| Entry: | Started to excavate last week in Space 178, Building 23. Working on a stratigraphically straight-forward sequence of ‘fire-installation’ deposits (no.s 4734 to 4740 & 4744 ). So far one apparent oven - a base, but not the hard base excavated in previous ovens, a less substancial crust. Not much sign of a superstructure either, but perhaps this is not surprising as this is the highest oven in the sequence, and this was all exposed - messed about with by Mr Mellart. This oven was within a cut, cut into the earlier sequence which to date has consisted of a possible plaster floor remnant, deliberate backfill consisting of oven demolition material ( 4739 - prioritised ) and a burnt/scorched deposit overlying a cluster of stones ( 4744 ). The stones were poking through the burnt deposit ( 4740 ), but I could see no sign of burning on the stones themselves. The other fact worthy of note about this sequence is that it is well out towards the middle of the space, not right against the south wall - although there will be ovens/hearths further to the south soon....Entered By: Richard Turnbull |
