| Entry: | Recently prepared matrix for B.132 together with revealing one of the feature (F.7747) brought interesting insights into a possible pattern that concerns construction and remodeling phase of fire installations excavated already within Sp.531. I suppose the circumstances of obvious delay in revision were mainly related with given time as well as with different perspective that allowed to re-think the issue.
Some time ago I explored sequence of ovens (earlier - F.7737, and older - F.7854) that were set subsequently within South-Central part of the mentioned room. In addition, between them I identified relatively thick layer, which at that time had been interpreted as extensive fire spot (F.7741) due to evidenced traces of in situ impact of high temperature (U.32025). The remains of earlier oven (F.7737) were recognized within cut (32028) whose concave basal boundary was packed by peculiar preparation deposit (U.32027) composed exclusively by crushed backed fragments of a fire installation. I thought that its placement must have been related with making even surface convenient for setting on the spot superstructure of the oven (F.7737). However, after two weeks I must admit that exactly the same resemblance, regarding the composition of crushed rubble of oven’s dome, base and superstructure, shared also mentioned above layer U.32025. The only exception was that within the deposit there were traces of in situ burning. Nevertheless, on the flat surface of the described deposit there was also superstructure evidenced of later oven (F.7854).
The both examples made me wonder that they could not be just a coincidence. Accordingly, the packing composed entirely of rubble of an older fire installation put as a preparation under planned oven construction might have had also ideological (symbolical) meaning. The latter assumption may find a good affirmation regarding the presence of the older oven (F.7732) whose exploitation was ceased at some point when new oven (F.7737) had been constructed instead (nearby to the East).
The idea concerning the employment and re-use remains of demolished fire installation in presented here scrupulous purpose is intriguing. In that light, captivating is the evidence of shallow pit (F.7747) which truncated the central part of E-platform F.7733. It preserved only as narrow crescent-shaped (in plan) outline identified mostly by distinct sediments of backed rubble of a fire installation (U.32088) sealing completely the cut (U.32087). The presented here filling had again peculiar character, due to it consisted EXCLUSIVELLY of backed fragments of a fire installation which sealed completely the shallow cut. A reason of the selection of particular rubble material in order to pack it deliberately into a depression remains once more unclear. The actual motive standing behind the presented accomplishment is more intriguing if one takes into account location which refers to the raised area of E-Platform (F.7734).
In my opinion presented packing-like materials layers (32025, 32027, 32088) consisting mainly of previously destroyed domes and superstructures might be concerned in the term of commemorative deposits. In that sense all three examples might represent an activity aiming to commemorate a dismantled fire installations.
The ovens as well as hearths are ones of the most common furniture recorded within the excavated interiors. It is really hard to imagine building without them as elements related with food processing activities and possible heating function. Considering all of the described above notions one may state that some of the fire installations might have had more respect by some means and their roles were underlined by incorporating their rubble in the preparation layers under newly constructed installations or in especially performed cuts. In that term the biographies of respective ovens may be considerably extended to the symbolical “burring” them as accentuation of their significant character. |
