Corinth Basket Nezi Field, context 5497

Collection:		Corinth
Type:		Basket
Name:		Nezi Field, context 5497
Area:		Nezi Field
Context Type:		Fill
Title:		fill of pit consisting of cobbles
Category:		Deposit
Notebook:		1101
Context:		5497
Page:		0
Date:		2008/05/15
Lot:		Lot 2008-010
Stratum:		70% inclusions: boulders, angular: 0.50 m L x 0.30 m W x 0.30 m H ; cobbles (0.07-0.15 m); ceramics, bone, large roots (0.04 m diameter)
Description:		Top slope of the context is moderate down to the S. The soil color is dark greyish brown. The soil compaction is loose. The soil is well sorted. It is sandy silt.
Notes:		We took 5497 separately from 5491 because the stones had originally been thought to represent the N edge of the bothros that 5494 filled. Upon excavation of 5491, however, it became clear that the stones were resting on top of the same soil matrix being removed. Consequently, we decided to stop excavating context 5491 and remove the matrix of soil surrounding the remaining boulders, as well as the boulders themselves as context 5497. After removing the stones and cleaning this portion of the pit, we should be able to define its overall shape. The pickman's interpretation seems correct- the blocks rest on the same level as the rest of the debris and seem to represent components of the same pit-fill dumping event. It would be unwise to dismiss the fact that they appeared to go in an at least mildly discernable line, though (i.e., they probably still represent the foundations of a wall). As for the pit which the stones fill, it appears to cut the hard, white layer (context 5399) to the S and E, and the redish colored layer (context 5494) to the N. To the W, the border is still diffuse, although an edge of mixed soil has been defined by the pickman. Further evidence of the stones being laid on top of a cut cutting context 5494 appears to the N edge of the pit; there, a thin strip of reddish soil appears over the bottom of the pit, possibly overlapping a harder layer beneath; it would be explainable if the pit were cut to the deepest levels, and then some of the topmost cut layer (5494) fell in, after which stones and debris were laid on top of it.
Context Pottery:		Coarseware. matt painted, pilgrim flask. 1 handle. (saved to lot) .; Fineware. maiolica, pitcher. 1 bodysherd. (saved to lot) .; Cooking ware. vertical rim stewpot (1270-1320), stewpot. 1 rim. 2 handles. 9 bodysherds. (saved to lot) .; Fineware. pre Frankish11 bodysherds. (saved to lot) .; Fineware. glaze painted IV, slipped (1220-1260), bowl. 1 bodysherd. (saved to lot) .; Fineware. light on dark IV, slip painted (1225-1260), bowl. 1 bodysherd. (saved to lot) .; Fineware. late sgraffito, slipped style VII (1250-1300), bowl. 9 rims. 11 bodysherds. (saved to lot) .; Fineware. metallic ware, unslipped (1275-1335), pitcher. 2 bodysherds. (saved to lot) .; Fineware. slipped plain glazed (1100-1300), bowl. 5 rims. 6 bodysherds. (saved to lot) .; Coarseware. matt painted, amphora. 1 rim. 2 handles. 8 bodysherds. (saved to lot) .; Coarseware. matt painted, pitcher. 1 handle. 3 bodysherds. (saved to lot) .
Pottery Summary:		51 frag(s) 0.73 kg. (100% saved) fineware.
		226 frag(s) 2.58 kg. (100% saved) coarseware.
		43 frag(s) 0.61 kg. (100% saved) cooking ware.
Context Artifacts:		coarseware strainer (saved to lot); marble revetment white 1 (saved to lot); Iron, nail, square shank, Ht: 0.05, 2 (saved to lot); shell cockle 3, patela 1, murex 1 (saved to lot); Iron, square shank 1 (saved to lot); Bone- complete phalanx of Equus caballus (Horse - Domestic) - 1 example(s).; Bone- cranial of Capra/Ovis sp (Goat or Sheep) - 9 example(s).; Bone- cranial of Mammalia, md (Mammal - Medium) - 13 example(s).; Bone- cranial of Sus scrofa (Wild Boar or Domestic Pig) - 4 example(s).; Bone- head femur of Equus caballus (Horse - Domestic) - 1 example(s).; Bone- most (nearly complete) phalanx of Bos taurus (Cattle - Domestic) - 1 example(s).; Bone- tooth of Bos taurus (Cattle - Domestic) - 2 example(s).; Bone- tooth, canine of Sus scrofa (Wild Boar or Domestic Pig) - 1 example(s).
Period:		Frankish (1210-1458 AD)
Chronology:		Late 13th century, NPD
Grid:		262.5-261.7E, 1037.6-1038.2N
XMin:		261.7
XMax:		262.5
YMin:		1037.6
YMax:		1038.2
Site:		Corinth
City:		Ancient Corinth
Country:		Greece
Masl:		84.94-85.2m.
References:		Report: Nezi Field 2008 by Sarah Lima (2008-04-07 to 2008-06-13)