"dc-title","UserLevel","dc-date","Collection","Chronology","Id","Icon","dc-creator","dc-subject","dc-publisher","Redirect","Name","dc-description","Type"
"Session Two 2010 Yellow Team Report","","","Corinth","","Corinth:Report:Nezi Field 2010 by Johanna Best Kelcy Sagstetter (2010-05-04 to 2010-05-21)","","","Corinthia | Ancient Corinth | Central Area | Nezi Field","","","Nezi Field 2010 by Johanna Best; Kelcy Sagstetter (2010-05-04 to 2010-05-21)","Yellow Second Session Report (Johanna Best and Kelcy Sagstetter); 2010; ; North of Nezi; ; The following summarizes the results of excavation in the area directly north of the Byzantine House excavated in 1961, 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 century, 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. 1046.51).  ; ; The excavation of this area was supervised by Dr. G.D.R. Sanders (director) and Martin Wells (field supervisor).  The Yellow team consisted of Panos Kakouros (pick man) Vassilis Kollias (wheelbarrow man), and Agamemnon Karvouniaris (sieve man).  Johanna Best and Kelcy Sagstetter were recorders for the second session, from 4 May – 21 May, 2010.  This area was last excavated in the first session of 2010 by Jessica Paga. ; ; Our primary objectives in excavating this area include defining the relationship of this area to the Byzantine House to the south, clarifying the possible connections and relationships between this trench and the area south of the South Stoa, and understanding what was backfill from previous excavations in the 1930s and 1960s and what were unexcavated strata. The excavations of session 1, 2010 have led us to believe that this area is probably an exterior space, and another goal was to clarify how it was used in the Middle and Late Byzantine periods. The many large pits, ashy layers in the middle and eastern end of the trench, and the possible external floor surfaces led us to believe that this may have been an industrial area, a hypothesis we hope will be tested in the final session of excavation. The work in session 2 has concentrated on the eastern half of the trench: the western limit has been defined by robbing trench 5802, the northern boundary is the scarp created in the 1930s, the eastern boundary is wall 5431, and the southern boundary is wall 6765.  The western half of the trench remains at the level of excavation achieved at the end of session 1.  ; ; From the excavation this session, we can add to Jessica Paga’s suggestions from session 1 about the area west of robbing trench 5802, east of wall 5677, and north of wall 5562.  She suggested that the marble tiled floor (5710) was laid in the 10th century.  Based on the placement of the tiles and placement of the later built pithos (5504), we hypothesize that in the 10th century this tile was an external decorative surface surrounding a fountain.  Above this, in a possible period of abandonment after the 10th century, several deposits of fill and accumulation (most likely both natural and man-made, and all datable to the 10th-11th centuries) may indicate a period of abandonment.  In session 2, we found that 6912, a possible leveling fill for a floor, was visually similar to 6696 and 6698 (according to Martin Wells), both of which were excavated in session 1. Based on the dating of 6912 by pottery to the 11th century, and the similar dating of 6696 and 6698 to the 11th and mid-12th centuries, the western and eastern portions of the trench (at least including the area west of 269E and wall 5677) may have been united as one external floor surface in the mid-11th century. Jess Paga has noted that this large external floor surface was cut in the 12th century by a bothros (5629) and a built pithos (5504).  The 12th century dates of the pits 6840 and 6891 in the central part of the trench lead us to believe that they may have been contemporaneous with the pithos and bothros in the west. ; A pit filled with ash (6929) was revealed to the east of pit 6840 and north of wall 6821.  Although we have no precise date for wall 6821, we know it was robbed out in the late 11th/early 12th centuries due to the fill of robbing trench 6927.  The first layer of fill, context 6928, was removed as a U-shaped context, since the ash in this context surrounded a small intrusion of dark reddish brown soil which was the same as the soil in 7009 (fill of robbing trench 6927).  The cut for the robbing trench did not truncate the cut for the pit 6929, yet the fill of the robbing trench continued into the fill of the pit.  In context 7014, the fill second from top in 6929, we discovered a large stone covered in concrete. Under the following layer of fill (7033), we came upon a very deep ash fill, which remains unexcavated.   A small tile stack, structure 7017, was excavated just to the east of the robbing trench 6927.  The working hypothesis for area is as follows: pit 6929 was dug and filled in with layers of ash and dirt around a large stone in the 11th century.  