Pit D was exposed partly in the west bank of the road at its southern end. In addition to the part of the pit exposed in the cutbank, the horizontal outline of the pit could be traced on the surface of the graded road. Approximately half the contents of the pit had been graded away. This pit, which excavation revealed to be 20 inches deep, as marked by the dark fill, was covered by 18 inches of light colored soil. The sides belled considerably and the flat, oval bottom measured 4 feet northwest to southeast by 5 feet northeast to southwest.
Figure 2. Pits B and D, Artifacts
PIT B POTTERY a INTERIOR IS DARK GREY b FRAGMENT OF A MINIATURE POT SURFACES ARE SMOOTH AND GREY NO TEMPERING VISIBLE. SECTION OF CLAY RING PERFORATED CANINE CORDMARKED DISC OF TAN COLORED POTTERY PROJECTILE POINTS ARE FROM FLAKES CHIPPED AROUND THE EDGES a AND d. ARE OF PINK CHALCEDONY FLINT FLAKE DRILL
Over 150 potsherds were recovered; 17 were rims of vessels, nine are sketched in [Figure 3]. With few exceptions, these rims were similar to those from pits A and B and are from large vessels. They were cordmarked, very hard, and are tempered with clay and some grit. Many sherds break squarely, others flake badly and even crumble. From these potsherds, one vessel has been restored sufficiently to give its characteristics ([Fig. 4]). The pot, of about 3 quarts capacity, is 8 inches high, 8 inches at its greatest diameter and is rather thin walled. It has dark grey paste, is clay tempered, very hard and has fine vertical cordmarks over the upper body with cordmarks at random below the shoulder. The smooth interior has small angular impressions or punctates inside the lip, which is slightly everted. This vessel, considerably different from the others at the site, is very similar to one from Arnold-Research Cave which is 70 miles west in Callaway County, Missouri (Shippee, 1966). The pot from the cave was shell tempered. In a personal communication of April 13, 1959, Dr. James B. Griffin states that in theory the pottery from this site can be compared to that from sites where Canteen grit tempered cordmarked and perhaps Korando clay tempered cordmarked material is recovered. Of the many sherds recovered from pit D, all are cordmarked or brushed. One sherd is from a vessel with a thick conical base.
A baked clay object from pit D seems to be a section of a small ring ([Fig. 2]). One unperforated disc of cordmarked pottery was found ([Fig. 2]). Three projectile points were found ([Fig. 2]). These points were made from flakes struck from cores. Two have only primary chipping around the perimeter; the third has secondary chipping on one edge. Two of the points were made from a pale pink chalcedony. Of the small number of flint flakes found, few show evidence of use, but one had been modified to form a drill ([Fig. 2]). The perforated canine of a dog or wolf was in the fill of this pit ([Fig. 2]). Two antler sections have been altered; one by a cut which removed the tine and the other by cutting or scraping to thin it. Bone scrap of fish and animals, mussel shells and burned limestone fragments occurred in pit D. Of the considerable charcoal recovered from pit D, a sample sent to Michigan was dated (M-620) at 930±100 years B.P. or A.D. 1020±100 before 1950. The wood was from a white ash group, a red oak group and hickory. Identification by R. Yarnell Nov. 21, 1962. Reported by letter from George J. Armelagos Jan. 28, 1963.
Pit E contained one rimsherd similar to those numerous on the site, and 14 body sherds, one of which was from a large vessel having a conoidal base. Three sherds were from a miniature pot. Pit E was 24 feet south of pit D and on the same west road bank. It could be defined below 19 inches of light colored overburden and had a depth of 8 inches. A radiocarbon date for charcoal from pit E is (M-621)—1180±100 B.P. or A.D. 770±100 before 1950. The charcoal was from red oak and white oak groups, as identified by Richard Yarnell at the University of Michigan.
Figure 3. Pit D pottery
INTERIOR IMPRESSIONS INSIDE LIP ARE BY A CORD WRAPPED ROD INTERIOR EXTERIOR OF THE LARGE RIMS HAVE VERTICAL CORDMARKS, LIP TO SHOULDER AND AT RANDOM BELOW. SLIGHT RESMOOTHING IS EVIDENT, COLOR IS BROWN TO BLACK. ALL PIT D RIMS HAVE CORDMARKED EXTERIORS LIP AND INTERIOR ARE PREDOMINATELY SMOOTHED SHERD INTERIOR IS ON RIGHT