July 21, 2004

Continued to assess the dimensions of the floor (5205) and noted that the thick-packed rock, mud and cultural material while clear in a central section tailed off in all directions. However, it was not clear whether this was the result of the floor finishing or whether it was a central area of a surface that was further distinguished by flat-lying pottery. We therefore decided to extend the excavated area up to the western baulk and to wall 5181, towards fill locus 5199 and pit 5191 in the eastern section of the trench. The first stage of a HAP sample was conducted and we lifted approximately 10 liters of material from the 0.5 x 0.5m sample area.

We excavated pit (5200) a further 5cm and it became clear that either we needed to expand its area as pottery was found in the sidewalls of the current investigation or that we should stop for reasons of time. We decided to stop and concentrated on cuting 5199 back toward the north baulk away from wall 5201 and in slicing off a large section of wall 5183 to assess the cntinuation of 5201.

The sounding in the northwest corner of the trench was continued by approximately 0.5m and we continued to find cultural material and mud brick – no sign of virgin soil as yet. decided to stop collecting material and just go for it on the last day.