Date: 05-Aug-97
Weather: Hot, cloudless, windy afternoon
Number of Workers: 3
Lots Open: 1304, 1309, 1310, 1311, 1312
Page Reference: 97

STRATEGY: 1. Expand the trench 2m east to expose the eastern half of f87. Although we probably have most of the information we can gather from f87 as is, we decided to expose the whole structure to see if we could find an entrance. Also, we decided that it was worth exposing the whole structure given its fine state of preservation. 2. Commence removing spit under 1304 in an effort to gather a secure, undisturbed deposit.

SUMMARY: 1. The spit under 1304 was called 1309. It is as secure a lot as we have had, with minimal animal disturbance. By day's end we had only removed an area of c. 2x2m in a c. 10-15cm spit. A 50% sieve is being maintained for 1309, 2. Steve, Freya & I removed most of wall f71 having extended our trench 2m east. The loose soil (full of pot & bone frags) under f71 was called 1310. We quickly hit a patch of white plaster only c. 15cm under the wall base which seems associated with f 87. Further excavation will clarify. After removing 1310 we removed a second spit called 1311 which was very similar to 1310 & 1230 then took out a 3rd spit called 1312 which corresponds generally to 1302 i.e. c. 10cm overlying plaster surface of tholos (but not as secure as 1302). All overlie rocks, etc., of f87. At end of day the eastern half of f87 was looking more complex than anticipated. The outer circle of stones continues to form a half circle. However, it seems to be 2 courses wide at the east. A second stone structure may be emerging on the NE pf f87. The relationship of the newly exposed patch of plaster must also be clarified.