260 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bun. 176 



were about 8 or 10 feet in height and supported a joist or rafter that 

 in turn supported a pole roof. 



No evidence was found of internal support posts near the center of 

 this shed. Nevertheless, it is possible that posts of this nature were 

 set on the ground and not in postholes. 



Evidence which supports the existence of a shed at this location were 

 the indications of 14 logs or poles which were found oriented in an east 

 and west direction on the ground at this spot. Only one of the poles 

 consisted of charred wood. The remainder were found as bands of 

 burned earth and fine charcoal in the soil. These poles were probably 

 from the roof. 



Feature 50, a pit measuring 2 feet north and south and 1.4 feet east 

 and west, and 1 foot in depth, was in the east central portion of this 

 shed. The pit fill was clay ; it contained six lead rifle balls. No sug- 

 gestion can be made as to its function. 



Little can be said about the function of this building although it may 

 have housed horses, tools, and perhaps a boat. It might have also been 

 a convenient latrine in the winter. 



The available evidence suggests that this structure was a shed with 

 a flat roof that sloped forward toward the post enclosure. It probably 

 had an open front and abutted against the eastern palisade wall and 

 easternmost log cabin. Feature 64. The rear of this shed presumably 

 was composed of logs, though it could have abutted against the north- 

 ern palisade wall. This building was about 30 feet east and west and 

 18 feet north and south. 



A few speculations about the buildings are in order. First, it is of 

 interest to point out that the structures at Kipp's Post were placed in 

 a fashion similar to those at Forts Berthold I and II located at Like-A- 

 Fishhook Village. In these two fur trading posts, the living quarters 

 were placed against the northern stockade or palisade walls. 



This method of placement had a major advantage in providing 

 protection from the northwesterly winds which accompany the winter 

 in this region. It also afforded sunshine on the cabin fronts during the 

 year and especially during the winter months. Furthermore, it meant 

 that the living quarters faced the entrance to the post. 



There is some question as to whether the log cabins were units 

 of a larger building, which was divided by chinked log partitions, 

 or three separate log cabins were located here. It seems almost certain 

 that the chinked sills delimited three separate log cabins, as these 

 sills were separated by about 1.5 feet at the two points where the 

 cabins adjoined each other. 



TVTien this area was excavated, a layer of fine, compact, light-colored 

 clay was found beneath the flooring. Around the joists and sills and 

 particularly between the slabs, quantities of glass beads, rifle balls, 



