Archaeological Field Investigations at the Native Alaskan Village Site KENT G. LIGHTFOOT, ANN M. SCHIFF, AND LISA HOLM I N THIS CHAPTER, we outline the field program used in the investigation of the Native Alaskan Village Site (CA-SON-1897/H). The program involved topo- graphic mapping, systematic surface collection, geo- physical survey, subsurface testing, and broadscale areal excavation. We discuss the field methods utilized, the surface and excavation units investigated, the overall site structure, and the stratigraphy, features, and kinds of cultural materials uncovered in archaeological deposits. SrTE DESCRIPTION Perhaps Adan Treganza first identified the Native Alaskan Village Site in 1953 when U.C. Berkeley archaeologists were investigating the foundations of the north Stockade wall. He reported "Indian Site No. 4" that "overlooks the sea from a high bluff directly above the cove which formerly contained a landing pier supported on large boulders" (Treganza 1954:18). However, the main landing pier used by American loggers and ranchers was about 500 m west of NAVS. It is possible that Treganza observed NAVS materials extending significantly beyond the area we investigated or that he was describing the location of either CA-SON- 174 or CA-SON-1854/H (see Lightfoot et al. 1991:61). Treganza (1954:18) also indicated that the area "which housed the Aleut otter hunters and their families" had not yet been discovered and that "this will make an interest- ing study for the future." The location of NAVS was illustrated by John McKenzie in his 1963 map of archaeological remains in the State Park (McKenzie 1963). The site was also described in the 1976 Resource Management Plan of Fort Ross Historic State Park (Carlson 1976:11-13). In 1973, Fedorova's book, The Russian Population in Alaska and California, which reproduced and described the 1817 map showing the location of NAVS, was published in English. By the mid-1970s most American scholars of Russian-California were cognizant of the location of the Native Alaskan Village. We initiated the first detailed archaeological investi- gation of NAVS in the summers of 1989, 1991, and 1992. The site was recorded in 1989, and in 1990 the Northwest Information Center assigned NAVS the permanent trinomial, CA-SON-1897/H. NAVS is situated on the marine terrace south of the southern portal of the Stockade complex, directly above FRBS (figure 3.1). The topography of the terrace top is relatively flat, sloping slightly upward from south to north, from about 22 to 32 m asl over a 200 m distance. The eastern and southern edges of the terrace are steep cliff faces that drop precipitously into Fort Ross Cove. Exposed bedrock in road cuts along the eastern side of the marine terrace shows parallel beds of siltstone, varying in thickness, that have been raised and tilted upward at a steep angle from west to east. As Price describes in chapter 4, the contact points between the parallel beds along the upper surface is where much of the weathering and fracturing of the bedrock takes place. The decomposition of the bedrock produces sharp angular siltstone rocks and smaller subangular and angular debitage, materials that were described previ- ously in the colluvial formation at the base of the terrace at FRBS. A shallow topsoil, approximately 10 to 15 cm deep, covers the bedrock along the eastern edge of the terrace where it is visible in the road cut. The soil is composed of both aeolian sediments and decomposing siltstone and sandstone sediments derived from the bedrock, the latter transported upward by bioturbaton, especially by burrowing rodents and earthworms. The marine terrace is presently covered by a thick coastal NAVS Investigations 43 Figore 3.1 Native Alaskan Yllage Site Map sow '60W 40W 20W 20N Os 20S 40S 60S sos lOOS 120S 140 S 160 S 130 S 200 S OE 20E 405 60B 20N Os 20S 40S 60 S SOS SOGS 100 S 120 S 140 S 160S 200 S SOW 6GW 4OW 20W GE 20E 40E 60E 1m Roads Site Datum I Surface Featues 44 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood prairie of mostly introduced annual grasses, such as fescue and wild oats. When we first investigated the site in May 1989, the surface consisted of an extensive scatter of ceramic, glass, metal, and lithic artifacts, shellfish remains, and animal bones covering an area about 200 by 40 m. Evidence of recent rodent burrowing was common across the entire site, and many of the archaeological remains we observed had been brought to the surface by these tireless creatures. The artifact scatter began about 15 m south of the Stockade wall, paralleled the eastem side of the marine terrace, and terminated on the southern edge of the terrace. Shallow pit depressions or leveled platform areas were visible along the eastern edge of the site. FIELD PROCEDURES We employed a three-phase field strategy to define the overall site structure, and to investigate in detail several areas of NAVS. Phase One, initiated in the summer of 1989, was a detailed surface investigation including contour mapping, the surface collection of archaeological remains, and geophysical survey using remote sensing techniques. The results of Phase One were used to make informed decisions about the place- ment of subsurface test units in Phase Two, which we began in the summer of 1991. The second phase in- volved limited excavations of 1-by-i m units and trenches. Phase Three was initiated in the 1992 field season when two large excavation areas were laid out along the trenches first exposed in 1991. The purpose of this broadscale excavation was to delineate features and the spatial organization of archaeological materials. PHASE ONE (1989 FIELD SEASON) TOPOGRAPHIC MAP OF NAVS The site datum was established 1 m east of a large boulder south of the Stockade. The datum was placed at a 208 degree bearing 20 m from the western post of the southern portal of the reconstructed Stockade. Using a transit, stadia rod, and metric tapes, we generated a 20- by-20 m grid system across the site, shot topographic elevations of the terrace top and eastern edge, and mapped in the south side of the Stockade, the Old Russian Road, the Fort Ross Cove Road, and the north- west side of Fort Ross Cove (figure 3.1). We also shot in the site datum of FRBS, and transposed the profile and excavation units of FRBS on to the broader scale topographic map of NAVS. After the 1989 field season, the enhanced NAVS map became the master map for the Native Alaskan Neighborhood showing the spatial relationship of the Stockade, NAVS, FRBS, and the Fort Ross Cove. A detailed inspection of the contour features along the terrace top revealed thirteen shallow surface depres- sions or leveled platforms. These surface features were distributed in a linear pattem from north to south, parallel to the eastem edge of the marine terrace. These were mapped and numbered consecutively from 1 to 13 beginning with the northemmost surface feature (figure 3.1). The surface features ranged in size from 3 to 6 m in diameter. All the features but one (#9) were located within 20 m of the eastem edge of the terrace. SURFACE COuLECrION We employed a systematic, judgmental sampling design to collect artifacts and faunal remains from the NAYS surface. The purpose was to place collection units across the site and to sample several of the surface features. The sampling design involved the stratification of the site into fifty-seven 10-by-10 m blocks, extending from site datum to about 140 m south, and the selection of at least one 2-by-2 m collection unit from within each block. In implementing the design, only about 65% of the 10-by-10 m blocks in the original sample were tested because either thick grass obscured the ground surface or steep slopes hindered the placement of units along the eastem edge of the terrace. Thirty-eight 2-by-2 m units were surface collected (figure 3.2). The location of the collection units within blocks was arbitary, based primarily on surface visibility. We now recognize the biased placement of the collection units since many were situated in areas of recent gopher activity. In addition to the systematic sampling of 10-by-10 m blocks, we collected archaeological materials from the surfaces of five features (5, 7, 8, 9, 10) using collection crosses similar to those described in Volume 1 for the hinterland survey of Fort Ross (Lightfoot et al. 1991:62). We chose a centrl point within each feature and laid out 2-by-I m collection units along the four cardinal direc- tions. The collection units extended beyond the bound- aries of each surface feature so that we sampled areas of both internal and extramural space (figure 3.2). Eight 2- by-I m units were collected from Features 5, 7, and 10, while seven and nine 2-by-I m units were collected, respectively, from Features 9 and 8. We undertook analyses of the surface assemblage of materials in the 1989-1990 academic year, and the results played an important role in decisions conceming the placement of excavation units in the 1991 field season. We sorted the surface materials into broad categories, calculated density figures, and used a spatial mapping program (SURFER) to compute isopleths of expected artifact densities. The SURFER maps were generated using the inverse distance method for calculating nearest neighbor statistics and were based only on the areal sample of thirty-eight 2-by-2 m units. The materials NAVS Investigations 45 Fiure 3.2 Native Alaskan Y7llage Site Surface Collection Units so W 60 W 40 W 20 W OE 20E 40E 60E 20 N Os 20 S. 40S 60S SoS 100 S 120S 140 S 160 S 1S0S 200 S so W 6OW 40W 20W OE 20E 40E 60E 0J 2 by 2 M Units 29 Native Alaskan Village Site Collection Crosses Site Datum g Surface Features 20 N Os 20S 40S 60S so S lOOS 120 S 140 S 160S 200 s N iN\ 46 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood Table 3.1 Counts and Density Figuresfor Materialsfrom the Thirty-eight 2-by-2 m Units Artifact