116 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bull. 176 



deeper on the inner portion and, conversely, the spoil dirt beyond 

 covered other deposits from view. Some data concerning the im- 

 mediate exterior of the stockade were midoubtedly lost in this process. 

 Only one uniformative shallow pit was encomitered (probably no more 

 than 1 foot in depth, originally) during this blading, along the west 

 face, outside the stockade. Near the southeast angle of the enclosure, 

 at a somewhat greater distance (but not shown on the accompanying 

 plan), a modern deposit was encountered, consisting of a plank and 

 post structure, fastened with wire nails, and disturbed by subsequent 

 plowing, probably the remains of a corral fence of relatively recent 

 date. 



There are other practical considerations concerning the use of me- 

 chanical equipment in such investigations. It might be supposed that 

 such extensive blading as that here accomplished would destroy much 

 of the cultural remains sought. In the present instance, however, it 

 was known from previous hand excavations that the soil at the surface 

 of the site had been completely disturbed by cultivation, and that it 

 was improbable that structural features would be found until this 

 mantle had, by some means, been removed. There was, therefore, 

 little objection to using such a piece, but rather a distinct advantage 

 from the standpoint of salvaging as much information as possible in 

 the shortest time. Elsewhere during the salvage program the use of 

 such equipment had also been justified in the study of undisturbed sites. 



Experience elsewhere with such mechanical equipment, a road pa- 

 trol, in the study of a site of "White origin (that of the site of the 

 trading post of Fort Berthold I, a part of Site 32ML2, which had not 

 been used for modern agriculture) also afforded ample original data 

 of structural and achitectural features without, it is believed, material 

 loss of evidence (Smith and Woolworth, MS.). At that site the 

 equipment was also used to expose the alinement of the adjacent village 

 stockade. The use of such a mechanical device has, needless to say, 

 certain limitations. Such a device cannot be halted immediately upon 

 the exposure of an artifact or feature of archeological significance; 

 it provides, ordinarily, only horizontal soil sections and it must be used, 

 at least at the start, in the manner of a plow, the leading edge depressed 

 sufficiently to cut into deposits. Finally, a blade cannot carry earth 

 away, but must roll or drag it, and this may on occasion prove ob- 

 jectionable, if unavoidable. In general, however, the present experi- 

 ence corroborates that gained elsewhere by others : mechanical equip- 

 ment can, and sometimes should be, used, where available, in any 

 salvage program. 



ARCHITECTURAL EVIDENCE 



Like most commercial establishments of the frontier, Fort Pierre 

 II was built in the form of a hollow square, a large timber enclosure 

 intended to provide security for goods and personnel of the post — 



