Daily Log

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Daily Logs

Thursday, July 9, 2015

AM

An area to the east of T-77 and north of T-66 was cleared yesterday, in preparation for the opening of T-78. This area was selected for excavation because the linear rock features running roughly E-W in T57 and 74 (N linear rock feature) and T-69, 59, 65, 66, 75, and 76 (S linear rock feature) appear to extend this far east. Therefore, it is hoped that T-78 will reveal the NE corner of the potential new building. To this end, T-78 was established 3m SE of T-77 and 3m N of T-66. T-78 appears to be situated on top of an old dirt dump; there is what appears to be an artificial rise in the soil and the central portion of this rise is highest, creating a ridge running N-S. The trench surface slopes downward from North to South and is highest in the central meters of the trench. The trench was strung and opening photos and elevations were taken. Locus 1 was declared open across the entire trench.

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Locus 1 opening drawing

Opening elevations: Locus 1

\xb7 NW corner (106E/40S): 27.79mA.E.

\xb7 107.5E/40S: 28.06mA.E.

\xb7 NE corner (109E/40S): 27.92mA.E.

\xb7 SE corner (109E/43S): 27.48mA.E.

\xb7 107.5E/43S: 27.62mA.E.

\xb7 SW corner (106E/43S): 27.43mA.E.

T-78 is a 3x3m trench. The surface slopes downward from N to S and there is a rise, running N-S, through the center of the trench o app. 20-30cm. There are no features visible on the

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surface of the trench, but there is a large stump in the SW corner of the trench that may have to be left at least partially in situ, as it extends into the western baulkwall.

A pick pass was made of Locus 1 , beginning in the northern half of the trench, as this area is higher and likely is the high point of an old dirt dump; previous work in T-66, 75, and 76, at the lower edges of this rise, demonstrated that this mound is a dirt dump. Soil is a dark brown humous layer, with many grass and tree roots and small rocks. The soil held among those roots is relatively loose. Large quantities of tile and pottery, many of which are large fragments, were recovered. Soil was shoveled into buckets and sorted over a wheelbarrow; we decided on this fast but less previse method of excavation as we are excavating a dirt dump and so all materials are in secondary contexts. During this pick pass, a cavetto fragment ( Find #1) was found.

A second and third pick pass was made, working downslope, from north to south. All of the humous layer has been removed and soil is medium brown and loose, with many roots and small to

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medium sized stones. Soil is shoveled into buckets and sorted over the wheelbarrow. Soil contains high quantities of roofing tile, many of which are larger fragments, along with some pottery and bone.

Special Finds

1.

\xb7 Find #1

\xb7 Locus 1

\xb7 107.82E/41.96S

\xb7 27.80mA.E.

\xb7 Cavetto fragment

\xb7 Drawing

PM

Work continued with a pick pass of the entire trench, once again moving from north to south. Soil continues to be medium dark brown in color and loose in texture, but contains many loose rocks and roots from the small and large stumps in the trench. Soil is shoveled into buckets and sorted over the wheelbarrow. Large quantities of tile, including large fragments, as well as some pottery and bone, has been found.

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Once the pick pass was completed, some of the smaller stumps in the middle of the trench were removed, using pick axes. Soil from this was shoveled into buckets and sorted over the wheelbarrow. Closing elevations for the day were taken. Work ended early for the opening of the Vinum exhibit.

Closing elevations:

\xb7 NW corner: 27.69mA.E.

\xb7 NE corner: 27.68mA.E.

\xb7 SE corner: 27.49mA.E.

\xb7 SW corner: 27.43mA.E.

Locus 1 :

\xb7 Tile: 3 \xbd bowl

\xb7 Pottery: 76 sherds

\xb7 Bone: 5 fragments

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