Feature is described as a pit, which is seen in part, to cut a series of midden layers, probably domestic dumping, and possibly also through burnt brick and old building materials. This could all be seen in the section sides of the pit as its layers were removed. The primary function of the pit is not clear. As it cuts through the above mentioned material there is a possibility that it has a quarry function with the objective to get at old building material. The secondary function of the pit seems clear, as it is filled with lens after lens of midden like material. Unit (12504) is of particular interest. It is a layer described best as a series of ashy like lenses of varying degree. The origin of the lenses is not clear but there is a possibility that they derive from oven and/or hearth rake out.
All layers of the pit were dry sieved. Finds included: obsidian, animal bone, pottery, clay balls, bone points/needles, and clay figurines. 30 litres were also sampled for flotation from all units. It was hoped that the obsidian recovered from (12504) would give some indication for the origin of the lenses, as minute debitage is often indicavtive of rake out from ovens. No conclusive evidence was however forthcoming here.
Note on print out pictures of pit: print out (1) of the west facing section of the pit. It shows how the pit was excavated in its layer units. Arbritary layer units had to be excavated because of the extreme lensing into the pit. Broad areas were selected. The true stratigraphy of the pit and the broad events of its life history was however not revealed until completion of excavation. Print outs (2) and (3) show the broad stratigraphic history of the pit. It can be seen that unit layer (12558) has been added. This was a post excavation solution to slumping layer (12511) which occurred during the formation of (12504) spliting the layer. That is (12504) and (12588) are the same event.
The broad stratigraphy of the pit suggests the following:
(1) Cut 12518 of the pit possibly for quarry purposes.
(2) Layer (12514) incompletly excavated due to it depth below 1.2m. It appears to be the primary like fill of the pit. Some rubbly chunks can be seen in the west facing section which probably represents instability of the feature sides.
(3) Layer (12558) formation. It contains a very high quantity of thin ashy lenses. Some rubbly material can also be seen suggesting some continued instability of the surrounding space.
(4) Layer (12511). A very homogenous layer, which is appears isolated to the north area of the pit. Its homogeniety suggsts a slump of some sort or a large dump.
(5) Layer (12504). This is the continuation of (12558).
(6) Layer (12529). An earthy layer containg animal bone in high quantity. May have once spread out beyond the cut of the pit. Similar areas were noticed with excavation of (12502), and it seems quite likely that some of 12502 would have eroded into the pit. The layer is almost tertary like in it formation.
(7) Layer (12501). Similar to (12529). |
