General notes on photos |
2001-09-02 |
jlw |
this series of photographs shows what one first encouters when a pit kiln is excavated from the top, down. As we were excavating an accumulation of industrial refuse imbedded in soil, we encountered occasional patches of burned, red soil and a few pieces of the green vitrified clay that coats the inside surfaces of some kilns. At one point we found a surface of bricks arranged vertically with no mortar between, f356. Along the E edge there was a 30 degree arc of green vitrified material, more or less standing unsupported. To the SW there was a small tanuur-like circle that also seemed to be a part of the brickwork. To the SE there was a patch of burned soil leading to a jumble of fallen bricks seen in section along the E baulk. The purpose of this photograph is to document the early evidence of two kilns whose form we did not immediately recognize and parts of which we removed prematurely. v152a shows the bricks which may be the rebuilt top of kiln a30, the ash to the east and at the middle right of the photograph, the smaller tannur-like chamber that may have provided heated air to the kiln. v152b is wide shot that shows the bricks sitting in an accumulation that, when excavated, yielded kilns a30 and a31. v152c shows the bricks in relation to the findspot of a metal casting mold, q651.1, which at the time we believed may have been associated with the structures. [Input: L902jlw.j] |