webb] ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NORRIS BASIN 55 



westward trench was a rectangular pattern of post molds, shown in 

 figure 18, and designated Feature No. 22. This rectangular pattern 

 had a length of 59 feet and a breadth of 41 feet. The sides of the 

 structure were nearly parallel to the sides of Structure No. 2. From 

 the size of the area it would seem that it would have been difficult 

 to have built over it a roof sufficiently strong to support the cover- 

 ing of earth customary on large structures. Since these molds were 

 in the hardpan just below the humus line, and since there was no 

 apparent excess of disturbed earth on the site, it seems reasonable 

 to conclude that this structure did not have an earth-covered roof, 

 and perhaps no roof at all. It may have been only an inclosure, 

 serving as an open-air arbor. Its use is conjectural. Because of its 

 size it was hardly to be supposed that it was either a dwelling or a 

 town-house site. At each corner of the post-mold pattern there was 

 a space of about 36 inches in which there were no molds. This may 

 indicate an entrance at each corner. 



To the Avest of this rectangular post-mold pattern, and beginning 

 at a point about 18 feet west of the southwest corner of the struc- 

 ture, a row of 36 post molds was found. These molds extended to 

 the northwest in a straight line 65 feet long. This is indicated on 

 the plat and shown in plate 31, a. The northern end of this row 

 of molds terminated abruptly and no amount of excavation revealed 

 further extensions of or further connections with them. The south- 

 ern end, however, was continuous with a curved line of 24 additional 

 molds, bent eastward, finally becoming parallel with the west wall 

 of Feature No. 22 for a distance of 10 feet. It was distant from the 

 wall only 5 feet, as shown in the plat, figure 18. This mold pattern 

 suggested a gateway at the south end of this construction which may 

 be a portion of a palisade for defense. It is possible that this stock- 

 ade-like effect may have been only a windbreak. 



It is a matter of regret that it was not possible to continue excava- 

 tion longer at this site in a further attempt to explore this interest- 

 ing village, which seemed to extend southward and westward to the 

 creek bank. However, a time limit was imposed by the necessity 

 of completing the excavation in time to allow the early spring plant- 

 ing of corn in this very fertile valley. As it was, the owner delayed 

 the planting two weeks beyond the time set, in order that an exten- 

 sion of the trenching might be made, which resulted in the finding 

 of these last features. 



Artifacts 



The artifacts found on this site are such as usually occur in gen- 

 eral excavations of a village. A few shell hoes were found scattered 

 in the center of the mound, and a few simple bone and antler awls 



