| Entry: | North Shelter. B.131: Today the push began, a couple of months late perhaps, better late than never? The concept of a 'composite layer' is being employed to expedite work in the central area with the aim of reducing the building down to a contemporary horizon from which to push on again; reach the lower levels. A very useful interpretative tool, the composite layer allows for events to be recorded without losing oneself in the detail of extreme exactitude, the attempt to separate every single, individual context. Some may see this as contradictory to correct archaeological practice. Yet, in relying upon the interpretative skills, and intuition of the excavator it is a prime example of thnking through the archaeology as it is revealed, using these thoughts, with their conclusions, to drive effective excavation. However, there is a potential weakness to the concept: does it lead to a lackadaisical approach to the method of excaation in the name of speed? Is honesty sacrificed to expediency? For example: unit 32510. Assigned the designation and occupying an important position in the stratigraphy of B.131 it is a c.200mm thick deposit of firm pinkish white plaster the top of which is (at the highest and lowest heights) 180mm above the rubble make-up beneath. Are they same context? Can they be removed at the same time as a single deposit? Should they? Which is more important: the key goal of secure dating from deposits sealed by B.131 or recording the details of B.131? The answer will be decided in the field as it should be. Or should it? |
