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14 July 2022

AM

The morning began with work in Locus 13, Locus 8, and Locus 3.  In Locus 13, the locus was cleaned.  Baulk walls were improved along the eastern baulk wall.  The locus was swept and medium and small sized roots were removed with clippers.  A saw was used to remove a large root in the eastern extent of the trench.  The baulk wall on the west of the locus was lowered to the level of the trench.  The locus appears to be composed of a dark brown soil layer of minimal thickness, ca. 4cm, followed by a layer of red and purplish brown chert stones.  The function of the chert layer is not clear and work will be paused in the locus until other loci are lowered to the same level.

In Locus 8 hand picks and trowels were used to define the tile packing.  Large amounts of plaster are being removed.

In Locus 3 the level of the soil continues to be lowered with hand picks and trowels.  Medium to small sized rocks continue to be found throughout the locus with a higher quantity to the southern extent.  A fragment of vitrified terracotta was found (Special Find #53).

Special Find #53

Locus 3

174.30m E

70.25m S

26.71m AE

Vitrified Terracotta

117

In the northern extent of Locus 3 the soil has been lowered ca. 15cm.  The remainder of the locus is leveled with hand picks and trowels.

In the remainder of Locus 1 the area was swept and baulk walls were improved.  In T100 a flat tile was found close to the northern baulk wall of T26 under a layer of compressed plaster.  It was decided to lower the southern extent of T100 and the northern extent of T26 at the same time.  To that end, the area was cleaned in preparation for morning photos when the light was better.

PM

The tile packing in Locus 8 continues to be defined and appears to extend to the tile of Locus 12.  The soil will continue to be lowered around the tile packing.

In Locus 3 the level of the soil was lowered throughout the locus.  A diagnostic bone (Special Find #54) and a tooth (Special Find #55) were found while sorting by hand into buckets.

Special Find #54

Locus 3

174.92m E

70.29m S

26.65m AE

Diagnostic Bone

Special Find #55

Locus 3

174.92m E

70.29m S

26.65m AE

Diagnostic Bone: Tooth

119

The soil in Locus 3 was leveled and rocks definded.  A leaf trowel was used to define the edges of the plaster.  The trench and the surrounding area was swept in preparation for photos.  The trench was tarped.

Closing elevations Locus 3:

N: 26.65m AE

S: 26.68m AE

W1: 26.69m AE

W2: 26.70m AE

Closing elevations Locus 8:

W: 26.51m AE

E: 26.44m AE

Closing elevations Locus 13:

NW: 26.57m AE

SW: 26.71m AE

SE: 26.68m AE

NE: 26.73m AE

Daily Totals:

Locus 1:

Pottery: 1 pc

Plaster: 1/8 bowl

Tile: 1/8 bowl

Locus 3:

Bone: 2 pcs

Pottery: 17 pcs/ 1/8 latte

Vitrified Terracotta: 6 pcs/ 1/8 latte

Tile: 1 bowl

Locus 8:

Plaster with reed impression: 1 pc

Pottery: 1 pc

Locus 13:

Plaster: 1/2 bowl

Terracotta/tile: 1/16 bowl/22 pc