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| Area: North |
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| Dug in Year: 2013 |
| Feature Type: pit |
| Feature Subtype: |
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| Related Photo (Click to view larger version in new window) |
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| Location: NW area of platform in Sp.87 |
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| Grid X: 1050.45 Grid Y: 1183.02 |
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Feature corresponding to the non-structured fire spot comprised by U.20961 (burnt layer rich in plant remains including seeds, charcoal, phytoliths) and U.20980, the cut of a shallow pit (9cm depth) in the N of building 114.
No installation was found for this combustion location: it resembles a hunter-gatherer camp fire. The walls of the cut were very clayish and no layering was visible in their section, which raises the possibility that the clay was intentionally placed against the walls of the pit for controlling the spread of heat and the risk of setting the building on fire (was there a roof at the time?). The walls and bottom of the pit show signs of rubefraction (reddish colour), but the presence of charred plant remains and the absence of further changes in the sediment seem to indicate that this was a low temperature fire. The absence of internal layering in U.20961 and sediment deposition point to the possibility that this was a single burning event. Towards the base of the pit, a concentration of grass-like phytolihs was found.
The S half of U.20961 consisted of dispersed ashes and burnt plant materials. The (clayish) sediment in this area was heavily cracked, which might suggest, again, heat impact.
No animal remains or artefact were encountered.
This feature seems to represent an 'opportunistic' activity area and there is not clear explanation for this behaviour. The fact that the ashes were not brushed and that floors were built directly on top of this feature might point towards the possibility that this feature is related to ritual activities of some sort. |
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| In situ Conservation: No |
| Lifted: No |
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| Feature Relationships: |
| cuts: (Click to view the record) 7114 |
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| Number of Related Diary Entries: 0 |
| Conservation Recorded: No |
| Related Photos: 3 (Opens as a group in a new window) | Buildings: (Click to view the record)
| Spaces: (Click to view the record)
| | No. Of Units in this Feature: 2 (Click here to view unit list) |
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