Density (per m2) Artifact Category Mean SD Maximum Count (n) # of Empty Value Units (n=38) Flake/Core/Biface .592 .650 2.5 90 14 Fire-Cracked Rock .112 .307 1.75 17 30 Bead .046 .113 .5 7 32 Window/Bottle Glass .934 1.047 4.0 142 9 Ceramic .579 .688 2.75 88 15 Metal .349 .792 4.75 53 20 Fish .585 .999 3.5 89 22 Bird .230 .449 2.25 36 26 Marine Mammal .230 .57 3.25 35 25 Artiodactyl .105 .219 .75 16 30 Total Mammal 2.85 3.39 13.25 433 13 Shellfish 1.57 2.49 11.75 239 15 collected from the five surface features were analyzed separately. SURFACE CoLLEcTIoN: AREAL SAMPLE Table 3.1 presents the counts, density statistics (mean, sd, maximum density), and number of empty collection units for flakes/cores/bifaces, fire-cracked rocks, glass beads, window/bottle glass fragments, ceramic sherds, metal artifacts, and various categories of faunal remains for the 38 2-by-2 m units. The small averages and substantial standard deviations, as well as the relatively large number of empty units, indicate great variation in the density of materials across NAyS. Some collection units contain relatively high densities of lithic specimens, ceramic sherds, glass pieces, metal artifacts, and faunal remains while others are relatively empty. The isopleth maps generated for the lithic, ceramic, glass, and metal artifacts illustrate two spatial patterns: 1) a bimodal distribution of high artifact densities in the north and south areas of the site, separated by low artifact densities in the central area, and 2) a tendency for artifact densities to increase along the eastern edge of the terrace in the north, central, and eastern areas of the site. The faunal remains are concentrated primarily in the southern half of NAVS. a) Flakes/Cores/Bifaces (figure 3.3). Large numbers are found along the northeastern edge of the site, directly south of the Blockhouse and along the cliff face, and in the south zone of the site, beginning about 90 m south. Lithic densities increase substantially along the eastern edge of the terrace across the entire site. b) Fire-Cracked Rocks (figure 3.4). A similar spatial pattem as that described for flakes/cores/bifaces is evident. However, instead of multiple peaks of high lithic densities in the south zone, only one significant concentration and several minor peaks are depicted. c) Glass Beads (figure 3.5). The density is also highest in the south zone, beginning about 90 m south, and a moderate number were collected from the east central zone along the terrace edge as well. d) Window/Bottle Glass (figure 3.6). Relatively high densities are found across much of the site. Most were collected from the northeastern section of the site, directly south of the southern portal of the Stockade, and in the south zone, beginning about 90 m south, where two significant peaks were observed. Another smaller peak is located in the south central zone (60 m to 80 m south) along the eastem edge of the terrace. e) Ceramics (figure 3.7). Large numbers are concentrated in several loci in the south zone beginning about 90 m south. Another concentration of ceramics is found in the east central zone, along the terrace edge, centered on grid comer 80S, IOE. f) Metal Artifacts (figure 3.8). A bimodal distribu- tion is evident, with the largest accumulation in the north and two smaller peaks in the south (below 90 m south). Another minor concentration of metal remains is found in the east central zone, 60 to 80 m south. g) Fish Remains (figure 3.9). Fish bones are concentrated in two extensive loci along the eastem edge of NAVS in the south zone (below 90 m south). h) Bird Remains (figure 3.10). Three concentrations are evident in the south zone. One concentration extends along the eastem edge of the terrace (100 to 120 m south), another one along the dirt road (80 to 100 m south), and the third in between them and farther to the south (110 to 130 m south). i) Marine Mammal Remains (figure 3.11). The majority of the marine mammal bones were recovered in the south and south central zone (65 to 120 m south), primarily along the eastern edge of the terrace. Another minor concentration of bones is found in the south zone (110 to 130 m south). j) Artiodactyl Remains (figure 3.12). The spatial NAVS Investigations 47 distribution of deer, elk, cattle, and sheep bones corre- sponds closely to the three clusters of bird bones in the south zone. The three clusters of bones are separated by an empty zone that extends into the central area of NAVS. k) Total Mammal Remains (figure 3.13). The south zone contains the majority of mammal remains, extend- ing from the eastern terrace edge to the dirt road. The density of bones decreases dramatically in the north cental and north areas of the site. 1) Shellfish Remains (figure 3.14). The spatial distribution of shellfish remains is similar to the bird and artiodactyl remains. Three major concentrations are found in the south zone, separated by an area of low density remains that extends into the central area of the site. SURFACE COL 0N: FEATVRES Artifact densities for five of the thirteen surface features (figure 3.1) are calculated by dividing artifact counts by total surface area collected (table 3.2). The artifact densities compare favorably to those from nearby 2-by-2 m units, supporting the overall spatial pattems described above. Feature 5. This leveled platforn, measuring 4.8 m in diameter, yielded artifact and faunal densities well below the means for the areal sample, except for fire-cracked rocks and metal. These fimdings correspond well with the density isopleths that show a significant concentration of metal artifacts in the north area of the site and very low densities of all other artifact categories and faunal remains. Feature 7. This feature is a shallow depression (5 m in diameter) situated in the centrl area of the site near the eastern edge of the terrace. It exhibits moderate densities for all artifact classes and high densities of animal bones and shellfish. The densities for flakes/ cores/bifaces, window/bottle glass, and metal artifacts are slightly below the means for the areal sample, while those for fire-cracked rocks, beads, and ceramics are somewhat above. The moderate densities of ceramics, beads, and window/bottle glass, and to a lesser extent flakes/cores/bifaces, correspond well with the modest artifact peaks illustrated in the SURFER maps for this location (figures 3.3, 3.5-3.7). The densities for fish, bird, marine mammal, artiodactyl, total mammal, and shellfish remains are significantly higher than the means for the areal sample. The dense concentrations of faunal remains illustrated in figures 3.9-3.14 begin near Feature 7 and continue into the south zone. Feature 8. This shallow depression, measurng 5.1 m in diameter, contains a smaller assemblage of artifacts and faunal remains than Feature 7, located directly to the north. Feature 8 yields more flakes/cores/bifaces and fewer fire-cracked rocks, window/bottle glass, and metal artifacts. The densities of beads and ceramics are comparable, although slightly lower in Feature 8. While the SURFER maps predict higher window/bottle glass counts and lower flake/core/biface densities for Feature 8, the other artifact categories fall within the density ranges illustrated in the maps. The quantity of faunal remains is considerably less than Feature 7. The densi- ties of bird, artiodactyl, total mammal, and shellfish remains are slightly higher than the areal sample, while the fish and marine mammals are somewhat lower. Feature 9. Another shallow depression, 5.1 m in diameter, this feature is situated less than 20 m from the dirt road at the boundary of the central and south zone. Since the south zone yields the highest densities of artifacts from the surface of NAVS, the rather meager surface assemblage from Feature 9 is somewhat surpris- ing. The densities for all artifact categories are well below the means for the areal sample, and much lower than the ranges predicted by the SURFER maps. On the other hand, the densities of faunal remains are compa- rable to the means for the areal sample (with the excep- tion of marine mammal) and the ranges indicated by the SURFER maps. Table 3.2 Artifact Densitiesfor Surface Features Artifact Category Artifact Density (per sq. m) for Surface Features #5 #7 #8 #9 #10 Flake/Core/Biface .13 .31 .94 .14 1.06 Fire-Cracked Rock .13 .19 0 .07 .18 Bead 0 .13 .05 0 .31 Window/Bottle Glass .13 .69 .28 .36 1.68 Ceramic .25 .88 .5 .07 1.19 Metal .50 .18 0 .07 .37 Fish 0 1.62 .33 .50 2.19 Bird 0 1.00 .44 .21 1.00 Marine Manmmal 0 .44 .05 0 .94 Artiodactyl 0 .50 .11 .29 .31 Total Mammal .06 8.06 3.44 2.50 10.00 Shellfish 0 4.19 2.83 1.00 6.12 48 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood Fre 3.3 Swface Dbtibution of Flake/Coe/B face sow 60W 4OW 20W 20N Os 20S 40S 60s s0S 100 S 120 S 140 S 160 S 180 S 200 S OE 20B 40E 60E 20N Os 20S 40 5 60S uso 1005s 1405s 160 S 180 S 20S 180 s N seW 60W 40W 20W OE 20E 40E 60E .1 A aMcWstm Squwed Coatowv NAVS Investigations 49 Figre 3.8. Suface Disiribution of Metal Artifacts soB 60E 40E 20E OE 20W 40W 60W 20 N OS 20S 40S 60S SoS 100S 120 S 140 S 160 S 180S 200 S SOE 60E 40B 20E OE 20W 40W 60W .5 AriatMetes Sqard Coato nterval 20N Os 20S 40S 60S 8SS 100 S 120 S 1408S 160S 180S 200 S A 50 The Native Alasakan Village Fgure 3.9. Suface Disfirbution ofFish Remains soB 60E 40E 20E 20N OS 20S 40S 60S SoS lOOs 120 S 140S 160 S 1S0 S 200 S OE 20W 40W 60W 20N OS 20S 40S 60S 8SS lOOS 120S 1405S 160S 200 S N soB 60B 40B 20 E OB 2W 40W 60W .2 ArftifatWeters Squared ContuirInterval NAVS Invesdgations 51 Figue 3.6. Suface Disrun of Window/Bottle Glass sow 60W 40W 20W 20N Os 20S 40S 60s SoS 100 S 120 S 140 S 160 S I8O S 200 S OE 20E 40E 60E 20N Os 20S 40S 60S 100 S SZOS 120 S 140 S 160S 200 S soW 6OW 40W 20W 0E 20E .2 Artfct/Metrs Squared Contour Intrval 40E 60E 52 The Nadve Alaskan Neighborhood Figure 3.7 Swface Distrion of