The Pc Ruin: Archaeological Investigations in the Prescott Tradition

Abstract

Archaeological data from a small prehistoric settlement near Prescott in west central Arizona are presented. Four pit houses were located, three excavated and the associated refuse tested.The small settlement may have been inhabited by three conjugal families, which, in turn, could have comprised a single extended one. The actual occupation was brief, occurring during an early portion of the 12th century between approximately A.D. 1100 and 1130. Upon abandonment, two of the domiciles were burned; a third had accidently burned earlier.The usual architectural, artifact, and ceramic summaries are included. The remains are assigned to the little known Chino phase (A.D. 1025 to 1200) of the Prescott cultural tradition. Also presented is the initial evidence for pit house architecture within this cultural period.