Weekly Trench Summary

Area D

Trench 5

Week Ending July 21, 2002

The main results of this week were the confirmation that the majority of the good contexts (L5079, 5094, 5098, 5097, 5099, 5100, 5101, 5103 and 5108) are indeed contemporary with the mudbrick structure uncovered last season. We were able to make this determination by following the grain surface, L5098, to below or abutting all the contexts and in the case of the former situation being able, usually due to sherd arrangements and finds composition, to make a strong argument that they are collapse from the original structure(s) onto the surface (which also helps explain its excellent preservation). The strongest point in the argument, though, is that the grain surface can be followed to the N wall of the mudbrick structure, where it abruptly stops, in some cases there is even Ubaid pottery lying in the grain material as it slightly curves up and abuts the wall. With a little luck, we may even be able to get carbon dates from the organic material.

Otherwise, in the E of the trench, a very large oven, L5111, has been discovered but is waiting to be excavated until we hopefully have the opportunity to get the W baulk down a bit this coming week. We are hoping to trace L5098 to (or under) it to determine how it relates to the other contexts. Also, in the WNW a much later pit has been uncovered which includes a few large, possibly cow bones.   It looks to be cutting any contexts related to the grain surface, but it will be at least several days before we can be sure of that.