 Recess 102 4 Proiectile Point 1
Complete 102 5 Pigment 2 Horizontal 106 1 Sherds 14
106 2 Debitaqe 4 106 3 Unmodified Bone 4 106 4 Charcoal 1
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Figure 25. B/W Ceramics from Feature 1, Vent Shaft and Feature 2, Recess of SU 20-1 Kiva
Study Unit 20-2
The southeastern portion of excavation unit 138N 136E was excavated as SU 20-2. This area
was defined by a wall to the west and another wall to the north. The western wall is in fact the
eastern key-hole wall of the SU 20-1 kiva, and even though well constructed on the interior side
of the kiva construction is expedient on the SU 20-2 interior. The single level excavated in SU
20-1 was soft and contained large quantities of charcoal indicating it likely represents trashy fill.
No further excavation was conducted due to lack of time, and thus the floor was never reached.
Items recovered in this unit are shown below in Table 11. B/W sherds were found in this unit and are
shown in Figure 26.
Table 11. Artifacts/Samples from Study Unit 20-2
Level PD# Bag # Type Count 101 1 Sherds 43
101 2 Debitage 33
101 3 Unmodified
Bone 8
1 101 4 Retouched
Flake 1
101 5 Core 1
101 6 Core 1
101 7 Core 1
101 8 Chopper 1
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Figure 26. B/W Ceramics from SU 20-2
Study Unit 20-3
A north-south wall was visible on the surface of excavation unit 140N 106E which is situated on the
steep southern cut bank of the road going through the Point Site. The first level was excavated under
the SU 50-2 provenience. Subsequent levels were provenienced as SU 20-3 on the east side ofthe wall
and 20-4 on the west side of the wall. The western wall is in fact the eastern wall of the SU 20-1
kiva, and even though well constructed on the interior side of the kiva, construction is
expedient on the SU 20-3 interior. Items recovered in this unit are shown below in Table 12. B/W
sherds were found in this unit and are shown in Figure 27.
Table 12. Artifacts/Samples from Study Unit 20-3
Level PD# Bag # Type Count 99 1 SHD 27 99 2 DEB 9 99 3 UMB 12 99 4 COR 1
109 1 Slab 1 1 & 2 109 2 Charcoal 1
109 3 Unmodified
Bone 4
109 4 Wood
Fragment 1 109 5 Sherds 52 109 6 Debitaqe 13
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Figure 27. B/W Ceramics from SU 20-3
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Study Unit 20-4
As described in SU 20-3, a north-south wall was visible on the surface of excavation unit 140N 106E and
continues for approximately 40 cm into the excavation unit to the south. The first level in this area was
excavated under the SU 50-2 provenience. Subsequent levels were provenienced as SU 20-3 on the east
side ofthe wall and 20-4 on the west side of the wall where it continued under the SU 20-1 kiva floor.
The north-south wall is in fact the eastern wall of the SU 20-1 kiva, and is well constructed on
the interior side of the kiva, appearing to represent a Chaco Type II wall. The wall defining the
southern boundary of SU 20-4 is the same wall that defined the southern boundary of the upper level of
the SU 20-1 kiva floor surface. That wall also is a Chaco Type II wall. Artifacts recovered from the area
under that floor surface and continuing to the north into excavation unit 140N 106E were provenienced
as SU 20-4. SU 20-4 will probably be revealed as remnants of an earlier Chaco time period kiva that was
remodeled into the SU 20-1 kiva.
Items recovered in this unit are shown below in Table 13. B/W sherds were found in this unit and are
shown in Figure 28.
