Methodology

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Methodology

The sharp end of a pick axe will be used to break up the soil. As features have been found in adjoining areas at a shallow depth this will be undertaken with utmost care. The resulting soil will be sorted by hand using trowels and placed directly into buckets. Buckets will be emptied into a wheelbarrow when necessary, or may be taken to a dirt dump located 6 meters to the southeastern end of the trench. Where necessary, hand picks will be used in place of the big picks, and any features will be defined with trowels.

Excavation methods will be dictated by the soil and features, and may be changed accordingly. This will be recorded in the daily logs.

When a clear change in soil is observed a new locus will be declared. Elevations and photographs will be taken.

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Elevations will also be taken each afternoon to monitor progress. These will be calculated with reference to a known absolute datum, which has been established on a tree approx. 3 meters to the west of the trench, using a plumb bob, line level and tape measure. Elevations for all special finds will be taken using this method.

This year, aerial photography will also take place on site and a copter will be used to record opening photos of new loci.

Terracotta will be collected in a bowl with a diameter of approx. 30 cm, with a depth of 5 cm. When less than half a bowl is found, pieces will be counted. Pottery and bone will be collected in \x93latte\x94 boxes measuring 23 x 9 x 6 cm. At the end of each day pottery and bone will be counted and taken to the magazzino and terracotta

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will be dumped approx. m to the southeast of the trench.

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