Date: 03-Aug-97
Weather: Hot, still, cloudless
Number of Workers: 4
Lots Open: 1304, 1305, 1306
Page Reference: 95

STRATEGY: 1. Complete plan of f87. 2. Remove surface of f89 and clarify its relationship with f87. This has been unclear because stones forming the outer circle of f87 seem to be constructed on a slope, i.e., the bases of the south and east stones are c. 15cm lower than the bases of the stones on the north. 3. Clean f87 to expose plaster fully. 1. Complete plan of f87. 2. Remove surface f89 & clarify its relationship with f87. This has been unclear because the stones forming the outer circle of f87 seem to be constructed on a slope i.e. the bases of the south & east stones are c.15cm lower than the bases of the stones on the north. 3. Clean f87 to expose plaster fully.

SUMMARY: 1. Surface f89 was partly removed in a c.10cm spit. This spit was called 1304. 1304 is a very compact material with orange & charcoal flecks. However, it is badly disturbed by animal holes in places. At end of day only the eastern 2m of the trench remained to be excavated. 1304's security is not good. 1304 underlies the base of the outer stones of f87. 50% sieve of 1304. 2. At the NE corner of the trench we exposed a very small part of what seems to be another circular structure with a plastered interior. It is currently unclear, but we may have an earlier 'tholos'. F.87 is clearly built over the top of it. I have given the new 'tholos' (?) feature no. 90. Around this area of the trench we have a very different type of material i.e. animal holes & loose soil. I called it all 1304 though. 3. On mid south baulk we exposed a discrete concentration of stones, large pottery frags & bone. 1304 doesn't extend to them - pit? Until it is clarified I will distinguish it as a possible feature no 91 seems to be on a slightly lower level than f87 but it may be related. 4. A shallow spit of the material between the inner & outer stones was removed as 1306. 5. F90's presence explains why the stones of f87 on the North rest at a higher level i.e they have simply built over f90. 6. Pise overlying plaster of f87 was removed as 1305. A sample was taken. 7. F87 planned & photographed NB f90 later became f92.