At some point before the late 11th or early 12th centuries wall 6821 was constructed to the south of this pit and also the tile stack (7017) was built adjacent to it, upon which burning activities took place.  It is possible that 7017 is only a portion of a larger tile stack, which extended from the north end of wall 6821 to the edge of the pit.  We speculate that the ash in the pit came from this source, and that when the robbing of 6821 took place the majority of this tile structure was also removed.  This hypothesis would account for a portion of robbing fill 7009 intruding into the fill of pit 6929.  Further excavation into the deeper fills of pit 6929 will hopefully create more clarity in this area. We speculate that whatever industrial activity led to the creation of cuts 6840, 5629, and 5504 may have also led to the cutting of pit 6929.; ; Excavation of contexts 7018 and 7022 in the area between walls 6821, 5562, and 6789 has revealed that these areas were active in the 11th century. Although there is no more precise date, a possible pit in the southeast corner of 7018 suggests a continuation of the pit-digging activity seen in the central and western portions of the trench. Further excavation of this area may bring provide some greater clarity on this point.; ; In investigating the extent of ash deposits in the trench, we removed structure 6807, identified by Jessica Paga as a possible tile-covered hearth. Under a layer of clay bedding  for the tiles (6936) we found three distinct layers of ash fill (6938, 6942, and 6981 respectively). 6942 included areas of extremely compact ash, which may have been mixed with lime and water, and the stones surrounding 6942 showed signs of burning.     However, the contexts immediately to the south of the tile “hearth,” include less ash (though some charcoal), more inclusions (bone, tile, and ceramics), and large stones.   One of these contexts, 6962 (currently not completely excavated due to a threat to the integrity of wall 6765) seems to continue under wall 6765 and may join with context 5759.  Additionally, 6962 contains a curved line of large stones at its current bottom.  At this point, we hypothesize that the area between walls 6789, 6764, and 5431 was filled with dumping or leveling fills in the 11th century.  Wall 6765 must have been both built and partially robbed in the 12th century as it rests on 6962 and 5759 (dated late 11th century and mid-12th centuries respectively) and under context 6747, which was dated to the 12th century.  At this point, we speculate that selective robbing on the northeast and southwest portions of 6747 was the cause for the creation of what appears to be an S-shaped wall.  Further excavation of the northeastern part of wall 6765 might clarify its use and construction.  Structure 6956 was probably built abutting the western side of 6765 at about the same time that tile structure 6807 was constructed.  Although we saw signs of burning in fill 6942 under the tile structure 6807, the quantity of ash in this area is probably best explained through dumping activity.  The source of the production of this much ash is yet unknown.; ; In conclusion, the Middle and Late Byzantine period is primarily identifiable in this trench by means of the various 11th century floor surfaces, the number of pits dug in the area, and the evidence of industrial activity.  Although there is not any direct access between this area and the Byzantine House in this period, it is clear that both spaces were actively in use.  The trench’s small spaces, the presence of ashy deposits, and external floor surfaces suggest an industrial use.    ; ; Suggestions for further excavation:; ; 1.     Continue to define the northern baulk and trace the line of backfill and cuts made in the 1930s in order to prevent contamination. ; 2.     Continue excavating contexts 6787, 6977, and 6962, all of which were paused, mid-excavation, as well as resume excavation of the pit between walls 5431, 6764, 6765, and 6775 (contexts 6759 and 6770)    Excavation in this area may help to clarify the nature of the Middle Byzantine activity in the area.  In addition, it might be profitable to continue excavation to the north of wall 6775.; 3.    Continue excavation of the area between walls 6821 and 6789 and north of pit 6840 to better the understanding of the overall activity in this area.  In particular, the excavation of pit 6929 might clarify what sort of industrial or storage activities were taking place here.; 4.     Excavation of the marble tile floor (5710) and further excavation of built pithos 5504 could provide evidence of activity in the western part of the trench; 5.     Define the rocks that have appeared just north of wall 5562 in between walls 6789 and 6821.  