Final Conclusions T21

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Final Conclusions T21

Stratigraphy (Summary of the finds from the various levels) and Chronological Observations

The stratigraphy as summarized on p. 49 for A-J 30-32 (see drawing p.48 ) did not differ for the remaining grids excavated, A-J 33-36, N-T 30-32. The only addition to the series is a yellowish, clay-like soil found below the burn layer; it was however only excavated in H-M 32-36 at an average depth of 5-10 cm. A review of the various strata presents the following order from top to bottom (see drawing pp. 120-121 ):

1) Humus layer and dark brown soil

2) A yellowish gray soil, probably a mixture of the brown soil found above and the yellow soil below.

3) A sandy, clay-like yellow soil

4) Black soil or "burn layer"

5) A sandy, clay-like yellow soil.

It should be noted that each strat is not a clarly defined unit; it seems that a considerable amount of filtering has occurred, and there is a transitional zone between each level. This may explain the intermingling of what appears to be early and later material within the

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same stratum.

The finds from the various levels are as follows:

A) Dark Brown Soil. Depth 15-20 cm. This layer falls at the same level as the stone foundation walls of the Upper Building south flank. It contains a few Upper Building architectural terracottas, primarily frieze placque fragments [ p. 13 no. 1; p. 15 no. 2; p. 31 no. 1; p. 81 no. 2]; the majority of tiles found in this level were well worn, irregularly shaped, and extremely few in number.

B) Gray Soil. Depth ca. 20-35 cm. Since this layer appears to be a mixture of the brown soil above filtering down into the yellow soil below, its exact line of demarcation with the brown soil is difficult to determine. The stratum contains one Upper Building architectural terracotta, a frieze plaque cavetto ( p. 99 no. 1). The layer as a whole was relatively barren of pottery and tile fragments. However, it contained a surprising number of complete or nearly complete shapes of low fired wares. This includes a large, grayware bowl on a low foot ( 19780142, p. 83 no. 2, p. 101 no. 2, p. 103 ); a buffware patera or small, handleless bowl (19780120, p. 65 no 1); a grayware bowl on low-foot with incurving rim (19780140 p. 65 no. 2).

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C) The yellow, clay-like soil above the burn layer contained numerous architectural terracotta from the Upper Building: lateral sima ( p. 25 no. 1; p. 27 no. 6; p. 45 no. 8; p. 83 no. 4; p.87 no. 2; p. 89 no. 5; p. 105 no. 1); two fragments from the Procession Frieze ( p. 59 no. 3; 19780033, p. 63 no. 1) and another unidentified frieze plaque fragment ( p. 115 no. 5); two acroteria fragments ( p. 39 no 6; p. 55 no. 2); and two statue fragments (a leg, p. 23 no. 1; an eye 19780021, p. 27 no. 7). The majority of tile from T21 are interspersed throughout this layer. These tiles have the shape and size of Upper Building types, except for one flange which compares to a Lower Building pan tile ( p. 39 , no. 10; badly burned and warped).

The pottery fragments from the yellow stratum were relatively light, particularly when compared to the quantity obtained from the burn layer. The vast majority were coarse wares and impasto, with some low-fired varieties represented. The information provided by these sherds was inconclusive. The number of bucchero fragments was extremely low. However, the pieces did include a handle fragment with a "Mistress of the Animals" (19780030, p. 61 no. 7) and a fragment with a single stamp containing a mythological monster (19780031, p. 61 no. 8)

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Worked bone and antler include 19780020 ( p. 37 no.3), 19780018 ( p. 37 no. 4) and 19780058 ( p. 71 no. 2), a carved bone inlay showing a man riding a crouching lion.

On p. 49 this layer was referred to as decomposed brick, probably the collapsed walls of the Upper Building. However, it would seem possible that this layer represents the fill of the area to the south of the Upper Building south wall and thus contemporary to its construction. This seems particularly evident due to the height of the Upper Building south wall above the bedrock; this area must have been filled with earth in order to support laterally the foundation walls. It is interesting to note that the same clay-like, yellow soil also fills the area below the burn layer.

D) Burn layer. Its depth, thickness and color varies from grid to grid and in some cases is almost non-existant. Usual depth 75-100 cm. Span. In A-J 30-32 (see p. 49 ) the black soil of the burn layer was found immediately above the bedrock at an average level of 80-90 cm. This level, whether above bedrock or not, continues throughout T21, and passes immediately over the stone foundations in F-M 36 and

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M 32-36.

