18 July 2018

AM

Opening elevations were taken based on the previous day’s excavations:

NW (46 S / 168 E) – 27.60 m.AE

NE (46 S / 171 E) – 27.51 m.AE

NE2 (47.81 S / 171 E) – 27.54 m.AE

SW3 (46.82 S / 168 E) – 27.44 m.AE

Due to rain over the weekend and the lack of the trench’s exposure to the sun, the soil is still slightly damp and heavy.  However, excavation will continue as the area’s stratigraphy is still visible and is well known from earlier documentation of the area.

There are two pools of standing water in the T-22 west extension, which are being bailed out by several members of the excavation crew.

While the water was being bailed out, a pick pass was thrown, peeling back the soil of the trench from east to west. Sorting through material, a possible chimney cover was discovered.

Special find #28: possible chimney cover

27.48 m.AE

46.81 S / 169.56 E

Special find #29: ridged bucchero rim

27.52 m.AE

46.81 S / 169.56 E

The ridged bucchero rim preserves one ridge along the rim and the interior preserves multiple linear inclusions.

Although the chimney cover was recorded as a special find, later, per discussion with the site director, it was determined to be the rim of a vessel.

Special find #30: ridged fine-ware handle

27.51 m.AE

47.30 S / 170.65 E

A cream-ware handle was discovered preserving two worked edges and subtle ridging on both sides of the piece.

Unfortunately, soil samples left on Friday became contaminated and compressed due to the rain. 40 more liters (about 5 buckets) of soil were obtained by the flotation team for archaeobotanical analysis of locus 4. The original 5 buckets will be discarded in the dirt dump once dry.

Another pick pass concentrated on the western area, peeling towards the east, was performed. This area contains an increased number of roots.

A third pick pass, focused on leveling the western section of the trench, was conducted. With this pass, a possible statue fragment was uncovered. This fragment is finished on the exterior and has a circular impression on the inner side.

Special find #31: Possible statue fragment

27.43 m.AE

46.91 S / 169.13 E

Special find #32: slipped pottery

27.42 m.AE

46.62 S / 169.23 E

The next pick pass, moving south to north, revealed an increased concentration of charcoal in the southern section of the trench and bone in the eastern section of the trench. With the rest of the afternoon, handpicks were used to level the trench and baulkwalls.

Closing elevations were taken and recorded as following:

NW (46 S / 168 E) – 27.50 m.AE

NE (46 S / 171 E) – 27.48 m.AE

NE2 (47.81 S / 171 E) – 27.46 m.AE

SW3 (46.82 S / 168 E) – 27.40 m.AE

End of day totals of July 18:

Baulk trim:

Pottery – 13 pieces

Bone – 3 pieces

Tile: 1/3 bowl

Locus 4:

Pottery – 84 pieces

Bone – 30 pieces

Tile – 4 1/3 bowl

It is to be noted that the amount of terracotta tiles discovered today is more than double from the previous full day of excavation within locus 4, as is observed while doing the end of day counts.