.bk J02
.fl T810cJC.j
.fd strategy, daily, feature descriptions
.ei cJC
.ed T810
.en Edited by cJC on T901

.rd T810
.ri cJC

-sg Today we focused on understanding the accumulations in k15. Yesterday we decided that the best strategy was to excavate down from the latest features (f371, f339) and try and follow them in k15 instead of going across from the west baulk of k5. We started by removing f371, the flaky gray layer on top of f339. We wanted to remove the hard gray layer f339. It was relayed and then we began removing it. We wanted to investigate this feature as pC had suggested it may have been the glacis (f319) referred to in the earlier excavations, now only preserved in the areas we removed under the baulks we cut back at the beginning of the season (f338 and f341). When we picked the hard layer however it came apart very differently in the two areas where the pickmen were working. Coming down from the north Kamiron found that the hard gray layer was very hard and thick (about 3cm or more) and when picked it removed a 10cm layer underneath as well. In contrast, in the SW corner where Mohammed Kher was working we found that f339 was extremely thin and came off easily revealing a dramatic pink layer (f373). This layer is soft and easily damaged with the pick. Because we found the gray layer (f339) overlaying several different features we suppose it is part of the erosion we see in the south section the cut of which we have defined as f336. I think it is likely that f339 is the last moment after the erosion when a small surface forms on top of all the layers which were exposed by the erosion which is then covered by the brickfall (f338, f341). Because we have now exposed several layers (f373, f348, f374)due to the nature of the removal of f339 we decided to change our strategy slightly. 
-sg We discussed it with fAB and he suggested we return to the original strategy of following the layers across through the section of k5 to see how they relate to the newly exposed layers. In the west section we can see f365 and a thin yellow line which we have assigned f375. We wanted to remove f365 above f375 and see how it comes up against the pink layer f373. It seems that f365 would have covered the pink layer f373 but it was cut by the erosion. By following f365 across from the east to the west we should be able to answer this question. Before we could remove all of f365 we needed to expose the plaster layer (f375) and see its extent. We used the small pick and the brush to expose as much of this delicate layer as possible. Tomorrow we hope to finish exposing the plaster (f375) relay and photograph it before removing it. After we finish with f375 we will continue removing f365 across to see its relationship to the pink (f373) and the salmon-colored floor (f359). 

-dy Today we focused work primarily in k15 working with our two pickmen both in the same area. Because we have so many different layers and the cut of the erosion we are proceeding slowly to understand each layer before removing it. 

k 15
dy Yesterday we decided that the best strategy was to excavate down from the latest features (f371, f339) and try and follow them in k15 instead of going across from the west baulk of k5. We started by removing f371, the flaky gray layer on top of f339. We wanted to remove the hard gray layer f339. It was relayed and then we began removing it. When we picked the hard layer however it came apart very differently in the two areas where the pickmen were working. Coming down from the north Kamiron found that the hard gray layer was very hard and thick (about 3cm or more) and when picked it removed a 10cm layer underneath as well. Underneath he found the dramatic reddish layer (f348) and a gray layer which we assigned as f374. In contrast, in the SW corner where Mohammed Kher was working we found that f339 was extremely thin and came off easily revealing a dramatic pink layer (f373). This layer is soft and easily damaged with the pick. Because we have now exposed several layers (f373, f348, f374)due to the nature of the removal of f339 we decided to follow the layers across through the section of k5 to see how they relate to the newly exposed layers. In the west section we can see f365 and a thin yellow line which we have assigned f375. We wanted to remove f365 above f375 and see how it comes up against the pink layer f373. It seems that f365 would have covered the pink layer f373 but it was cut by the erosion. By following f365 across from the east to the west we should be able to answer this question. Before we could remove all of f365 we needed to expose the plaster layer (f375) and see its extent. We used the small pick and the brush to expose as much of this delicate layer as possible. Tomorrow we hope to finish exposing the plaster (f375) relay and photograph it before removing it. After we finish with f375 we will continue removing f365 across to see its relationship to the pink (f373). (This daily is revised version of today's strategy entry). 

f 373
ds Dramatic pinkish layer. Very soft and apparently contained to the southwest corner of k15. The matrix is very fine. 
dy We have only exposed this layer but not removed it yet. 

f 374
ds Gray flaky layer with apparent laminations. It slopes sharply from north to south in the northern part of k15. 
dy We have only exposed this layer and have not yet excavated it. 

f 375
ds This feature was first identified in the west section of k5 where it appeared as a thin yellowish white line. Once we removed the feature above it (f365) we were able to explore the idea that this may be a plaster floor similar to f370 in k5 (although at a slightly higher elevation). When we began exposing it we found it appears mostly gray from above with small white and yellow nodules. 
dy We began exposing this feature using the small pick and the brush. Tomorrow we hope to expose it completely, photograph it and remove it. 

f 339
tc co f373
tc ov f348
tc ov f365
ds The surface of f339 is a very flat gray surface. It is very hard and appears smooth. When the materials above it were picked they separated easily from the surface of f339. Because it overlays more than one feature it comes apart slightly differently. In the northern part when picked it comes off attached to large brown chunks (about 15cm in size). Under these chunks we found the reddish layer f348. In contrast in the SW portion of f339 when picked it comes off in an extremely thin layer and immediately overlays a pink layer (f373). The portion underlying f339 in the north with the chunks has occasional charcoal inclusions and small white laminations from roots or water. 
ar I think that this layer is probably a result of the erosion we see in the south section of k110, k5 and that continues in k15. I suggest this because f339 overlays more than one feature (including f365, f373 and f348) which indicates that the layers underneath were eroded before they were overlaid by the gray layer of f339. I think the reason that it comes apart in different ways when picked is because after the erosion the water and dust settled and bonded with the different exposed layers in different ways. For example in the southwest corner it only rested on top of the pink (f373) while in the northern part it became more bonded with the layer underneath (f348). Also, the brickfall rests directly on top of this layer which suggests it was the last moment in time, sealing off the eroded layers before the brickfall fell on top of it.