19 July 2023

AM Drone photos and photo modeling photos were taken. Closing photos of Locus 28 and opening photos of Locus 32 were taken. Detail photos of the carbon feature of Locus 30 and the tile fall of Locus 24 were taken. The reddish brown soil found in the south of Locus 28 was opened as Locus 32.

Opening coordinates Locus 32: NW: 177.87 E / 69.30 S NE1: 178.30 E / 69.30 S NE2: 178.71 E / 69.60 S SE: 178.80 E / 70.61 S SW: 178.80 E / 70.56 S

Opening elevations Locus 32: NW: 26.57 m AE NE1: 26.55 m AE NE2: 26.53 m AE SE: 26.53 m AE SW: 26.53 m AE

Munsell Designation Locus 32: 5 YR 6/4 - Light reddish brown

Locus 32 opening drawing

After detail photos were taken excavation began in Locus 30 attempting to undercut the locus and remove the carbon feature. It was decided to divide the carbon deposit into two sections, sectioning through the dark soil midway through the locus where the carbon on the surface was not visible. In order to better lift the section the area of Locus 25 to the east of Locus 30 was lowered to the same level as the sections to the north and south. While lowering this level a fragment of cover tile with a possible siglum was found (Special Find #18).

Special Find #18 Cover tile with a possible siglum and finger swipe 175.64 E 68.10 S 26.55 m AE Locus 25 PC20230039

In order to help better undercut the carbon sample the edges were trimmed to make the sample smaller for removal.

PM Excavation continues in Locus 30 undercutting the carbon feature to remove the easternmost section. Leaf trowels, a baulking trowel and small hand picks are being used. The soil under the carbon feature is being removed on three sides. The soil is an olive brown, densely compacted, clay. When the section being removed was lowered so that ca. 0.05 m remained under the section a board was placed under the south side. Trowels were used on the north side to push towards the south and lift up. The section was moved onto the board and stabilized with rocks. The section was then wrapped with plastic wrap to hold the soil together and to prevent the sample from being contaminated. The area trimmed for removal has the following coordinates and was recorded a Special Find #19:

NW: 174.99 E / 66.16 S, 26.61 m AE NE: 174.94 E / 66.07 S, 26.60 m AE SE: 175.51 E / 66.27 S, 26.61 m AE SW: 175.56 E / 66.57 S, 26.68 m AE PC20230072

The section removed is 0.64 m in length at its greatest extent and 0.30 m in width. The section was removed from the trench. Closing elevations were taken.

Closing elevations Locus 30: NW: 26.48 m AE NE: 26.48 m AE SE: 26.49 m AE SW: 26.68 m AE

Closing totals Locus 25: 162: Terracotta - ⅛ bowl 163: Plaster - 0 164: Pottery - 34 pcs 165: Plaster with reed impressions - 0 166: Vitrified plaster - 0 167: Vitrified terracotta - 2 pcs 168: Bone - 2 pcs 169: Burnt bone - 0

Closing totals Locus 30: 170: Terracotta - 0 171: Plaster - ⅛ bowl 172: Pottery - 13 pcs 173: Plaster with reed impressions - 0 174: Vitrified plaster - 14 pcs 175: Vitrified terracotta - 1 pc 176: Bone - 9 pcs 177: Burnt bone - 0