| Entry: | Wednesday 27th of June 2007 - Day Three
Befor breakfast I completed yesterdays unit sheet (14216) and sketched the next unit to be dug (14217). The more practice I get at sketching the happier I shall be as it is still not something that comes naturally to me.
Breakfast was bought on site today, which lead to me being excessively glutonous with the chocolate spread. After over-eating I began work with Alex on (14217). A number of human bones appeared as well as what appeared to be potentially mud-brick structures. I was very pleased at spotting the changes in soil colour and texture, and particularly the feel of it under the trowel. Experience is the only way for me to improve such skills and the complicated layers on the West Mound, though challenging to interpret, feel like a great way to do this. Worried that the human bones might be another burial, we obtained another unit number (14219) and began working specifically on the patch containing the remains.
Firstly we drew the unit at 1:20 scale then we proceeded to excavate further. The bones were in a very mixed, earthy layer compared to the harder materials (probably mudbrick and mortar) that appear to enclose the internment. None were articulated, and a few animal bones plus some ceramics were found alongside them. The activity of roots and animals probably has a large role to play in the "muddling" of the remains. The mud bricks are more complicated on the south side and the plan for tomorrow is to throughly clean remaining spoil from today's work and gain a better understanding of their nature.
Today's thoughts: determination - I really want to understand what is going on with the grave. Also - more pain! Today I was bitten several times by ants, including one particularly painful attack on my backside!! Alex, it should be mentioned, also suffered a bite in an embarassing area.. Hopefully liberal use of ant powder tomorrow may turn the tide in our battle against the nest.Entered By: KH |
