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2004
Excavation Results
The SDSU archaeological
team excavated 25 different units during the 2004 summer field season.
They dug twenty 5’ by 5’ units in the patio area just west
and north of the cabin and five 3 ½’ by 3’ units inside
the structure (Figure 91). The twenty exterior units focused mainly on
a 20’ by 20’ swath of land adjacent to the front door on the
west side of the cabin, although they also included a row of units along
the north side of the structure. The five interior units formed a checkerboard
pattern on the western two-thirds of the structure and included four wall
units, two of which were corners. The Excavation Register lists the preliminary
details of each unit (Figures 92 and 93).
Before excavation began, the exterior dimensions of the remaining cabin
foundation were measured. The north wall was 15.0’ in length, the
east wall was 13.0’, the south wall was 14.5’, and the west
wall was 14.0’, giving the structure a slightly trapezoidal shape.
The interior of the walls measured, 8.0’ (north wall), 8.5’
(east), 10.5’ (south), and 10.5’ (west). The outline of the
chimney was present on the eastern wall. The exterior heights of the stone
walls were also measured and the highest point of each wall was as follows:
1.3’ (north wall), 1.0’ (east), 2.5’ (south), and 1.5’
(west).
Western
Exterior Units (NH1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18,
21, 22, and 23)
Excavation began
in the patio area, just west of the cabin. The initial checkerboard pattern
of NH1-4 enabled maximum attention to profile mapping and stratigraphy
as no adjacent sidewalls were compromised. The top fill of all of these
units was a very dry brownish/grey sand. Munsell readings ranged between
10YR 3/1 and 4/2 and 5YR 4/1. The top 3 inches of fill was uniform and
showed no significant stratigraphic change within the layer or at its
arbitrary 3” depth. Artifact quantities and densities were notably
high—each unit contained over 100 artifacts—even in units
like NH3 that were partially truncated by the structure.
Once the patio units were expanded to include all of the 5’ by 5’
squares in the 20’ by 20’ block (NH6-9, 11, 14-15, 17-18,
and 21-23), the consistency between units became even more apparent. The
top fill layer of each was a uniform brown/grey sand with charcoal inclusions
and no noticeable stratigraphic break within the natural layer or at its
arbitrary 3” base. Almost all of the units had numerous large rocks
in their fill, each of which were mapped (Figure 94). The only west patio
units without many large rocks were the three corner units at the southwestern
(NH18), northwestern (NH22), and northeastern (NH9A) extremes of the patio
excavation area.
North
Exterior Units (NH 19-20, and 24-25)
Units to
the north and east of the cabin remains were distinctively different from
those in the patio area on the basis of two factors: 1) the amount of
artifacts they contained, and 2) the matrix at the base of the A layer.
Excavators in these four 5 x 5 units uncovered less than 35 artifacts
in each of these areas, compared to the hundreds found in the west patio
units. In addition, whereas the A layer in the west-patio units gave way
to a very similar B layer in terms of its soil type, texture, color, and
inclusions, the top of the B layer in the areas to the north and east
of the cabin was strikingly different from the A layer. The B layer in
the north exterior units was a gritty tan sand with no inclusions. This
B layer is likely undisturbed subsoil, at least in terms of the historical
occupation at the site.
The north exterior units were adjacent to the structural remains. This
apparent subsoil was cut by the cabin’s stone foundation, suggesting
that the stones were placed in a builder’s trench of sorts. Although
no apparent trench backfill was found, the rocks were likely set into
the small trench to provide a more sturdy foundation base.
Exterior
Profiles
The field crew drew profile maps of each exterior faces of the existing
cabin foundation. The west and north walls (exterior facing west and north
respectively) included the 3” levels that had been removed during
the excavation of the A layer. The east and north walls (exterior facing
east and north respectively) did not provide any excavation results as
these sides of the cabin were not dug. Each of the profile maps identified
the exact spatial location of the standing rocks that were uncovered during
the vegetation clearing and initial excavation stages.
The exterior profile of the east wall (exterior facing east) showed to
overall north-to-south slope of the remaining wall and the cluster of
rocks in the center of the wall that likely formed the chimney (Figures
95 and 96). The north wall exterior profile (exterior facing north) revealed
the prominence of the cabin’s existing northwest corner (Figures
97 and 98). It also showcased the relatively level east/west foundation
remains. The exterior profile of the west wall (exterior facing west)
also emphasized the existing northwest corner and the severe north/south
slope of the top of the foundation remains (Figures 99 and 100). The south
wall exterior profile (exterior facing south) presented a relatively flat
wall top with little evidence of a peak in either southwest or southeast
corner (Figures 101 and 102).
Interior
Units (NH5, 10, 12-13, and 16)
Five interior cabin units were begun during the 2004 summer excavation
field season. None were completed, in that the field crew neither reached
an evident living surface or sterile subsoil. The five test units formed
a checkerboard for the western two-thirds of the cabin interior. Each
was approximately 3’ by 3 ½’ in dimension.
The first interior test unit (NH5) was in the southwest corner of the
cabin. The A layer was a grey sandy matrix that resembled the A layers
outside of the cabin to the north and west. It was artifact-rich and included
many iron fragments. Although there was no discernable soil transition
at the base of A, a layer distinction between 5A and 5B was made at a
3” horizontal level. This horizontal control was a precaution as
the dry sandy soil showed no evident strata. Like 5A, layer 5B, contained
many artifacts, including an iron key at the western edge closest to the
doorway shown in the historical photos. After 3 inches of 5B, a distinct
layer change was seen. 5B and 5C differed in terms of color and inclusions.