This might help to clarify the nature of structure 6820.; ; ; Panayia Field (NE) Report; ; The following summarizes the results of excavation of Ottoman graves in two areas of Panayia Field.  The first area is located between 987-988N and 416-419E.  The second area is further to the south between 978-980N and 424.5-426E. ; ; The excavation of this area was supervised by Dr. G.D.R. Sanders (director).  The Yellow team consisted of Panos Kakouros (pick man) Vassilis Kollias (wheelbarrow man), and Agamemnon Karvouniaris (sieve man).  Kelcy Sagstetter and Johanna Best were recorders, from 5 May – 11 May, 2010.  This excavation was, in part, filmed for the television documentary “1821: Birth of a Nation” by Anemon Productions.  ; ; The primary objectives for these excavations were to continue the excavation of Ottoman period graves in Panayia Field, which had recently been published by Rohn, Barnes, and Sanders in Hesperia 78 (2009).  In addition, the excavation of these graves could visually aid the viewers of “1821” and help them to better understand burial practices and social fabric of Ottoman Corinth.  ; ; Excavation in the first area (987-988N and 416-419E) took place on 5 May.  Two small grave pits were dug, in hopes of revealing burials.  Both of these small pits (Baskets 43 and 45) revealed disarticulated human bone beneath the topsoil.  The date given to both these baskets, based on associated pottery, was Mid-Byzantine (12th century), however this may be due to agricultural activity in the area, making the graves themselves as late as the Ottoman period.; ; Excavation then commenced in the second area (978-980N and 424.5-426E).  This area was selected because the skull of the skeleton in this burial was emerging from the baulk running north-south along 424.5E.  Excavations over the course of 6 May – 11 May, 2010 (Baskets 44 and 46) revealed an unlined burial pit oriented northeast-southwest containing an articulated skeleton. The skeleton was complete and in good condition. The grave appeared roughly sub-rectangular in shape, although the western edge had completely eroded.  The skeleton’s skull was in the southwestern part of the grave and the head appeared to have been turned to face the southeast.  The skeleton was in a partial fetal position, turned onto its right side, but with its pelvis flat and the left leg extended straight down. The right leg was bowed. The left arm was placed at roughly a 90 degree angle across its ribcage, with the hand and fingers tucked directly underneath the wrist. The right arm was extended along its right side with the palm down. The shoulders were hunched up in a manner consistent with having been dragged by the shoulders. Based on stature (approximately 5’1”) and a cursory examination of the sciatic notch, we believe the skeleton is female. Comparanda from the Hesperia supplement suggest that skulls facing the southeast and legs bowed indicate Muslim-style burials. However the lack of bowing in the left leg, as well as the careless way the rest of the skeleton appears to be placed, suggest that these features are coincidental and may not indicate a religious affinity. All of the graves immediately surrounding the burial, except one, were hypothesized to be Christian-style. Pottery found both baskets (the fill and the grave itself) range from Middle Byzantine (12th century) to the early Ottoman period. However comparanda from the rest of Panayia Field suggests that the burial is probably from the first 2/3 of the 17th century.","Report"
"2010 Session I Final Report: Area North of 1961 Byzantine House","","","Corinth","","Corinth:Report:Nezi Field 2010 by Paga, Jessica (2010-04-07 to 2010-04-23)","","","Corinthia | Ancient Corinth | Central Area | Nezi Field","","","Nezi Field 2010 by Paga, Jessica (2010-04-07 to 2010-04-23)","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).","Report"
"Blue 2010 Session 1 summary","","","Corinth","","Corinth:Report:Nezi Field 2010 by Rob Nichols, Marty Wells (2010-04-28 to 2010-04-29)","","","Corinthia | Ancient Corinth | Central Area | Nezi Field","","","Nezi Field 2010 by Rob Nichols, Marty Wells (2010-04-28 to 2010-04-29)","Rob Nichols, Marty Wells; Corinth Excavations 2010; North of Nezi; We, Rob Nichols and Marty Wells, commenced excavation in the area north of Nezi during the first session of the 2010 Corinth excavation season, 6 April – 23 April.  We excavated primarily in the northwest room of the Byzantine house—the ‘well room’ (6288)—bounded by walls 54, 5631, 6426, 10086, 10081, 10087, 55 and 6333 (E. 273.95-283.00; N. 1026.9-1034.78). This session continues the work supervised by Katie Rask, Marty Wells et al. during the 2009 excavation season.  Generally, current excavation in this area continues the work carried out during the 1960s by Henry Robinson (director) and William Berg III (supervisor).  