Table 13. Artifacts/Samples from Study Unit 20-4
Level PD# Bag # Type Count
108 1 Wood
Fragment 4
108 2 Unmodified
Bone 42 108 3 Charcoal 1 108 4 Corn Cob 1 108 5 Daub 1 108 6 Sherds 22 108 7 Debitaqe 37
1 & 2 107 1 Debitaqe 12 107 2 Sherd 42
107 3 Unmodified
Bone 13
107 4 Retouched
Flake 1 107 5 Core 1 107 6 Core 1 107 7 Core 1 107 8 Pigment 3
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Figure 28. B/W from SU 20-4
SUMMARY
Over the summer of 2008, between June 9 and July 18, excavation was conducted by four students, and
one intern, led by Totah Archaeological Project director and Point Site authority Linda Wheelbarger.
Students ranged in age from 20-89, and included intern Kelsey Kennedy, and field school students
Francesca Weiland, Katelyn Banta, Deanna Puphal, and Pete Saunders. The participants came from
Colorado, Illinois, New York New Mexico, and Texas respectively.
The goal of the 2008 field school session was to follow the two walls showing up in the southern cut
bank of the road on the south side of the great kiva. Nine 2x2 meter units were excavated in the block
area that was gridded over the walls and was designated Study Unit 50-2 (Figures 6 and 7). The walls
were revealed to be the key-hole portion of a kiva, with apparent square rooms continuing to the east.
The western and northern portions of the excavation block were cut by a road that was previously
bulldozed through the site, thus resulting in most of the kiva having been destroyed. At least one level
was excavated using the Study Unit 50-2 designation in each of the nine excavation units. Once the kiva
was exposed it was designated Study Unit 20-1. It contained a vent shaft/tunnel that was designated
Feature 1 and a recess that was designated Feature2. Items recovered from the vent shaft were
provenienced separately from those recovered from the tunnel. Excavation of Study Units 20-2 and
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20-3 were designated upon discovery of walls leading to the east from the eastern wall of the Study Unit
20-1 kiva. Only a small bit offloor surface remained in the Study Unit 20-1 kiva. After artifacts were
plotted on that surface, excavation was continued and the area below was designated Study Unit 20-4.
The revelation of the summer was the discovery of several Chaco Type II walls in the SU 20-1 kiva
construction. The two previous summers only cobble walls and very expedient walls had been
uncovered.
Although the ceramics have not yet been analyzed, a cursory review of the design elements (see photos
of B/W ceramics in this report) indicate that the majority represent an early Pueblo II occupation with
lesser quantities of Mesa Verde B/W ceramics indicative of a late Pueblo III occupation. (Breternitz et
al. 1974; Hayes-Gilpin et al. 1998).
REFERENCES
Breternitz, David A., Arthur H. Rohn, Jr., and Elizabeth A. Morris (Compilers)
1974 Prehistoric Ceramics of the Mesa Verde Region. Museum of Northern Arizona Ceramic Series NO.5. Northern Arizona Society of Science and Art, Inc., Flagstaff, Arizona.
Fussner, Haley
2007 Summer of 2007 Field School, Semester Research Paper for Archaeology Internship ANTH-280-002. Unpublished document available at San Juan College, Cultural Resources Management Program, Farmington, New Mexico.
Hayes-Gilpin, Kelley, and Eric van Hartesveldt (Editors)
1998 Prehistoric Ceramics of the Puerco Valley; The 1995 Chambers-Sanders Trust Lands Ceramic Conference. Museum of Northern Arizona Ceramic Series NO.7. Flagstaff, Arizona.
Kotyk, Edward
1999 Totah Archaeological Project Field School Excavation Manual. On file, Juan College Cultural Resources Management Program, Farmington, New Mexico.
Puphal, Deanna
2008 Summer of 2006 Field School, , Semester Research Paper for Archaeology Internship ANTH-280-002. Unpublished document available at San Juan College, Cultural Resources Management Program, Farmington, New Mexico.
Wheelbarger, Linda.
2008 Puebloan Communities on the South Side of the Middle San Juan River. In Chaco's Northern Prodigies: Salmon. Aztec. and the Ascendancy of the Middle San Juan Region After AD 100. Edited by Paul F. Reed. The University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City.
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