| Entry: | Have begun seriously tackling the south-eastern island of archaeology in building 18, started on this one as it is the largest and most complex looking. Have basically removed some dirty rake-out / trample deposits (4530) and (4533) with a cluster of clay balls etc (4531). (4530) had lots of artefacts in a band on its western side which were laboriously plotted. To the north of (4530) is a raised clean plaster floor consisting of floor (4534), lip (4532) and makeup (4535). All of these rake-0uts and floors seem to be linked to the south central oven F.473. This has been badly damaged, both in prehistory and te 1960’s probably, but appears to have been a substantial domed oven. No floors survived only the rear superstructure (4536) / (4537). It was in a cut (4538) which basically removed the superstructure of an earlier F.I. in the same location. This means that I appear to have basically excavated the final phase in this area and all future deposits will be the previous phase associated with an earlier F.I.
The pattern appears to be very similar to the south-east corner of building 16 above. The overall layout of the two buildings is quite different with the internal east-west walls in very different places but the local pattern in this corner appears remarkably similar.
Excavation is prgressing steadily but I am becoming concerned about stepping in and the water table given that we have over 4m to go. I have real worries that we will make good progress for four or five months and then have to give up for health and safety reasons, could we be in for a repetition of the 1960’s?Entered By: Craig Cessford |
