Friday 20 July 2012

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AM

After the sounding in CA 73 yesterday revealed a potential packed, functional surface, portions of Locus 2 were reopened. In order to reveal more of the robust, possibly linear feature, the tree's buffer soil is being trimmed back farther with hand axes. Additionally, the area directly north of the tree Is being troweled in order to see if the same hard packed soil appears there. Terra cotta, pottery, bone, slag, and vitrified terracotta have been recovered. The soil remains consistent with Locus 2 , cleaned from the trench. Some carbon found in the central area of the trench within the Locus 2 soil. One fragment of Medieval pottery found within the tree's root system, at a higher elevation in Locus 2 .

Find 1: Medieval Pottery Fragment

27.19m A.E.

64.06E/38.36S

Locus 2

During troweling in the central area, several large fragments of tile removed, as well as one fragment of decorated bucchero.

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Find 2: Hatched Bucchero Carinated Body Sherd 20120202

20120202

26.95m A.E.

63.62E/36.47S

Locus 2

More large rocks 20-50cm being revealed as the tree's soil pack and root system are being excavated. The goal is to define them and determine their western extent. In the central area just north of the tree 7-10cm of soil have been removed and several packed stones 10-30cm have been uncovered. In the same area a crucible fragment and iron fragment were found.

Find 3: Crucible Fragment 20120194

20120194

26.86m A.E.

63.38E/37.20S

Locus 2

Find 4: Iron Sheet Fragment 20120199

20120199

26.91m A.E.

64.02E/36.77S

Locus 2

Additionally, one small sheet of bronze found, with a modern break, left in its surrounding dirt to be taken down to the magazzino.

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Find 5: Bronze Sheet (Two Fragments)

26.89m A.E.

63.83E/36.51S

Locus 2

PM

Definition work continued around the base of the tree and to the north of the tree. Soil sorted and cleaned from the trench, consistent with Locus 2 . Continuing to find terra cotta, pottery, bone, slag, and vitrified terra cotta. The western extent of the feature formerly beneath the soil surrounding the tree has been revealed in one section and the rest is being defined to find the full extent everywhere. Also to the north of the tree the small rock feature is being defined. During cleaning the tree system, a notched flange found.

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Find 6: Notched Pan Tile Flange Fragment

26.93m A.E.

64.30E/38.75S

Locus 2

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In the central area of the trench north of the tree, a hard packed surface like that found in the sounding of CA 71 present. The packed earth is a dark greyish brown mottled with carbon and terra cotta inclusions. Work finished today by scraping down and find more of the packed soil. The soil occurs at a depth approximately 10-13cm lower than surrounding rock features.

Daily Totals:

Locus 2:

Terra cotta: 2 bowls

Pottery: 150 fragments

Bone: 24 fragments

Slag: 11 fragments

Vitrified terra cotta: 17 fragments

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