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| This cross-section through Feature 6 shows two different patterns, most likely representing separate cooking events. On the right is a small pit filled with wood charcoal and ash - the fire built in this pit was probably intentionally extinguished, otherwise the charcoal would have burned to ash. The pattern of rocks on the left have tell-tale traces of charcoal and ash directly beneath the rocks, suggesting that the rocks were placed directly on top of a bed of coals. It is likely that the heated layer of rocks formed a heating element (or "hot rock bed") that was covered roots or other food materials and then capped by and insulated with a thick layer of dirt. This interpretation was not put forth in Black's 1986 report, but over the last two decades archeologists have learned that earth oven cooking was a widespread and distinctive cooking technique. |