Pre-Season Evaluation

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Sketch 1:  Distribution

Sketch 2:  Trench Map

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At the beginning of the 1986 excavating season on Saturday, 7 June 1986, the area of T-26 and T-25 appeared somewhat overgrown by grasses and brush -- mostly along the sides of the trenches and the baulk walls. Some bruch and grass were in the floor.  Three stumps were now in the trenches -- two in T-25 and one in T-26 (the stump from the tree blown down in 1985 -- see A. Collins Book IV pp. 153 - 155 ).  Evidently woodcutters used the trunks and branches  -- there was some brush remaining which was piled up over the slope.  Although there was evidence of sheep and hunters there was no visible damage by individuals.  The trench was quite wet and there was a great deal of washed down soil along the sides.  A surprising amount of tile was scattered around the floor and along the sides of the trenches -- perhaps this was strewn by someone.  Some damage was noted along the southern edge of the floor in JB/66 - 68 where fill had eroded leaving the already poorly presented floor open to further damage.  In general, the area seemed to have survived the winter well.

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