North of Nezi 2010
Yellow First Session Report (Jessica Paga)


The following summarizes the results of excavation in the area directly North of the 1961 Byzantine House, in the space bounded by North-South wall 5677 on the West (E. 261.83), East-West wall 5562 on the South (N. 1040.23), and North-South wall 5431 on the East (E. 276.78). The Northern boundary of the area under investigation is delineated by the scarp of the excavations and backfill from the late 19th c., later excavations in the area to the South of the South Stoa by Oscar Broneer in the 1930s, and the subsequent excavations in the 1960s (N. 1045.51).

The excavation of this area was supervised by Dr. G.D.R. Sanders (director) and Martin Wells (field supervisor). Our pick man was Panos Kakouros, our shovel man (and occasional pick man) was Kleomenes Didaskalou, our wheelbarrow man was Vassilis Kollias, and our sieve man was Agamemnon. Jessica Paga was recorder for the first session, from 7 April – 23 April, 2010. This area was last excavated in 2008 by Thanos Webb, Amit Shilo, Christina Kolb, and Sarah Lima.

Our primary objectives in excavating this area included defining the relationship of this area to the Byzantine House to the South, removing the Frankish levels in order to investigate the Middle and Late Byzantine uses of the area, and clarifying the possible connections and relations between this area and that directly South of the South Stoa. The boundary between the Byzantine House and our area is the E-W wall 5562 (which has not yet been phased, but which clearly has two periods of construction). One of the main questions regarding the relationship of our area to the Byzantine House is whether this is an exterior or interior space. The removal of the Frankish levels required dismantling several walls and excavating several deposit contexts. In removing the Frankish levels, we were hoping to answer questions about the Middle and Late Byzantine use of the area. The area to the South of the South Stoa is riddled with later walls, pits, and areas of backfill. Our primary goal here was to clarify what had been previously excavated (e.g. what was backfill, what were the parameters of earlier investigation) and what were “untouched” or unexcavated strata. Due to the disparate nature of the Frankish levels and the physical divisions of the area by various North-South walls (e.g. 5677, 5561, 5394, and 5430) and pits/robbing trenches (e.g. robbing trench 5802, bothros 5595), we excavated this area in two parts. The Western half, which we investigated first, consists of the area bounded by N-S wall 5677 on the West, E-W wall 5562 on the South, robbing trench 5802 on the East, and the Northern scarp as defined by the 2008 excavations (e.g. the scarps of 5689 and bothros 5629). The Eastern half, which was investigated second, consists of the area bounded by N-S wall 5430/5431 on the East, E-W wall 5562 on the South, N-S wall 5561/6821 and bothros 5595 on the West, and the Northern scarp as delineated by earlier 19th and 20th c. excavations. In the final two days of session I, we turned our attention to the central area between the Western and Eastern halves: an area bounded by robbing trench 5802 on the West, bothros 5595 on the South, N-S wall 6821 on the East, and the Northern scarp as defined by the earlier excavations. This central space represents the link between the Western and Eastern halves of the area.


THE WESTERN HALF

Excavation in the Western half of the area was conducted from 7 April – 14 April, 2010. The latest feature still extant in this area was Frankish E-W wall 5678. This wall abutted, but was not bonded with, N-S wall 5677, possibly implying that it was co-terminus to or post-dated wall 5677 (N.B. wall 5677 has not yet been phased). Wall 5678 was dated to the 3rd ¼ of the 13th c. based on pottery. One coin was recovered during the dismantling of the wall (2010-001), from the reign of Alexius I (1092-1093 C.E.). It is possible that the wall as it existed prior to excavation was actually only the foundation rubble; at the very least, most of the demolition of wall 5678 involved the removal of the foundation rubble and fill, with only a few upper stones indicating possible visible wall courses. Wall 5678 cut the 2008 deposits 5712, 5531, 5515, and 5524. The wall also cut the 11th-12th c. external floor surfaces 6698 and 6696, as well as the layers of fill below them. The wall further cut the 10th-11th c. marble tile floor (5710), which is extant on the North and South of the foundation trench for the wall. Wall 5678 was possibly truncated or robbed out by the activity to the East, evidenced by robbing trench 5802. The sequence and nature of events at this intersection is unclear without further examination.

On either side of wall 5678 and cut by it (North and South), there was an external floor surface, indicated by a compact surface with small to medium sized pebbles and tiles laid horizontally (6698 and 6696, although see the excavation notes for the problem with 6696). The nature of the pebbles and use of tile implies an exterior, rather than interior, space. The optical similarity between the surfaces cut by wall 5678, as well as their similar inclusions and compaction, suggests that they represent a single unified space. This floor dates to the 11th-12th c. and represents a clear use of the area during the Late Byzantine period. At this time, the area to the North of the 1961 Byzantine House was exterior to the primary living space, but possibly still associated with the house and nearby activities. Underneath the floor were several deposits of fill and accumulation (most likely both natural and man-made), all datable to the 10th-11th c. This possibly indicates a period of abandonment or lack of precise use during the transition from the Middle to Late Byzantine periods. Prior to this hypothetical period of abandonment, a marble tiled floor was laid (5710), most likely dating to the 10th c. (N.B. the floor has not been excavated; dating is based on the stratigraphic relationship between the marble floor and the fills that postdate it).