Our objectives were to expose the earlier (11th cent CE or before) layers of the room in order to understand the changes of space over time in the various phases as well as to open up the house for public display.; The following is a summary and interpretation of the first session of excavation. The director was Guy Sanders, the field director was Marty Wells, the pickmen were Thanasis Notis and Panos Stamatis, the shovelman Sotiris Raftopoulos, and the barrowman Vangelis Kollias. The dry sieve was operated by Raftopoulos and Kollias.; Late Byzantine (1059-1210 CE); Early in this period (it still may be a late Middle Byzantine action), a small rectangular pit was cut and filled (6757, 6753) against the corner of N-S wall 6421 and 6052.; This period saw quite a bit of activity geared changing the use of space in the room between n-s walls 10087 (and 10086) on the east and wall 54 on the west. Most importantly, it seems that two perhaps mid-byzantine walls (6421 and 6707) were robbed of their upper courses, probably to make room for the well (6288). Two well constructed plaster floors (6693 south of the well and 6748 in the center of the room) were laid in this period. A series of leveling fills in the room (6774, 6771, 6755, 6695) raised the center of the room considerably for the construction of these floors. East – west wall 6426 was built in this period, dividing what had most likely been one long north-south room (wall 55 at the north, probably wall 5341 at the south) into two rooms. More detailed discussion of these contexts follows below. ; In the center of the room, probably early in this period, a large trashy fill consisting of tiles, bone and small stone cobbles was deposited (6774, probably 6780 as well). The bones are quite weathered, suggesting that the fill contained re-deposited dirt that had been sitting exposed for some time. This may also be the case for the fill 6780, which seems to have been a re-deposited Hellenistic fill. A series of leveling fills (6771, 6766-67, 6769, 6755) served to bring the floor level up to accommodate a white clay floor surface (6748, including several resurfacings) that extended north to wall 55 and west perhaps to N-S wall 6421 before 6421 was later cut for the well 6288. At some point a small pit for a posthole was cut and later filled (6750 and 6751), though the relationship between this posthole and the surrounding surfaces is still unclear; for now it can only be added that in 2009, four postholes were excavated in this area but at a considerably higher level. At a later point the level of the room was raised again by two fills (6685, 6686).; In the southwest corner of the room a series of fills (6694, 6695) were deposited for the construction of floor 6693 (above two earlier Late Roman/Middle Byzantine walls (E-W 6707 and N-S 6421, probably contemporary, sharing foundation trench cut 6706), likely due to the fact that the shape of the room and its relationship to adjoining rooms by the Late Byzantine period had changed.  Further information of the area to the SW of walls 6707 and 6421 is hindered somewhat by the large tree root in the corner of the room as well as the fact that this area was one of those excavated in the 1960s.  At some point, wall 6422 was put in as a foundation for a higher level in later phases.; In the southern area of the room, leveling fill (6736) was used to accommodate an E-W wall (6426), which was later robbed out (6724, 6725) and cut by a large pit (5935, 1960s excavation).; Middle Byzantine (802-1058 CE); In the southern area of the room, leveling fills (6730, 6736) would later be used for the construction of the E-W wall 6426 (or these were fills that 6426 was built on. The fact that this area was excavated in the 1960s and in 2008 and 2009 makes definite dates for this wall’s construction difficult to ascertain.  Two pits were also dug in this area, though their relationship with the surrounding architecture remains unclear.  The first pit (6742, 6741) was cut south of fill 6736 and is remarkable for containing a large amount of carbon and a nearly complete cookpot. The second (6745, 6746) was cut and appeared to extend N-S along wall 6421 and may have been part of the foundation trench for this wall. ; E-W wall 6707 and N-S wall 6421 were constructed during this period.  Wall 6707 abutted 6421 on its western side and share foundation trench 6706.  The upper courses of the walls were most likely robbed out at the same time in order to accommodate well 6288 later. Eventually the middle section of 6421 was robbed out and filled (6709, 6721), with the lower courses abutting wall 5631 to the south, and terminating on the north at the same elevation as wall 55. This robbing trench fill would be cut by well 6288 in a later phase.; Quite late, the E-W wall 6052 was robbed out and filled in (6718 and 6719); later a pit (6712) seems to have been cut into the robbing trench fill.; Late Roman/Early Byzantine (300-801 CE); These layers are concentrated primarily in the center of the room. In the Late Roman period, a sewer drain (structure 6827) was in existence (we have not dated the structure as of yet), oriented NW-SE, under the phases of the later Byzantine room and continued under wall 10086 to the east. It consisted of a combination of building materials: worked fieldstones, marble pavers and a collection of weathered and/or badly carved architectural members: two geison blocks (so far excavated), one half-column cut lengthwise, and an unfluted (so far as is visible) column with an offset empolium.  