24 July 2023

AM

This morning work continued in Locus 9 after opening elevations were taken. 

NW: 28.20 mAE

NE: 28.19 mAE

SE: 28.18 mAE

SW: 28.20 mAE

Handpicks and trowel continue to be used to bring the extension down to level with the T-101 trench excavated in 2022. Large roots around the stump in the northwest corner of the extension continue to be defined for removal. The soil continues to be an extremely dense and compact grey brown silty clay with grey and yellow clay inclusions. Abraded pieces of terracotta continue to be found along with coarseware and impasto fragments. A few larger fragments of architectural tile can still be seen in situ in the bottom of the locus. Small to medium sized rocks continue to be found throughout the locus as well as small to medium sized roots which are clipped as hand sifting continues. While hand sifting along the northern edge of the extension, a ridged impasto rim fragment was found.

Special Find #7: Ridged Impasto Rim Fragment

Coordinates: 170.29E 41.75S

Elevation: 28.13 mAE

Handpicking, troweling, and hand sifting continued in Locus 9 along the northern edge of the extension moving south toward the southern baulk wall. Large roots and the stump in the northwest corner were all defined and roots were removed with an axe as more of Locus 9 is removed. As Locus 9 is being peeled back and the area of excavation is being brought to level with the original T-101 trench to the north, the locus beneath being exposed is an even more densely compacted clay. Locus 9 continues to be a dense and compacted grey brown silty clay with grey and yellow clay inclusions. Abraded pieces of terracotta continue to be found along with coarseware and impasto fragments. Larger, less abraded pieces of architectural tile have been found throughout the area of excavation. The larger roots around the northwest corner near the stump are removed with an axe while small to medium sized roots are removed with clippers of loppers. Small to medium sized rocks continue to be found throughout the trench.

PM

After lunch, handpicks and trowels continue to be used to finish peeling back Locus 9 moving north to south bringing it down to level with the original T-101 trench from 2022 (KD VII). The soil continues to be a dense and compact grey brown silty clay with grey and yellow inclusions while the layer below which is being exposed seems to be a much more compacted, darker grey brown. It was concluded that for the sake of time, the lower layer would not be excavated and the trench would be closed for the 2023 season once the extension is brought down to level. As handpicking moved further south, some of the larger pieces of architectural tile which had been left in situ were able to be removed while some were still left in situ due to being at a lower elevation. Small to medium sized roots and rocks continue to be encountered throughout the area of excavation. Abraded pieces of terracotta, coarseware, and impasto also continue to be found throughout the locus. At the end of the day, the entirety of the locus had been brought down to level and closing elevations were taken.

NW: 28.11 mAE

NE: 28.18 mAE

SE: 28.17 mAE

SW: 28.20 mAE

⅓ Bowl of Terracotta

3 Pieces of Plaster

17 Pieces of Pottery

1 Bone Fragment