.bk A12
.fl N802jl.j
.fd journal entries
.ed N802
.ei jl

.rd N802
.ri jl

-dy Today, we uncovered the black seed layer f417/f419 in the north half of A12.  The layer is extremely interesting because it seems to slope up against a small mud ledge, as if the ledge was in existence when the black seeds were dropped into the circle (see v236).  This raises again the question of the "mud ledge" or lack thereof.  gb and I both agree that the "ledge" around the black area could be the result of one of two processes: first, the pouring of mud and other foreign material into the fissure around the accumulation within k27, or second, the edge of a shallow pit dug across the entire circle in order to perform a ritual associated with the api.  In the latter case, it means that the whole circle was used for the ritual at this time, not simply a small area in the middle.  It is also possible that the later use alternated between small pits and large pits (for example, the ashy layer f333/f334).  However, f387, which was a black layer in the southeastern portion of the locus, seemed last season to be linked to the black line in the southeast which first indicated the edge of f417/419.  If that is the case, then the pit was at least half of a meter deep, since that is the approximate height of f387 above our current level.