Ceramics soW 60W 4OW 20W 20N Os 20S 40S 60S SoS 100 S 120 S 140 S 160 S 1805 200 S OE 20E 40E 6E 20N OS 20S 40S 60S SOOS 1008s 120 S 140 S 160 S 200 S SOW 60W 40W 20W OE 20E 40E 60E .15AW CensSqw C hwte1v- NAVS Investigations 53 Figue 3.8 Suface Disttrion of Metl Artfacts soW 60W 40W 20W OE 20E 40E 60E soW 60W 40W 20W 0E 20E 40E 60E .5 ArfctMdfes Squared Coato irval 20N 0s 20S 40S 60S SoS 100 S 120 S 140 S 160 S ISO S 200 S 20N OS 20S 40S 60S 8SO IOOS 120S 140 S 160 s iSO S 200 S N 54 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood Fige 3.9 Swface Distribution ofFish Remans soW 60W 40W 20W OE 20E 40E 60E soW 60W 40W 20W OE 20E 405 605 .2 Artiwfats/ eter Squared C ontourinterval 20N Os 20S 40S 60S SoS 1lOS 120 S 140 S 160 S ISOs 200 S 20N Os 20S 40S 60S 8SS 100 S 120S 140 S 160 S MSO S N NAVS Jnvesdgations 5S Figue3.10 SwfaceDistributionofBirdRemains soW 60W 40W 20W OE 20 40 E 60E soW 60W 40W 20W OE 20E 40E .1 A fr Squd Con 60E 20N Os 20S 40S 60S 8SS 100 S 120S 140 S 160 S 200 S N 20N Os 20S 40S 60S SoS 100S 120 S 140 S 160 S ISO S 200 S 56 The Nadve Alaskan Neighborhood Figure 3.11 Swface Dtstributon of Marine Mammal Remains soW 60W 40W 20W OE 20E 40E 60E soW 60W 40W 20W 0E 20E 40E 605 .2 ArtifatsMeters Squared ContDurIterval 20N OS 20S 4OS 60S SoS 100 S 120 S 140 S 160 S IO0S 200 S 20N OS 20S 40S 60S 8SS lOOS 120S 140 S 160 S 180N N00 NAVSInvestigations 57 Fiue 3.12 Swface Dtibution ofArdactyl Remains soW 60w 4OW 20W OE 20E 40E 60E SOW 6OW 40W 20W 0E 20E 40E .1 AKMctcm Squared Contw lwa 20N OS 20S 40S 60S 8SO 100S 120 S 140 S 160 S ISO S 200 S 20N Os 20 S 40S 60S 8SO 100 S 120 S 140 S 160 S ISO S NO S N 58 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood Figure 3.13 Swface Dftribuion ofAll Mammw Remais soW 60W 40W 20W OE 20E 40E 60E SOW 60W 4OW 20W 0E 20E 40E 60E .5 A 1tfactsJtW SquSed Coltolr Javal 2ON Os 20S 40S 60S SoS IOOs 120 S 140 S 160 S ISO S 200 S 20N Os 20S 40S 60S SoS 100 S 120S 140S 160 S ISO S 200 S NAVS Investigations 59 Figure 3.14 Surface Distrbution of Shellfish Remains soW 60W 40W 20W 0E 20E 40E 60E soW 60W 40W 20W 0E 20E 40E 60E .5 ArtifctsMeters Squared Contour Inteval 2ON Os 20S 40S 60S SoS 100 S 120 S 140 S 160 S 18oS 200 S 20N OS 20S 40S 60S 8SS 100 S 120S 140 S 160 S 180S 20 S N 60 The Nadve Alaskan Neighborhood Feature 10. This leveled, slightly depressed feature, measuring 4.8 m in diameter, is located in the south zone along the eastem edge of the terrace. In contrast to Feature 9, it yields very high densities for all artifact categores, at the upper end of the areal sample sandard deviations for all but metal artifacts. The large nwnber of materials collected from the feature correpond well with the density ranges generated in the SURFER maps. The densites of the faunal remains exhlbit a similar pattern, whereby all faunal categories are at the very upper end of the areal sample standard deviations as predicted by the SURFER maps. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY A magnetometer suvey was undertaken by Dr. Lewis Somers in the summer of 1989 using a Geoscan Fluxgate Gradiometer FM18. The initial survey was conducted in the 20-by-20 m grd system illustred in figure 3.1. The reslts exhibited subsurface, magnetic anomalies that paralleled the eastern edge of the terrace. Although the magnetic anomalies may have been produced by the underlying geological stucture of paralle beds of sedimentary rocks (see chapter 4), they could also be idications of subsurface feaur and archaeological deposits. The latter interpretation correlates neatly with the linear distribution of surface features and the artifact density peaks found in the north, central, and south areas along the eastern edge of the The geophysicl survey was augmented considerably in the summer of 1992, and in a short field season in 1993. A detied soil resistance survey was completed employing an electical resistivity meter (Geoscan RM15 Resistance Meter). A full description of this research, including maps of the expanded geophysical grid system of NAVS, is presented in chapter S by Andr6 Tschan. SUMMARY: PHASE ONE Th results of the 1989 field season revealed a linear distribut of surface feates, relatively high artifact densities, and magnei anomalies t paralleled the easten edge of the marie terrace. Faunal remains were concentated imaily the south, especially along the eastem edge of the maine terace. The site was divided into tee areas or zones (north, central, and south) based on the spatial patteming of artifact and faunal densities (figure 3.15). The north area contained five surface depressions (Featres 1-5), a very large number of metal artifacts, some lithic and window/bottle glass artfcts, very few glass beads and ceramics, and few faunal remains. The cental zone was characterized by four surface pits (Features 6-9), limited concentrations of lithic tools, ceramics, glass beads, window/bottle glass, and metal objects along the stern edge of the terrace (ca. 60 to 80 m south, 0 to 20 m east), and few artcts in the remain- der of the area. High densities of fish, bird, mammal, and shellfish _remain extended souti from Featue 7 along the easten edge of the terace. There was a shaip dropF off in the densies of faunal remains to the west of the terrace edge. The south area included four surface depressions (Features 10-13) and very high densities of all artifact and faunal categories throughout the area. When we compared the surface structure of NAVS to the Village locality portrayed in the 1817 map (Fedorova 1973), an interesting pattern became evident (see figure 3.15). The oudine of the 1817 Village p very closely to the boundaries seping areas of high and low densities of both artifacts and faunal remains. That is, the oginal Village "core," as mapped by Rusian- Amercan Company surveyors only four or five years after the founding of Ross, was situated in the cental area, fitting perfectly between the artifact concentrations of the north and south areas and the high faunal densities in the south. It is possible, of course, that the placement of the "Aleut7 Village in the 1817 map might be in error. The Village "core" might have been siuated farther to the north or south in areas containing higher artifact densi- ties. However, this inteation is not corroborated by the accurate rendition of other topographic features depicted in the map. When the 1817 map is superim- posed on the 1978 USGS quad map of Fort Ross, a close correlation is found in the locations of the marine tmace, Stockade complex, and Fort Ross Cove, suggesting ftat fte area was mapped with considerable precision. The spatal patn of surface artifacts my also be explained by post-Rusian use and modification of the landscape. A detailed perusal of the photographic archive in the Fort Ross Interpretive Association Library and the State Parks Archaeology Lab in Sacramento, as discussed by Tschan in chapter 5, identified buildings and fences in the north area of NAVS dating to the late 19th and 20th centuries. Several American Period farm buildings were located here. Until Highway 1 was re- routed in the 1970s, the road ran direcdy dtrough the north and south walls of the Stockade complex, then turned west toward the Call family ranch house. A gas sttion was once situated off Highway 1 near the south Stockade wall. The lage number of metal artifacts in the north area, as well as the electrical resistance anomalies detected here, may be attributed, in part, to ranching and commercial use in post-Ross times. A review of pertinent historic photographs indicates, however ta the central and south areas of NAVS were impacted far less extensively by American Period struc- tures than the north. The major cultural feature observed in photographs dating back to the 1860s was a fence line that paralleled thie eastrn edge of the marine terr_ae. NAVS Investigations 61 Figre 3.15 Three Areas of the Native Alaskan fdlage Site Showing Their Reladtionship to the fldlage Core" in the 1817 Map soW 60W 40W 20W 20N Os 20 S 40s 60S sos 100 S 120 S 140 S 160S 1S0 S 200 S OE 20 40E 60E 20N Os 20S 40S 60S SOS 100 S 120 S 140 S 160 S 180IS 200 S N soW 60W 4OW 20W OE 20E *oads Site Datum ~ S r f c e F e a t u r e 40E 60E ips of 97 as ck ire ty I )y or iey in le ay e )rth I 's 62 The Nadve Alaskan Neighborhood We must also consider whether the saial patern of srface artifacts was largely fortuitous, a product of differential rodt across the site. Rodent biohtation may have been concentrated in the north and south areas, and along the eastern edge of the terrace, where culual mrials were pushed and klcked to the surface in large nwnbers. Nonethessi upclose encoun- ters with our fiury friends over three field ons dem ated their ubiquitou presence across the entire site. Rodent burows were noted in all 20-by-20 m grid squares. While rodent action cetainly fcilitated the movement of ical materials to the surfae, the broader spatial distributon of specific classes of surface remains cmanot be explained by rodents alone. We believe the surface pateng of arifacts, faunal remains, geophysical s, and feas reflect, in large part, the uiderying atial structure of the Native Alaskan Village. Residents appear to have selected the eastern edge of the marine te in the north, central, and south areas for the construction of architecural structures, the performance of domestic activities, and the creation of refuse dumps. Some sur fea may represent fo hse locations with household refuse deposited around their peimeters. The distribution of artifacts along the eastern edge, some found in clearly defined midden deposits, idicates that refuse from NAVS households may have also been deposited over the cliff face. This disposal practce certainly would account for many of the archaeological remains recovered in the colluvial deposits at FRBS. PHSE Two (1991 FIELD SEASN) The reul of t topographic mapping, of the surface collecon of 