House 3
This house was thirteen by fifteen feet as indicated by the charred remains of the superstructure ([Fig. 35]). Many of the poles appeared to be rafters and were about .2 foot in diameter. Interwoven between them were small poles forming a loose lattice work wall or roof ([Fig. 36]). Several small sections of cane matting were found near the basal ends of many poles. Typically these were of small whole cane laid at right angles to the poles. At one location there was some split cane matting but it is questionable whether this was part of the wall construction or was a portion of the house furnishings. Several of the wall poles had basal ends still in place. These basal ends were apparently resting on the surface of the ground since they originated at the same level as the house floor. The group at the southwest corner of the house were .9 foot apart. Cross sectioning vertical cuts under these posts failed to yield any evidence of postmolds or rotted out underground portions of the poles ([Fig. 37]). The evidence would seem to be quite clear that there were none.
There was considerable evidence of thatch throughout the burned areas although this was very fragmentary. There were several hard fired floor areas that seemed to have been made of puddled clay. The fireplace was not dug out but was simply a central area on the floor identified by the heavy burning, the concentration of ash, and a small broken bowl buried in this ash ([Fig. 34]). There was an ash pit to one side of the fireplace which cut down through feature 25, firebasin. There was no evidence of daub being used in the construction of the house. One internal feature of extreme interest was a log lying on the floor which had been hewn to shape ([Fig. 38]). This was not apparent in the field but was discovered when the specimen was brought into the lab. Careful study revealed that the top section of the log had been cut down leaving a ledge at right angles to it. The split cane matting already mentioned was found in association with this log and may well have been part of some house furnishings. Quite a number of specimens were found lying on the floor of this house including the strap handled water bottle ([Fig. 15];5). Another broken vessel was beneath charred roof or wall timbers ([Fig. 39]). Outside the house there was a refuse pit and an infant burial. Specimens found on the floor are as follows: one whetstone, four pottery vessels, two broken celts, one projectile point, three drilled pottery disks, two bone awls, one chipped hoe, one hammerstone, one rectanguloid clay pad, one bottom of a wooden container and one antler tip.
Much of the interpretation of the house superstructure seems to be based on good solid evidence, but, even so, much is still conjectural and will remain so until more evidence is forthcoming. The absence of postmolds and the positive evidence of wall poles originating on the ground level led to the judgement that in some way the structure leaned upon itself in self support ([Table 5]).
Figure 34. Closeup of Pottery Vessel in House 2 Firebasin
Figure 35. Ground Plan House 2 showing Firebasin and Burned Floor Area and House 3 Showing Details of the Burned Superstructure
Figure 36. Charred Wattle Work Wall or Roof Section of House 3
Figure 37. Basal Ends of Poles along West Wall of House 3
(These poles rested on the house floor and were not sunk into the ground)
Figure 38. Cross Sectioned Log from Floor of House 3
(It appears to have been hewn to shape)
Figure 39. Broken Pottery Vessel Found Beneath Charted Wall or Roof Timbers in House 3
| TABLE 5—SUMMARY OF HOUSE DATA | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traits | House 1 | House 2 | House 3 | |
| Fired clay floors | - | x | x | |
| Compacted floors | x | - | - | |
| Puddled firebasins | x | x | - | |
| Mortar and pestles near firebasins | x | - | - | |
| Wood ash in firebasin | x | x | x | |
| Broken bowl in basin | - | x | x | |
| Ash pit beside basin | x | x | x | |
| Associated infant burial | x | - | x | (outside house) |
| Refuse pit outside house | x | ? | x | |
| Lack of daub | x | x | x | |
| Pole, whole cane and thatch construction | x | ? | x | |
| No post molds | x | x | x | |
A hypothetical reconstruction ([Fig. 40]) is an ‘A’ frame building that makes use of all the archaeological data found here. Other forms might as easily be conceived including prefabrication of wall sections which could then be bound at the corners and braced outside against any roof thrust. There is no doubt that these dwellings were made of poles, cane and thatch and that these materials were assembled in such a way as to give strength and some degree of permanency to the house.