| Entry: | Åsa 10-9
Last diary entry.
The blocking (F249) between space 156 and 157 in building 5 has now been removed. It consisted of a nice little row of bricks and mortar (units 3881 and 3882). Another material (3880) was put against its northern face maybe as part of the same event of supporting the walls in the south west corner of the room. The blocking was excavated in two parts. The western part as unit 3863, the eastern part divided up into 3880, 3881, 3882. Unit 3863 is a mix of the others. The blocking is built on the last floor (3253) in use in space 156 but on the other side in space 157 yet another floor was laid out after the blocking was constructed. Some activity seems to have taken place in space 156 after the room was sealed off, though. The supports of the walls and the accumulated deposit (3228, 3241, 3242, 3243) on the floor all seem to have taken place on the same floor as the blocking was built on. The deposit does not continue under the blocking and the packing (3880) on the face of the blocking suggests it was put there after the blocking.
The last floor (3253) in space 156 has been partly excavated. The south end is excavated in 50 cm squares (8 squares). The floor has remaining plaster in the corners, and along the sides where the walls were supported. The supporting material has protected the plaster. In some places along the western and southern walls (F227 and F231) the plaster continues up on the walls. In the middle the floor is more like a trampled surface, consisting of dark, sticky material. On the floor I have found several things. Most of the finds have been numbered as the material above. The following numbers have X finds that were really on the floor 3253: 3228, 3241, 3242, 3243, 3298, 3810.
The mats of plant remains on the same floor have now been lifted by the conservator. It went well and they will be excavated at a later date. The material around and above the mats was full of other phytoliths and I found more uncertain mat remains not far away from the others. The material around the mat X2 of 3228 was prioritised before but the material has not been looked at. Everyone has been very short of time lately and the last priority tour was cancelled.
The last week has been hectic and everyone has been working really hard. Almost at all hours. It does seem a bit like the end of a contract excavation when so many things has to be done at the last minute, otherwise they will not get done. That should not be the case here though. On top of the time pressure there has been several film crews and reporters with photographers on site.
The room space 156 is still a bit enigmatic. It doesn't have any features to tell as anything about the function. But the fact that it is an empty space may suggest that some function of the room might require an open space. The other rooms in the building have many features or are divided up in some way. So the open space in space 156 is unique in the building. It has been suggested the room was used as another storage room in addition to the bins in space 157. But I don't think the room was used as one big bin when it was blocked off (as suggested). Hopefully the analysis of the floor will give us some clue of the use.
It has been an interesting two months and it is a bit sad we are leaving tomorrow. Best of luck to the person who will dig space 156 some time in the future!Entered By: Åsa Berggren |