38 2-by-2 m units and 5 surface featues, and of the geophysical survey guided the next phase of field work-the initial subsurfce testing of NAVS. The Phase Two testing had two purposes. First, we evaluated whether the surface feat represented former house structures with household ruse deposited around their perimeters. Second, we tested seveal different krations within the central and south ara to evaluate the relationship between the Village "core" and its southem peiphery. We did not test the north area, recognizing that its more complicated landscape had been clearly altred after the abandonment of the Native Alaskan Village. We excavated a 1-by- m test unit (South Central Test Unit), a block of ree 1 -by- I m units (West Cental Trench), and two hand-dug tenches consisting of five and seven 1-by-I m units (East Cental and South trenches, respectively) (figure 3.16). The units were excavated in natual or culaual strata to sterile sediments or bedrocL Thick deposits were furthr divided into 10 cm levels witiin each natural or culatual stratum. The maximum deptl of units was 70 cm below surface. The southwest coners were designated the unit datums, from which elevation readings and artifact point proveniences were taken. A 25% sample of sediments from each level was wet-screened tirough a 1/16" mesh (he 10 liter buckets per 10 cm level), the remaining 75% was dry screened though a 1/8" mesh. Sediment samples were taken from each statum. Artifacts were collected in lots for each level, unless intact featres were encountered, in which case mateials larger than the excavator's thumb- nail were point provenienced. So50 CENTL TEST UNrT The first subsurface unit excavated at NAVS was placed near te eastern edge of the terrace on the bound- ary between the central and south areas at 110S, 11W (figure 3.16). The objectives of the excavation were to define the stratigaphy and relative depth of NAVS deposits, and to test the eastern ea of the site. WEST CETRAL TRENCH The excavation units included 75S, 20W; 75S, 18W; and 75S, 16W in the cental area (figure 3.16). This location was chosen to test the site's west cental area that exhibited low artifact and faunal densities, limited subsurface anomalies, and no surface feates. The units were placed within the Village "core" defined in the 1817 map, several meters inside the western border. The excavation units were spaced one meter apart, leaving open the possibility of opening up contiguous units if we uncovered a featue or intact living surface. Since neither was detected, we excavated only the original three units. EAST CENTRAL TRENCH The excavation units included 75S, OE; 75S, IE; 75S, 2E; 75S, 3E; and 75S, 4E in tfie centrl area (figure 3.16). We decided to test a location in the Vdlage "core" that contained a surface feature on the easten edge of the terrace. We chose Feature 7 for testing since ftis location was chcterized by moderate densities of ceramic, liftic, and glass artifas and high concentrations of faunal remains. Starting with the 75S, OE corner stake, a 5-by-1 m long trench was laid out on a westen bearing ftat cross-sectioned Feature 7. A bone bed was tmcov- ered about 20 to 25 cm below surface, exhibiting a dense concentration of animal bones, marine shells, fire- cracked rocks, and ceramic, metal, and glass artifacts Two redwood posts and the bottom of a pit feature were also unearthed. SOUTH TRENCH The excavation units included 125S, 24W; 125S, 23W; 125S, 22W; 125S, 21W; 125S, 20W; 125S, 19W; and 125S, 18W in the south area (figure 3.16). The trench bisected Feature 10. The purpose was to crosssection a surface depression south of the Village "core" along the eastern edge of the erace that exhibited high densities of surface artifacts and faunal remains. NAVS Investigations 63 Figure 3.16 Native Alaskan Village Site Excavation Units so W 60 W 40W 20 W 80W 60W 40W 20W 0E s FRBS Excavation Units E NAVS 1991 Excavation Units 3 NAVS 1992 Excavation Units OE 20E 40E 60E ; 20E 40E A NAVS Datum I* FRBS Datum 97 er :, as y ^ock ture )si- I- rity d by al 1 or hey in -le 20 N OS 20 S 40S 60S 80S 100S 120S 140 S 160S ISOS 200 S 20 N Os 20S 40S 60S 0os IOOS 120S 140S 160S ISO S 200 S N ?ay e irth 60E s PS 64 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood The excavation revealed another bone bed deposit, consisting of hundreds of faunal elements, historical afacts, and fr-craked rocks 20 to 30 cm below ground surfce. Four small posts were also unarthed in the easten end of the trench. SUMIARY: PHASE TWO Subsuctesting at NAVS began in the souti cental, east cetal, west central, and southi a of the site. The initial tetng revealed archaologial remains t were consistent with the surfce tens detected in Phase One fieldworL The South Cental Test Unit revealed high denstes of faunal rains and most artic categories. The West Cental Trench produced a low density of faul emas, moderate densities of cramic, metal and li artifact, and large nwubers of glass fagments, mosty from window panes. The East Central and South renches both revealed dense deposits of fire-cracked rocks, artifacts, and faunal remains that were described in the field as bone beds. In addition, a pit feature was detected in the East Central Trench. PHASE THREE (1992 FIELD SEASON) The final phase involved bradscale exposure of the East Cental Area Excavation and South Area Excava- tion. The purpose was to define the spatal boundaries of the bone bed deposits in Featues 7and 10 and to evaluate whether ftey were both associated With house Suctures. We employed an excavation sategy specifi- cally designed to expose the bone beds without destroy- ing their intnal aal s e. In the previous field seas, all matrials encountered in the bone beds were point provenienced, mapped, and photographed in situ prior to removal, a m lous pcedure that took an exeedingly long time to complete. In fact, the lower- most levels of the bone bed deposit in 125S, 23E and 125S, 22E were not completed until the 1992 field season. Since we ahleady had a good sample of the intnal constituents of the bone beds, and recognized that the time involved in completely excavating the dense deposits of bone, shell, and litiics in a rgorous mmner would be prohibitive, we employed the following protocol to expose the upper level of the bone beds. The East Cental and South trenches were reopened, additonal 1-by-I m units were gridded on both sides of the trenches, and .5 m balks were set up every two meters on a 360 degree bearing. Area datums were established on the balks and in nearby unexcavated units. The 1-by-i m units were then quarter-sectioned into .5-by-.5 m quads. Since the tpsoil and dark sandy loam soils overaying the bone beds were distubed by both bioturbaion and recent ranching activides, we removed them as one level in each .5-by-.5 m.quad. The reason for excavating in quads was to refine the horizontal provenience of matials recovered in this upper level. All sdiments were dry screened through 1/8" mesh. Once the level of the bone bed was reached, the surface was carefully cleaned to reveal the spatial orgaizaton of mateials in situ. Faunal remains and arfacts on the exposed surfaces were then identified, mapped, photographed, and a few seklcted m ials were collected for later la ay nalyses. Photphs were taken using the Prince (1991) extension pole for low- level, direct-overhead photogaphy, resulting in picrs of each 1-by-I m unit at a constant height (2.59 m or 8' 6") and angle (perpendicular to the grnd) above the bone bed surface. This systematic procedure produced a mosaic of photos for the endre exposed surface all at the same scale. Trenches were selectively excavated into the bone bed surfaes to define the underlying sediments and to detect other featres. Once the bone beds were completely recorded, they were then covered with plastic and carefully backflled. The future plans for the taiside exhibits at NAVS include uncovering the excavated bone beds and constructing viewing areas with interpretive panels, thus maing these features accessible to the public. EAST CENTRAL ARMA EXCAVAION Twenty-one 1-by- I m units were exposed, eidter fully or partially, to the north and west of the original East Cental Trench, including 75S, 2W; 74S, 2W; 75S, 1W; 74S, 1W; 73S, 1W; 72S, 1W; 74S, OE (1/2 unit); 73S, OE (1/2 unit); 72S, OE (1Q2 unit); 74S, IE; 73S, IE; 72S, 1E; 74S, 2E (1/2 unit); 73S, 2E (1/2 unit); 72S, 2E (1/2 unit); 74S, 3E; 73S, 3E; 72S, 3E; 74S, 4E; 73S, 4E; and 72S, 4E. A total block of 23 sq m was unearthed five sq m in 1991 and 18 sq m in 1992 (figure 3.17). In 1992, we also excavated a 3-by-5 m wide trench (East Cental Extension Trench) below the level of the bone bed along the balk face in the westem halves of 74S, 3E; 73S, 3E; and 72S, 3E. These investigations delimited an extensive bone bed deposit in the fill of a subsurface structure. SOUTHAREA EXCAVATION Twenty-six 1-by-i m units were excavated, either fully or pially, to the north, west, and south of the South Trench, including 124S, 26W; 123S, 26W; 122S, 26W; 121S, 26W; 120S, 26W; 124S, 25W (1/2 unit); 123S, 25W (1/2 unit); 122S, 25W (1/2 unit); 121S, 25W (1/2 unit); 120S, 25W (1/2 unit); 124S,24W; 123S, 24W; 122S, 24W (1/2 unit); 124S, 23W; 123S, 23W; 124S, 22W (1/2 unit); 123S, 22W (1/2 unit); 126S, 21W; 124S, 21W; 123S, 21W; 124S, 20W; 123S, 20W; 124S, 19W; 123S, 19W (1/2 unit); 124S, 18W; and 123S, 18W (3/4 unit). A total block of 27.25 sq m was exposed, 7 sq m in 1991 and 20.25 sq m in 1992 (figure 3.18). In 1992, we also cleaned, deepened, ad profiled ithe south wall of the NAVS Invesdgations 65 Figue 3.17 East Central Area Excavation 71 S 72S 73S 74 S 75 S 2W 1W OE IE El 1991 TI1huDs | Eat Ca aExtensio Tnch 2E 3E F Bs&Gra 4E 0 SO 100 cm SE FEgur 3.18 South Area Excavation ti:] gZ \! 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' ': j 1 j t- *','w'j '..... :'.: :':'''': . '"'''''' ':": ''-"' . . . . . :; ;, . .:. . :, :' '. :.:::' i' .'' ;:: . .'