The
identification of the ravine pit feature, and the determination that many
of the site’s artifacts had eroded off the terrace and collected within
the bottom of the ravine, prompted the archaeologists to further explore
other portions of the ravine in 2002. Preliminary testing of the ravine
had detected an area of deep strata rich in charcoal that would be the
focus of the 2002 season’s excavations within the ravine. A wide trench
was excavated through the ravine to reveal a very broad deposit of a nearly
black colored silty clay and charcoal capped by a dense layer of clay
that had eroded off the terrace. Initially it was thought that the deposit
of dark silty clay and charcoal represented a second artifact-rich ravine
feature. It’s excavation, however, proved otherwise. No distinct “cut”
was found into the side of the ravine, indicating that unlike the previously
excavated ravine feature, there was no evidence that a pit had been purposefully
carved into the side of the ravine. Alternatively, it appears as though
burned material was tossed down into the ravine filling natural low spots
along its bank. Although a variety of artifacts were recovered from the
fill, the quantity or density of artifacts was nowhere near that of the
previously excavated feature. It may be interesting to note the location
of the ravine fill directly to the east of the small pit feature that
has been preliminarily associated with cooking and food preparation at
the site. The large quantity of charcoal may be the result of cleaning
charcoal and ash out of a nearby cooking hearth.
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