Dolores Archaeological Program Technical Reports, DAP-008: Preliminary Report on Excavations at McPhee Pueblo (Site 5MT4475)

Site 5MT4475 is a multi-component Anasazi village site, that perhaps served as the nucleus and/or socio-religious center for the McPhee community. The site is located approximately 5 miles northwest of Dolores, Colorado, very near County Road X. The initial investigation discovered a horseshoe-shaped pueblo built and occupied during the McPhee Phase dating from AD 850 to AD 950. Periods of abandonment and reoccupation are manifested during this time period. Three subterranean pitstructures, one built within the other, indicate multiple occupations; the earliest of these structures is a large ceremonial pitstructure or great kiva. Two of the pitstructures were completely excavated along with 10 rooms. Underlying these remains, evidence of another earlier occupation has been located, probably dating to the latter half of the ninth century. The extensive remodeling and re-use as well as the extensive midden deposits suggests a fairly long history for this site, with occasional periods of abandonment.