ARCHEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN MISSOURI 21 



base-line trench to about 30 inches in square 110. Average depth, 

 omitting pits, was between II/2 and 2 feet, and the total volume of 

 fill removed and scrutinized is estimated at between 4,500 and 5,000 

 cubic feet. 



The baseline profile was essentially the same as the much longer 

 one previously exposed in the highway cut. The surface of the 

 underlying yellow subsoil was found to vary in altitude from 760.7 

 feet at the south end to nearly 762 feet in square 80. This elevation 

 is maintained for some distance north and northeast, underlying most 

 of the area where the old storage pits are notably abundant. Though 

 slight, this rise is apparently reflected in the contour of the ground 

 surface and may have been sufficient to improve surface drainage 

 conditions somewhat, in consequence of which an unusual number 

 of caches were placed along it. 



Above the subsoil was a varying thickness of darker topsoil. For 

 65 or 70 feet from the south end of the baseline this was relatively 

 thin, hence mostly disturbed in the past by cultivation, and the 

 occupational remains were scanty. Beginning in square 75, thence 

 northward and eastward, its color and content changed rapidly. The 

 total depth increased to about 2 feet, of which some 8 inches were 

 plow zone. Burnt rocks, animal bones, sherds, and flints occurred in 

 profusion to a depth of about 15 inches, and less plentifully to the 

 top of the subsoil. The actual ground surface nowhere exceeded 764 

 feet in elevation, this point being attained in the vicinity of the 

 grouped refuse pits. 



Despite careful attempts to locate habitational units, no post molds, 

 hearths, floors, or other evidences of similar nature were found. 

 From several pits were taken masses of hard baked clay, resembling 

 old bricks in color and toughness. None showed the imprints of grass 

 or twigs, or any other markings such as ordinarily occur in roofing 

 or wattling clay. This uniformly negative evidence leads to the 

 conclusion that earth-covered pit houses, such as were regularly 

 used by many prehistoric and historic peoples of the Missouri Valley 

 and Great Plains, were probably unknown at the Renner site. Pre- 

 sumably, its occupants resided in perishable pole and bark or thatch 

 structures built on or only slightly below the ground surface. Such 

 structures, after abandonment, would have been effectively and com- 

 pletely effaced, if not by natural agencies, then certainly by the plow. 

 At one time or another the entire terrace has been under cultivation, 

 ploAv sole generally having showed up in the excavations at 7 to 9 

 inches. No other explanation for the lack of house traces seems 

 tenable in view of the considerable amount of excavation done first by 

 machinery and subsequently by our party, with consistently negative 

 results. 



