Stratigraphic Units

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Publication

Publication Status
Publication Year
Publication Notes

Basics

Excavation Year
Area
Definition
Irregular drain cover of tufo slabs west of slabs 5739
Formation Process
Stratigraphical Reliability
SU Type
Layer Distinguished By
Photos
Photo Model

Record Events

Filled Out By
Revised By
Finds Studied By
Filled Out On
Revised On
Finds Processed On
SU Closed

Inclusions

Class Frequency Details
Anthropic
Geologic
Organic

Soil Matrix

Composition
Clay %
Silt %
Sand %
Matrix
Compaction
Measured Compaction
Measured Compaction (kg per cm)
Color

Unit Limits

Northern Limit
Southern Limit
Western Limit
Eastern Limit
Depth Limit
Unit Limit Notes
Where it abuts 5739 to the east, the limit would appear to be original. The slabs end abruptly at the western end; perhaps this was the original limit of this (later?) drain cover, but it is also possible that it was robbed.

Stratigraphic Sequence

Relationships

Observations and Descriptions

Observations
The decision was made to differentiate this irregular section of slab drain from 5739 to the east during the offseason 2015-16, as the preliminary report was being written.
Position
W part of middle terrace of Area F.
Shape
Roughly rectangular.

Layers

Surface
Inclusion Observations
Thickness Observations
Interface

Cuts

Cut Edges
Cut Sides
Cut Bottom
Cut Top Edge
Cut Bottom Edge
Cut Observations

Structural Remains

Alignment
E-W
Building Technique

Binding Agent
Mortar Description
Mortar Inclusions

Mortar Inclusion Size
Wall Facing

Foundations
Floor Type

Wall Finishing

Dimensions
Structure Description
Composed of three square slabs and one two-sided threshold. The easternmost square block has fine herringbone incisions on its entire upper surface. It is unclear if this is decorative or functional (as away to help an upper surface adhere or perhaps as a non slip surface). Its southern end is fragmented and a negative space is visible below (likely the extension of the underlying drain). The next block to the west is slightly smaller and is also seemingly purposely roughened (though in a rustic rather than fine/decorative manner). This block also has small holes cut in its W and E ends for drainage. It is fractured in the middle. The next block W is a double threshold stone. Its eastern side had been cut to be trapezoidal such that it is the same width as the slab to the east. The western side of the threshold is rectangular and thus wider to match the size of the next slab to the West. The next slab is square and its surface is also roughly worked.

Samples

Total Volume of Layer (buckets)
Soil Sampling
Soil Sample Quantity (buckets)
Soil Sample Fraction (%)
Sieving
Sieving Sample Quantity (buckets)
Sieving Sample Fraction (%)
Non Soil Sampling
Non Soil Sample Type
Non Soil Sample Size

Interpretations

Interpretations
2016-03-24 Andrew Johnston

This is the cover of the westward continuation of the same E-W drain covered to the east by 5739. Based on the resemblance to diagonal drain covers 5871 and 5876 in Room 22 in the southwest corner of the lower terrace, both of which seem to be related to a later reorganization of the space, this SU was differentiated from 5739, with which it had originally been grouped during the 2014 excavation season. Unlike the slabs 5739, the slabs of 5907 are less regular in shape and size (one of them seems to be a repurposed threshold), and do not closely fit against wall/threshold 5740/5741. They sit well below the level of threshold 5740 to the south and floor 5726 to the north, and this would seem to have made for too awkward a transition to be original. With these considerations in mind, this seems to have been related to a repair to the drain and/or a repurposing and reorganization of this space, after the original surface had been disrupted or spoliated, and not to belong to the original phase of the building.

Dates and Phasing

Approximate Date of Layer
to
Date of Layer Observations
Creation Phase (First Phase Present)
Last Active Phase (Present and in Use)
Last Presence Phase (Last Phase Present, not in Use)

Faunal Register

Faunal NISP

Bulk Finds

Finds Observations
Finds Storage Notes
Bulk Finds
Lost / Damaged - Shed Fire 2020
Fire Damage Notes

Special Finds

Ceramics

Ceramics Assemblage Condition
Lost / Damaged - Shed Fire 2020
Ceramics Condition Comments
Ceramics

Glass

Glass

Spot Dates

Connected Forms

Attachments

Attachments
PHM917_SU5739_SU5740_SU5741_SU5771_SU1_extended.pdf
Photo Model

Tufo slab floor drain cover west of block 5586 (5739), Tufo step threshold west of wall 5574 (5740), Continuation of east-west ashlar wall west of 5740 (5741) and Single ashlar block oriented diagonally north of wall 5741 (5771)

Developed by the Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies, University of Arkansas.