The positive sequence of events for the Western half of the area begins with the concrete subfloor and marble tile floor, laid alongside N-S wall 5677, probably during the 10th c. This marble floor runs up to the East face of N-S wall 5677, but does not extend as far South as E-W wall 5562. The Northern and Eastern limits of the floor are unknown. The floor itself was laid in an opus sectile and lozenge pattern, with alternating white marble and blue schist stones. The lozenge pattern tiles seem to form a border around a missing central feature. The function of this floor and space is unclear without further excavation, as is its possible relationship to the 1961 Byzantine House to the South. A concrete subfloor underlies the marble floor and is traceable in many places where the marble tiles are no longer extant. This subfloor was cut along the South by an irregular line, possible denoting the later foundation trench for wall 5562. Following the abandonment of the marble floor phase, several layers of fill accumulated across the surface. At the present moment, this fill represents a possible period of abandonment or disuse during the end of the Middle Byzantine and early Late Byzantine period. At some point in the 11th – 12th c., in the Late Byzantine period, this fill was overlaid with an external floor surface. This floor surface was subsequently cut in the 12th c. by a built pithos (5504), as well as a bothros (5629). The pithos and bothros also cut the marble floor and the concrete subfloor. At the end of the 12th c., a robbing trench (5802) also cut the external floor surface (and possibly the marble tile floor). In the 3rd ¼ of the 13th c., a Frankish rubble wall (5678) was installed, cutting both the external floor surface as well as the earlier marble floor.


THE EASTERN HALF

Excavations in the Eastern half of the area were conducted from 14 April – 23 April, 2010. The Eastern area itself was artificially divided into two halves: the Western area delineated by N-S wall 5561 and N-S wall 5394, and the Eastern area delineated by N-S wall 5394 and N-S wall 5430. As with the Western half, the Eastern half was characterized by later rubble walls. Our first action in this area was to dismantle the Frankish (2nd ½ of the 13th c.) N-S wall 5430, which was the latest feature still extant. This wall was built on top of an earlier N-S wall, 5431, both of which abut E-W wall 5562, but do not bond with it. Contexts 6723, 6733, and 6809 were further evidence of the Frankish use of this area. 6733 possibly represents a clayey surface, associated with N-W wall 5430. The precise nature of the Frankish use of this area remains unclear, as does the relationship between the Frankish levels on the Eastern half and the Frankish E-W wall 5678 on the Western half.

Prior to the Frankish occupation of this area, there were several periods of Middle and Late Byzantine use, as represented by several deposits of fill on top of an ashy layer of soil (6747). This fill is later than the 10th-11th c. fill that covered the marble tile floor and underlaid the external floor surface in the Western half of the area, and therefore probably is not related to the same period of disuse. The ashy soil layer covered, and thereby post-dates, three walls: E-W wall 6764, N-S wall 6765, and E-W wall 6775. The ashy soil also covered a stratum of compact clayey soil (6777), dated to the Late Byzantine period (12th c., npd). This compact clayey deposit possibly represents a surface, slumping to the East and South due to soil disruption below. The clayey surface is related to feature 6807, an arrangement of tiles, set horizontally into a bed of yellow clay, all of which was covered by an accumulation of nearly pure ash (6778). Taken together, the ash, clayey surface, and tiles might represent a Late Byzantine hearth. Mitigating this hypothesis is the fact that the ash contained very few traces of charcoal, there was a general lack of pottery within the deposit of ash and the clayey surface, and there were no traces of burning on the tiles or stones of N-S wall 5394 and N-S wall 6789 (the tile feature abutted and partially ran underneath wall 5394; it runs directly up to wall 6789). It is possible that there was industrial activity occurring nearby and the ashes were dumped in this area; this would explain the lack of localized burning and absence of materials within the deposit.

In addition to the Late Byzantine “hearth,” the 12th c. occupation of this area included the use of a rectangular pit, created by the intersections of N-S wall 5431, E-W wall 6764, N-S wall 6765, and E-W wall 6775. These four walls created a long, narrow space (L. 1.80m, W. approximately 0.32m), that was filled with very loose and soft soil (6759, 6770). The soil contained several ash lenses, possibly representing a connection with the ash associated with the “hearth.” Near the bottom of the fill of this pit (6759, 6770), several cook pots, one 12th c. white ware plain bowl, and large quantities of bone were deposited (including part of a human skull). This rectangular area appears to have been used as a receptacle for the disposal of goods during the Late Byzantine period. It is possible that the N-S wall 6765 and the E-W wall 6775 were built specifically for this disposal pit, but that hypothesis remains uncertain without further excavation of the area.

The positive reconstruction of this area is complicated by the fact that the relationship between the ash deposit and “hearth” feature and the rectangular pit is unclear. They all date to the 12th c., but it is not clear if they were being used simultaneously. All three deposits might be linked to the industrial activity postulated within this broader area. After the area fell into disuse, several layers of accumulation and fill built up, until the clayey surface of the Frankish period was installed, along with N-S wall 5430.

