An Excavated Wall-Trench Structure

Here's the same building after the wall trench and fire pit were dug out. It was only about 11 feet in diameter and we believe it was a sweat lodge. A fire would be built in the central pit, heating up the building and causing the people inside to sweat profusely. Water would be poured on the hot rocks in the pit to produce steam, much like in a modern steam bath. Such buildings were used by members of the community for healing and purification. Only remnants of wall trenches remain for most houses of this type of construction at Occaneechi Town.

The excavated remains of a wall-trench structure and associated pit at Occaneechi Town.