.bk A10
.fl h613fab.j
.fd first log page entered directly into computer
.fn edited by mdP - ZJ218
.ei fAB
.ed h613
.ri fAB
.rd h613

--i The opening of excavations in area A10 is projected for Sunday, h615. This is so that FAB, RAH and LKA are all present, since RAH and LKA are arriving h614. The plan of the excavation is to open 4 squares initially, with approx. 12 workmen. There are three goals for this area: 1= Define and explore SE corner of AK, or of sector C if it is not the corner of the overall building. We are able to project this corner because of the work done in MZ9 in area A8, which found the E wall of sector D, and work done earlier that uncovered the S wall of the building. 2= explore sector C, especially the room or rooms along the southern wall. 3= to explore the area immediately outside the building to the south. This third goal is secondary in priority, as understanding the layout and function of AK is primary. These goals were discussed at the first meeting (h610) with GB,MKB,GG,DNS,CLN and FAB, as well as the organizational meeting in March '97 in Los Angeles. In the meeting on h610 and the next day, we discussed the layout of the squares. The first decision was as to the rotation of the squares in reference to the AS grid. GB made the case that a new orientation following the layout of the AK building as opposed to the AS grid because this would offer us a section of sector C parallel to the south wall. This would also make it easier to follow the southern wall of AK. The drawback of this orientation is the danger of features perpendicular to the south wall (eg other walls) laying in the baulks. This would mean that any stratigraphic definition would change with the removal of the baulks, which should not be the case. However, it was decided to begin a new orientation following the AK wall layout. FAB suggested a "T" layout, with three squares abreast from W to E along the southern wall (projected) of AK, and a fourth north of the center square. This layout would give the section of sector C, explore the Southern wall and the projected corner, the area to the south of AK, as well as a piece inside sector C to explore any interior walls.

k 1
ds This is the square to the west.
ds This is the square as defined by BWP with marker points, so it includes the baulks which will not be excavated until later in the season.

k 2
ds This is the square to the south.
ds This is the square as defined by BWP with marker points, so it includes the baulks which will not be excavated until later in the season.

k 3
ds This is the square to the east.
ds This is the square as defined by BWP with marker points, so it includes the baulks which will not be excavated until later in the season.

k 4
ds This is the square to the north.
ds This is the square as defined by BWP with marker points, so it includes the baulks which will not be excavated until later in the season.

--i As for a projected timetable, we have approx. 6 weeks for excavation: from June 15 (h615) to about July 27. The squares closest to building AK in elevation seem to be k1 and k4, with about 3 meters to projected tops of walls in sector A. There is evidence of a negative wall in k1, which should give a very nice section of the contents of the room to the north. Also to be considered is the supposed kiln in A6, which may be in k4. k4, however, straddles a wadi that stretches from NE-SW and goes through k1. This, hopefully, means a minimum of later settlement, so AK may be close to the surface. MKB noticed bricky material in the SW corner of k4 on the surface, immediately under a cement border that was built by us a previous season to protect sector A from water. It is high, and only about 3-4 meters north of the projected AK south wall, so I doubt that it is a part of the AK building, since the rooms in sector A were all larger than that. This all means that in the best of possible cases, we will have a sparse layer of later occupation, and then a lot of fill and collapse on top of the latest floors of sector C. A guesstimate timetable is as follows: week 1= removal of sod layer, following of negative wall. week 2= definition and exploration of later material. week 3= final definition of later material, removal of later material, beginning to remove collapse/fill and find other walls. week 4= removal of collapse/fill, possible lateral expansion. week 5= digging of floors. week 6= removal of baulks, final excavations, cleanup.

-sf FAB, RAH and LKA will be the primary excavators, with FAB as #1, RAH as associate and LKA as #2. RAH has documentation and typological data as a primary goal for this year, but will still be a vital part of the excavation effort. GG will also be working in A10 on and off, but will probably not enter data into the journal or be able to contribute more time than a casual assistance.

-sg One of the most important goals of our work this year will be to maintain a "top notch" book - a perfect record of the work done in this year. This is important because it is a new book working in a new sector. There are no other books in this sector, so it is possible that in future A10 extends to include all of sector C. A perfect book is vital to future work because it will provide an interface between the stratigraphic components that have been removed and the ones that are being discovered.

-sf The work should be divided into three parts, with one of the team members being responsible for the work done in each of the parts by the other two. FAB will be in charge of the field work, which includes: section drawings, feature drawings, sketches, relays, and samples. LKA will be in charge of the book, which includes daily journal notes, data entry, sketches. RAH will be in charge of objects and lots, which includes object cleaning and recording, routing logs and pottery and bone storage.