.bk J02
.fl T808cJC.j
.fd strategy, daily
.ed T808
.ei cJC

.rd T808
.ri cJC


-dy Today in k5 we started the day hoping to expose all of f359. We finished following it to the west. After cJC and sH drew the north section of k5 we began excavating k4 up to the apron. We did not find f359 continuing north up to the apron f131. Instead we found a gray layer with some larger sherds (f368) sloping up and abutting the apron (f131). Just south of this feature, but partially overlaying it we found brownish red layer we called f367. It is similar to f365 but not identical. f367 overlays f359 and f369. f359 slopes down sharply and partially overlays the gray floor surface of f369. We decided to excavate f367 first because it seems to be the latest as it overlays all the other features. When we began removing it we noticed what appear to be pieces of a broken plaster floor. At this point fAB and gB came to visit J2. They discussed the possible relationships of the plaster floor to the other features as well as discussing what might have caused the break in continuity of f359. pC suggested that perhaps water came down from the apron and created a puddle which destroyed some of the layers immediately in front of the apron (f131) including f359. We discussed the different possibilities of relationships of the features, with the most puzzling being the break in f359 and the relation of the plaster to the other features. gB would like us to change the way we excavate and stop using trowels and instead use only the small pick and brush to avoid creating artifical surfaces which he thinks may clarify the situation. He gave a demonstration to the workmen. Also during the day we finished removing the brickfall in k111 (f352) and sH and mCT drew the west section of k5. 

-sg Because we did not find the salmon-colored floor (f359) covering all of k5 and k4 as expected we will have to implement a new strategy. In south k4 and north k5 we found that f359 sloped down sharply, overlays f369 and does not continue to the north. Also overlaying both f359 and f369 right at the border of k4 and k5 is f367. Abutting the apron and sloping down and away from the apron (f131) is a gray layer with some sherds laying on it - we called it f368. We decided to excavate f367 first as it overlays the other features and so is the latest. When removing it we found what appears to be a very damaged plaster floor. gB suggested that we continue removing f368 using only a small pick and a brush to avoid damaging the original surface of f369 and to see if f369 slopes up and serves as the base for the plaster. Once we have finished removing f367 I would like to temporarily stop in k4 and k5. At that point we will have the exposure of all of f359 that still exists as well as some features that may be just below in the north area next to the apron (f131). The next step would be to continue across the west baulk of k5 to k15 and see if the f359 continues to the west. This should give us the complete exposure of f359. We will still leave the small baulk stubs right next to the apron to provide a nice sequence of the layers abutting the apron. Once we finish exposing f359 according to our original strategy we should go down in k110 to achieve the original goals set by the season of reaching the earliest floors associated with the apron (f131) and exposing the edge of the lower staircase and seeing if it continues west. With the last 10 days of excavation we should be able to expose all of f359 and then reach the earliest levels in k110.  Excavating in k110 also has the advantage of exposing the gray layer we see in the west section of k100 to see if it is the same as f369 that we find in k4/k5 just under f359. This will not allow us time to achieve our goals of studying the early escarpment in k13 but it will be enough to complete some of our goals, notably the most important for our season of reaching the earliest floors associated with the apron. 

f 365
tc co f367
tc co f368
tc co f359

f 367
ds This feature is composed of a reddish brown matrix with some gypsum inclusions. It is medium hard and comes apart partially in flakes. It is similar to f365 which covered it. 
ar I think the plaster (f370) is either partially overlaying f367 or is embedded in f367 as it is very thin and damaged and seems to be part of the same matrix as f367. Because the plaster is so damaged it is difficult to assess its relationship to any of the features. 
tc ov f359
tc ov f369
tc ov f368

f 368
ds Gray layer sloping down away from the apron. It has some larger sherds (10cm) embedded in its surface. It seems to have laminations on its surface but we have not excavated it yet. 
tc ab f131

f 369
ds Hard gray layer. It is gray colored and is very flakey. When we pick the layer above (f367) f369 is easily exposed although the very thin laminations sometimes break apart. 
dy We have only exposed it in a very small area. 

-wk Saleh did not come today. Abdee had a toothache but stayed to work anyways. We were able to manage as we were excavating close to the shaffat. Our team now consists of 2 pickmen, 5 shovelmen (when all are present) and 1 wheelbarrow driver.