12 July 2024 AM The trench was swept and roots were clipped in preparation to open the newly revealed compacted layer that is heavily included with plaster. The decaying plaster is mixed with the soil and clay mixture, tinting the soil a pinkish brown. Once the trench was cleaned, opening photos and elevations were taken. Locus 3 is a densely compacted soil and clay mixture with a large volume of plaster inclusions. The layer extends for 2.9m from the edge of the OC2/ workshop in the easternmost extent of the trench to the northernmost extent of the trench. In the west of the trench, the layer extends 2.30m from the edge of the OC2/ workshop to the northern extent of the locus in the west. The tree located along the northern baulk wall has resulted in many roots extending into the locus. Locus 2 is a compacted plaster floor surface that extends to the north of OC2/ workshop. Within Locus 2 is a small rock measuring 0.31m in length and 0.18m in width. This rock may be a part of the OC2/ workshop structure.

Locus 2 and 3 Opening Drawing

Locus 2 Opening Coordinates: NW: 170 E/ 67.45 S NE: 174 E/ 66.80 S SE: 174 E/ 68 S SW: 170 E/ 68 S

Locus 2 Musell designation: 10 YR7/3 - Very pale brown

Locus 2 Opening Elevations: NW: 26.86mAE NE: 26.83mAE SE: 26.84mAE SW: 26.86mAE

Locus 3 Opening Coordinates: NW 1: 170 E/ 65.04 S NW 2: 171.20 E/ 65 S NW 3: 171.2 E/ 65 S NE 1: 173 E/ 65 S NE 2: 173 E/ 64 S NE 3: 174 E/ 64 S SE 1: 174 E/ 66.80 S SW: 170 E/ 67.48 S

Locus 3 Opening Elevations: NW 1: 26.84mAE NW 2: 26.80mAE NW 3: 26.82mAE NE 1: 26.97mAE NE 2: 27.08mAE NE 3: 27.00mAE SE 1: 26.84mAE SW: 26.86mAE

Locus 3 Munsell Designations: 2.5YR ⅞ Light Red: 10YR 5/4 Yellowish Brown

Work began in Locus 3 with a pickpass in the northeastern extent of the trench. The layer is densely compacted and contains a large amount of plaster, plaster with reed impressions, and vitrified tile. Frequent roots, snail shells, and carbon are included in the layer. While picking in the eastern extent of the trench a spindle whorl was stamped decoration (special find #13) was found.

Special Find #13 Locus 3 173.48m E 65.26m S 26.92mAE Spindle Whorl with Stamped Decorations PC20240009

Additionally as picking continued moving towards the east, a fragment of a cut out akroterion was found (special find #14).

Special Find #14 Locus 3 172.53 E 65.8m S 26.78mAE Cut Out Akroterion Fragment PC20240029

PM Picking continues in Locus 3 moving towards the western extent of the trench. Large amounts of plaster continue to be found. One large piece of plaster preserved a fragmentary surface and a beam impression (special find#15).

Special Find #15 Locus 3 172.14m E 65.83m S 26.77mAE Plaster with Beam Impression PC20240032

The trench was cleaned of loose soil by hand. Tile, vitrified terracotta, vitrified plaster, plaster, and pottery continue to be found frequently. The plaster along the western edge of the trench is more compacted and more densely mixed in with the soil. The trench was cleaned and closing elevations were taken.

Closing Elevations Locus 3: NW: 26.78mAE NE: 26.82mAE SE: 26.85mAE SW: 26.82mAE

Closing Totals: 25. Tile: 2 Buckets 26. Plaster: 2 Buckets 27. Pottery: 92 pcs. 28. Bone: 10 pcs. 29. Vitrified Tile: 9 pcs. 30. Vitrified Plaster: 500 pcs. 31. Plaster with Reed Impressions: 42 pcs.