The majority of finds from T21 came from this layer, including an immense quantity of pottery fragments, primarily coarse wares, impasto and low-fired types, as opposed to bucchero and Italo-Corinthian. Extremely heavy deposits were found in L-M 30-31, N 30 cutting across O 32 [An area not fully excavated, due to the lateness of the season and the tremendous amount of pottery coming from that area], E-G  32, and B 36. Fine examples of Italo-Corinthian pottery came from this level, including a skyphos base ( p. 73 no. 7) and the lip and base of an oenochoe with an incised scale pattern ( p. 113 no. 3 and no. 4); a thick-walled body fragment with red paint and incision ( p. 89 no. 8) from the yellow stratum shows a less careful execution. Bucchero was comparatively sparse, but a complete bucchero kantharos, minus handles, was found (19780051 p. 31 , no. 2); another complete profile was a burned bucchero bowl with everted, downcurving rim (19780141, p. 93 no. 5); finally a large, shallow bowl with vertical rim and impressed hatching pattern also came from the burned layer ( p. 111 no. 4, ). Other fragments include: a fragment with palmette stamp ( p. 97 no. 6);

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a bucchero fragment with cylinder stamp of a female procession ( p. 109 no. 1); a handle fragment wiht incised decoration ( p. 109 no. 3); and a fragment with asterisk stamps (19780052, p. 63 no. 3).

The majority of metal objects from T21 came from the burn layer: a tac (19780109, p. 89 no. 6), nail (19780111, p. 87 no. 1) a pin with ball-like head (19780070, p. 71 no. 4), cosmetic implement (19780027, p. 43 no. 1), a bronze pin with astragal head (19780026, p. 4 3 no. 5), a fragment of a large fibula clasp (19780133, p. 71 no. 5), a similar fragment with decoration ( p. 85 no. 4); a fragment from a disc (19780131, p. 85 no. 1), and a long hair or clothing pin (19780081, p. 71 no. 6). Two pieces of iron bars, one perhaps being a file, also came from this layer (19780123, p. 77 no. 2; 19780147, p. 93 no. 33).

Finally, there was a single example of worked bone, in this case a thin disc with the flat surfaces worked (19780054, p. 69 no. 1).

In summary, it appears that the material from the burn layer of T21, particularly the bucchero, find there closest parallels in pre-Upper Building material (such as that from T17); this layer would then pre-date the Upper Building and appear at least contemporary with the Lower Building and the edifice in T17.

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E) A yellow, clay-like soil was found below the burn layer. This was only excavated in M-F 33-36 and at a shallow level. This soil was almost totally barren of material except for a bronze ring (19780107, p. 97 no. 3).

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Architectural Remains

There are two architectural remains in T21 which deserve explanation.

1) The foundations of two stone walls at an approx. depth of 80-90 cm. running E-W through M 32-36 and N-S through F-M 36 and joining at M 36 to form a 90 degree angle (see drawing pp. 118-119 ). These stone foundations measure a constant width of 35 cm. except in grids F-G-H 36, where the wall thickens. The burn layer runs above these foundation walls, providing a relative date for its destruction. One will note that the walls are not in direct line, either parallel or perpendicular, to the south flank of the Upper Building. There is no evidence concerning their function.

Although the grids F-M 37 were not excavated, it is quite likely that the wall in M 32-36 will continue eastward. (See pp. 103-105 for possible explanation of the plan).

2) The series of flat surfaced stones running N-S in a single line through B-F 32 (see p. 49 , the so-called "floor") are located in an area flanked by A-F 30-31 bedrock and A-F 34-36 bedrock. At present, the only possible conclusion for these stones is that they

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served as a path.

Both the walls in M 32-36 and F-M 36 and the flat stones in B-F 32 show a burn layer immediately above the stones. This layer also rested on top of the bedrock, which thus must have been open to the air at the time of the walls in M 32-36/F-M 36. The top surface of the stone foundations for the Upper Building south wall is some 80-90 cm. higher than the flat stones in B-F 32 and the new wall in T21.

Note: What is earlier referred to as a "wall" in J 30-32 (see p. 49 ) was found not to be a wall at all, but just a straight series of large stones which terminated by J33. Their location in the yellow stratum above the burn layer suggests that they served as a retaining wall for the Upper Building. These stones were removed from their original position and now rest on the bedrock in F-H 30.