5B was a standard 2.5R N4.5 grey with no inclusions. 5A was more brownish
in color (7.5YR 4/2) with charcoal and daub inclusions. Although the color
difference was due in part to the higher degree of moisture in the soil
as it reached a depth of 6”, 5C was nonetheless a clearly distinct
layer from 5A and 5B. 5C was excavated for 3” to an overall depth
of 9” and then another horizontal level was arbitrarily established
at its base. There was no clear stratigraphic distinction between 5C and
5D. In an effort to excavate more efficiently, 5D was taken down a full
6” before another level was established at 15” deep. Just
as there was no evident distinction between the brown sand of 5C and 5D,
5E was not markedly different from 5D. Each contained many artifacts.
Overall, NH5 likely had two true stratigraphic depositions: 5A/5B and
5C/5D/5E. The first was a grey sand with no inclusions and the second
was a brown sand with charcoal and daub inclusions. The surface of 5E
was merely scratched by excavators; it likely continues for at least 3”
more. Excavation of these layers revealed that the southern and western
walls contain large cobbles that are in their original context. The rocks
stacked above ground are on top of those that were completely sealed by
dirt on the sides and additional rocks on top (Figure 103). Thus, it is
likely that the base of the cabin retains some structural integrity.
The second interior unit, NH10, was in the northwest corner of the structure.
Excavators saw no meaningful changes in the strata of this unit but nevertheless
switched layers and three-inch levels. 10A, the level from 0-3”
was a brown/grey sand with no inclusions and many artifacts. 10B contained
the same matrix and reached a depth of 6”. 10C, the final layer
excavated in the unit during this field season, also had no stratigraphic
distinction from the layers above it, although artifactually it produced
fewer finds than the upper layers. NH10 is likely far from completely
excavated as the severe north-to-south slope of the land makes it much
higher than other units within the cabin (Figure 104). Like NH5, excavation
of the top 9” of NH10 revealed that the rocks protruding from the
top of the unit were directly above the original foundation. Although
many of these above-ground stones were likely moved along the wall during
the past 70 years, they generally mark the actual foundation base.
NH12 was the center of the five-unit checkerboard that was excavated inside
of the cabin remains. Of all the interior units, this one was excavated
to the greatest depth, yet it had the fewest artifacts proportionate to
the amount of dirt moved (Figure 105). In fact, the majority of its artifacts
were from its highest layers, likely a result of a destruction episode
rather than the remains of a living area. This initial glimpse into differential
living spaces within the cabin suggested not surprisingly that Harrison
kept most of his goods along the walls as opposed to the center of the
cabin. The initial 3” layer of NH12, like the other interior units,
was a loose grey sandy fill with no inclusions. There was no meaningful
stratigraphic division between 12A and 12B; they were each 3” levels
that sequentially formed the top six inches of the unit. There was, however,
a layer change of consequence between 12B and 12C. 12C was a more brownish
fill and it contained daub and charcoal inclusions. 12C, 12D, and 12E
were each three-inch levels that reached an overall depth of 9, 12, and
15” below the surface. Each layer had fewer artifacts than the one
above it, with 12E only having a few iron fragments. In addition, there
was a large flat rock at the base of 12E. The transition from 12E to 12F
was significant. The dirt went from a light brown sand with inclusions
to a very compact and hard brown sand. Although 12F and 12G--the next
two 3” levels of dirt in this unit--contained a few pieces of chipped
stone, the matrix had no inclusions. The artifacts were likely from a
prehistoric occupation that pre-dated Nate Harrison’s time on the
mountain. It is probable that NH12 was slightly over-excavated (12F and
12G) and that the large rock at the base of 12E marked the floor of the
cabin.
NH13 was the interior unit along the south wall about two-thirds of the
way toward the southeast corner of the structure. It was excavated in
three 3” levels made up of brown sand with no inclusions. The fill
showed no stratigraphic differences but contained numerous artifacts,
including a 1916 coin, a rubber tobacco pipe mouthpiece, and a large portion
of a leather boot. Excavation of NH13 revealed that the stones protruding
from above the unit surface were atop the original foundation (Figure
106). The surrounding units suggest that excavators have far to go before
they reach the base of NH13.
The fifth interior unit begun in 2004 was NH16, which sat along the north
wall about two-thirds of the way to the east wall. NH16 was excavated
in three 3” levels that reached a cumulative depth of 9 inches.
Each level consisted of grayish brown sand with no inclusions. This unit
had few artifacts but numerous large stones that had clearly collapsed
in from the wall during a destruction episode.
The interior units had a fairly consistent stratigraphic pattern. Although
these excavation results are entirely preliminary, it appears as if each
of the interior units starts with grey sand with no inclusions, then hits
a layer with brown sand and charcoal and daub inclusions, which is ultimately
followed by a nearly sterile red sand layer (Figure 107). The initial
grey sand layer apparently corresponds with the exterior units as well.
Summary
The 25 units
excavated during the 2004 summer field season totaled approximately 177.5
cubic feet of dirt moved by the archaeological team. Each unit revealed
important stratigraphic and artifactual information. The artifact-rich
patio area just west of the cabin contained dense fill and significant
debris from the occupation and destruction of the building. The archaeological
team did not uncover any sterile subsoil in this area of the site. Thus,
the depth of the patio deposit is not known at this time. In contrast,
excavators in the artifact-poor area on the north and east sides of the
cabin uncovered subsoil almost immediately. Findings from the cabin interior
suggested that the large above-surface rocks stacked in wall formation
accurately mark the lower original rock foundation of the cabin. In addition,
the interior stratigraphy hinted that the cabin area contained about a
foot and a half of fill. These findings will fuel next summer’s
(2005) excavations at the site.
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