- '. ' ' ' ' ' ' : ' ' . .. .. _ 1 . . . . . . , . . . . . . . .; . . . . . , . : . ' . ' ' ' : ' ' ' : ' : "::: ' ' '~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ .. ... ... ... .. ... ... 119 S 120 S 121 S 122 S 123 S 124 S 125 S 126 S 261 I? 0 50 100 cm m1EU ~~Balk Grams 17W . - .-- - I ~~~~~~. _-I- 9 66 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood original South Trench. Finally, we excavated a 3 m by .5 m trench (South Extension Trench) along the balk face in the western halves of 124S, 24W; 123S, 24W; and 122S, 24W. This trench was excavated to evaluate the spatial patterning of rock rubble below the bone bed. These combined investigations unearthed 2 separate bone bed deposits, the cross-section of a subsurface structure, an extensive concentration of rock mbble, a linear clay feature, and 12 redwood posts. SUMMARY: PHASE THREE The East Central Area Excavation and South Area Excavation produced similar kinds of deposits. Both blocks contained extensive bone bed deposits located in the upper fill of earlier pit features. Human modifica- tions of the landscape in the South Area Excavation also involved the dumping of tons of rock rubble, as well as the construction of a fence composed of small redwood posts. STRATIGRAPHY AND ASSOCIATION CULTURAL MATERIALS In this section, we describe the stratigraphy, features, and overall distribution of artifacts and faunal remains in four excavation loci: 1) South Cental Test Unit, 2) West Central Trench, 3) East Central Area, and 4) South Area. SOUTH CENTRAL TEST UNIr The unit datum (lIOS, 11W) of this 1-by-I m unit is 23.5 m asl. The surface of the unit drops .24 m in elevation from the northwest to southeast corners. The unit extends to a maximum depth of .60 cm below surface (22.9 m asi). Four deposits are defined (figure 3.19). 1) Topsoil. The dark brown (lOYR 3/3), sandy loam soil is dry and unconsolidated, full of grass roots and recently deposited organic remains. The high percentage of sand in the soil matrix is a result of aeolian deposition along the terrace top. The thickness of the deposit increases from west to east, ranging in depth from .1 to .25 m below ground surface. A diverse assortment of lithic, ceramic, metal, and glass artifacts were recovered, although the frequency of shell and faunal remains was modest. No features are found. 2) Dark Sandy Loam. The dark grayish-brown (lOYR 4/2), sandy loam becomes more compact with increasing depth. The deposit differs from the topsoil in color, in the decreasing mass of grass roots, and in the greater frequency of shell and animal bone fragments. The stratum is about .15 to .2 m thick along the south wall, sloping to a maximum depth of 23.1 m asl along the eastern edge of the unit. Many lithic, metal, ceramic, and glass artifacts were recovered. Rodent burrows are common, and charcoal flecks are distributed throughout 3) Rock Rubble. Underlying the dark sandy loam is a distinctive deposit of yellowish-brown clay (lOYR 5/6) containing many subangular and angular sandstone and siltstone rocks. The rocks vary in size, but many are fist- sized and some appear to be fire-cracked. The rock rubble deposit is .1 to .15 m thick along the south wall, extending to a maximum depth of 22.98 m asl. A redwood stake, 9 cm long and 2 cm wide, was detected in the west wall .35 m below surface. The diversity and frequency of artifacts and faunal remains decrease in this deposit 4) Clay. Compact yellowish-brown clay (1OYR 5/6) underlies the rock rubble. The stratum contains some small sandstone and siltstone inclusions, but the size and number decrease markedly from the above stratum. Evidence of gopher activity is noted. The excavators believe this stratum is relatively sterile, with the excep- tion of materials found in discolored gopher runs. Layered beds of siltstone are exposed in the southwest corner about .55 m below surface (22.95 m asl). WEST CENTRAL TRENCH The elevations of the unit datums for 75S, 20W; 75S, 18W; and 75S, 16W are 26.75, 26.71, and 26.64 m asl, respectively. The surface of the area is relatively flat, dropping only .20 m from west to east over a 5 m distance (75S, 20W to 75S, 15W). The three 1-by-i m units are excavated to a depth of about .4 m below ground surface. Three deposits are identified (figure 3.20). 1) Topsoil. The dark gray (SYR 4/1), sandy loam soil is characterized by fine to medium-sized grains, poorly sorted, in a grass root matrix. The stratum is thickest in 75S, 20W (ca. 20 cm deep) and shallowest in 75S, 18W (ca. 10 cm deep). Much evidence of bioturbation is observed. A diverse range of lithic, ceramic, glass, and metal artifacts was recovered, but shell and animal bone fragments were sparse in all units. No features are found. 2) Dark Sandy Loam. The dark gray (5YR 4/1) sandy loam deposit differs little from the topsoil except in the lower density of grass roots and organic matter. Sediment grains are again very fine to medium in size and poorly sorted, with some larger sandstone inclusions. The stratum is about .2 to .3 m thick. Evidence of rodent disturbance is ubiquitous in all three units. A diverse range of artifacts was recovered-charcoal and brick fragments were frequent, but few shell and animal bone specimens were found. There was, however, a thin (2 cm deep) concentration of ash, charcoal, and burned bone uncovered along the western boundary of 75S, 20W, .25 to .27 m below surface. 3) Clay. The highly compact, yellowish-brown (IOYR 5/4) sand/clay sediments contain a high density of angular sandstone cobbles and sandstone pebble inclu- the stratum. No features are found. sions. The frequency of artifacts decreases markedly in NAVS Investigations 67 Figure 3.19 South Wall Profile of South Central Test Unit i1OS 11W iios low - 23.5 - 23.4 - 23.3 - 23.2 - 23.1 - 23.0 50 cm [1111] Topsoil (i) LI] Dark Sandy Loam Z ].... .Rock Rubble LI] Clay X ________ Bedrock Rodent Burrow Stone Bone Shell Figure 3.20 South Wall Profile of West Central Trench (75S, 18W) 75S 17W 75S18W l l ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~M.a.s.l. 26.7 26.6 26.5 26.4 26.3 UThEl Topsoil i.Dark Sandy Loam I -.. ; Clay C) Rodent Burrow ^ Rock 68 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood this stratum, and all three units are sterile beneath .32 to .35 m below the surface. EAST CENTRAL AREA The unit datum elevations in the East Central Trench range from 25.99 m asl (75S, OE) to 25.90 m asl (75S, 4E). The three datums placed in the balks for taking elevations in the 1992 East Central Area Excavation- 72S, 2.25W; 72S, .25E; and 72S, 2.75E--are 26.4,26.17, and 26.06 m asl, respectively. The surface topography of the block slopes downward .48 m from the northwest corner (71S, 1W; 26.4 m asl) to the southeast corner (75S, SE; 25.92 m asl) over a distance of 7 m. Two balks were laid out on a 360 degree bearing from 74S, OE (3- by-.5 m) and 74S, 2.5E (3-by-.5 m). We begin by describing the stratigraphy of the East Central Trench excavated in 1991, and then the East Central Extension Trench excavated in 1992. This is followed by a descrip- tion of the features unearthed in the combined trench and area excavations. EAST CENTRAL TRENCH Six deposits are defined (figure 3.21). 1) Topsoil. About 10 cm thick, this brown (IOYR 3/ 2) soil is a very fine sandy to silty loam that contains many grass roots and a high organic contenL Rodent action is common throughout the stratum, and sediments are not compacted or well sorted. Artifact density and diversity are relatively low, as are concentrations of shell and animal bone fragments. Charcoal fragments are found throughout 2) Dark Sandy Loam. This sandy loan deposit, ranging in color from dark brown (1OYR 3/3) to dark grayish-brown (IOYR 4/2), is characterized by very high densities of ceramic, glass, metal, and lithic artifacts, mollusk shells, and animal bones. The deposit is about 10 to 20 cm thick, varying in depth only slightly across the five units. As described below, a bone bed feature is found in 75S, OE; 75S, IE; and the western half of 75S, 2E. Evidence of rodent burrows is common outside the bone bed deposit in 75S, 3E and 75S, 4E. Rodent burrows are evident above and below the bone bed deposit, but few penetrate it. 3) Pit Fill. This brown (lOYR 3/2) sandy loam is dry, crumbly and not compact, with much evidence of rodent activity. The deposit is .3 to .35 m thick across the five units. The density of artifacts and faunal remains decreases dramatically from the overlying stratum. Whole mollusk shells and animal bones are rare, with occasional fragments dispersed throughout the stratum. 4) Mottled Fill. Two pockets of yellowish-brown (IOYR 5/8) sediments are noted at the interface of the pit fill and underlying silty loam. It is a silty loam contain- ing shell fragments. 5) Silty Loam. This mottled, yellowish-brown (IOYR 5/8) soil is characterized by a compact matrix of fine sand, silt and clay particles, with inclusions of subangular and angular sandstone and siltstone pebbles and rocks. The stratum is .1 to .25 m thick, ranging from .42 to over .7 m in depth below ground surface. The deposit slopes downward as part of the floor of a pit feature. Some metal, ceramic, glass, and lithic artifacts were recovered, but faunal remains were very sparse. Some charcoal fragments were observed. 6) Clay. Brownish-yellow (IOYR 6/6) silty clay that contains angular sandstone and siltstone pebbles and rocks. This stratum appears to be relatively sterile of cultural materials. EAST CENTRAL EXTENSION TRENCH Along the balk face in the westem halves of 74S, 3E; 73S, 3E; and 72S, 3E and oriented at a perpendicular angle to the 75S, OE trench, a second trench was exca- vated to obtain another profile of the pit feature. Five deposits are defined (figure 3.22). 