| Entry: | Working in Space 342, taking down unit 15359 (an approx. 30 cm deep level) to the same depth as the base of 342 reached in previous years. Along the southern end of the unit, directly in front of the western buttress, a cluster of pottery was discovered. Some of the upper components of the cluster were removed before the cluster was recognized (the larger pieces below the uppermost sherds were the reason for recognition). After the cluster was rocognized, it was given the unit number 15368 and exposed. Withing the cluster, a worked animal longbone, a well made obsidian blade, and several tiny, colored pebbles (green, red, black and white striped) were found. The non=ceramic finds were included within the cluster due to their association. After the cluster was exposed an photographed, the pieced were lifted. Beneath the larger sherds, a matrix of phytoliths and what appears to be other organics (seeds?) was located. The sub-sherd matric will be sampled and tied to the sherd tomorrow, which will be recorded as x-finds. A charcoal smaple was also taken from within the cluster, with the charcoal resting on top of a large sherd. Another cluster of collapsed construction material (unit 15369) was identified about 20 cm to the north of cluster 15368. 15368 contains what appears to be collapsed roof clay containing reed impressions and plaster, and mud brick. This unit has not yet been excavated. An issue of concern during excavation was the constant downpour of soil from adjacent units to the west and south that were under excavation and at higher elevations. The mixing of the matrix occasionaly compelled me to dumped some excavated soil which was mixed from different units and depths. A temporary solution was to time excavation of the cluster 15368 to pause and cover it up before the soil began spilling in from the adjacent units. |