At some point the drain went out of use, and an extensive fill of re-deposited material (6788) was deposited over it, followed by subsequent fills 6686, and 6682 in later periods.; Middle Roman (200-400 CE); During this period a pit was cut to the south (6824, 6822) into a deposit of reddish fill (6813). It is possible that this cut may be for a pit which was later cut by the sewer and then partially filled in by the fill (6788) overlying the sewer.  Again, the fact that this area had been previously excavated makes understanding the relationship between this pit and the fill over the sewer difficult to understand. It is possible that what had been an early pit (6824, 6822), with pottery dating to the middle Roman period, was later cut due to sewer maintenance. We only had a small portion of the cut on the south side.  ; Conclusions/ Suggestions for Further Excavation; Based on current excavation, the earlier phases of the Byzantine house were constructed over a Late Roman sewer and contained a good deal of reused material and re-deposited fill, perhaps from the Forum to the north.  In the later chronological phases the internal space of the room was modified and enlarged: the walls in the South and Southwest went out of use and were either filled above their foundations or robbed out completely. The large white clay floor surface in the middle of the room may have extended beyond what was visible upon its excavation; evidence for this may have been obliterated in the construction of the four large piers (observed in the 2009 excavations) used to support a second story.  See the Blue summary from 2009 for more detailed discussion on the cutting of the clay/plaster floors 6693 and 6748.; The position of the sewer indicates that the Late Roman E-W road may have passed near to this later room.  Director Guy Sanders has suggested prima facie that the major N-S artery to the East of the room may have been wider in the earlier phases, perhaps incorporating the sewer in its urban space; in the later Byzantine periods and with the construction of the major house walls, the road contracted. ; Additional items to consider:; 1.    Mid-Byzantine wall 6707 seems to have extended west past wall 54 about 50cm. What is the wall’s relationship to the surrounding contexts during that time?; 2.    The Late Roman sewer (6827, revealed under fill 6788): from where are the drain builders getting the architectural members to use as coverslabs? The South Stoa? Some then-defunct admin building? Where was the Late Roman road? Where does the drain go? Can we find a more precise date for the drain after excavating under it? Further excavation and investigation into these issues will have to wait until the second session.; 3.    The relationship between the sewer and fill above it (6827, 6788) the red fill to the south (6813) and what remains of a pit cut (6824) is not fully understood.  See the notes on 6824.","Report"
"2010 Session I Final Report: The Room West of the Courtyard of the Byzantine House","","","Corinth","","Corinth:Report:Nezi Field 2010 by Scott Gallimore (2010-04-07 to 2010-04-23)","","","Corinthia | Ancient Corinth | Central Area | Nezi Field","","","Nezi Field 2010 by Scott Gallimore (2010-04-07 to 2010-04-23)","North of Nezi 2010: Green First Session Report (Scott Gallimore); ; The following summarizes the results of excavations in two areas north of Nezi field during the first session of the 2010 excavation season at Corinth. These areas were the room directly west of the courtyard of the Byzantine house and the room directly north of the courtyard. Excavations took place from 7 April, 2010 until 23 April, 2010. Supervising these excavations were Guy Sanders (director) and Martin Wells (field director). The excavation team included Scott Gallimore (recorder), Athanasios Sakellariou (pickman), Panos Stamatis (shovelman), and Pavlos… (barrowman).; ; The main focus of excavations during this session was the room directly west of the courtyard of the Byzantine house (E. 261.10 – 264.70; N. 1030.80 – 1034.90). We dug in this room each day of the session (7 April – 23 April) with an aim to identifying the earliest phases of Byzantine occupation along with tracing possibly Middle Roman and Late Roman usage, abandonment, and post-abandonment of the space. This room had been previously excavated in the 1960s (NB 235), in the second and third sessions