1) Topsoil. This brown (lOYR 3/2) fine sandy, silt soil is not well compacted, containing grass roots in the upper .15 m. The topsoil and dark sandy loam defined in the East Central Trench were excavated together and profiled as one stratum. As a consequence, the deposit is quite thick, about .3 m on the average. A low density of artifacts and faunal remains is observed in the extension trench. 2) Yellow-Brown Sandy Loam. The dark yellowish- brown (IOYR 4/4) deposit is composed of fine sand and silt particles with occasional rounded to subangular sandstone and siltstone gravel and rocks. There is a gradual transition from the topsoil to the yellow-brown sandy loam in areas not disturbed by the pit feature (northern half of 73S, 3E and 72S, 3E). The deposit is relatively thin (.1 m thick), with extensive mottling caused by worm casts, and very compact It differs from the dark sandy loam soil described in the East Central Trench in the degree of compactness, the paucity of organic remains, and the low density of cultural materi- als. Few shell or bone fragments are observed. 3) Silty Loam. This mottled, yellowish-brown (1OYR 5/8) deposit contains a compact matrix of fine sand, silt, and clay, with inclusions of subangular and angular pebbles and rocks. It is about .2 to .25 m thick, paralleling the lower surface of the yellow-brown sandy loam stratum, then dropping sharply downward below the pit feature. Few cultural materials are observed in this stratum. 4) Pit Fill. This brown (IOYR 3/2), very fine, sandy loam deposit truncates the yellow-brown sandy loam and silty loam levels at 72.6S, 3E. The upper surface of the deposit, in direct contact with the topsoil, is .3 m below NAVS Investigations 69 I * (DL Ot) L( ) I I I _I I I II I 0 E 0 1- 0o C C 0 o 2 o c ) c o a:cn) *0 CD o0 0 o E 0~ Cu co c _ o = C iL LL- r- . t I ~ I I I I r, 00) X- to CV) * (O u A Li ttA 0 w I0) -z Q , "I -4 2.. It 70 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood E 2 CD E CD c 0 (I LL 0~ > a: CD mcO Y6E SE ct oXiL?n 0.cX sn .o o4)C U4 c K ~c C) 0) o* cn C\10 (0 * \ 2 CM N\ co (0 llq Lf Li tO OJ C\ C*j w CO- C/) _ w CO) C/) - CM w cv, CO- CV) C: rS )-l W U3. St -i O.. w U)- cv, C0J -.ZCl) 0D U) c c6 OC')6 C') I I I I I NAVS Investigations 71 ground level, while the bottom of the deposit slopes downward from .45 to .6 m below ground. The pit fill is characterized by a relatively high density of modest-sized shell fragments, charcoal, and small bone fragments. Some ceramic, metal, and lithic artifacts are also distrib- uted throughout the deposit. 5) Clay. The brownish-yellow (1OYR 6/6) silty clay, containing some subangular and angular pebbles and rocks, is observed underlying the silty loam level in unit 73S, 3E. The level appears to be sterile. EAsT CENTRAL BONE BED The bone bed was first detected about 20 cm below ground surface in the East Central Trench in 75S, OE; 75S, IE; and the western half of 75S, 2E. It consists of a dense concentration of fire-cracked rocks, mollusk shell (whole abalone, clam, mussel, etc.), sea urchin spines, and fish, bird, and mammal bones (figures 3.23, 3.24, 3.25). A lower frequency of ceramic, metal, glass, and lithic tools is disbursed throughout the deposit. The dense cultural materials are generally not crushed or fragmented, but embedded in situ in the dark sandy loam soil. The presence of whole shell, sea urchin spines, and articulated fish vertebrae indicates the deposit was protected from trampling and bioturbation both during and after deposition. The deposit was excavated in two levels, each measuring between 4 to 6 cm in thickness. In both levels, all materials greater than the excavator's thumb- nail were point provenienced, mapped, and removed for analysis. Photos were taken of the surface of each bone bed level. The first excavation level consists of the upper surface of the bone bed that was carefully cleaned and exposed (figures 3.26 and 3.27). The elevation ranges from 25.78 m asl in the nw corner of 75S, OE to 25.66 m asl in the sw quad of 75S, 2E. The second excavation level includes the lower tier of materials in the bone bed deposit The upper surface of this level ranges in elevation 25.74 m asl in the nw corner of 75S, OE to 25.6 m asl in the sw quad of 75S, 2E. In 1992, the upper surface of the bone bed and adjacent deposits to the north and west of 75S, OE; 75S, lE; and 75S, 2E were exposed in the East Central Area Excavation. Photographs of the area excavation were taken in three sections. The first section ( figure 3.28) consists of six full units east of the 72S, 2.75E balk datum (74S, 3E; 73S, 3E; 72S, 3E; 72S, 4E; 73S, 4E; and 72S, 4E). The second section (figure 3.29) includes nine full or half units east of the 72S, .25E balk datum (74S, OE; 73S, OE; 72S, OE; 73S, 1E; 74S, 1E; 72S, 1E; 74S, 2E; 73S, 2E; and 72S, 2E). The third section (figure 3.30) comprises six full units east of the 72S, 2.25W Figure 3.23 Close-up of Worked Antler in 75S, OE: East Central Bone Bed, Level 1 72 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood Figure 3.24 Close-up ofArtiodactyl Remains and Abalone Shells in 75S, 1E: East Central Bone Bed, Level 1 Figure 3.25 Close-up of Fire-Cracked Rocks, Ground Stone, Turban Snail, and Abalone Shells in 7SS, OE: East Central Bone Bed, Level 1 .... __ I NAVS Investigations 73 Figure 3.26 Photo of 75S, OE: East Central Bone Bed, Level 1 Figure 3.27 Photo of SW Quad of 75S, OE: East Central Bone Bed, Level 1 a 74 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood Figure 3.28 Photo of the First Section (74S, 3E) of the East Central Area Excavation NAVS Investigations 75 Figure 3.29 Photo of the Second Section (74S, OE) of the East Central Area Excavation i 1? 76 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood Figure 3.30 Photo of the Third Section (75S, 2W) of the East Central Area Excavation NAVS Invesigations 77 datum (75S, 2W; 74S, 2W; 75S, 1W; 74S, 1W; 73S, 1W; 72S, 1W). Another close-up shot of the bone bed deposit is represented in figure 3.31. The total area of the bone bed unearthed in 1991 and 1992 is about 10 sq m, found at a relatively uniform depth of .2 to .25 m below ground surface (figure 3.32). The elevation of the upper surface of the deposit varies from about 25.92 to 25.72 m asl, with some areas of higher elevation and depressions evident. Base maps showing the balks, grid units, rodent burrows, soil stains and nonartifactual rocks were produced for each excava- tion level using CorelDRAW software. Figure 3.33 illustrates level 1 of the bone bed and adjacent deposits in the 23 sq m exposure of the East Central Trench and East Central Area Excavation. Figure 3.34 depicts level 2 of the bone bed and adjacent deposits in the East Central Trench. The spatial distribution of specific artifact categories and faunal remains will be presented in chapter 17. While a similar range of cultural materials is found outside the bone bed to the west and east in level 1, the overall frequency is less, and bone and shell elements tend to be more fragmented. We suspect that these materials may have once been embedded in the bone bed deposit, but have been broken-up, mixed, and transported short distances by post-depositional bioturbation. The yellow-brown sandy loam borders the dark sandy loam soil to north and west While the upper surface of the yellow-brown sandy loam is not sterile, the density of cultural material dropped off significantly- from the bone bed deposit Excavations into the yellow-brown sandy loam (e.g., extension trench) reveal few cultural materials, with the exception of artifacts transported into the stratum by rodent burrows. The upper level of the yellow-brown sandy loam may have been the original surface in the East Central Area when NAVS was first occupied in the early 1800s. EAST CENTRAL PIT FEATURE The two East Central trenches unearthed a pit feature whose floor was .6 to .7 m below ground surface. The pit was initially dug into the original surface of the yellow- brown sandy loam (see figure 3.22), and penetrated into the underlying silty loam and clay soils. The pit was relatively shallow when used, dug only about .3 m below the yellow-brown sandy loam. Figure 3.35 illusaes the base map of the floor of the Pit Feature exposed in the East Central Trench. The contour of the floor slopes down from the nw comer of 75S, OE (25.48 m asl) to the lowest points in 75S, IE; 75S, 2E; and 75S, 3E (ca. 25.32-25.36 m asl) and then rises again until it reaches it maximum height in the ne corner of 75S, 4E (25.52 m asl). Rock rubble was placed or dumped in the bottom of some units, especially in 75S, OE and 75S, 2E. It is not clear whether the rock pave- ment was placed in the bottom to raise the surface for better drainage and/or to level the floor. No hearths or other intemal features are detected. Few cultural remains were recovered on the floor (see chapter 17). Two intact redwood posts were recovered in 75S, 4E. The posts were spaced .2 m apart, from center to center, and were anchored into the silty loam soil at the bottom of the pit Post 1 consists of a .17 m section, badly decomposed, which appears to be rectangular in cross section, measuring 5-by-4 cm. Post 2 is rectangular in cross section, measuring 6-by-4 cm, and smoothed (possibly planed) on at least one side. A .30 cm section of the deposit was recovered within a post-hole, a 7 to 8 cm diameter hole filled with a porous, uncompacted dark sandy loam, which had been dug into the silty loam soil. The remnants of a third post were noted by excavators in 75S, 4E about .2 to .3 m below surface. It is located .2 m north of the center of post 2. While the posts may be associated with the pit feature, we suspect they are the remnants of a fence constructed in the later American Period. Tschan's careful analysis of archival photos in the FRIA library (chapter 5) indicates that the American Period fence ran across the East Central Area near 75S, 4E. After the East Central Pit Feature was