Locus 30 is situated in the northeastern quadrant of T90. It is bordered to the north by the
bedrock shelf that underlies EPOC4’s northern wall and to the south by Locus 31, which is an
associated and contemporary feature. Locus 30 measures roughly 1.5 x 0.5 meters in dimension.
Locus 30 was not excavated, but simply was defined and revealed. The locus is a narrow, raised
deposit of compacted and mottled soil that forms a ridge, running east-west. There are medium-
sized rocks (maximum dimension 25 cm) and large fragments of tile and pottery imbedded in
this ridge-like deposit. This elevated deposit measures approximately 50cm in width and is
approximately 8cm higher than the adjacent compacted earthen surface (Locus 31), located
immediately to Locus 30’s south. The full length of this elevated, ridge-like deposit is unknown,
as it continues to both the east and the west, where it underlies Loci 29 and 15, respectively.
Our interpretation of Locus 30 is informed by the Locus 31 deposit, which is situated
immediately to the south of Locus 30. Locus 31 is a level and compacted earthen surface, with
fragments of pottery and bone visibly lying flat atop its surface. Along the northern edge of
Locus 31, there is a cobbling of small stones (5-10 cm in dimension) that is situated where Loci
30 and 31 meet. We interpret the elevated ridge-like deposit of Locus 30 and the level,
compacted surface of Locus 31 to be elements of a structure underlying, and therefor predating,
EPOC4, perhaps a hut. The elevated ridge-like deposit of Locus 30 may be a foundation
element, or berm, for a structure underlying EPOC4, while the level and compacted surface of
Locus 31 may be the structure’s beaten earth floor.
Locus 30 is contemporary with Locus 31. Locus 30 underlies Loci 27 and 29. Locus 30 was
unexcavated but was documented and preserved in situ.