| Entry: | Pre-excavation photographs were taken of Space 105. On clearing the NW corner of the space, by Jon's area of excavation from last season, Roddy and Mary believed that the midden cut Jon had defined and partially dug, was sealed by the east wall of space 114. This was in the process of investigation, which would give a stratigraphical link to two spaces, when Ian decided not to follow this lead as it would involve excavating a space not scheduled for this season. This relationship will however be investigated and recorded on paper and photographically in case of erosion and loss of information.
Layered midden type deposits were excavated within space 105 to the south, that sealed the midden filled cut (I think, need to check). They found a nice small animal figurine, our first X.Find!
The recording system seems to be working although there is a lot to remember, specially the instructions on how to fill out particular labels and remembering to take all the necessary XYZ co-ords. It should all become habit before long. We were held up a bit by not having a total station set up as Colin and Atakhan were busy in Rogers area, it should be up and running tomorrow and we'll be able to XY and Z quite merrily and locate grid points to plan from in convenient places and on the grid system.
Jon and Anwen began excavation in Space 106 (Mellaart house 16). This had been cleared of its backfill only last season, stopping at the horizon Mellaart appeared to have left. J and A then had the tedious task of trying to establish what Mellaart had left. His preliminary reports were refered to but the only information was that in late Level VI that space was part of a courtyard, a pattern that followed in the later levels, in VIa house 16 was defined which was much the same in Level VII, although his plans showed a cross wall in VIa. It appears that not much time was spent on this house by Mellaart, other then defining it and conseqently unexcavated deposits were left adhering to the wall faces. These were recorded but not sampled or sieved, being incomplete and uncertain units. The space is being half sectioned and at this stage appears to be room infill.
Work in Space 107 (Mellaart house 16), didn't start until the afternoon as Ali and Naomi were on other duties. Naomi is going to remove the remaining patches of floor against the west wall as one unit, as these too are incomplete and therefore not highly informative, flotation samples will however be taken. But before this can be done the blocking in the wall needs to be excavated as the floors can be traced through this opening. However Colin is going to 3D plan the walls prior to removal which should happen tomorrow.
I spent the day in a hectic rush drawing up a wall recording sheet, having sieve swings made to Ian's design (which really are very nice and much easier), getting equipment together and imparting my knowledge on the recording system to my colleagus. Cicek looked after the workmen as they began a step in the high section of house 12 (Mellaart house 8). This deposit is yet more backfill from Mellaarts excavations from which two small figurines were found as well as several clay fragments.
Entered By: Shahina Farid |
