11 July 2023

AM

This morning opening elevations were taken before work began in Locus 8.

NW: 28.46 mAE

NE: 28.46 mAE

SE: 28.43 mAE

SW: 28.46 mAE

Handpicking continued in the northern meter of the area of active excavation but due to the depth of the topsoil and humus layer, it was decided that pickaxes were more appropriate to remove more of the locus. A pick pass was thrown in the northernmost one meter strip of the extension moving south. Small to medium sized rocks continue to be found throughout the area of excavation with concentrations in the northwest and northeast corners near the large roots. There is a high concentration of other organic material such as small roots throughout the area of excavation. The soil continues to be a dense and compacted silty loam with a higher concentration of pockets of yellow brown silty clay from the humus layer. Three fragments of red medieval pottery were found while hand sifting which all fit together.

Special Find #1: Medieval Pottery Refit

Coordinates: 169.11E 41.82S

Elevation: 28.44 mAE

Another pick pass was thrown in the middle of the area of excavation moving south. Organic material continues to be present throughout the extension along with small to medium sized rocks. More of the topsoil layer reveals itself to be dense and compact yellow brown silty clay with heavy organic materials present. Abraded terracotta and coarseware continue to be found throughout the extension with some fragments of impasto pottery. Currently this layer is considered to be non-contextual.

PM

The afternoon was spent using handpicks and trowels to remove more of Locus 8 in the one meter northern portion of the trench to level out the current area of excavation, with a high concentration of large roots. Abraded pieces of terracotta continue to be found along with fragments of coarseware and impasto pottery. A fragment of a frieze plaque with a visible cavetto decorative element in the center of the trench and will remain in situ until the rest of the area of excavation is brought to level. The soil continues to be a dense and compact yellow brown silty clay from the humus layer. Small to medium size rocks continue to be found throughout the extension. A large rock is situated in the northwest corner between two tree stumps. Clippers and loppers were also used to clean up roots and areas around the tree roots and stumps. At the end of the day, closing elevations were taken.

NW: 28.45 mAE

NE: 28.45 mAE

SE: 28.43 mAE

SW: 28.46 mAE

⅕ Bowl of Terracotta

2 pieces of plaster

21 pieces of pottery

0 pieces of bone