Daily Log

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Thursday, July 18, 1993

AM magazzino

PM work began today on grids G-I 38-40.  This area lies to the east (and outside) the south building.  It is hoped taht excavation in this area of the trench will clarify the relationship between this trench and T 22 west extension.

Work on this area began with a shallow (approx. 5 cm) pick pass intended to clear the surface of washout, weeds, reeds, stones, and other surface material.

G-I 40 consisted mostly of washout from the baulk, but G-I 39 had significantly more pottery (including diagnostic pieces) and some tile.  Most noteworthy was the increase in plaster chunks and terracotta with reed impressions at 108 cm below surface(G41 datum point).  Many pottery pieces joined but were not freshly broken.  Also the carbon content of the soil increased dramatically.  The beginning level was 100 cm below the G-I grid peg surface.

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Excavation of G-I 38 also had a large amount of plaster and terracotta with reed impressions, both ranging in chunks from 5-10/15cm.

Totals for the day:  3+ cassettas of plaster, 1 very latte carton of pottery, 6 latte cartons of terracotta with reed impressions.

One area of concern/curiosity is taht of G-H/38-39.  Here the plaster fragments were the most dense, easily filling two or more cassette.  It is unclear at present whether this intense plaster concentration along with terracotta with reed impressions, relates directly to the eastern wall of the south Building one meter to the west, or whether this area was used as a dump during previous excavations of this trench.  When excavation ended for the day most of the G-I 38 meters remained to be excavated.

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