Monday, 1 July 2019

AM

Opening Elevations:

NW: 24.76 m AE

NE: 24.91 m AE

SW: 23.89 m AE

SE: 24.47 m AE

A pick pass was done in the middle of the trench picking up where excavation stopped yesterday. The strip measuring 1m by 4m that runs horizontally was picked. The soil from this pick continues to be full of small to medium sized rocks, roots, and organic materials. The artifacts present in the soil from this pick are scarce and heavily abraded. Once the loose dirt from that pick was sorted, another pick was done in the 1m by 4m strip pulling back to the south. Large roots are present throughout the extent of the top half of the trench emanating from the two large stumps in the northern half of the trench.  Picking continued toward the south focusing on exposing these large roots. Once enough dirt was loosened with a pick, a pair of large shearers was used to clip them out to increase visibility. The last small triangular section avoiding the Medieval road (which will not be excavated) was picked and cleared before the lunch break.

PM

Post-lunch, a pick was done through the eastern portion of the trench in order to level the surface of the trench. Once the dirt from this pick was sorted, another full pass was begun in the 1m by 4m strip running along the northern wall. This section has multiple large rocks that seem to have eroded down from the plateau but will be left in place until it can be determined more definitely their placement.

Closing Elevations:

NW: 24.76 m AE

NE: 24.91 m AE

SW: 23.89 m AE

SE: 24.47 m AE

Daily Totals:

Architectural Terracotta: ¼ bowl

Pottery Sherds: 23

Bone Fragments: 2