Descriptive Attribute	Value(s)
Architectural or Soil Locus?	Soil
Phase	XIV XI XII X IX XIII
Underlies	None.
Description	This locus represents the first stage of clearing from south to north the fill remaining in the West Cryptoporticus East after the excavations in Trench 79 during the 2001 season. The north end of Trench 79 was left with a slope inclined towards the north, which leveled out to a step at the approximate elevation of the top of Locus 9. Locus 8 defines the portion of the fill removed to bring the deposit into the Trench 97 loci divisions. This was accomplished by cutting away the ramp at the south end and creating a step level with the top of Locus 10 at the north edge of the 8th arch springer, and then leaving the Trench 79 step at the level of Locus 9 in place (both of these steps were later removed in sequence with the corresponding sections of the same loci towards the north). Locus 8 was a sedimentation and fluvial deposit consisting of fine silt and sand, compacted by both deposition processes as well as having served as a ramp for the removal of fill during the excavation of Trench 79. The Munsell Color ranges between 7.5YR 6/4 (Light Brown) and 5/4 (Brown). There were very few inclusions; moreover, the specifics about the small finds can not be recorded because there was confusion on June 9, 2004 which resulted in stucco and pottery from Loci 1,4 and 8 being deposited in the same containers. Note: The assignment of this locus to Stage 6 is primarily in reference to the collapsed architectural elements; deposition of the fill is more appropriately assigned to Stages 6-8.
Phase Description	Phase XII: Use levels, robbing and abandonments continue. Phase X: Site abandonment post major collapse dating to the Byzantine period from the CE 4th to 5th c.... Phase XIV: Modern period marked by Bedouin activity and the accumulation of recent debris. Phase XI: Further collapse post- CE 5th c., possibly the result of the earthquake of CE 512. Major collapses... Phase IX: Major CE 363 earthquake leads to the collapse of the West Colonnade directly on top of the... Phase XIII: Major collapses continue into the Islamic period.
Bottom (m)	Closing elevation: ca. 894.573 m.
Location	South end of Trench 97, fill sloped and stepped toward the North between the 6th arch springer and the south edge of 10th arch springer, to the depth of Locus 10.
Overlies	Locus 25.
Combined with	for collapse elements – Loci 1,4, 2, 9, 10, 19, 20, and 21; for fill – 9, 10, 13, 15, and 16.
Top (m)	Opening elevation: ca. 895.830 m.
Stage Description	Major collapse.
Definition	Fill deposit partially excavated in 2001, which served as Trench 79 ramp
Stage	Stage 6