13 July 2023

AM

This morning work continued in Locus 8 after opening elevations were taken.

NW: 28.43 mAE

NE: 28.38 mAE

SE: 28.43 mAE

SW: 28.46 mAE

Handpicks were used along the northern edge of the extension to bring the baulk wall to level and to expose the northern extent of the below layer. Locus 8 continues to be a dense and compact yellow brown silty clay . There are small to medium sized rocks throughout the area of excavation but mostly concentrated around the base of the stumps in the northwest corner and the tree near the northeast corner. Small to medium sized roots continue to be found throughout the area of excavation with larger and thicker roots being concentrated in the northern corners of the extension. Abraded pieces of terracotta and coarseware continue to be found along the northern baulk wall. A pick pass was thrown throughout the ~two by two meter area of excavation. The soil continues to be a dense and compact yellow brown silty clay with small to medium root and rock inclusions. Abraded pieces of terracotta and coarseware continue to be found in larger quantities than previously encountered in the topsoil layer. Handpicks and trowels are used to remove more of Locus 8 from around and underneath the large root clusters in the area of excavation. More of Locus 9 is being uncovered along the northern baulk which is a lighter grey brown; more dense and compact; and shows light grey and yellow inclusions. A handsaw is used to remove the larger roots once the soil beneath is removed and sifted. Abraded pieces of terracotta dn coarseware continue to be found throughout the area of active excavation. Locus 9 also seems to be a dense clay with less silty texture than Locus 8. Locus 8 is still heavily present through the southern ~one meter of the area of the excavation. More of the dense, light grey clay layer can be seen and a higher quantity of small to medium rocks along with abraded pieces of terracotta and coarseware are being encountered.

PM

After lunch, hand sifting continued in the southernmost ~one meter of the area of excavation. Abraded pieces of terracotta continue to be found along with coarseware and impasto fragments. Large roots are beginning to occur in the southern portion of the area of excavation. While hand sifting, a piece of slag was found in the area of excavation.

Special Find #3: Slag Fragment

Coordinates: 170.43 E 42.50 S

Elevation: 28.31 mAE

Later, a piece of vitrified terracotta was also found while hand sifting.

Special Find #4: Vitrified Terracotta

Coordinates: 169.20 E 42.66 S

Elevation: 28.35 mAE

The soil continues to be sense and compact, yellow brown silty clay with more of the next locus being exposed throughout the area of excavation. The rest of the afternoon was spent using handpicks and clippers and trowels to remove more soil around the large roots and stumps in the northern corners. Abraded pieces of terracotta and coarseware continue to be found along with impasto and fine impasto pottery. At the end of the day, closing elevations were taken.

NW: 28.42 mAE

NE: 28.33 mAE

SE: 28.43 mAE

SW: 28.46 mAE

⅘ Bowl of terracotta

0 pieces of plaster

26 piece of pottery

1 bone fragment