21 July 2022

AM

Today began with the closing of Loci 3, 4, and 5 and the subsequent opening of Locus 6.

Closing Elevations:

Locus 3:

NW: 28.21 m. A.E.

NE: 28.22 m. A.E.

SE: 28.13 m. A.E.

SW: 28.12 m. A.E.

Locus 4:

NW: 28.26 m. A.E.

NE: 28.24 m. A.E.

SE: 28.19 m. A.E.

SW: 28.27 m. A.E.

Locus 5:

NW: 28.20 m. A.E.

NE: 28.19 m. A.E.

SE: 28.20 m. A.E.

SW: 28.19 m. A.E.

Locus 6 Opening Elevations:

NW:

NE:

SE:

SW:

The focus of excavation of Locus 6 will be to reveal and define the extent of the Archaic wall present within the boundaries of the locus and to reveal the northern extent of the terra cotta piping already present to the south (Locus 3). Hand picks and trowels will be used exclusively so as to not dislodge any of the stones present within the composition of the Archaic wall structure. Work will be divided into three parts; one focusing on the detailing of the opening between the Archaic wall and the terra cotta pipe within and another on the areas of the Archaic wall directly to the west of the opening and to the east. Locus 6 is topsoil, full of roots and organic materials and is resting directly on top of the Archaic wall structure. While taking down the area on top of the middle opening, more terra cotta piping became apparent quite suddenly. After pulling back from that particular spot up to the north, the western profile is very clear and present but the rest of the pipe is lost in the middle and may be farther down. Because of the presence of trees directly to the north and the south of the immediate area of excavation, there are a multitude of small to medium sized roots that are being cut back at the same time as the rest of excavation. Work will continue in this manner until lunch.

PM

Post-lunch work continued as usual. Directly in the center of the piping, a large chunk of what seems to be plaster has been found, it will remain in-situ for the time being. While troweling above where the remainder of the pipe would potentially be, a sherd of ridged pottery (Special Find #5) was found.

Special Find #5: Ridged pottery sherd

Elevation: 28.28 m. A.E.

Coordinates: 171.02 E/ 39.43 S

Progress has been made exploring the middle section of the piping present in Locus 6. While the exterior edges of the pipe seem to be relatively intact, the middle upper portion is very fragmentary. More troweling down will be done in order to determine whether the pieces are farther down and the dirt that is present is debris or if perhaps the fragments were removed in previous excavation.

Closing Elevations:

NW: 28.41 m. A.E.

NE: 28.35 m. A.E.

SE: 28.37 m. A.E.

SW: 28.36 m. A.E.

Daily Totals:

Terra cotta: 1/3 bowl

Pottery: 23 sherds

Bone: 0 fragments