012AD008603 and 012AD08678

Pebble Surface

Phasing

Only a single sheep mandible was recorded in the finds databases for this feature, even though the context record indicates an oyster shell was also present. This could indicate a Roman date, which is the case for most of the other pebble surfaces found to the north. Hoever, this surface was at a higher elevation than the other surface (012AD06216), found in the base of the ditch to the north, which could demonstrate that although this was a longstanding feature, the surface was perhaps only periodically used. The surface was subsequently cut by a number of slots and post holes.

Stratigraphic Matrix Diagram

              012AD08705    012AD08681   
                     
              012AD08706    012AD08682   
                     
  012AD08658    012AD08836        012AD08610       
                     
  012AD08659    012AD08837        012AD08611       
                     
                     
      012AD08603 =          012AD08678  

Discussion

This was a compacted pebble surface (in a sandy loam matrix), one of a number which were found in the dry valley, possibly part of a seasonal processional way up the valley towards the late Roman structures. The surface itself was not excavated, just cleaned back to allow its limits to be planned.

All Contexts and Associated Finds Totals

CONTEXT VOLUME OBJECTS AN BONE DENSITY
012AD08603   0 0  
012AD08678   0 1  

Context Details

KEY_ID TYPE SHAPE L B D PROFILE NOTES
012AD08603 PEBBLE SURFACE AMORPHOUS 835 510 3   SURFACE. HIGHER LEVEL THAN SURFACE 6216. SANDY LOAM MATRIX-MUNSELL OF MATRIX. SURFACE CUT BY NUMEROUS POST HOLES AND SLOTS.
012AD08678 PEBBLE SURFACE COMPLEX 835 510 3   SURFACE. ALMOST CERTAINLY EQUAL TO 8603. CUT BY NUMEROUS POST HOLES AND SLOTS. CONTAINED OYSTER SHELL. SANDY LOAM MATRIX-MUNSELL OF MATRIX.

Animal Bones

KEY_ID SPECIES ELEMENT CHEW BURN BUTCH FBRK
012AD08678 Sheep Mandible 0 0 0 0