Daily Trench Journal

Area D

Trench 5

July 4, 2002

Work today continued to focus on L5079 and the continued exposure of the plaster surface. The primary revelation of the day in that regard was that the surface did not continue any further to the N or E and that we may, in fact, even have an intact corner of it there. The absence of any wall-like structure, especially in the E, is somewhat concerning. The area to the N of the plaster was redesignated L5085 when this was discovered.

In other parts of the trench, to the E L5084 was further excavated revealing no less than 3 more pedestal bases, bringing the total number in that portion of the trench. Preliminary in-situ looks date some of them to the 3rd millennium, whereas same in L5079 is equivalent 2nd millennium. How 1000 years are covered in 80 cm with little vertical change is vexing. Hopefully as we continue to excavate the area between the two the disconnect will reveal itself.

Also of note was the removal of L5086, synonomous with last season’s L5066. It’s removal and subsequent continued digging there (as L5087) indicates that the surface of L5079 does not continue and, in fact, the feature hinting at does exist. Exactly what it is is unclear at this time. Perhaps mudbrick.