of 2008 by Sarah Lima, and in all three sessions of 2009 by Will Bruce, Scott Gallimore, Karl Goetz, and Dan Leon. We excavated a single context in the room directly north of the courtyard of the Byzantine house (E. 265.30 – 270.50; N. 1035.60 – 1039.20) on 9 April during a period when the stratigraphy in the room west of the courtyard was causing some confusion and we needed some time to consider the best method of approach. This room had been previously excavated in 1961 by Steven Lattimore (NB 230), in the second session of 2008 by Nathanael Andrade and Jody Cundy, and during all three sessions of 2009 by Will Bruce, Scott Gallimore, Karl Goetz, and Dan Leon.; ; ; ROOM WEST OF THE COURTYARD; ; Frankish:; ; At two different points during the Frankish period, two deep pits were dug into the room west of courtyard. The earliest of these pits (fills 5754, 5766, 5943, 6481; cut 6326=5767), dating to the first half of the thirteenth century, is located in the southern part of the room and was subsequently truncated to the southwest by the corner of the Ottoman house. Where this pit is not truncated, it is circular in profile and is relatively deep (top elevation of 85.01; bottom elevation of 82.88). It is possible that this pit represents an attempt to dig a well that was abandoned before reaching the water table. Near the bottom of this pit, the diggers came upon the foundations for the northern curb (structure 6738) of the Roman decumanus. While they continued to dig until reaching the bottom of these foundations, they stopped when they hit they hit sterile bedrock perhaps indicating they did not feel this location was suitable for a well. The latest of the two pits was dug against the southern face of wall 5725 and was semi-circular in shape (fill 6583, cut 6655). This pit, which dates sometime between the late thirteenth and late fourteenth century, contained several different lens of fill, the latest of which was excavated during the 1960s (NB 235, Bothros 9).  Unfortunately, it is difficult to assign any specific function to this feature. It is deep enough to perhaps be considered another failed attempt to dig a well (top elevation of at least 84.99; bottom elevation of 83.35), but it is unlikely that a well would be dug against the face of a wall. ; ; Middle and Late Byzantine: ; ; No evidence of Late Byzantine activity was encountered in this room during this excavation session. This indicates that these levels must have been removed during previous excavation sessions. Asides from the necessity to continue investigating the Frankish pits mentioned above, the latest activity discernable in this space was Middle Byzantine in date, specifically the eleventh century A.C.; ; During the eleventh century, a floor of packed earth was laid down in this room which likely would have covered the entire space (6668=6670=6672). In several areas this floor was disturbed due to later activity in the room and was only preserved in a few isolated patches. This floor was laid down on a series of leveling fills which would have altered the floor level of the room by a noticeable amount (fills 6679, 6482, 6489, 6490, 6528). The earliest of these fills (6528) has a bottom elevation of 83.96 while the latest (6679) has a top elevation of 84.36 indicating a change in floor level of approximately 0.40m. 6528, the earliest of these fills, was laid down on part of another floor surface consisting primarily of rounded to subrounded, spherical, medium-sized pebbles (6656). Floor 6656 has an associated cut, 6708, although its original shape has been disturbed by the two Frankish pits in the room (defined by cuts 6326=5767 and 6655). This floor surface may have originally been rectangular in shape and covered most of the central part of the room. It does not appear that 6656 was intended to be a floor covering the entirety of the room, however, and instead occupied a central position with surfaces of compact earth surrounding it.; ; Floor 6656 was cut into a series of fills of unknown character spreading across the room (6710, 6713, 6714, 6717). These fills tended to have high percentages of poorly sorted inclusions and could represent some type of dumping action. This could perhaps coincide with the fact that the earliest of these fills, 6717, was laid over a robbing trench (fills 6722, 6734; cut 6720). The robbing trench appears to be associated with the foundation for the northern curb of the Roman decumanus which had first been identified in the northern scarp of the Frankish pit defined by cut 6326=5767. Stones laying atop this foundation were likely the target of the robbing trench and there may have been an attempt following the robbing out of these stones to level off this space with a series of fills. ; ; The act of dumping material into this space appears to have also preceded the digging of the robbing trench since this feature truncated another