NO. 10 NEBRASKA ARCHEOLOGY — STRONG 147 



The measurements of these last pits are therefore approximate 

 rather than exact. House pit 5 was 30 feet in diameter and about 

 I foot deep. There were several large trees in and close around the 

 pit. House pit 6 was larger, 36 feet in diameter and about 8 inches 

 deep. It, too, contained several large maple trees. House pit 7 was 45 

 feet in diameter and about 2 feet deep (estimated) and full of small 

 trees and shrubs. House pit 8 was smaller, about 30 feet in diameter 

 and I foot 6 inches (estimated) deep. House pit 9 was about the same 

 size and depth, and both of the latter house pits were in thick brush 

 and contained a number of sizable trees. 



Working conditions at this site were made difficult by the heavy 

 vegetation, the large trees with the network of subsoil roots, and the 

 extremely hard, nodular soil of the ridge. This soil was so hard- 

 packed that mattocks and picks had to be constantly employed. This 

 fact in conjunction with the disturbing agency of the roots, as well 

 as the usual insect and rodent work, made determination of floor and 

 feature outlines extremely difficult. The site, although very interest- 

 ing, was not rich, cache pits were few and rather poor, and after ex- 

 cavating one house entirely, another almost entirely, and sampling two 

 more we left the remainder untouched for future work. It is to be 

 hoped that these will be scientifically worked at a later time. The dif- 

 ficulty of excavation combined with the comparative paucity of 

 artifacts should act as a deterrent to relic hunters, and the site may 

 thus be preserved. 



HOUSE I 



The outward aspect of this house before excavation has already 

 been discussed (pi. 12, figs. 2, 3). Though the entire house was not 

 excavated, about two-thirds of the floor area was uncovered in such 

 a manner (fig. 16) as to leave no doubt concerning the actual outline. 

 This proved to be subrectangular, with a north-to-south length of 

 32 feet, an east-and-west width of 34 feet, and a sloping passageway 

 which was traced 31 feet beyond the south wall, although it extended 

 farther. It was extremely difficult to be certain of the exact boundaries 

 of the house in many places, owing to a gradual blending of mixed 

 and unmixed soil. Yet where a line could be followed any distance, 

 as was the case with walls and passage, there was little doubt as to its 

 direction and approximate ending. Aside from a few charred beam 

 and charcoal fragments no wood was preserved. The only indications 

 of posts were three round molds below the floor line (fig. 16). One 

 of these, just northeast of the fireplace, was 12 inches in diameter 

 and may have been part of the central post foundation. The other two 



