Day 7: Ditches and Fills

After the flurry of activity over the recent major finds, today was far more focused on understanding some of the subtler features on site. This blog post will discuss our progress on coming to understand some of the ditches uncovered in Trench 1. In addition, we made some exciting pottery and small find discoveries today. Read on to find out more...

Over the past few days, we have been increasingly aware of the presence of a large ditch or multiple ditches uncovered throughout Trench 1. In three separate areas, we have picked up these ditch features and have begun excavating them further. Today, special focus was given to these features and we have made significant progress on them. We believe that in these we have picked up evidence of a levelling deposit covering much of the site, possibly associated with the creation of a flat surface for gardens. This overburden makes it challenging to date and fully understand these features. In some areas, the stratigraphy of these trenches is complex, suggesting that these deposits were laid in separate events. In some area these deposits are sloping which provides some indication of how they were formed. Overall, we are recovering all the pottery and bone from within these deposits which we will be able to use to date these layers. Because some of these pits undercut wall features, we have reason to believe that these ditches are the earliest features on the site.

Elsewhere in Trench 1, an amazing discovery was made in the square-shaped room. Adrian and Phillippa recovered an almost intact pot as well as the base of a pot of which parts have already been discovered. Because of the exceptional preservation of the largely intact pot, and the presence of a fill, we have whisked it away for safe keeping and conservation. It might be possible to perform scientific analysis on the pot to find out what it was used for.

In Trench 2, the hearth feature has become clearer with further excavation. Furthermore, an area of square cobbling has also been uncovered by our volunteer Will. In the corner of Trench 2A more chamfered stonework has been uncovered which delineates the extent wall of the probable kitchen space. Stylistically, this stonework is contemporary with the buttress discovered at the end of last week.

As the days go on, we are excited to see what else we will uncover. Check back for more about our progress and be sure to have a look at our social media feeds!