July 24th, 2024

AM: We are working on leveling locus 10 with the remaining loci to define what seems to be a continuation of the stone formation (locus 8). This began along the E edges of locus 5, as it is more convenient to peel back the soil from the point in which it borders the remainder of the trench. In the SE corner of locus 10 a concentration of pottery was present, including two base fragments that refit. The area W of the stump in the E of the locus was excavated. The space along the W wall was excavated as well to reach and define the stones. We will be extending T108 1m S of locus 10 and 2.16m W of the SE corner. To prepare for this extension, we cleared the surface with rakes and clipped the grass, then laid out the trench lines. In the SE corner of locus 10, stones continue to be exposed, including some that were already partly visible in locus 9. Tile fragments are being defined and exposed in this space as well. Locus 11 was photographed. Ground was broken with a pickpass from the W edge across the N-S meter width until the E edge. The soil has 10cm rock inclusions. The texture is dry and clumpy, the color is dark brown 3/3 10YR in the Munsell book.

Locus 11 Opening Elevations NW: 28.00m AE NE: 28.01m AE SE: 27.99m AE SW: 27.99m AE

Another pickpass was thrown from the whole W edge until the E edge of locus 11. Inclusions remain stones, although slightly smaller in size, and consistent thin roots. Finds solely include abreated tile. Meanwhile, the elevation in the S meter of locus 10 is lowered with handpicks to expose stones and tile fragments. These are then defined with trowels.

PM: The loose soil in Locus 11 remaining from the 2nd pickpass was removed with shovels into buckets and wheelbarrows for hand sorting. A third pickpass was (Locus 11 Opening Drawing) thrown from the W edge of Locus 11 across the whole surface moving E. The NE corner of Locus 10 is handpicked to even out the elevation of the locus. The NW corner is being excavated, the soil is more compact here than in the S half of the locus. Finds in both areas of Locus 10 remain consistent, consisting of medium sized (10-15 cm) tile fragments and some pottery. While defining the E of Locus 10, half of a rim, about 30 cm in diameter was exposed. This fragment, directly E of the large stone by the E wall was left in situ. The S wall has been bulk walled and the meter directly N of it has been excavated further. More rocks have been exposed in this meter. Based on the surface area of these rocks that is currently visible, 3 are about 40 cm in size, with the surrounding ones ranging from 10-20 cm in size. One meter E of the W wall has yet to be excavated to equal elevation to the remainder of the locus, therefore, no stones are exposed in that space at the moment. The NE edge of the locus was hand picked to further expose sine protruding stones. Here, 20 cm stones have been exposed with much smaller ones around them. Additionally, about 4 tile fragments have been encountered (5cm of them visible) and left in situ. A 4th pickpass has been thrown across all of Locus 11 beginning from the E edge moving W. Finds have remained consistent, and limited to abreated terracotta fragments. Pottery has yet to be found in this locus. A fifth pickpass thrown along all edges of Locus 11 as they were sloping downwards. This was then shoveled and sorted. Soil and inclusions remain consistent. Locus 10 was roughly swept to remove loose soil before work paused for the day.

Locus 10 SW: 27.83m AE NW: 27.78m AE NE1: 27.86m AE NE2: 27.84m AE NE3: 27.83m AE SE: 27.78m AE

Locus 11 SW: 27.97m AE NW: 27.95m AE NE: 27.97m AE SE: 27.95m AE

Locus 10 Terracotta ¾ bowl – BF70 Pottery 110 – BF71 Bone 0 – BF72 Locus 11 Terracotta 1/16 bowl – BF73 Pottery 0 – BF74 Bone 0 – BF75