7 July 2015

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7 July 2015

AM

Daily Photos taken of Locus 18 and the progress on the Baulk Trim. Opening daily elevations taken:

NW Corner (inside Northern safety step ~93 E): 23.63m A.E.

NE Corner: 23.59m A.E.

SE Corner: 23.52m A.E.

SW Corner (inside Southern safety step ~93 E): 23.56m A.E.

Work begun with small hand picks in order to straighten baulk walls of Locus 18 and create more space to work in with the large pickaxe. At this depth in the trench the baulk walls consist of the same soil as Locus 18 –deteriorating rock with no artifacts included. Soil from the baulk walls shoveled into buckets and sorted in the wheelbarrow. First pick pass begun with the large pickaxe in Locus 18 , except for where the safety steps remain in the west. Soil remains

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consistent–deteriorating rocks with no artifacts included. Deteriorating rock appears denser in the northern meter of the trench. A second pick pass completed across the trench except for where the safety steps remain--soil remains consistent. Third pick pass completed. Soil remains consistent. Forth pick pass begun in trench. Pick passing continued in trench–soil remains consistent. Because it has become a bit precarious to dig any further east into the section (and somewhat undercutting the eastern baulk wall) the trench is being dropped 10cm and then excavation in Locus 18 is being paused. Furthermore, excavation of Locus 18 is being paused because it is likely that the level of the trench has achieved or nearly achieved the bottom course of the circular feature.

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In order to expose the full diameter of the circular feature, a second section will be begun on the southern side of the circular feature. Prior to initiating this section all the trench baulk walls will be nicely trimmed back and the eastern and southern baulk wall will be drawn. The soil within the section will be cut down to the elevation of the current depth of the Locus 18 and its walls carefully baulk walled (but, again, no longer undercutting in order to see any next potential coursing). Drawing of the eastern and southern baulk walls commenced using a drawing square, tape measures, and a plumb bob.

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PM

The second section, south of the circular feature, begun, cutting another triangular segment of 46cm (N to S) x 50cm (E to W) x 68cm. The soil beside the circular feature is hard packed from being covered by tarp since last season and exposed to the sun and elements since debackfilling. Hand pick used to breakup the soil which is deposited into buckets and sorted in the wheelbarrow. One large root encroaches on the space and may be removed, several stones emerged beneath it which will be left in situ. Furthermore, these stones are around parallel to the inner ring of circular stones, revealing that the outline of the feature in fact about twice as wide or that they are a course of stones which eroded down. In order to have the stones in situ, the cut has been extended 30cm to the south. The large root removed to create this extended section. Small concentrations of worn pottery and terra cotta recovered. The soil pack is permeated by roots.

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A fragment if vitrified terra cotta recovered, collected in bulk. The hard packed soil has been removed allowing for easier hand picking and increasing the pace of work. While hand picking, a fragment of a bronze pin found.

Find 1: Bronze Pin Fragment

94.77E/55.40S

25.14m A.E.

Baulk Trim, South if Circular Feature

Drawing

As the elevation of the section drops, another rock has been revealed lower in elevation than the others as well as extending further south to the extent that it takes up most of the width of the sounding. This stone and its surroundings are being defined for further clarity. While hand picking, a small fragment that is possibly lead and a rocchetto head recovered.

Find 2: Possible Lead Fragment

94.66E/55.61S

25.09m A.E.

Baulk Trim, South of Circular Feature

Drawing

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Find 3: Incised Rocchetto Head Fragment

94.51E/55.29S

24.81m A.E.

Baulk Trim, South of Circular Feature

Drawing

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Due to the narrowed space of excavation, the speed of excavation has been greatly increased and the level of the yellow soil visible in the eastern baulk. In the midst of the yellow soil, a small, flat rock about 15cm x10cm x 3cm removed. Two smaller rocks at the same elevation left in situ as they are in the walls of the section. Another fragment of vitrified terra cotta and fragments of bone also recovered. The level of the section has now dropped almost to the elevation of the deteriorating rock. Resting almost directly atop the deteriorating rock level is the overturned body of a fineware vessel, broken at its tondo. It appears to be more of Find 12, from 1 July.

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Find 4: Incised and Slipped Fineware Vessel Fragment

94.56E/55.26S

24.22m A.E.

Baulk Trim, South of Circular Feature

(not drawn in field, too fragile)

20150008

20150008

Work ended for the day

Daily Totals:

Baulk Trim of Southern Baulk Wall:

Terra Cotta: 1 Fragment

Pottery: 1 Fragment

Baulk Trim South of the Circular Feature:

Terra Cotta: 1/6 Bowl

Pottery: ¾ latte (110 fragments)

Bone: 1/10 latte (20 fragments)

Vitrified Terra Cotta: 2 fragments

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