A history and chronology of the site based on findings in square F6 are
as follows:
Loci F6000 and F6001 are associated with the latest phases. These loci
are both erosion layers with unstratified materials dating to the present
(bullet casing) on the surface to 10th-12th CE materials directly on top
of F6003 and above F6002. Much of the robbing or reuse of stone comes from
the 10th-12th CE. These layers consist of broken chunks of building stone
as well as a significant amount of architectural fragments (46) of capital,
column, and moldings of various dimensions which were parts of the architecture
of the temples on our site. Most of the recycling of stone took place in
this period.
F6002 is our latest wall and by evidence of pottery, I suspect dates
between 370 to 420 CE. Only the bedding remains with one stone in our west
balk measuring 15x36 cm. Approx. F6002 runs in a East-West direction and
was built against the interior of F6003. Founding material for this wall
consists of boulder, some rounded basalt, cobbles, some angular, with a
small amount of cement mortar between intermingled in a limestone bedding.
F6004, F6006, F6008. This wall terminates approximately 75 cm before our
east balk and appears to turn in a north-east direction. At the Northeast
corner of our balk there is also a hard packed layer with several cobbles
embedded which is on top of F6005 and this may possibly be footing material
of the extension of this wall. Not enough of F6007 is exposed to be certain.
Materials within the bedding of F6002 indicate a dating of 380-425 CE.
Bucket I.F6.9 is critical as this bucket contains 1/3 of a juglet broken
in the fill with one coin (C-1). There is, however, one small glazed body
sherd of the 10th-12th CE which I believe to be contamination, and one
questionable jar rim, possibly 10th-12th CE but UD at this time. Due to
the change in direction of F6002, it is possible F6002 may be the outer
south wall of a basilica.
WF6003 is a substantial wall running in a south-east direction approximately
2 m. thick and we have exposed six courses of its northern face down to
an elevation of 178.28. The interior face of WF6003 is roughly finished
and stones are uneven with plaster at some of the joints which were not
meant to be seen. Loci F6009, F6010, F6011, and F6012 are associated with
the backfilling during the course of construction of this wall. These loci
consist of layers of fill thrown in during the course of setting the stones
and tough trimming in place as limestone chips were noted throughout the
fill with heavier deposits closer to the wall. Material artifacts and pottery
consist of a few glass fragments, painted wall plaster fragments of red,
yellow and black, one piece of marble, and a small amount of pottery considering
the amount of rubble removed. Latest pottery read two 3rd-4th CE body sherds
and one handle fragment F6011 I.F6.29. Earlier pottery to the 1st half
of the 1st CE included several lamp fragments including two or three spatulated
lamp nozzles. A floor for this wall was not found as WF6002 had been placed
directly against WF6003, obliterating its interior surface. This wall,
WF6003, is part of the "temple two" wall exposed in C6 and at
other areas. Founding level or bedrock has not been reached and number
of remaining courses is unknown.
WF6005 is a very fine chiseled wall tightly set without mortar running
in a south-east direction parallel with WF6005 with approximately 1.20
space between walls. At an elevation of 181.47 nice cornicing was noted
extending out 30 cm from the wall. Below that two courses of stone were
exposed to the surface where we stopped. A locus of F6013 was assigned
a surface where exposed consist of cobbles set in soft soil similar to
F6012 and here we stopped for the season. From what we can see of WF6005
at this level there appears to be another course of stone below or possibly
cut bedrock. It is apparent that the exterior (south) face of WF6005 was
completely exposed during the construction of WF6003 to bedrock level and
exterior walking surfaces of WF6005 have been removed during its construction.
Bedrock or number of remaining courses in unknown. Lower exposed stone
of WF6005 is exceptionally large over 1.50 meters in length as no joint
can be seen in our balk. However, our area of excavation to the surface
of F6013 is restricted to 50-75 cm, due to danger of balk collapse and
two large stones are on top of its surface. The top elevation of this wall
is 183.03 and on the top exposed surface there is evidence of burning and
surface was noted uneven or lumpy at one area. This would indicate possible
lime burning nearby to the north.