KIv. (Bas. Sur. 

 Pap. No. 35] 



HOSTERMAN SITE — ^MILLER 



157 



PRESENT GROUND SURFACE 



pr^rrtlfr77TTfh?ffr77 



1.0 



2.0- 



3.0 



a: 

 K 4.0 



BELL-SHAPED 



SAUCER-SHAPEO 



4.S 



s.o- 



ORIGIN OF VARIOUS SHAPED PITS 



Figure 31. — Origin of various shaped pits, Hosterman site. 

 SLAUGHTERING OR BUTCHERING AREAS 



Four unique features, 12, 13, 14, and 19, distinctive for the Hoster- 

 man site, were uncovered. These consisted of large basin-shaped pits 

 with parts of articulated bison remains resting within. Not all por- 

 tions were articulated. The appearance of the remains would sug- 

 gest either slaughtering or butchering areas; possibly both functions 

 were represented. 



Being basin shaped, the top of Feature 12 was first picked up at a 

 depth of 3.5 feet from the present surface. Three-tenths of a foot 

 deeper the outline of the pit was distinct. At this depth it measured 

 8.0 feet in maximum length and 7.0 feet in maximum width. Later 

 the base of the pit was found to be comparatively flat and at a depth 

 of 6.7 feet from the present surface. Inside were not only the articu- 

 lated sections of vertebrae, and individual bones, but the skulls of two 

 bisons. From the arrangement of the bones, it was surmised that 

 this was a slaughtering or butchering area inside the village proper 

 and that animals were brought in, butchered, and the unwanted 

 sections discarded. 



