5MT 1692
 

5MT 1692 is a late Pueblo III (AD 1200-1300) located in an alcove in the north Lightning Tree Canyon rim cliff band. The site is relatively small, consisting of just two defined rooms, a plaza area, and a kiva. There is no well defined midden; artifacts are fairly evenly scattered down the talus slope below the rooms.

The plaza space appears to have been created by building a series of arcing retaining walls and then filling in the space behind them with rubble. The kiva is dug into this fill, so actually the whole plaza and retaining wall system was simply a way to create an above ground kiva (soil depth is very shallow at this spot).

One rock art panel is present, consisting of whitish-grey pictographs that are faded and hard to discern. However, a bird-like figure, and some straight line geometrics can just be made out. Near the rock art panel is a small niche that may or may not be man-made. No artifacts were found in the niche.

The site has been rather significantly impacted by looting. The floors of both rooms have been completely excavated and the back dirt deposited in the north end of the presumed kiva. Shovel probes dot the slope below the habitation.

Click here for a map of the site.

Click here for a data table from the site.

Photos:

Looking out of the rooms formed by Wall 1. Wall 2, and part of one of the alcove rooms. The floor has been completely excavated by looters. Looking up at Wall 5, which forms part of the retaining wall system for the kiva and plaza.