large fill (6752) containing a large percentage of poorly sorted inclusions which would have covered most, if not all of this space. This fill appears to date to the ninth or tenth century C.E. and may be part of a period of post-abandonment in the space. Overlying fill 6752 at its eastern end was a shallow lens of soil with few inclusions possibly representing an accumulated fill which built up against the eastern face of wall 5724.; ; There was also other activity which occurred in this room at some point during the ninth or tenth century A.C. The robbing trench defined by cut 6720 was not the first to be dug in association with structure 6738. Fill 6752 overlay an earlier, smaller robbing trench which only affected the easternmost revealed section of structure 6738 (fill 6754, cut 6756). In this part of structure 6738 a different construction technique was employed. Most of the revealed blocks associated with this feature are substantial in size with a height of approximately 0.55m. At the eastern end, however, it appears that two blocks were stacked on top of each other to achieve this same height. The robbing trench defined by cut 6756 was dug to remove the upper block of these two. This robbing trench also truncated a deposit of what appears to be dumped fill in the northeast corner of this room (6758). Fill 6758 contained a high percentage of poorly sorted inclusions and sloped steeply to the south giving it the appearance of a ramp. However, parts of this context continued beneath wall 5725 to the north and wall 6375 to the east making it difficult to interpret since we cannot reconstruct its original shape.; ; Fill 6758 was dumped in over part of another robbing trench (fills 6761, 6808; cut 6762), this one apparently for a north-south wall that ran along the eastern edge of this space. This robbing trench was fairly deep (approximately 1.2m) and came down on sterile bedrock at its lowest elevation. Part of the wall robbed out by this trench (structure 6817) is visible beneath the easternmost revealed block of structure 6738. There is also another block which abuts the southwestern edge of the robbing trench.  This wall appears to be quite early, at least predating the construction of structure 6738. It appears that the robbing trench defined by cut 6762 was the first action to occur in this space following a period of abandonment which lasted for several centuries. This trench was dug at some point in the ninth or tenth century, but there is no preceding activity in this space until the sixth or seventh century. ; ; Early Byzantine:; ; No evidence for any activity has been revealed which can be associated with this period. It appears, thus, that this space was abandoned sometime during the Late Roman period with usage of the space not occurring again until the ninth or tenth century. This abandonment may coincide with the construction of the Late Roman Wall at Corinth possibly in the mid-sixth century. The construction of this wall east of the Forum placed Nezi field outside of the city proper and the lack of evidence for activity in the room west of the courtyard would suggest this area was abandoned shortly afterwards.; ; Late Roman:; The latest discernable Late Roman activity in this space occurred in the form of a tall, rectangular patch of slumped mud-brick (6768) located in the eastern part of the room. This mud-brick could date to the sixth or seventh century A.C. In the Middle Byzantine period this mud-brick was truncated by the robbing trench defined by cut 6762 and covered by fill 6758. The slumped nature of this mud-brick indicates it collapsed from the north-south wall which was later robbed out by the trench defined by cut 6762 in the Middle Byzantine period. This collapse may have occurred after the abandonment of this space leading into several centuries of post-abandonment. 6768 covered a small part of a larger surface that may also represent slumped mud-brick (6773). This mud-brick may have again slumped off from the north-south wall at the eastern end of the room, but the lack of any noticeable slope towards this wall could also suggest it is some type of dumped fill that included mud-brick within its soil component; ; If fill 6773 were dumped into this space, this occurred over another fill that was likely dumped in (6776). This earlier fill is characterized by comprising of mixed soil, numerous pieces of charcoal, and evidence of burning. The evidence of burning is not so substantial to suggest any kind of destruction occurring in this space, but does indicate that the fill was originally obtained from a location that may have suffered from some type of fire. Both fill 6776 and 6773 were dumped into this space over a large fill of slumped mud-brick (6784) that does appear to be associated with the north-south wall robbed out in the Middle Byzantine period. The soil was mixed and contained large amounts of