Locus 38  is a brown clay and soil mixture of medium compaction that represents the top layer of the 2024 excavations.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 debackfilled area in the west. 

Locus 38 is level due to earlier campaigns of excavation lowering the level of the soil north of the OC2/Workshop to the level of the OC2/Workshop floor surface. Locus 38 is equal to Locus 1 excavated in the 2022 season and was removed with the exception of the narrow easternmost section of the locus, which was opened as Locus 23 in 2023. The layer covers Locus 40, the layer associated with the roof collapse of OC2/Workshop and the tile fall of Locus 41. 

The surface of Locus 38 is irregular and contains frequent horizontally growing roots and marks from the plastic tarp. The surface of the layer is compacted and sunbaked due to previous exposure but is a medium compaction once the sunbaked soil is removed. The surface of the layer is at the same elevation as the plaster surface in Loci 2, 4, 39. The layer slopes in the north towards the tree in the north of the trench. 

Inclusions are composed of many small roots, plaster fragments, tile, and small amounts of pottery. The volume of plaster within the locus is high, totaling 51.135kg. Frequent small pieces of carbon are included within the soil, but none were large enough to sample. Notable finds include Incised Bucchero Handle Fragments (PC20240039) and a fragment of  a Terracotta Cut Out Akroterion (PC20240029) was found to join a fragment from Locus 40. The joined fragments suggest that some materials within Locus 38 are related to the destruction and roof collapse of OC2/Workshop. 

Locus 38 was excavated using a large pickaxe, handpicks, trowels, leaf trowels, and brushes. The locus was fully removed before it was closed.  

NB: It was decided on 18 July to continue the sequence of loci from T26 in the 2023 season. What was designated Locus 1 at that point was converted to Locus 38. Any remaining mentions of Locus 1 in this notebook or the associated documentation and artifacts of T26 in the 2024 season should be considered Locus 38.

Cataloged Finds: PC 20240029; PC 20240039

Secure Context: Yes

Opening and Closing Coordinates and Elevations: