Unit 32038

Category: Layer    dug in 2016

Area: North 

Interpretive Categories: activity surface 

Data Category Information: Location: building; Description: raised area (platform); Material: occupation

Discussion: Unit No. 32042 refers to backed layer of sandy-silt dirt activity surface which was recorded on the E-platform (F.7734) within Sp.531. The describing layer emerged after exploration of overlying plasters (32042) covering the top part of the platform. At first glance the unit represented a distinctive dark-grey / black, extensive (1,42m x 1,03m) and irregular patch (stain) surrounded by white / mid-white plaster. However, the closer examination revealed that the SE part of the unit was affected in some way by the high temperature. The most evident trace of the burning was witnessed within the area of 85cm x 60cm.
The nature of the burning remains unclear. Nevertheless, taking into account the small scope, lack of charcoals (ash), and the shallow penetration of the high temperature one may state that the recorded trace (of burning) was not related with an open fire activities that might have taken palace on the spot. Rather the dirty surface was affected indirectly by the heat as a result of uncertain proceedings. Considering the available Neolithic kitchen equipment and possible doings involved in the preparation of the food the layer may indicate the actual surface (arena) of usage hot clay-balls.
As it was already emphasized above, the first glance of the layer must have been revised due to additionally collected data. It appeared for instance that there were more dirty surfaces below described layer. They formed evident dark sandy-silt deposits (of dirt) which were inserted into the layers of plaster. The circumstances clearly imply repeated character of activities that took place within the area many times. However, only within the top one there was trace of distinct “backing” recorded.
In order to conceive the proceedings related with the layer(s) there were several samples collected including those focused on further phytolith examinations (S.3) or the red pigment stain (S.4). From statygraphical point of view worth noticing is that the most upper part of the deposit of dirt (32042) inserted into the plaster (and make-up) coated an infill 32040, sealed a circular cut U.32039. Both of them might be regarded as possible burial pit (F.7739) which evidently truncated the platform and consequently the earlier layers witnessing the uncertain dirty surfaces. At the same time the observations imply that the inhumation was undertaken at the final occupational phase. 

Consistency: friable 

Colour: dark-grey, mid-black 

Texture: sandy-silt (dirt), cream (plaster), dark-cream (make-up layer) 

Bedding: layered 

Inclusions: remains of possible red pigment 

Post-depositional Features:  

Basal Boundary: clear 

Unit Stratigraphy (as recorded in the field): above: (Click to view the record) 32040, 32053 below: (Click to view the record) 32042 

Total Deposit Volume: 4 

Number of Samples recorded by excavator: 4

Number of Related Diary Entries: 0

Settlement Phase:

Associated Mellaart Levels (from Space): Unassigned at present 

Associated Hodder Level (from Space): Unassigned at present 

Finds Room Information:

All material from site passes through the finds room for washing and separating before it is passed onto the various lab teams. The finds room keeps a basic inventory of what is found. A finds material type list is given here. Further analytical detail maybe provided by the Lab Team data below.

X Finds Material: nothing recorded  

Finds Material Stored: nothing recorded  

Lab Team Data

Please note the list below does not represent everything that might have been found in this Unit, but represents the datasets we have available on-line. Please contact us to obtain more information about this Unit.

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