Terisa Green, Ph.D. Freelance Writer
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... Datable artifacts encompass a range from the 1920s to the 1960s. Items which can be most firmly dated to the known period of occupation are the amethyst toiletry vial from the Refuse Deposit, Feature H (XX-XX from the 1920s), a Clorox bottle and a clear glass bottle from the Refuse Deposit (XX-XX and XX-XX, respectively, from the 1930s), the Nehi soda bottle from the work shed (XX-XX), the veterinary bottle from the animal enclosure, Feature B (XX-XX, possibly from 1940s), and a medicinal bottle also from the animal enclosure (XX-XX, possibly from the late 1940s or early 1950s).
Later dumping episodes are also clearly in evidence, especially in the case of the Clorox bottle (XX-XX and XX-XX), the baking powder can (XX-XX, although this could potentially date to the late 1930s), and likely the evaporated milk cans (XX-XX and XX-XX). All of these were from the Refuse Deposit (Feature H).
The pattern of deposition does not suggest a chronological sequence of feature usage or abandonment within the site. The two items in the animal enclosure (medicinal bottles) could easily have been lost among the animals or their manure, as opposed to being intentionally dumped after the enclosure had fallen into disuse. It is interesting to note that later dumping episodes did continue to use the same Refuse Deposit that contained occupation period artifacts. While occupation-era material is present at the work shed, animal enclosure, and the Refuse Deposit, the datable post-occupation artifacts sampled here are located only in the Refuse Deposit.
7.1.5 Summary
The paucity of artifacts that can be unambiguously linked to the period of occupation frustrates detailed conjecture regarding specific occupants or activities at the site. However, the single toiletry bottle and soda beverage bottle do indicate that some level of consumerism beyond staples was possible at some point.
The various features and their apparent functions at the site are commensurate with the residential and ranching activities that likely took place at the homestead: work sheds, animal enclosure, multi-room residence, reservoir, well, trough, and refuse deposits. There are also indications for the presence of electricity at some time in the residence and perhaps elsewhere (fallen utility pole, generator plaque, ceramic insulator fragment).
The site is deteriorating from the effects of wind and water erosion and can best be characterized as moderately intact. Further investigation, clearing, or excavation aimed at identifying the functions of some of the more puzzling features is not likely to produce significant results. Nor is there reason to expect that identification of these features might aid in a better understanding of the use of this site as a small, individually owned and intermittently operated ranching facility. It is therefore suggested that the research potential for XX-XXX-0005 has been exhausted.
Anne Lamott,
I Am Not
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