Daily Log for 26 July 2007

43

Began this morning by declaring locus 3, the pit surrounded by fractured bedrock near the SE corner.

Coordinates of Locus 3:

NW 13.77N/11.35E

NE 13.81N/11.64E

SW 13.2N/11.52E

SE          13.28N/11.65E

Center elevation: 1.2m below datum

Began excavating at 1.2m below datum in dark olive-brown soil identical to that of locus 2 at the same elevation. Troweled down 10 cm, and the soil became progressively more claylike especially toward the edges next to the bedrock. Soil contains small pieces of quartz and other rocks, forming yellowish inclusions in some spots. Small, burnt pottery sherds and small bone fragments are being recovered across the locus, as well as more seeds. The soil still contains roots and a few larger carbon chunks have been recovered across the locus. One special find was made in locus 3 this morning:

Find #1

Locus 3

Approximately 1.21m below datum

Approximately 13.64N/11.43E

Spindle Whorl

44

Coordinates of Locus 4:

NW 13.36N/10.67E

NE 13.46N/11.17E

SE 13N/11.24E

SW 13N/10.4E

Center elevation: 1.26m below datum.

Two more special finds were made this morning in the northern baulk wall and in Locus 4:

47

Baulk Find

Approximately 15N/10.51E

Incised Impasto Sherd

Find #3

Locus 4

Approximately 1.25m below datum

Approximately 13.28N/10.96E

Impasto Sherd with Ridges

PM

Continued to excavate the two depressions, Locus 3 and 4, using trowels. The soil was very hard and claylike and material quickly stopped being recovered from Locus 3, while that from Locus 4 continued to be very small sherds and bone fragments, often burned and in a poor state of preservation. Because bedrock now covers most of the trench excluding Loci 3 and 4 and neither of these depressions shows signs of containing an intentional deposit, the decision was made to close the trench. Today Locus 2 yielded 6 pieces of terracotta, 9 bone fragments and 5 pottery sherds. Locus 3 yielded 2 pieces of terracotta, 7 bone fragments and 10 pottery sherds. Locus 4 yielded 7 pieces of terracotta, 7 bone fragments and 16 pottery sherds.

Closing elevations Locus 2:

NE     1.08m below datum

NW   1.14m b.d.

SW    1.12m b.d

SE      1.2m b.d.