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18 july 2022

AM

It was decided to extend the trench to the south in order to continue to reveal the extent of Locus 3.  Particularly what the function of the extensions of the possible channel that are extending to the east and west.  The trench will also be extended to the west in order to further reveal a curvilinear section of missing floor along the western baulk wall.  The extention to the south will move the 3m wide southern extent of the trench a further 2m to the south.  The western extent will extend the SW 3m of the trench 1.5m to the west.

In preparation to extend, the area to the south of the trench was debackfilled using pick axes, shovels, and wheelbarrows.  The baulk walls of the backfill were neatened and the areas that were debackfilled were swept.

As the last of the cleaning was completed for the extensions, excavation using hand picks and trowels.  The area to the south was leveled to the level of the northern part of the locus.  Inclusions are composed of small to medium sized rocks, small amounts of tile, plaster, and about 6 sherds of pottery.  A small spiraled shape object was found that may be made out of stone (Special Find #62).

Special Find #62

Locus 3

174.84m E

70.73m S

26.68m AE

Spiraled object

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PM

The extensions were clipped of roots and the nails were placed in measuring the lines on two known nails along grid lines.  Excavation continues in Locus 3 with fragments of tile, medium to small sized rocks, and small roots being revealed.  A fragment of tile with a finger swipe (Special Find #63) was found.

Special Find #63

Locus 3

174.90m E

70.03m S

26.60m AE

Tile with finger swipe

PC20220026

In Locus 15 a hand pick is being used to lower the level of the soil.  Fragments of plaster and a single piece of pottery are being found.  A possible darker soil may be being revealed at the lowest level of Locus 15.

In Locus 14 the tiles appearing in the north are being defined.  A large amount of degraded plaster was included

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among the tiles.  Small amounts of pottery, plaster with reed impressions, and many small rocks are being recovered.  A pan tile lying flat in a similar size as those in the southern extent of T100 was found.

Closing elevations Locus 3:

N: 26.65m AE

S: 26.70m AE

Closing elevations Locus 14:

NW: 26.78m AE

NE: 26.75m AE

Closing elevations Locus 15:

26.66m AE

Closing totals Locus 3:

Plaster with reed impressions: 1 pc

Pottery: 13 pcs

Bone: 2 pcs

Burnt Bone: 2 pcs

Tile with slip: 2 pcs

Locus 13:

Vitrified Terracotta: 1 pc

Bone: 1 pc

Plaster with reed impressions: 6 pcs

Locus 14:

Pottery: 9 pcs

Plaster with reed impressions: 1 pc

Plaster: 1 bowl

Tile: 1/8 bowl

Locus 15:

Pottery: 2 pcs

Plaster: 36 pcs