.bk J03
.fl P814jW.j
.fd daily journal P814 -wk,-sg; f10-sg; k101-sg,-dy
.fn corrections and additions made by jW on Q412
.ei jW
.ed P814
.rd P814
.ri jW

-wk Three picks and 6 in support reported for work.  Hussein, assistant to surveyor, bP, worked productively with unit for about 2 hours as a skilled pickman.

-sg In a morning meeting on site with gB, mKB, faB, jO, jW and the unit staff, we discussed the placement and excavation of the topological excavation locus that will explore how the monumental wall, f11, was built.  We will determine this by excavating in a limited locus behind and below the elevation of the north face of the wall.  Previously, we had planned to excavate a two by two meter locus, k100, located midway along the S baulk of k13.  However, in light of what we have found out about the probable location of the N wall face, it is more time-efficient and just as likely to resolve the issue if we move the topological sounding to the N baulk of k12.  This will yield the same volume of material as k100 would have, and with this new arrangement the elevator can be used to expedite removal as we continue to explore the characteristics of the wall in k12.  We will sift all soil from this locus and will save all soil from below the present elevation of laminations, f38, for use as backfill.

f 10
df w
-sg In a general meeting on-site gB passed on a suggestion from vvE that we explore how and when the apron, f10, was built.  It was presented as a plan to undercut some of the stones at the W end of the apron and analyze the material to date the time of construction.  Afterwards, jW and vvE discussed further this idea, and it was agreed that the stones must not be undercut.  Ideally we should dig behind a known midsection region of the apron, and examine the section.  jW will examine the E baulk of k12 for information and, in fact, the B6 excavations included such a probe, but neither jW nor vvE have seen the report of the results.  No time remains in this season to accomplish this additional task using additional excavations.

k 101
-sg In a morning meeting on site with gB, mKB, faB, jO, jW and the unit staff, we decided to remove the 50cm-wide bench we had left in anticipation of having to slope the baulk of the deep-dug trench needed to explore the south face of the wall in this locus.  Instead we will expose whatever face we can see along the full span of the N edge of the locus and hope to resolve whatever ambiguities we see by inspection of the portions of the wall visible nearest us in J01 to the west and J02 to the east.  Ideally we should excavate loci to the E (k1) and to the W (k21) to expose more of the wall face, but time does not permit this in season MZ18.

-dy In a final pick run to explore for the outside wall face, a small, pristine section was exposed in the NW corner of the locus.  It is vertical, with medium-sized cut stones showing, probably filling gaps between larger stones which we see in other units.  There is a huge stone and several large companions jutting out past the wall face to the south in the middle of the locus.  We do not yet know whether this is a late buttress or a displaced stones from higher on the wall to the N.  We have not reached the face in the NE corner.  As time permits in the next few days we will explore for the face here.