June 2008 Archives

            We are now sure that the massive wall is in fact a corner of a building.   In the southern end of our site at the corner near the wall, we have found a column.  This column seems to be abnormally close to the wall.  It is, therefore, likely that the column was already there before the construction of the byzantine wall.  The column must be from an earlier time; possibly the Roman period.

  We have also unearthed the Northern wall on the other side of the sub street.  This wall is, however, severely damaged; likely from the earth wake in the 8 century.   We are unsure at this point if we will find any kind of road paving; we are, although, hopeful.  In the rubble/ fill we have found many wedges.  These are used in the construction of domes.  It would appear that a dome must have been somewhere in the proximity of our excavation site. 

Everyday I receive more experience.  I am better at recognizing significant artifacts.  Some can be easy to spot while many times pieces such as a glass amulet are a small and rare commodity.  These finds take a bit more finesse

    I was placed to dig at a site off the main Roman road.  On the sub-road laid what appeared to be a corner.  We think that this corner will lead into another road.  The initial job is to excavate a channel and see what we discover.  The Job stated out with moving rubble.  With our square cleared, we worked on leveling the terrain.  After digging down not more than about six inches below ground level, we found some substantial boulders.

    These boulders appear to have definite edges as if intelligently placed.  We believe this to be a wall constructed two rocks wide.  This is a stereo typical wall construction of the byzantine period.  All this leads us to believe we have found more than a standard basalt rocks. 

    One thing I have learned today during the dig is about the important tools used in ancient city excavation.  one of these tools is the turrauh.  I have never used this particular tool.  I am accustomed to the use of other similar tools such as the hoe but this tool is much heavier and seems more durable.