22 July 2016

179

22 July 2016

AM

After efforts yesterday, the southwestern corner is about 10-15cm above the main trench and so use of the pick axe will be discontinued there. The remaining northern two by three meter section of the trench will be lowered via pick until it becomes necessary to stop pick usage there. First pick pass begun in the northeastern section of the extension moving towards the northwest. Soil hand sorted into buckets, remains consistent with Locus 6 . The soil pack is heavily included with roots and has medium concentrations of small stones. Materials recovered include terra cotta, pottery, and slag in medium concentrations. First pick pass completed in the northern section and second begun. Soil, hand sorted into buckets, remains consistent with Locus 6 and is included with small stones and many roots. Materials

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recovered in medium concentration include terra cotta, pottery, and slag. Second pick pass completed and third commenced across the northern two by three meters. Soil hand sorted into buckets remains consistent with Locus 6 and heavily included with roots and a medium concentration of small stones (2-10cm). Several large roots and soil removed from the tree stump which separates the main trench from the extension. Materials recovered in this pass include terra cotta, pottery, and slag in medium concentrations. In the northwestern sector, three small flakes of bronze recovered, collected in bulk. A fragment of vitrified terra cotta recovered from the same area.

Find 1: Vitrified Terra Cotta Fragment

70.50E/46.93S

25.52m A.E.

Locus 6

Drawing

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Third pick pass completed and a very light pick pass done along the extension's western baulk wall. Soil hand sorted into buckets, consistent with Locus 6 and heavily included with roots and medium concentrations of small stones (2-10cm). Materials removed include terra cotta, pottery, and slag. Simultaneously, soil removed from around the stump which divides the main trench's northern baulk and the extension's southeastern wing. Several tap roots severed and the stump removed. While cleaning up the soil removed, several fragments of terra cotta and a piece of bronze found.

Find 2: Bronze Fragment

71.49E/46.81S

25.67m A.E.

Locus 6

Drawing

From the remaining soil from the light pick along the extension's western baulk, another fragment of bronze recovered.

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Find 3: Bronze Fragment

71.04E/46.27S

25.71m A.E.

Locus 6

Drawing

All soil cleaned and roots clipped.

PM

The southwestern area of the extension has been lowered enough to the point where hand picks will be used to lower down the soil to the height of Locus 3 in the main trench. Any stones uncovered which may be associated with the stone feature in Locus 3 will be carefully explored and defined using trowels. Soil turned up remains consistent with Locus 6 , hand sorted into buckets. Many roots and some small stones included in the soil pack. A fragment of bronze also recovered.

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Find 4: Curved Bronze Fragment

71.06E/47.85S

25.59m A.E.

Locus 6

Drawing

20160045

20160045

At the same time, a pick axe used to lower the area formerly below the stump just removed which is currently raised. Soil turned over remains consistent with Locus 6 , sorted into buckets by hand. Terra cotta and slag recovered. Several small stones (2-10cm) and many roots encountered. In the southwestern area where hand picks and trowels are being used to level down, several more stones 10-30cm have been uncovered and can be associated with the stone feature in Locus 3 . The extent of these stones will be continued to be traced back. While hand picking, a fragment of bronze recovered as well as a large fragment of slag and a piece of vitrified terra cotta with modern breaks.

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Find 5: Bronze Fragment

70.27E/47.94S

25.60m A.E.

Locus 6

Drawing

Find 6: Slag Fragment

70.46E/47.96S

25.46m A.E.

Locus 6

Drawing

Find 7: Vitrified Terra Cotta Fragments

70.87E/47.32S

25.59m A.E.

Locus 6

Drawing

The soil beneath the stump has been lowered to the elevation of its surroundings, which are 10-15cm above Locus 3 and the stone feature. Use of the pick therefore halted and hand picks and trowels used to drop the elevation further. A fragment of shell recovered.

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The stones which have been revealed in Locus 6 appear to be associated with the feature in Locus 3 and continue from it west into the western baulk wall of the extension. The elevation of Locus 6 has only been dropped in a meter by half meter area and so there may be more stones yet to be seen to the north and south.

Daily Totals:

Locus 6:

Terra cotta: 2/3 bowl

Pottery: 1/2 latte (88 fragments)

Bone: 2 fragments (1 of which shell)

Slag: 17 fragments

Bronze: 3 flakes

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