abandoned, it was filled with soil to the level of the original ground surface (top of the yellow-brown sandy loam). The relative paucity of materials in the fill suggests it was not used as a trash dump, but that sediments already contain- ing fragmented shell and bone were deposited into the pit, possibly in a single dumping episode. There is little indication in the wall profiles of discontinuities in the fill deposit, or of separate dumping episodes. By filling the pit to the height of the original ground surface, a surface was produced with little topographic relief. This level surface was then used to dump large quantities of whole mollusk shells, fish, bird, and mammal bones, fire- cracked rock, and some lithic, ceramic, glass, and metal artifacts. The full dimensions of the East Central Pit Feature are not known. The structure was at least 5 m long on a east/west bearing based on the profile of the East Centl Trench (figure 3.21) and at least 2.5 meters wide on a north/south orientation based on the profile of the East Central Extension Trench (figure 3.22). SOUTH AREA The unit datum elevations in the 7 m long South Trench excavated in 1991 range from 23.73 m asl (125S, 24W) to 23.37 m asl (125S, 18W). Four datum points were established on balks or in unexcavated areas for taking elevations in the 1992 South Area Excavation. The datum coordinates and elevations are 122S, 26.25W (24.14 m asl); 122S, 24.25W (23.99 m asl); 122S, 21.75W (23.76 m asl); and 122S, 19.25W (23.75 m asl). 78 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood Figure 3.31 Close-up of Artiodactyl Remains, Ground Stone, and Fire-Cracked Rocks in 74S, I W: East Central Bone Bed, Level 1 Figure 3.32 Outline of the East Central Bone Bed in the East Central Trench and Area Excvation 71 S 72S 73S 74 S 0 50 100 cm 75 S 2W 1 W OE I E 2E 3E 4E E East Central Bone Bed 11] Pit Feature E3 Baik Grass 5 cm topographic ineval 5E NAVS Investigations 79 Figure 3.33 Basemap for the East Central Bone Bed and A4dacent Deposits, Level I (East Central Trench and Area Excavation) 71 S 72S 73S 74 S 75S 2W 1 W OE I E 2E 3E 4E 5E , .;........ ': East Ceniral Bone Bed * Rock * Features * Rodent Burrows 5 cm topographic interval Pit Feate Balk Grass 0 - 50 100 cm Figure 3.34 Basemap for the East Central Bone Bed and Adjacent Deposits, Level 2 (East Central Trench) S ;; _ iH ..... ::* t :T0-:-- : 4''- wia: 4 0 0fs0S S;f;t: ; a ,: : :0 ::: :C : a '::;:;::::y *: t:*;:: ::::E ::S*s; b : : :: :. : :i: ::** : :4..7: g I E Xf r' / /' rg / j' (I < / /J ,. / /f / / / /1:/ / 3E 4E SE East C-entra Bone Bed [R Posts E Featues * Rock 7 Pit Feae 5 cm topographic interval 0 50 100cm Figure 3.35 Basemapfor the Floor of the East Central Pit Feature (East Central Trench) 74S /_= r 75S OE IE iEast Central Pit Feature * Rock 2E 3E E FeantBr * Rodent Burrows 4E 5E I' C, Posts 5 cm topographic interval 74S .- . OE 2E N , -7; C I 80 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood The surface grade of the block is relatively gentle, sloping downward about 1 m from the northwest (119S, 26W; 24.23 m asl) to the southeast comer (125S, 17W; 23.19 m asl) over a distance of 11 m. Three balks were laid out on a 360 degree bearing from 124S, 24.5W (5- by-.5 m), 124S, 22W (2-by-.5 m), and 124S, 19.5W (2- by-.5 m). After providing the stratigraphy of the South Trench, which was cleaned and deepened in 1992, we describe natural and cultural features in the South Trench and South Area Excavation. These features include a line of wooden posts, two bone bed deposits, a linear feature of clay, an extensive layer of rock rubble, natural bedrock blocks, and one pit feature. SOvTH TRENCH Five deposits are defined for the south wall profiles of 125S, 24W; 125S, 23W; 125S, 22W; 125S, 21W; 125S, 20W; 125S, 19W; and 125S, 18W (figure 3.36). 1) Topsoil. This light to dark grayish-brown (IOYR 3/2, 10 YR 3/3) sandy loam is shallow (about 10 cm thick) and loosely packed, almost porous in composition. It varies little in texture from the underlying stratum, differentiated primarily by a slightly lighter color, a greater frequency of roots, and a lower density of arti- facts and faunal remains. Rodent burrows are common. 2) Dark Sandy Loam. This dark-grayish brown (IOYR 3/2) sandy loam is poorly sorted, crumbly, and contains many angular and subangular pebbles and rocks. Although many faunal remains, artifacts and charcoal were recovered, the depostional context of cultural materials varies greatly from the eastern to western units. In the eastern units (125S, 20W; 125S, 19W; 125S, 18W), cultural materials are highly fragmented and dispersed throughout the stratum. The dark sandy loam is relatively uniform in thickness (.3 to .35 m) across the three units. An intact bone bed deposit (described below) is found along the 125S, 23W; 125S, 22W; the western half of 125S, 21W; and the eastern edge of 125S, 24W. The bone bed is laid down directly on subangular and angular sandstone and siltstone rocks. Many of the rocks measure between .1 to .15 m in length. The rock rubble is dispersed throughout the western half of the trench at a depth of between .4 to .5 m below the ground surface. In the eastern half of 125S, 24W, where the bone bed terminated, a mass of large angular rocks was unearthed ranging in depth from 20 to 50 cm below surface. 3) Dark Pit Fill. This deposit is identified only in the western section of the trench, beginning along the western edge of 125S, 20W, and continuing in units 125S, 21W to 125S, 24W. The pit fill, consisting of a dark grayish-brown (IOYR 3/2) sandy loam is found directly below the rock rubble in units 125S, 24W and 125S, 23W, and within and below the rock rubble in 125S, 22W; 125S, 21W; and the western edge of 125S, 20W. The deposit differs from the upper dark sandy loam in its darker color, its oily (almost greasy) feel, and its paucity of shell and animal bones. Charcoal flecks and artifacts are found in this stratum. 4) Mottled Dark Sandy Loam/Clay. Several discrete pockets of mixed dark sandy loam and clay soil are observed in the eastern half of 125S, 20W and the west edge of 125S, 19W; in 125S, 21W and 125S, 22W; and in 125S, 24W. The pockets are light yellowish-brown (1OYR 5/6) in color and exhibit a mottled texture of unsorted sand, silt, and clay sediments. 5) Clay/Bedrock. The underlying yellowish-brown (lOYR 5/8) clay deposit exhibits an uneven topography across the trench, ranging in depth below surface from .4 to .8 m. In the eastern units (125S, 20S; 125S, 19W; 125S, 18W), the compact sand/clay stratum is observed only .4 to .45 m below the surface. With the exception of the above pocket of mottled soil, the interface between the dark sandy loam and clay levels is very sharp and distinct. The clay sediments appears to be sterile. Parallel bands of siltstone bedrock are observed in the clay soil in unit 125S, 20W. In the western units, beginning with the western edge of 125S, 20W and continuing through eastern half of 125S, 24W, a shallow pit had been dug into the underly- ing clay soil at a depth of about .2 to .3 m. The pit measures about 3.5 m in length, and is characterized by an uneven floor surface. The pit feature was first defined when the original South Trench was deepened and profiled in the 1992 field season. WOODEN POSTS Twelve redwood posts were mapped and recovered in situ in units 125S, 19W; 124S, 18W; and 123S, 18W. Beginning with the southernmost post, each is numbered consecutively from 1 to 12 (figure 3.37). The length of the posts exposed in excavation varies from 5 to 30 cm. The posts are rectangular to round in cross-section, ranging in size from very thin slabs, less than 3 cm in diameter, to thicker pieces over 4 to 5 cm in width. Seven posts (4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11) measure between 1-by- 1 cm to 3-by-2 cm in cross-section, while the remainder (1, 2, 3, 6, 12) measure between 4-by-3 cm to 7-by-4 cm. Most posts are not well preserved, but at least one exhibits chopping marks from an axe. All but one post (#12) are found in a linear configu- ration that is oriented along a northem bearing, from 0 to 40 degrees. The linear arrangement of posts is roughly S-shaped, curving slightly in a northeastem direction. The spacing between adjacent posts, measured from their centers, ranges between 12 to 62 cm, although the interval separating most is only 28 to 35 cm. No pattem of thick and thin posts is detected. The first three posts (1-3) are thick, followed by 4 thin slabs (4-7), then a thick post (#8), followed by three thin slabs (9-11). A shallow trench had been cut into the yellow clay/ bedrock in which the first four posts had been placed. The trench is 2 to 5 cm deep, and measures between 20 NAVS Investigations 81 *Cd c) c$ c co c- Cuj CNJ CNJ cm t I . I I I 0) 0 ZD 2 L.LD .0 0 a. 0 E X c c m 0 0 0 0 .0 -J co X co 0 9 CO~~ 0~~~~ O X 0 Q 0 a Co 0 J ? 0 0 3 con . . rr az C4) v 0 r-. cX 2 2 cu 4 C2J ('4 C'j ('4: ('40 Cl) co (' L: - Q 0 0 r- V Cq L._ 82 The Natve Alaskan Neighborhood AI -4 I -41 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ !'~K i K~K 41K T41 ______1 -< i S ( $ -l A 1 - 1 1 - 1 4I .-........ o I _ j ' _ I . -' _ _ -iS . I _ I _ _ I . 1 (DAnSH a ..I... I Al 41 I 41 - 1 41{ -< 1 yJ 3 A\ 1 l -~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~. .... .. . . .. ... ..... . 1 -, i 1 -, 1 1 . 1 i Asf < , 1 i1 -,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~........ . .....I ... V w1-. 1 jl- - - - XaRS I A g).. i.. W)o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~. . ..... I A l1 4 A l S ',............ ......... ... '.' '.'-'. ; - _ - _ ? _ _ _ \ L e t > r ................................................ : - : ..... _ _ _~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.. .. ........ 