webb] ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NORRIS BASIN 19Q 



The "Large-Log" Town House 



This type of structure is well illustrated by Structure No. 7, 

 Mound No. 1, Site No. 10, and by the structure in the mound on Site 

 No. 19. As the name implies, large logs were used. These left post 

 molds of from 8 to 14 inches in diameter. They were not set in 

 trenches; at least no trench has been observed on any such site. 

 They seem to have been set in holes dug to receive the base end of 

 the posts and, in at least one case, a flat rock was placed in the bot- 

 tom of the hole, upon which the post rested. This fact seems signifi- 

 cant, as will appear later. In some cases these "large-log" post 

 molds clearly indicate that the post leaned inward. (PI. 52.) The 

 molds are often found to have a vertical length of 4 feet. It appears 

 that there is no reason to doubt that these structures were covered 

 over with earth and had earth piled against their sides, somewhat 

 after the manner of the "small-log" town house, and yet in no case 

 has there been found any burned and fallen structure of the "large- 

 log" type. 



This appears to be most significant, in the light of the fact that on 

 sites of the "large-log", as well as sites of the "small-log" town 

 house there was multiple construction of such buildings. The ques- 

 tion naturally arises why there were no burned structures of the 

 "large-log" type, but abundant evidences of their existence in the 

 post-mold patterns. It is believed that a reasonable answer to this 

 problem is possible in the light of the information obtained by these 

 excavations. 



When logs were as large as 8 to 14 inches it would have been im- 

 possible to bend their tops inward and lash together two such logs 

 from opposite sides of a building to form a roof support. This neces- 

 sitated some other type of roof construction, and if it had to support 

 a covering of earth on the roof, demanded a heavy and substantial 

 structure. It is believed that this was accomplished by using as 

 vertical posts logs 8 to 14 inches in diameter. While it cannot be 

 proven, it is suggested that each of these vertical posts may have 

 had, at the upper end, a fork or lateral limb which would support a 

 large horizontal log. By such means heavy beams laid horizontally 

 and supported at each end by heavy vertical posts constituted a sup- 

 port for a layer of cane, grass, and earth which covered the building. 

 Such a building could be made more substantial by leaning these 

 vertical posts inward, and would certainly be able to support a 

 heavy weight of earth for a longer period than the "small-log" type 

 of construction. While in use, this type of building would probably 

 require less repair and in general would have a longer period of 

 utility. However, if it finally became obsolete and a new structure 

 had to be erected on the same site, it could not easily be destroyed by 