To the West of this activity, the situation is likewise imprecise. The western part of the Western half is delineated by N-S wall 5561 (and earlier N-S wall 6821) on the West, and N-S wall 5394 (and earlier N-S wall 6789) on the East. The latest layers of this area were, like those to the East, Frankish, dating to the early 13th c. Most likely, the Frankish occupation of this area was the same as that to the East and West. The Frankish contexts in this area overlaid 11th-12th c. strata. At some point in the 11th or early 12th c., a stone feature was built (6820), running parallel to E-W wall 5562. This feature might be a Western continuation of E-W wall 6764, or it might represent an independent structure of unknown function. The 11th c. occupation of the area is represented by several deposits underlying N-S wall 5561 (12th – early 13th c.). These deposits (e.g. 6812, 6814, 6805, 6815, 6816) are layers of accumulation or fill on top of earlier N-S wall 6821 (this wall has not yet been phased). Possibly related to these deposits of 11th c. activity, are two external floor surfaces (6819 and 6825), identified as such due to the small to medium pebbles embedded in their surfaces, as well as horizontally-laid tiles. The later floor, 6819, is optically identical to the external floor surfaces excavated in the Western half (6698 and 6696), although possibly slightly earlier in date. These external floor surfaces represent our clearest evidence of linked activity and occupation throughout the Western and Eastern halves of the area.

The positive reconstruction of events in this area begins with the N-S wall 6821, of uncertain date. This area subsequently is filled by various 11th c. deposits, including an ash deposit (6814), potentially related to the ash deposits further to the East. In the late 11th c., an external floor is laid, which was later cut by 12th c. bothros 5595, late 12th c. robbing trench 5802, and Frankish pit 5758. Co-terminus or later with the external floor surfaces, a stone feature (6820) was installed, of uncertain purpose. These strata and features represent the Middle and Late Byzantine period of use in this area. The connection between these areas and the 1961 Byzantine House to the South remains unclear, as the Byzantine House at this point was covered and filled with backfill. It is also unclear at the present moment what is happening further to the East, in the direction of the road. To the North, the relationship between the South Stoa and the Byzantine and Frankish activity here is similarly unclear, although there is general evidence of industrial activity along this area.


CONCLUSION

The Frankish occupation in this area is characterized by several rubble walls (E-W wall 5678, N-S wall 5430) and deposits. The Frankish activity is dispersed throughout the area and not localized in one particular section. The Late Byzantine period immediately preceding the Frankish period, is primarily identifiable in the various late 11th and 12th c. floor surfaces (6696, 6698, 6819, 6825), which, in some places, are associated with rubble walls. The Late Byzantine walls, in general, are built with fewer pieces of spoliated stone than the Frankish walls, and also tend to be constructed with smaller stones and in more regular courses. The Late Byzantine occupation of this area included industrial or cooking activity of some sort, as indicated by the various deposits of ash, cookware, and bones, particularly in the Eastern half of the area. The arrangement of walls and stone features in the Eastern half, along with the material finds from this area, potentially indicates compartmentalized disposal activity. The Middle Byzantine period of occupation in this area is thus far indicated by layers of fill on the East and a marble tile floor on the West.

The relationship between this area and the 1961 Byzantine House to the South has been made somewhat clearer by the excavations of Session I. In the Western half of the area, at least, the connection between the Byzantine House and the marble tile floor can be postulated (the construction date for the Byzantine House is late 10th-early 11th c.; the marble tile floor is co-terminus).


SUGGESTIONS FOR SUBSEQUENT EXCAVATION

1. Continue excavating the deposits between N-S wall 6821 and N-S wall 6789. Contexts 6791 and 6810 revealed a relatively compact, reddish stratum that covers most of this area. Excavation of this area will help clarify the nature of the stone feature 6820, as well as better define the parameters of the two N-S walls.
2. Define the Northern baulk as it continues to the West. The Eastern edge was revealed by the excavation of context 6809, but it is important to continue tracing this line of backfill and cuts made in the 1930s, in order to prevent contamination.
3. Continue excavating context 6787, which was paused, mid-excavation. This is a stratum of loose fill between E-W wall 6764 and N-S wall 6789. Further excavation of this layer could reveal more of E-W wall 6764 or expose a foundation trench for N-S wall 6789.
4. Resume excavation of the pit between walls 5431, 6764, 6765, and 6775. Contexts 6759 and 6770 revealed a stratum of loose soil with lenses of ash and charcoal, and with lots of inclusions of pottery and bone. Excavation in this pit will help to clarify the nature of the Late Byzantine activity in the area.
5. Investigation of the area around the “hearth” (6807) might reveal more information about the nature of the activity in this area and the ashy deposits.
6. Continued excavation of the central area, between the Western and Eastern halves, would help to unify the two areas and better our understanding of the overall activity. The floor surfaces 6819 and 6825 revealed a stratum of loose fill, somewhat similar to that revealed by the external floor surfaces to the West (e.g. fill 6701, 6699).