4' i 1 d1 - 1 1 -i \ A I ' 1 Xlo :: '.:.,.' ''~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~zi _ i____________ *.Z'... ..................: e . -.Z - -Lr 1- r -Z n<:- 4 ' S1 , 1 + -.. < Ay A? w s--,,, o-''''''' 1 -91~~~~~_S Go 0 SC Ca (4 0, (4 C.4 0, De tn S! a ItI f (40 C1 m Ji A m -~~~~ fs~~~~~~C (4 C Ii 8: 40 (.4 g a2 at -S LV. le t3 9? u tk) It .fto 1-4 It 9 I!i C43 X: we M- rk C,k. r4 -t I ti '111? z ?s 4) A A Zs C% IU S. S.II'* t- m "i t is 9 it NAVS Investigations 83 and 30 cm in width. Post #8 is braced between two large rocks. A small (16-by-8 cm), shallow ash and charcoal deposit, on the interface between the dark sandy loam and clay soils, is found .8 m east of post #2 in 125S, 18W. While the posts may outline the remains of a roofed structure, their small size and S-shaped distribution, taken together with the lack of any corroborating features (floor foundations, pits, rock pavement), argue against this interpretation. The posts appear to be part of an historic fence-line constructed along the eastern edge of the terrace. However, it is not clear when the fence-line was constructed. It could be related to the American Period fence-line observed in historical photographs in the south area of NAVS. On the other hand, the very small diameter of some of the posts and S-shaped configuration make it anomalous to most extant ranch fences. Interestingly, the excavation of the shallow trench, in which posts were positioned and anchored, is somewhat analogous to the method employed in the construction of the Ross Stockade. A trench was first excavated where the Stockade wall was to be con- structed, within which wall posts, the lower sill, and puncheons were then positioned, secured, and buried (see Treganza 1954:19-24). SOUTH BONE BED The bone bed was initially observed about 25 to 30 cm below ground surface in the South Trench. The deposit is very similar to the East Central Bone Bed, containing hundreds of fire-cracked rocks and other lithic artifacts, whole shellfish, bird, mammal, and fish remains, and some ceramic, glass, and metal specimens. Again, the dense concentration of materials appears to be deposited in situ, with little evidence of trampling or of other post-depositional processes (e.g., figure 3.38). The 10 to 15 cm thick deposit in the South Trench was excavated in four levels, with materials removed one tier at a time so that underlying remains could be exposed and recorded in situ. As each level was exposed, all materials greater than the excavator's thumbnail were point provenienced, mapped, photographed, and removed for later analysis. The first excavation level is the upper surface of the bone bed. It is distinguished by the large whale bone core and concentration of marine mammal bones in the center of 125S, 23W (figure 3.39). The elevation ranges from 23.54 m asl in the nw comer of 125S, 23W to 23.26 m asl in the center of 125S, 21W. The second level consists of the next tier of materials unearthed that varies in elevation from 23.48 m asl in the nw corner of 125S, 23W to 23.22 m asl in the se corner of 125S, 21W. This surface is marked by the high frequency of fire-cracked rock in 125S, 23W and the whole abalones and mammal bones in 125S, 22W (figure 3.40). The third and fourth levels of the South Trench Bone Bed were removed in 1992. In level 3, the deposit is defined only in 125S, 23W and 125S, 22W at eleva- tions of 25.44 m asl to 25.20 m asl. The fourth level Figure 3.38 Close-up of Whale Bone Core and Mollusk Remains in 125S, 22W: South Bone Bed, Level 1 84 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood Figure 3.39 Photo of 125S, 22W and 125S, 23W: South Bone Bed Level 1 I-. ~- S , < :: Lin if, :,~<9,,0E ff0A......... Figure 3.40 Photo of 125S, 21W and 125S, 22W: South Bone Bed Level 2 V.4 NAVS Investigations 85 includes 125S, 23W; 125S, 22W; and 125S, 21W at elevations ranging from 23.40 m asl to 22.98 m asl. In 1992, the upper surface of the bone bed and adjacent deposits to the north and south of the South Trench were exposed in the South Area Excavation. Photographs of the South Area Excavation were taken in four sections. The first section (figure 3.41) consists of four full or partial units east of the 122S, 19.25W balk datum (124S, 19W; 123S, 19W; 124S, 18W; 123S, 18W). The second section (figure 3.42) includes six full or partial units east of the 122S, 21.75 balk datum (124S, 22W; 123S,22W; 124S,21W; 123S,21W; 124S,20W; 123S, 20W). The third section (figure 3.43) contains five ful or partial units east of the 122S, 124.25W balk datum (124S,24W; 123S,24W; 122S,24W; 124S,23W, 123S 23W). The fourth section (figure 3.44) covers ten full or parti units east of the 122S,26.25W datum (124S,26W; 123S,26W; 122S,26W; 121S, 26W; 120S, 26W; 124S, 25W; 123S, 25W; 122S, 25W; 121S, 25W; 120S, 25W). The total area of the South Bone Bed exposed in 1991 and 1992 is about 4 sq m, extending across 125S, 23W and 125S, 22W and into the eastern edge of 125S, 24W; the west half of 125S, 21W; the nw quad of 126S, 21W; the sw quad of 124S, 22W; most of 124S, 23W; and the eastern half of 124S, 24E (figure 3.37). The upper surface of the bone bed is relatively flat, maintain- ing a depth of 25 to 30 cm below ground surface at elevations ranging from 23.60 m asl in 124S, 23W to 23.40 m asl in 125S, 21W and 125S, 22W. Base maps were produced for each excavation level of the bone bed showing the balks, grid units, rodent burrows, soil stains, and nonartifactual rocks using CorelDRAW software. Figure 3.45 illustrates level 1 of the South Bone Bed and adjacent deposits and features in the 27.25 sq m block exposed in the South Trench and South Area Excavation. Figures 3.46, 3.47, and 3.48 show levels 2, 3, and 4 of the South Bone Bed exposed in the South Trench, respectively. Subsequent analyses of cultural materials from the South Trench Bone Bed will focus on 125S, 23W; 125S, 22W; and the west half of 125S, 21W. Unless otherwise noted, the eastem edge of 125S, 24W will not be included because of problems in recording some bone bed proveniences in the field. The spatial distribution of specific artifact categories and faunal remains will be illustrated in chapter 17. ABAONE DUMP Another intact bone bed deposit is found in the wthwest units of the South Area Excavation (120S, 26W; 120S, 25W; 121S, 26W; 121S, 25W; 122S, 26W; 1228,25W) (figure 3.37). Hundreds of specimens of abalone shells, animal bones, fire-cracked rocks, artifacts are embedded in the dark sandy loam (figure .44, close-ups in figures 3.49, 3.50, 3.51). The deposit detected about .3 to .4 m below surface at an elevation ging from 23.88 m als to 23.78 m asl. The Abalone Dump is deposited directly on rock rubble. Since a limited area is exposed, the dimensions of the deposit are not determined, although it measures at least 2-by- 1.5 m in area. LINEAR CLAY FEATURE A linear clay feature is found at the interface of the rock rubble in 124S, 26W; 124S, 25W; 124S, 24W; 125S, 24W; and 125S, 23W. The feature is a yellow (IOYR 7/ 4) clay band, ca. 10 to 18 cm in width and 10 cm high, that fonns a quadrangular outline with rounded comers measuring at least 3.0 m in length and 1.8 m in width (figure 3.37). The quadrangular outline is oriented at a 305 to 310 degree angle along its longest axis and about a 45 degree bearing on the other. The clay feature is sandwiched between the South Bone Bed and rock rubble in 125S,23W (figure 3.52). One interpretation of the clay feature entertained in the field is that of an extensive burrow produced by a very unusual rodent. However, the size, clay composition and compaction, and overall quadrangular shape strongly suggest it is a cultural feature. ROCK RUBBLE An extensive deposit of rock rubble is uncovered in the western half of the South Area Excavation, especially in 124S, 26W; 123S,26W; 122S, 26W; 124S, 25W; 123S, 25W; 122S, 25W (figures 3.44 and 3.45). Hun- dreds of large angular rocks, many measuring between .1 to .3 m in length, some rounded cobbles, and a few fire- cracked rocks are concentrated in two or more courses over an area measuring at least 4-by-3 m. The rocks are found .2 to .5 m below ground surface. The rock layer represents a cultural stratum produced by the intentional placement or dumping of rocks into the westem half of the South Area. The rock rubble may have been used to raise and level the ground surface, as a place for dumping rocks excavated from other nearby locations, or they may represent the remains of walls or building foundations. Farris (1990:485) notes that rock rubble was used in the construction of the Old Warehouse at Fort Ross to raise the foundation of the building and to provide better drainage. BEDROCK Tilted beds of siltstone and sandstone rocks were exposed in 122S, 24W; 123S, 23W; 123S, 22W; 123S, 21W; 123S, 20W; and 123S, 19W. The parallel beds mapped in situ are oriented along a 310 to 320 degree bearing (figure 3.42). The bedrock is very shallow in this area, only .1 to .2 m below surface, covered by thin strata of dark sandy loam and topsoil. Large, broken angular rocks are found along the southern margins of the exposed bedrock (125S, 18W; 124S, 18W; 125S, 19W; 124S, 19W; 125S,20W; 124S, 20W; 124S, 21W; 124S, 22W). It appears that human occupation and use of this 86 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood ..f.,>,,,..,...,,.,,...XEX~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~... .... . '. ::::".'SIBS.. ,S ,~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~ .. . .... .S.$fBi.S.':f:: ..... M__ ,,..:........,.,..,....* Lz Bl '.B * _ NAVS Investigations 87 Figure 3.42 Photo of Second Section (124S, 22W) of the South Area Excavation 88 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood Figure 3A43 Photo of Third Section (124S, 24W) of the South Area Excavation NAVS Investigations 89 Figure 3.44 Photo of Fourth Section (124S, 26W) of the South Area Excavation 90 The Native Alaskan Neighborhood 4~~~"-s~~~~~T q~~~~5 ~~~'77j7~~~~~~77. I-~ -- -j -i S WRp l < '-- ;,2 71~~~~~~~~~ zi < 1 1s 1 < 0 mj1 i