12 July 2023

AM

This morning work began in Locus 8 after opening elevations were taken.

NW: 28.45 mAE

NE: 28.45 mAE

SE: 28.43 mAE

SW: 28.46 mAE

Handpicks continued to be used in the northernmost ~two meters of the extension leaving the southern meter of the extension unexcavated. Large roots continue to be excavated in the northern half of the extension. Small to medium sized rocks continue to occur throughout the area of excavation mostly concentrated near the northern corners with the large roots. Locus 8 continued to be brought down to level focusing on the northwest and northeast corners around the cluster of large roots which were removed with a handsaw as the Locus was brought down. While handpicking and troweling, the visible frieze plaque located in the middle of the area of excavation was removed and points were taken.

Special Find #2: Frieze Plaque Fragment

Coordinates: 170.26 E 42.60 S

Elevation: 28.36 mAE

The rest of the morning was spent baulk walling and leveling the area of excavation. The soil continues to be a densely packed yellow brown with small to medium sized rocks throughout. Other organic material such as smaller roots can be seen throughout the area of excavation.

PM

After lunch, a pick pass was thrown in the northernmost ~one meter of the extension moving south. The soil continues to be a dense and compact yellow brown silty clay with several small to medium sized stones throughout. Large roots continue to occur throughout the area of excavation branching off of the tree to the east of the trench and the stumps located in the northern portion of the extension. As more of the locus is removed more of the medium to large size roots are able to be removed from the extension. Abraded pieces of terracotta and coarseware continue to be found throughout the area of excavation in a higher quantity than previous pickpasses indicating that Locus 8 may be becoming shallow. Another pick pass was thrown directly south of the previous pass stopping approximately one meter north of the southern edge of the extension. The continues to be a dense and compact yellow brown silty clay in accordance with the rest of the humus layer. Small to medium sized rocks continue to be found throughout the area of excavation. Abraded terracotta fragments and pieces of coarseware and impasto also continue to be found throughout the area of excavation. At the end of the day, closing elevations were taken.

NW: 28.43 mAE

NE: 28.38 mAE

SE: 28.43 mAE

SW: 28.46 mAE

½ Bowl of Terracotta

0 pieces of plaster

13 pieces of pottery

1 bone fragment