pithouse
Sunken earth shelter
A pithouse is a dwelling partially dug into the ground, with a roof of poles, branches, and earth supported by the pit walls.
These semi-subterranean structures were common among various indigenous peoples of North America and other cultures worldwide, valued for their natural insulation against extreme temperatures.
The sunken floor kept occupants cool in summer and retained heat in winter.
Archaeological sites often preserve pithouse remains as circular depressions in the earth.
Fireplace floor area
- kivaPueblo ceremonial chamber
- hoganNative American earth dwelling
- dugoutCarved-log canoe
- subterraneanBeneath earth's surface
smoke-hole · bench · adobe · wattle-and-daub · thatch · timber-frame · post-and-beam · longhouse
Act of unearthing
- digUnearth by shoveling
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- artifactsHuman-made historical objects
- ceramicsHardened clay objects
posthole · features · sediments · trench · context · survey · screening · flotation
Apply crudely
- wattleHanging throat skin
- insulationThermal transfer prevention
- ventilationCirculation of fresh air
- drainageLiquid removal system
foundation · ridgepole · smoke-hole · banquette · antechamber
Final prehistoric stone-tool era
- PaleolithicEarliest archaeological era
- MesolithicMiddle stone era
- hunter-gathererPre-farming subsistence lifestyle
- foragingSeeking wild food sources
nomadic · ancient · archaic · prehistoric · protohistoric · indigenous · tribal · communal
hearth
Fireplace floor area
subterranean · smoke-hole · bench · adobe · wattle-and-daub · thatch · timber-frame · post-and-beam · longhouse · wigwam
excavation
Act of unearthing
- digUnearth by shoveling
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- artifactsHuman-made historical objects
ceramics · posthole · features · sediments · trench · context · survey · screening · flotation · carbon-dating
daub
Apply crudely
- wattleHanging throat skin
- insulationThermal transfer prevention
- ventilationCirculation of fresh air
drainage · foundation · ridgepole · smoke-hole · banquette · antechamber
Neolithic
Final prehistoric stone-tool era
- PaleolithicEarliest archaeological era
- MesolithicMiddle stone era
- hunter-gathererPre-farming subsistence lifestyle
foraging · nomadic · ancient · archaic · prehistoric · protohistoric · indigenous · tribal · communal · firepit
- Ancestral PuebloansMesa Verde, cliff dwellings, kivas, pueblo, kiva
- pit housesearth lodge, dugout, kiva
pithousestilt house
Structure built on posts
treehouse · tree house · tower · penthouse · skyscraper
pithousemansion
Large, stately home
palace · contemporary architecture · smart home · cathedral · villa
pit, house, pits, pitted, pitting, houses, housed, housing, housekeeper