Post by Toby on Sept 6, 2005 21:53:56 GMT 1
Week nine update... once again thanks to Rich S.
Week 9
Trainees have continued to be instructed on the non-excavation aspects of archaeology this week, becoming familiar with elevation drawing and finds processing. Meanwhile excavation has continued at varying pace, from the rapid digging through medieval pits in Trench 1 to the careful recording of more delicate deposits in Trench 4. Throughout the site, more pieces of worked flint have been found, giving yet more information about much earlier activity on the site.
Trench 1
Work has concentrated again on the excavation of the various medieval pits in the trench, and it is becoming clearer how they relate to each other, though their function is still unknown. They vary in shape and depth, and are turning up largely medieval finds, though some high status Roman has been found in the lowest layers. In order to find out in the remaining time what is below these pits, a 3m area in the middle of the trench has been delineated within which excavation will focus until either natural deposits or the depth limit is reached. Progress will thus be swifter in this smaller area than in the whole 8m x 3m trench.
Trench 3
Following the removal of the unusual rabbit bone-filled layer, Trench 3 continues to surprise. A pit was discovered filled with large amounts of shells and seafood remains. Post-excavation work on the finds and soil samples on this pit may be able to reveal more about this deposit. Underneath this pit, an orange clay layer was uncovered that appears very similar to the clay found in Trench 1, but much closer to the surface. Trying to view this information from a site-wide perspective is still less than straightforward.
Trench 4
Careful work has continued on the earlier phases of careful of burning activity under the hearth in Trench 4. In addition, the excavation of a more modern cut feature alongside these layers has resumed. Finds continue to be predominantly medieval in date.
Trench 5
The removal of a thick deposit has been the main focus of work this week. This was underneath the demolition layers, and may be the same as a similar deposit in the nearby Trench 9. Large amounts of Roman finds have been unearthed this week, as well as the worked flint, though still in the backfills of later medieval deposits.
Trench 6
Work in Trench 6 was completed this week following the recording and photographing of the trench sections. A final clean and recording of the layers visible in the unexcavated bottom of the trench ensures that the information recovered from the excavation of this area is complete for potential use in future years. Trench 6 will be backfilled next week.
Trench 7
Having exposed and recorded the cobble surface last week, excavation could start straight away. In the process we discovered that there were in fact two cobble surfaces. The later one was removed, revealing a more regular surface underneath showing obvious signs of use and trample. By careful excavation, yet more information about the different phase of land use has been gathered. This second cobble surface, probably medieval in date, was recorded ready for excavation next week.
Trench 9
Excavation of the linear cut in the south side of the trench was finished this week. A thick deposit, probably the same as the similar layer in Trench 5, occupied most of the excavation time this week. Though apparently all one layer, we were careful to record any subtle changes or marks in the deposit which may have shown the presence of cut features. Such careful recording can be done on a site like this without the pressures of commercial archaeology. A large variety of finds has continued to turn up, including the spout of a green-glazed medieval object.
Week 9
Trainees have continued to be instructed on the non-excavation aspects of archaeology this week, becoming familiar with elevation drawing and finds processing. Meanwhile excavation has continued at varying pace, from the rapid digging through medieval pits in Trench 1 to the careful recording of more delicate deposits in Trench 4. Throughout the site, more pieces of worked flint have been found, giving yet more information about much earlier activity on the site.
Trench 1
Work has concentrated again on the excavation of the various medieval pits in the trench, and it is becoming clearer how they relate to each other, though their function is still unknown. They vary in shape and depth, and are turning up largely medieval finds, though some high status Roman has been found in the lowest layers. In order to find out in the remaining time what is below these pits, a 3m area in the middle of the trench has been delineated within which excavation will focus until either natural deposits or the depth limit is reached. Progress will thus be swifter in this smaller area than in the whole 8m x 3m trench.
Trench 3
Following the removal of the unusual rabbit bone-filled layer, Trench 3 continues to surprise. A pit was discovered filled with large amounts of shells and seafood remains. Post-excavation work on the finds and soil samples on this pit may be able to reveal more about this deposit. Underneath this pit, an orange clay layer was uncovered that appears very similar to the clay found in Trench 1, but much closer to the surface. Trying to view this information from a site-wide perspective is still less than straightforward.
Trench 4
Careful work has continued on the earlier phases of careful of burning activity under the hearth in Trench 4. In addition, the excavation of a more modern cut feature alongside these layers has resumed. Finds continue to be predominantly medieval in date.
Trench 5
The removal of a thick deposit has been the main focus of work this week. This was underneath the demolition layers, and may be the same as a similar deposit in the nearby Trench 9. Large amounts of Roman finds have been unearthed this week, as well as the worked flint, though still in the backfills of later medieval deposits.
Trench 6
Work in Trench 6 was completed this week following the recording and photographing of the trench sections. A final clean and recording of the layers visible in the unexcavated bottom of the trench ensures that the information recovered from the excavation of this area is complete for potential use in future years. Trench 6 will be backfilled next week.
Trench 7
Having exposed and recorded the cobble surface last week, excavation could start straight away. In the process we discovered that there were in fact two cobble surfaces. The later one was removed, revealing a more regular surface underneath showing obvious signs of use and trample. By careful excavation, yet more information about the different phase of land use has been gathered. This second cobble surface, probably medieval in date, was recorded ready for excavation next week.
Trench 9
Excavation of the linear cut in the south side of the trench was finished this week. A thick deposit, probably the same as the similar layer in Trench 5, occupied most of the excavation time this week. Though apparently all one layer, we were careful to record any subtle changes or marks in the deposit which may have shown the presence of cut features. Such careful recording can be done on a site like this without the pressures of commercial archaeology. A large variety of finds has continued to turn up, including the spout of a green-glazed medieval object.