Bench

Description: The bench is a C-shaped shelf which extends three-quarters of the way around the wall of the kiva. It is not present along the southern wall. The horizontal bench surface stands 30" (70-75 cm) above the floor of the kiva. The lower wall is faced with coursed and upright sandstone masonry. The bench surface is formed by the topmost course of the lower wall and the fill which the Anasazi had placed behind it.

The bench is widest along the north wall and narrows along the west and east walls. On the north side it is 23" (57 cm) wide, on the west side it is 16" (40 cm) wide, and on the east side it is only 14" (35 cm) wide. In the southeast corner, the bench tapers into the upper wall. It is presumed to have done the same in the southwest corner, but erosional slumping has removed any such evidence.

Contents: Over two dozen artifacts were present on the bench. On the east side were clustered a Cortez Black-on-white bowl and two Mancos Black-on-white ladles. These were apparently stored here. On the north side were flakes, sherds, pieces of animal bone and fragments of ground stone. These artifacts are thought to represent several use areas where various activities took place.

Interpretation: To the Anasazi, the bench served both as a shelf on which to store items and a table on which to work. It might also have served as a bench on which children and adults sat, if the roof was higher than the pilasters (see discussion under roof).