Oven or a hole in a rock?

[exMember]

My brother in law appears to have been out coyote hunting again. Hes found arrow heads, flint chippings and recently a 50 + lb grinding bowl. He found this today wanted me to post it and see what you all think it is. Hes thinking it was possibly used as an oven?

 

[Muley Hunter]

Bear/mountain lion cave. How big is it?

 

[Kentucky Colonel]

If it was a cooking area, there should be a debris pile. 
Dig a bit? Maybe a metal detector?

But, it seems a little raw to me to have been used much. 
Plus, it looks accidental and natural to me and a little impractical.

 

[Sharpsman]

Jimmy Hoffa's hideout!!

 

[Smokin' Joe]

Well.....if it was an oven I would think there should be some slight traces of soot or creosote on the inside???  Second guess is a natural hole in the rock.

 

[Standing Bear]

I have to agree it seems to lack smoke/soot on the outside and charcoal/carbon remains inside. 
TC

 

[patocazador]

Joe is right. The 'ceiling' of the "oven" would have remnant carbon deposits.

A temporary oven is easy to make by just digging into a clay bank, building a fire and let it burn to coals, place the dough, and seal it temporarily.
A permanent oven would be in/near a permanent dwelling.

 

[Marty1]

If there's no evidence of an oven, perhaps is was simply used as a place to stash whatever was of value.

 

[Muley Hunter]

Truth is, it's just a hole in the rocks.

 

[exMember]

I figured that when I saw it, I'll have him check for soot. I doubt injuns ever used an oven anyway lol.

 

[hawgslayer1]

:scratch: :scratch:

Maybe it's a port hole to another dimension :!: :!: :!:

Ray........... :slaps: