Daily Logs

65

26 July 2011

AM:

Work began in Locus 4 and Locus 5 this morning. A pickaxe was used to pick through the topsoil. Beginning in Locus 4 , the topsoil appears as the humus layer of Locus 1 : dark brown/gray in color and dry/crumbly in texture from being baked in the sun. There are many small rocks (5-10cm diameter) present, as well as organic material such as roots. The soil is sorted into buckets and the terracotta/pottery finds are placed in a bowl/latte box designated specifically for Locus 4 . The same was done in Locus 5 . A pick was used across the entirety of the 1x2m area. The soil\x97like Locus 1 and Locus 4 , dark brown/gray, full of organic material and small rocks, and dry\x97is sorted into buckets while material is placed in Locus 5 receptacles.

After lifting the soil from the initial pickpass a soil change akin to the soil change from Locus 1 to Locus 2 is appearing. The soil is more claylike in texture and is a lighter olive brown color. We will do a light pickpass across both Locus 4 and Locus 5 to level the surface and uncover the entirety of the new loci (to be Locus 6 and Locus 7 )

66

67

After a light leveling pick pass in both extensions, we have come across our next loci\x97olive brown and claylike. We used trowels to clear away excess dirt and clippers to clip roots. Subsequently, all four baulk walls in both extensions were trimmed. The southern wall of Locus 4 and the northern wall of Locus 5 remain for now, but will be knocked out after opening photos of the new loci. Locus 5 and Locus 4 produced a very little amount of potter and relatively moderate amount of terracotta\x97though there is noticeably more in Locus 4 . Once these materials were entirely sorted and the surface was clean, opening photos were taken. Locus 6 is in the northern extension; Locus 7 is in the southern extension After photos elevations were taken:

Locus 6 opening elevations:

NE (0W, 29S): 29.67mAE

NW (1W, 29S): 29.66mAE

SW (1W, 31S): 29.70mAE

SE (0W, 31S): 29.71mAE

Center: 29.66mAE

Locus 7 opening elevations:

NE (0W, 33S): 29.63mAE

NW (1W, 33S): 29.63mAE

SW (1W, 35S): 29.63mAE

SE (0W, 35S): 29.65mAE

Center: 29.67mAE

68

69

After taking elevations a pick pass was completed in both the northern and southern extensions over the entirety of the 1x2m areas. Soil, the Locus 6 and Locus 7 olive brown clay like soil, still has many roots and organic material. There are not too many rocks; those present are very small (5cm). The soil was sorted into buckets. Little terracotta and pottery was recovered in this initial pass, though the pick pass was light. A secondary pass will be completed in these areas.

A second pick ass was completed. More terracotta continues to be pulled up in the northern extension when compared to the southern extension. While picking in the northern extension ( Locus 6 ) a frieze plaque fragment was hit with the pick axe (special find #1). There is one large fragment and 4 small ones, all demonstrating modern break edges. Coordinates and elevations of this find were taken (see next page).

70

71

special find #1: frieze plaque fragment

Locus 6

Elevation: 29.66mAE

Coordinates: 0.65W/30.01S

(drawing)

20110067

Once picking in these loci was completed, the soil began to be sorted. Soil was sorted into buckets, terracotta and pottery was placed in the proper bowl/latte box of the respective Locus. While sorting a fragment of partially vitrified terracotta was found (special find #2). Elevations and coordinates were taken.

72

73

special find #2: partially vitrified terracotta

Locus 6

Elevations: 29.68mAE

Coordinates: 0/73mW/29.62mS

20110074

The remaining soil in both Loci was sorted. The morning ended baulk walling the southern extension.

PM:

Afternoon began with baulk walking the northern extension ( Locus 6 ) and a pick pass of Locus 7 . While picking rocks were hit; we will expose any rocks that remain in situ with trowels, and will pick cautiously in subsequent passes. More material seems to be surfacing in this pass of Locus 7 . The material will be sorted into the terracotta bowl and the Locus 7 pottery box.

While sorting was being completed in the southern extension, picking began in the northern extension, along the southern wall between the two trees. While picking an immense amount of

74

75

terracotta tile was appearing, all of which yielded modern breaks from the pick. The size and quantity of the material lead us to stop picking and begin trowelling. Troweling was done to define the terracotta \x93feature\x94 to see its extent, depth, and the magnitude of material. Within this material a loose piece of ridge pole tile was removed\x97it was not a special find. Defining will continue.

As the Locus 7 pick pass finished and the final amount of soil was sorted, an unusal piece of terracotta was found (special find #3). Coordinates and elevations were taken.

Special find #3: unusual terracotta

Locus 7

Elevation: 29.61mAE

Coordinates: 0.78W/33.44S

(drawing)

Attention then turned to the feature appearing in the northern extension. More terracotta is appearing, though much more defining needs to be done to see how far north the feature continues. While

76

77

Trowelling continues in this area, picking resumed in the southern extension. Caution was taken as more rocks and terracotta were appearing. While picking, a fragment of a (possibly female) antefix was uncovered (special find #4). Elevations and coordinates were taken.

Special find #4: antefix fragment

Locus 7

Elevation: 29.54mAE

Coordinates: 0.55W/33.64mAE

(Drawing)

20110075

the remaining time in the day was spent both troweling/defining the feature appearing in Locus 6 , and sorting through the soil of the final pick pass of Locus 7 . Within Locus 7 ample pottery was found, particularly within the last pass.

Locus 4 :

Terracotta: \xbe bowl

Pottery: 1 piece

Locus 5 :

Terracotta: \xbc bowl

Pottery: 5 pieces

Locus 6 :

Terracotta: 2 bowls

Pottery: 14 pieces

Locus 7 :

Terracotta: 2 bowls

Pottery: 64 pieces

Bone: 8 fragments

78