.bk J07 .fl U809cJC.j .fd strategy and introduction background for J7 .rd U809 .ri cJC --i During the study portion (August) of MZ23 (2010), cJC will be working on the documentation of J7. --i The overall strategy for J7 was to excavate a large portion of the plaza to the west of the large trench, k200. It was intended to prove that the plaza is a large empty space that could be excavated quickly and with little documentation (sometimes refered to by gB as the "argument for the backhoe"). To this end the excavations were done in large volumetric units of 50cm or more in depth. q-lots were recorded and measurements taken but not as thoroughly as if it were an exacavation with structures and use areas. This strategy was largely successful as all the volumetric features can be divided roughly into two main depositional processes, first a brickfall and then a build up of natural accumulations. The second goal of the excavation was to create a view of the monumental temple terrace and staircase from the level of the ancients. Due to time constraints and the difficulties in removing all the dirt from the trench this goal was not completely achieved. A level close to the ancient level of the plaza was reached only in the northern-most loci (k3, k4 and k5). k 100 sm This locus was used to describe the area where a platform was built for a cement staircase to provide entrance to the trench. Plastic was put down and the south edge of k1 was shoveled down to create a level surface. There were no real excavations in this locus but we assigned it a number so we could document the backfilling and staircase construction. A35 w8 .rd Ux21 --i The last numbers used in J7 are as follows: f58, i6, k6, q71, r49, v51, w8. Subsequent excavations in J7 should begin with the next number in sequence (e.g. r50).