Methodology

Methodology

In CB 42 the standard method of excavation will be as

follows. Dirt will be picked with the small end of a

pickaxe, broken into clumps, and the clumps will then be

hand sorted with trowels. The excess, sorted dirt will be

put into buckets which will then be wheel barrowed to the

dump site approximately 4 meters to the east of the

trench.

Any terracotta roofing tile found will be counted in

bowls with an approximate diameter of  cm and a max depth

of  cm. Once counted and recorded these finds shall be

discarded into a dump located to the west of the trench

about 5 meters away. Any pottery and bone found will be

recorded by boxes and brought down to the magazzino in

latte boxes for cleaning, counting, and further study.

If any special finds are discovered their coordinates and

elevation in relation to the absolute elevation of the

site shall be taken and recorded. A plumb-bob will be

held over the find and the distance from the trench

boundaries will be measured at a right angle in order to

determine the N-S and E-W coordinates. A plumb-bob will

also be held over the find in order to obtain its

elevation when a string, affixed to a datum with the

known elevation of 31.50 m in relation to the origin,

with a line level attached, will be extended over the

find, intersecting with the plumb-bob line. The elevation will then be

measured with a tape measure. Special finds are then

sketched into the trench book on site and sent down to

the magazzino at the end of the day in small boxes for

cleaning, analysis, and possibly for cataloging.

Close attention will be paid to the soil being dug

throughout the duration of the excavation in CB 38. Any

changes in the soil or soil type will be noted in the

trench book and a new locus will be defined, measured,

photographed, and recorded. Additionally, the baulk-walls

will be trimmed periodically in order to gain a better

understanding of the stratigraphy. It is important to

note that methods may change as excavation gets underway,

as the types and amounts of material found as well as the

geology and topography of the trench ultimately determine

the best excavation approach and method.