.bk A12
.fl N807jl.j
.fd journal entries
.ed N807
.ei jl

.ri jl
.rd N806

-dy Today, we concentrated on the last remaining sections of the circle in which we had layers with scattered black seeds rather than the very strong black seed layers, specifically the southwest and northeast quadrants.  We are trying to settle the question of whether all of the black seeds are one layer, or multiple layers and therefore multiple applications.  Todays excavations were not completely conclusive, but suggest multiple layers.  After breakfast, I was not feeling well again, so I spent much of the time working with dc at the house.

.rd N807

-dy Today, we finished excavating the last small areas of the circle with scattered black seeds, the northwest and a small area in the south.  It revealed conclusively that the black seeds are multiple layers, scattered around the square.  There are, in some cases, gaps with little or no seed material, and then another layer of strong black color starting at a different elevation.  In one case, a layer continues directly underneath another, separated by about three centimeters of brown soil.  We removed the chicken wire from the roof and took an overhead photograph, and afterwards removed the first sighted layer of black seeds, the strong patch f424 in the southeast quadrant.  We also investigated the "ledge" f423 against which it had leaned, which has a clear face.  We are reconsidering the idea of a mud plaster, but gb still considers the most likely explanation to be that the ledge is the result of a shallow pit cut into the soil within the circle in order to perform a ritual associated with the structure.