Thursday, 25 July 2019

AM

Yesterday, we removed the remaining dark gray, charcoal-rich deposit of Loci 26 and 27, exposing what may be features of a hut. Beneath Locus 26, we exposed what may be a beaten-earth floor, as it is extremely compacted, level, and has pottery lying flat atop the surface in the SW corner underlying Locus 26. We exposed an even denser concentration of charcoal that is roughly circular in shape; this may be a hearth. The possible floor surface extends northward, out of Locus 26, into the 2016 sounding and into the southern half of Locus 27. In the SE quarter underlying Locus 27, there is a cobbling feature comprised of a concentration of small stones. Immediately to the north of this cobbling may be a wall that seems to be curving slightly; this is a ridge of extremely compacted, mottled, slightly orange colored soil with small and medium sized stones (15-30cm) and material culture imbedded in the soil. The ridge’s elevation is app. 10cm higher than the floor and is pressed up against a bedrock shelf to the north. 

With these new features exposed, we decided to close Loci 26 and 27 and to open a locus to the east of Loci 26 and 27, to more fully expose the features that may be associated with a hut. Therefore, we completed closing drawings of Loci 26 and 27 and took closing photos and elevations.

Closing Elevations: Locus 26

• NE corner (108.15E/ 44.90S): 26.21m A.E.
• SE corner (108.15E/46.15S): 26.13m A.E.
• SW corner (107.10E/45.72S): 26.17m A.E.
• NW corner (107.16E/44.87S): 26.18m A.E.

Closing Elevations: Locus 27

• NE corner (108.85E/42.54S): 26.48m A.E.
• 108.92E/43.04S: 26.41m A.E.
• 108.53E/43.30S: 26.42m A.E.
• 108.50E/43.70S: 26.31m A.E.
• SE corner (108.26E/44.06S): 26.30m A.E.
• SW corner (107.35E/44/05S): 26.32m A.E.
• 107.61E/43.36S: 26.32m A.E.
• NW corner (107.75E/42.55S): 26.31m A.E.

In order to more fully reveal the features uncovered beneath Loci 26 + 27, we will excavate the area to the east of both loci, which will enable us to see more of the features without damaging elements of EPOC4. This area will be excavated as Locus 28. An area one meter to the east of Loci 26 and 37 was designated Locus 28. Artists previously have drawn this area, so we took opening photos and elevations for Locus 28 and then the locus was opened.

Opening Elevations: Locus 28

• NE corner (109E/42.53S): 26.72m A.E.
• SE corner (109E/46S): 26.54m A.E.
• SW corner (108.15E/46S): 26.54m A.E.
• NW corner (108.26E/44.06S): 26.56m A.E.

Sketch of trench

As we only have about four work days to excavate left this summer, we will begin excavating Locus 28 with pick axes, both to save time and because we are about 25cm higher than the level of EPOC4’s floor and 30cm higher than the possible hut floor. We began picking in the western half of the locus. Soil is very dark gray and is rich in charcoal. It is claylike, but only moderately compacted, and contains many small-to-medium sized rocks (15-30cm). In the northern half of the locus, there is a line of 5 stones placed on a diagonal angle. These rocks may be architectural, but as they do not connect to any discernible features and as the area to the east of T90 was disturbed in the earliest years of excavation these stones will be removed.

The soil of Locus 28 is not only dark gray and charcoal-included, it also contains high quantities of tile and plaster, many of which are large, well-preserved fragments. We also are recovering lots of pottery and bone and moderate quantities of slag. This deposit appears similar to Locus 24, and Locus 28 is at a similar elevation to that of the upper surface of Locus 24, so the two loci likely are equivalent.

We are hand-sorting soil in the trench then screening soil through a 1cm gauge sieve. In addition to the high quantities of tile, plaster, pottery, and bone that we have found, we also recovered two tile fragments with adhered slag (Finds #220, 221) and a fragment of pozzolana (Find #222). 

Special Finds:

Find #220

• Locus 28
• 108.45E/44.94S
• 26.43m A.E.
• Tile with adhered slag

Find #221

• Locus 28
• 108.16E/45.71S
• 26.45m A.E.
• Tile with adhered slag

Find #222

• Locus 28
• 108.29E/45.63S
• 26.45m A.E.
• Pozzolana

PM 

After lunch, we picked in the eastern half of Locus 28. Soil is dark gray, with high concentrations of charcoal. The charcoal concentration seems especially high in the northern half of the locus. Small-to-medium sized rocks (15-30cm) are scattered throughout the locus, and this deposit is exceptionally rich in material culture. We are recovering high volumes of tile and plaster, along with large amounts of pottery and bone and some slag. Soil is hand sorted in the trench then screened through a 1cm gauge sieve. In this pick pass, we found a large piece of tile or ceramic with adhered slag (Find #223) and a tile fragment with a very high flange (Find #224). These find are typical of this locus’ material culture; many of the tile, plaster, and ceramic fragments are large and relatively intact. We also found a piece of cut antler (FInd #225), a ridged rim  (Find #226), and another tile fragment with adhered slag (Find #227), along with a diagnostic bone fragment (Find #228).

Locus 28:

• Tile and plaster: 1 ¼ bowl
• Pottery: 157 sherds
• Bone: 33 fragments
• Slag: 93 fragments
• Vitrified terracotta: 21 fragments

Special Finds:

Find #223

• Locus28
• 108.95E/43.98S
• 26.46m A.E.
• Tile with adhered slag

Find #224

• Locus 28
• 108.84E/43.74S
• 26.51m A.E.
• Tall flange

Find #225

• Locus 28
• 108.50E/44.36S
• 26.42m A.E.
• Cut antler

Find #226

• Locus 28
• 108.66E/45.57S
• 26.42m A.E.
• Ridged rim

Find #227

• Locus 28
• 108.61E/44.97S
• 26.43m A.E.
• Tile with adhered slag

Find #228

• Locus 28
• 108.48E/45.76S
• 26.44m A.E.
• Diagnostic bone