webb] ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NORRIS BASIN 147 



shown in plate 134, b. At the corners of the square the convex sides 

 of the basin were carried toward the corners by excavating the clay 

 along a diagonal of the square and building up ridges on either side 

 above the altar surface. 



It is believed that the purpose of this construction was to permit 

 the holding of the ends of four logs together in a central fire. Each 

 log was kept at all times at right angles to its neighbor. The diag- 

 onals of this altar very exactly coincide with the cardinal directions, 

 the east-and-west direction being shown by the lines of stakes used 

 in excavation. Such an altar would hold four logs north and south 

 and east and west, which would prevent any rolling out of position 

 while burning. This altar, when uncovered, showed unmistakable 

 evidence of intentional damage before being covered over. The ac- 

 tion of a heavy blunt implement used to beat down a portion of one 

 side and one corner was clearly discernible. Except for this seem- 

 ingly intentional damage to the construction, the preservation was 

 excellent. The white clay had been smoothed and well baked by 

 fire action. The superincumbent earth was easily separated from it. 

 The condition in which this altar was found definitely suggested a 

 ceremonial breaking or "killing" before it was covered over. The 

 position of this feature is shown on plat of the excavated area of 

 Mound No. 1, figure 60. 



Feature No. 3. — On the southeast side of the prepared clay floor, 

 as shown in ground plat, figure 61, a post-mold pattern indicating a 

 rectangular structure 25 by 16.5 feet was found. This structure 

 had near its center a very well made circular fire basin 16 inches in 

 diameter and 2 inches deep, which was made of hard-burned clay, 

 set on the original hardpan. This structure and the central fire 

 basin were believed to represent a dwelling which was a part of the 

 large village that covered this area and antedated the building of 

 the mound. The southwest side of this structure seemed to be of 

 irregular construction, the post molds varying in size, and being 

 irregular in placement, as shown in plate 97, a. 



Feature No. £.— At stake 3.1 an area of 6 by 6 feet on the original 

 ground surface had a circular arrangement of post molds surround- 

 ing a slightly elevated portion of the hardpan floor, as shown in 

 plate 97, b. These post molds were made by small posts about 2.5 

 inches in diameter and may represent a crib or storage bin built on 

 the old village floor prior to the erection of the mound. 



Burial No. i.— North of stake 6.6 the partially flexed burial of an 

 adult female was found. The preservation was very poor. This 

 burial was 27 inches below the ground surface and 26 inches above 

 the mound floor. The body was placed face down, with the head to 

 the southeast. The knees were flexed. One hand was on the shoulder 



