wbbb] ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NORRIS BASIN 37 



stakes driven in the hard soil without trenching (pi. 16, b). Within 

 this structure and near the center of the east wall was a circular 

 fire pit about 2 feet in diameter and 4 inches deep. It was filled 

 with charcoal and fire-cracked stones. It is designated Feature No. 

 1 in figure 10. 



Rock Shelters 



On the east side of the McCarty farm are several rock shelters in 

 the high limestone bluffs overlooking Powell River to the east. They 

 are from 30 to 40 feet above water level. They were all examined 

 for evidences of prehistoric occupation. One of these small shelters 

 was 6 feet high in front, 6.5 feet wide, and the cavity extended 8 feet 

 to the rear. The interior rock floor was filled with loose stone and 

 earth mixed with charcoal and ashes to a depth of 3 feet. Excava- 

 tion of this small shelter revealed potsherds, animal bones, the teeth 

 of bear, and the jawbone of a beaver. Other rock shelters in this 

 vicinity showed no definite evidence of prehistoric occupancy, nor did 

 a number of similar shelters on the west side of Powell River imme- 

 diately opposite the McCarty farm, which were carefully investigated. 



Pottery 



A very small amount of material was obtained from this site 

 because the three mounds investigated had been nearly destroyed by 

 long cultivation and no part of the surrounding area was excavated. 

 Sherds show textile markings of usual design ; cord-wrapped paddled 

 impressions which were in some cases partially obliterated by later 

 troweling, and also some plain ware of thin-wall undecorated vessels. 

 The round type of pot handle was alone found. Tempering was of 

 shell and the texture was from medium to coarse. 



Artifacts were limited to a few perforated shell hoes, cannel-coal 

 disks, one celt, and a few broken projectile points. 



From a small cave on this farm well-preserved sherds of two 

 large vessels were found, one having a flared rim showing a diameter 

 of 16 inches. This vessel was cord-paddle marked, with impressions 

 partially obliterated by the trowel. The other vessel, made of gray 

 clay burned yellow, of which a drawing showing restoration is pre- 

 sented in figure 21, was 18 inches in diameter, and one sherd showed 

 a large strap handle 5.5 inches long and 2.25 inches wide. These 

 sherds are shown in plate 11, c. This material does not seem to be 

 typical of the caves of this region and suggests that this cave was 

 used as a storage place by those occupying the site on the elevation 

 above. These large vessels, shown by clean, well-preserved sherds, 

 failed to indicate any use in connection with fire. They probably 

 were used as storage receptacles in this shelter. 



