I know I'm a little late joining in this discussion but fieldwork called.
I read through the thread and kept waiting for someone to mention Priscilla
Wegars' work with bee hive-shaped cooking features. Refer to P. Wegars, 1991
"Who's Been Workin' on the Railroad?" An Examination of the Construction,
Distribution, and Ethnic Origins of Domed Rock Ovens on Railroad-related Sites."
Historical Archaeology 25(1):37-65.
Good research and descriptive text for these types of features.
Mary L. Maniery
PAR Environmental Services, Inc.
PO Box 160756
Sacramento, CA
(916) 739-8356