July 17, 2024

AM

We excavated in the S two meters in order to even out the elevation in this area with the remained of the trench. This has revealed two parallel lines of stone extending at a slight southwest angle. These two linings of stone, the westernmost one made of smaller size stone (around 10cm) and the one to the east has larger stones (20-25cm) are surrounded by terracotta fragments we are exposing and leaving in situ. They appear to be extending into the SW corner of Locus 2. We will be extending T108 in order to further explore this feature. The extension will span 3m from the W edge of Locus 2 and 1m from the S wall of Locus 2. I will also have a segment 2m S starting 1m from the E edge of Locus 2. While the space in between the stones was excavated to reveal a decorated base fragment.

SF8 • sf-t108-2024-2-8 • decorated base fragment • 218.70 E /35.26 S • Locus 2 • 27.92m AE

We continue to peel back the soil layer above the large stones in the SW half of locus 2. Here, two fragments that refit with the rim in one half and a ridge in the other.

SF9 • sf-t108-2024-2-9 • ridged rim refit • 219.02 E/35.01 S • Locus 2 • 27.85m AE We have paused excavation in Locus 2 to take Locus 5 opening photos. Due to a tree beyond the S edge of Locus 5 we needed to take photos towards the S instead of towards the N.

Locus 5 Opening Elevations 1. 28.6m AE 2. 28.11m AE 3. 28.19m AE 4. 28.13m AE 5. 28.08m AE 6. 28.02m AE

Locus 5 opening drawing

PM:

We broke ground in Locus 5 by throwing a pickpasss in the northern most (e-W) meters. The topsoil is hard and compact, coming loose in large clumps with medium sized 10-15cm) rock inclusions and roots (thick and thin). In locus 2, we continue to lower the elevation in the southernmost meter to reveal the extent of the rock formation that moves in the direction of the SW corner. In the E half of this meter only a few pieces of pottery are present, in W half there is just slightly more. In Locus 5 finds were consistent with locus 1 and 3 consisting of abraded tile fragments and slight amounts of pottery We picked up all the loose soil and rock in locus 5. Brushed the S half of locus 2.

Closing Elevations: Locus 2: SW:27.84m AE SE: 27.81m AE NE: 27.92m AE NW: 27.82m AE

Locus 5: SW:28.00m AE NW: 28.04m AE NE1: 28.13m AE NE2: 28.06m AE NE3: 28.08m AE SE: 28.02m AE

Closing Totals: Locus 2: Terracotta: 2/3 bowl– BF 46 Pottery: 54 – BF47 Bone: 3- BF48

Locus 5: Terracotta: ½ bowl– BF 49 Pottery: 2 – BF 50 Bone: 0- BF 51