.bk A14
.fl O825jw.j
.fd special journal for pottery analysis #5
.ei jw
.ed O825
.rd O825
.ri jw

-ns gb and jw discussed the preliminary strata assignments to the features excavated in MZ17.  Although there is a clear Phase 3 sequence from start to finish (except for Phase 4 material in a large pit which cuts deep into the matrix), there is no clear indication of the phase of material just above and just below these features.  In the far western part of the unit (k15 and k25) we stopped excavating at a sealed pebble and sherd pavement whose living accumulation was Phase 3.  The pavement itself was assumed to be Phase 3 based upon what was found in the accumulation directly above.  It was covered during excavation of loci to the east with the thought that it would be a clear starting point for subsequent excavations.  The loci in the northeast corner, k1 and k2, were excavated in MZ14 and MZ16.  Strata were not assigned in either season.  The unit supervisor, jl, responded to a query about the stratigraphy by listing groups of features encountered in MZ16, but did not know to what time period they belonged.  There are two large pits which cut deep into most of the accumulations in k1 and k2, and analysis of the contents may allow us to determine when the area around the abi was last used.  This in turn would be useful in determining the Phase of the features excavated in MZ14 and MZ16, which could be anything from Phase 3 to Phase 6.

f 233
df pc
ns This feature in k25, a stone and sherd pavement extending over at least two loci, was assigned to Phase 3 based upon the pottery in the living accumulation, f229, directly above its counterpart ,f230, in k15.  Excavation of the east baulk of k25 exposed a well-preserved portion of this pavement.  gb suggested that he, mkb, and jw inspect this pavement on O826 to determine if the pottery indicates that it belongs to Phase 2.  Evidence supporting that hypothesis includes the low elevation with respect to the AK building floors, 8047cm, and the fact that the bottom elevation of the outfall from the palace drain system, f275, in k5 to the north that we know was in use in Phase 2, is 8053cm.

a 8
df pt
ns This aggregate is a large pit that was dug through about two meters of accumulation in MZ16 in k2.  It was discovered early in that season and analysis of its contents could tell us the last time that the surface around the abi was in use.  It would allow us to hypothesize when the material it cut through was deposited without analyzing all of the pottery excavated from there in MZ16.  There is some discussion in the global record about contamination of the q-lots excavated near the surface, but fill, f81 and f95 should be well sealed.  Therefore lots q255, q260, q262, q264, q267, and q272 from f81 and lots q275, q281 and q283 from f95 should be analyzed.

a 9
df pt
ns This aggregate is a large pit next to the west wall of the palace that was dug through about one meter of accumulation in MZ16 in k1/k100.  As with pit a8, the contents of the pit could give some clue as to when the features it cuts in k1 were deposited.  Feature f82 contaained most of the fill from this pit.  Therefore lots q306, q309, q312, q317, q381, q385 and q388 from f82 should be analyzed.