Locus 31 is situated in the eastern half of T90. It is bordered to the north by Locus 30, an
elevated, ridge-like deposit, to the south by a preserved portion of EPOC4’s floor that is
positioned stratigraphically above Locus 31, to the west by a preserved portion of EPOC4’s
subfloor (Locus 15), and to the east by an unexcavated portion of Locus 29. Locus 31 measures
approximately 1.5 x 3 meters.
Locus 31 was not excavated, but simply was defined and revealed. The locus is a narrow deposit
consisting of an olive brown, heavily compacted soil. The deposit also is level, and there are
fragments of pottery and bone visibly lying flat atop this surface. In the northernmost 50cm of
the deposit, where Locus 31 meets Locus 30, there is a concentration of small stones, each
measuring approximately 10cm. This concentration of small stones also forms a level surface
and resembles a cobbling. Additionally, in the southwestern corner of the locus, there was a
heavy concentration of charcoal, turning the deposit black in color. Overall, the deposit of Locus
31 seems to be an earthen surface. The full extent of this surface is unknown, as it continues to
both the east and the west, where it underlies Loci 29 and 15, respectively.
Our interpretation of Locus 31 is informed by the Locus 30 deposit, which is situated
immediately to the north of Locus 31. Locus 30 is an elevated, ridge-like feature of dense,
compacted mottled soil, with larger rocks (approximately 25cm in maximum dimension) and
material culture imbedded in the compacted soil of the ridge. 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 this structure is 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 31 likely is the interior of this structure, as the concentration of
charcoal found in the southwestern corner of the locus may be the remains of a hearth.
Locus 31 is contemporary with Locus 30. Locus 31 underlies Loci 26, 27, and 29. Locus 31
was unexcavated but was documented and preserved in situ.