Early
Archaic Hearths
Type 1 (7430 to 2870
B.P.) Early to e. Late Archaic
A total of 16
thermal features of this type were encountered
and excavated during the scope of the project
(Table 1). These thermal features have not
been previously identified in the
archaeological record of southeastern New
Mexico. This thermal feature type is one of
the more easily distinguished types and can be
described as a small 50 cm diameter hearth
with a single layer of adjoining thermally
altered quartzite cobbles lining the base of
an excavated depression. The layer of rock
typically includes between 10 and 20 thermally
altered quartzite cobbles adjoining one
another in a circular arrangement covering the
entire circumference of the thermal feature
basin. The layer of rock typically varied
between 40 and 60 kg in weight. All
dates are in reference to before the present.
Little is know about the
transition between the PaleoIndian and Archaic
time periods. Two of the features
presented below (Feature 2 and 16 with LA
138517) are rare examples from an excavated
context of an occupation dating to between
8,000 and 7,000 B.P.
Site and Feature Designations
Age (2 sigma) calibration B.P.
Site and Feature Designations
Age (2 sigma) calibration B.P.
LA 101481
Feature 1
6800 to 6660
LA 138517
Feature 5a
6610 to 6590
6570 to 6400
Feature 8
6770 to 6640
9a
3320 to 3050
LA 138517
Feature 2a
7270 to 7160
7110 to 7100
9b
3140 to 2880
2b
6420 to 6170
11
3230 to 2870
2c
6610 to 6590
6570 to 6270
6240 to 6210
16
7430 to 7270
4a
3060 to 2760
LA 101481
Feature 1: 6800 to 6660 B.P.
Trench Profile
Excavation just
above rock layer
Rock removal with
charcoal staining
LA
101481 Feature 8: 6770 to 6640 B.P.
Found
while mechnical blading
Close
up view
Feature
bisected
LA
138517 Feature 2 was identified as an isolated
cluster of fire affected rock containing three
subterranean pit strucures each approximately
0.5 meters from one another. Each pit
feature was subject to a separate carbon
dating. Although there is a slight
discrepency with the three feature dates, due
to the clusters isolation for other materials
associated with the site and the similarity in
subterranean pit feature form, all are
believed to be associated with the same use
epsiode.
Feature 9 is another group or cluster of
subterranean pit features found within a
concentration of fire affected rock. Feature 9b
(3320 to 3050 B.P.) was the most intact the
remaining feature were highly disturbed by
rodents and erosion of the soil surface.
Mapped
view of cluster looking north
View
looking west
After
removal of overlying fire affected rock layer
View
after bisecting feature
LA
138517 Feature 11 (3230 to 2870 B.P.) one of
the best preserved and examples of this
feature types form.
Pre-excavation
planview
Feature
bisected
Detailed
mapping
LA
138517 Feature 16 (7430 to 7270 B.P.)
was not one of the best preserved but is the
oldest feature recorded in southeastern New
Mexico and what was observed fits within the
overall pattern for Feature Type 1. The
7430 B.P. dates this feature within the
transition period between the PaleoIndian and
Archaic time periods.
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