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15 July 2022

AM

The tarp was removed from the trench and the trench was prepared for photos.  Opening photos and opening elevations were taken for Locus 14 and Locus 15.

Locus 14 is a reddish brown layer composed of soil mixed with decaying plaster.  The layer appears at opening to cover a layer heavily included with tile.  Locus 14 is in the northern extent of the trench and abuts Locus 13 at an angle.  The layer also abuts the stone linear feature revealed in the 2019 trench along its north and western extent.  The locus extends 2.04m from the eastern baulk wall at its southern extend and 2.46m from the eastern baulk wall in its northern extent.  The locus at its greatest extent is 2.71m from the northern baulk wall.

Locus 15 represents the soil fill inside the rectilinear break in the floor.  The locus extends 0.39m in width and 0.50m in length.  It is a cut within Locus 4 and is located 0.95m away from the western edge of Locus 3.  The soil is a very compact medium brown with inclusions of medium and small sized rocks and frequent plaster inclusions.

Opening elevations Locus 14

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Opening elevations Locus 15

NW: 26.82m AE

SW: 26.80m AE

SE: 26.82m AE

NE: 26.81m AE

Opening elevations Locus 15

NW: 176.59m E/70.00m S

SW: 176.61m E/69.75m S

SE: 176.13m E/70.00m S

NE: 176.13m E/69.00m S

Opening coordinates Locus 14

NW: 174E/64S

SW: 177E/66.94S

SE: 176.25E/65.50S

NE: 177E/64S

Munsell Designation Locus 14: 10YR 6/4 Light Yellowish Brown

Munsell Designation Locus 15: 10YR 5/3 Brown

The loci were drawn and work began in Locus 14 and Locus 15.  In Locus 15, the level of the soil is being lowered using hand picks and trowels in order to investigate the construction of the floor surface of Locus 4 and to investigate the depth of the soil fill.

In Locus 14 the area is being lowered using had picks and trowels.  The soil contains significant amounts of plaster mixed with the soil.  The area is being lowered along with the southern extent of Locus 3 in T100.  Tiles are being uncovered.

In Locus 3, small hand picks, a leaf trowel, and trowels are being used to continue to lower the level of the soil.  The southern face of the column pad (Locus 5) has been revealed.  The column pad

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measures 0.21m in depth.  Fragments of vitrified terracotta (Special Find #56, Special Find #57, and Special Find #58) were found.  A fragment of plaster that may preserve red slip was also found (Special Find #59).

Special Find #56

Locus 3

175.16m E

69.41m S

26.66m AE

Vitrified Terracotta

Special Find #57

Locus 3

175.24m E

69.18m S

Vitrified Terracotta

Special Find #58

Locus 3

175.10m E

69.33m S

26.71m AE

Vitrified Terracotta

Special Find #59

Locus 3

175.07m E

69.96m S

26.60m AE

Plaster with possible slip

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PM

Work continues in Locus 3, Locus 15, and Locus 14.  In Locus 14 hand picks and trowels are being used to remove the plaster soil layer.  A large quantity of plaster fragments along with degraded plaster in the soil are being recovered.  Small amounts of bone, a burnt bone, pottery fragments, and plaster with reed impressions are being found.  A small amount of vitrified terracotta is being found in significantly lower quantites the the previous layer.  A fragment of plaster with reed impressions amd a curved surface was recovered (Special Find #61).

Special Find #61

Locus 14

176.30m E

64.41m S

26.70m AE

Plaster with reed impressions

The soil in Locus 15 continues to be lowered using hand picks and trowels.  It appears that the plaster of the surrounding floor surface may make an edge along the western wall of Locus 15.  Medium and small sized rocks, frequent plaster, some plaster with reed impressions, 3 pcs. of pottery, and fragment of an flange are being recovered.  A small fragment of a spindle whorl (Special Find #60) was recovered from the western extent of Locus 15.

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Special Find #60

Locus 15

176.55m E

69.88m S

26.53m AE

Spindle Whorl fragment

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In Locus 3 the soil continues to be lowered using hand picks, trowels, and brushes.  Small to medium sized rocks, small quantities of tile and pottery are being found.

Closing elevations Locus 3:

N: 26.44m AE

S: 26.47m AE

Closing elevations Locus 14:

NW: 26.66m AE

SW: 26.64m AE

SE: 26.76m AE

NE: 26.64m AE

Closing totals Locus 3:

Pottery: 5 pcs

Bone: 7 pcs

Vitrified terracotta: 4 pcs

Plaster with reed impressions: 11 pcs

Plaster: 1 bowl

Tile: 9 pcs/ 1/8 bowl

Closing totals Locus 14:

Pottery: 16 pcs

Bone: 6 pcs

Plaster with reed impressions: 11 pcs

Plaster: 16 pcs

Vitrified terracotta: 13 pcs

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Closing totals Locus 15:

Pottery: 5 pcs

Plaster: 3/4 bowl

Tile: 1 bowl

Plaster with reed impressions: 2 pcs