The day started well. Enlarging Trench 2 and filling in others. AT LAST we have moved down to the Villa site where a trial trench was dug to ascertain the depth of the ash infill. Hazard suits were required for this job and we all stood around as Richard and Keith put on the gear. There’s one drawback to these suits – They are one size for all – Barry was there to take their photographs and if you are
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Today I learned how to profile a trench and produce a section drawing. Wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, it was the north extension of trench 3. When Richard stood in it you couldn’t see his head. He said he once helped to dig a 40 ft well. This must be where he developed his hydraulic arms. All over the site as we dig we uncover different layers of soil. Each layer is numbered and described and
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I have come to realise in the last 10 days, from my Josephine Blogs position, that Archealogical Digs are great places for the not sure syndrome. Could be – Might be – Should be - Probably not – Wouldn’t it be nice – We should be so lucky – Can we say that yet – Better not – don’t tell the press yet - Don’t want egg on the face – That’s what it looks like but we could be
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Back today to find that things are hotting up! One of the flints found in Trench 2 has turned out to be a Microlith from the Mesolithic Period. I’ve already been to the dictionary. (A minute worked flint used as part of a composite tool.) The one we’ve found is a very fine, very thin flint about two inches long with serrations on one side. Might have been used to head up a sickle, arrow or spear or knife and,
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A Town Unearthed 7th August 2010 Arrived today to find Trench 2 has suddenly got longer and deeper and the stone feature we thought was a modern wall might be stone age. The top layer of stones has been taken off and underneath is a much wider platform with a ditch on either side. In the side of the ditch is that quern stone which we are - NOT ALLOWED TO DIG OUT. Excitement and conjecture reign because it just
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About that Samian Ware that was found in trench 3. Apparently it wasn’t a random “Lets chuck out the old stuff dear and get in some new”. They were what is referred to as ‘placed’. One of the plates had a sea shell set on top which made it interesting. It is not unusual to find dishes like these placed in ditches and special places and the reasons are lost in time, but may have some special or magical purpose.
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