A sunny, windy day, but we were able to achieve our first mapping progress of the 2014 season! We were able to successfully achieve additional architectural mapping, specifically the two "rooms" north of AB4. We had Avo and three younger workers today--Levon is off to Gyumri for two days.
The current situation in AB4 is a bit confusing, as the relationship between the LB and EB stratigraphy is anything but clear. On the NE trench wall there are at least two levels visible in the section: the LB paved floor, a clay level below that floor but slightly lower that is difficult to interpret at present, and a clearly EB clay/black level just above bedrock. The EB levels are now bisected in trench NE, and exposed, with a certain amount of EB pottery laying flat, in trench SE. Are we talking about two EB levels underneath the LB occupation or one? EB1 AND EB2? or just EB1? The only way to attack this issue is to engage in significant rock pulling in both of the long operation sections, which is currently underway in locus 16 (trench SE).
We also opened a 2.5 SW extension to AB4 today, "reopening" excavation of a portion of the 5x3 trench portion defined but abandoned in 2008. Low material frequencies and ongoing topsoil removal.