white marl and red mud-brick and had a noticeable slope away from the area of the wall. At the eastern edge of 6784 where this context was truncated by the Middle Byzantine robbing trench for this north-south wall there were several cobbles and boulders which likely represent some type of collapse off of the wall when this mud-brick slumped down. Based on pottery evidence this collapse may have occurred at some point in the late third or early fourth century A.C., although it is not infeasible that it may have occurred even later than this.; ; Middle Roman:; ; The third century A.C. is when we first see evidence of active usage of this space. It is during this century when the large foundations for the northern curb of the Roman decumanus (structure 6738) were laid down. Specifically, the foundation trench for this structure was dug at some point during this century (fill 6795, cut 6796). This foundation trench was unique in that it was dug deeper than the lowest elevation of the blocks of structure 6738 (bottom elevation of 6795 is 82.75; bottom elevation of 6738 is 82.93). This appears to have been a purposeful decision and it became clear that each individual block which is part of this structure lies on a different type of soil. What this suggests is that the foundation trench was dug and then small patches of soil were laid down in an effort to level each block independently. At the eastern-most revealed end of structure 6738 this foundation lies on a large block from an earlier wall which may have been an important marker for leveling the other blocks. This foundation trench was covered by a small number of fills (6785, 6792). The soil of these fills tends to be mixed in character and contains numerous inclusions including large amounts of charcoal. Directly above the foundation trench defined by cut 6796 was a shallow surface of compact earth (6793) which appears to have been purposefully laid down, perhaps coinciding with the establishment of structure 6738. Surface 6793 was of homogenous thickness throughout and contained very few inclusions of any type. The soil was also fairly homogenous distinguishing it from the mixed fills described above. Along with overlying the foundation trench for 6738, surface 6793 also overlay a small, circular pit of unknown function at the western end of the room (fill 6798, cut 6799).; ; Both the foundation trench (cut 6796) and the small circular pit (cut 6799) truncated a shallow surface of compact earth (6800) similar in character to surface 6793. This may be another surface purposefully laid down in this space and may be associated with some earlier version of the decumanus since it is unlikely that foundations associated with this road were laid down for the first time only in the third century A.C. In fact, surface 6800 was one of several of these surfaces of compact earth (6802, 6804) superimposed on one another across the space of this room. Each is relatively shallow, of homogenous soil type, and contains relatively few inclusions. The earliest of these surfaces, 6804, overlies a deep dumped fill of mixed soil and mud-brick (6806) which appears to date to the late second or early third century. The nature of this fill could suggest it was some type of leveling fill for the surfaces above. Fill 6806 overlay an uneven surface of white marl mud-brick (6823) that covered only a few patches of the northern part of the room. The uneven nature of this mud-brick argues against it slumping off a wall and it is likely that it was dumped into this space. Below fill 6823 is a deep dumped fill of mixed soil which appears to overlay a floor surface associated with wall 6817. However, we only excavated a small portion of this context and it is difficult at this point to provide any indication of function. ; ; ; ROOM NORTH OF COURTYARD; ; Middle Byzantine:; ; The only context encountered in this room appears to be Middle Byzantine in date. At some point during the ninth or tenth century A.D. a fill was built up into a ramp abutting the southwest junction of walls 6526 and 6016, perhaps to facilitate dumping of material on either side of these walls. This ramp (6491) was then covered by a deep dumped fill of dirt, tile, and stone (6516) which abutted the southern face of wall 6526 and the western face of wall 6016. Fill 6516 was one of a series of contemporary dumped fills in this area (6532, 6550, 6554) which could represent a period of post-abandonment for this space prior to its reorganization as part of the Byzantine house.; ; ; CONCLUSIONS; ; The room west of the courtyard represents one of the components under investigation in the Byzantine house situated north of Nezi field. While the primary goal of these excavations has been the identification of the construction phase for the house, the decision was made during session 1 to explore earlier levels in this space to attempt to trace periods of usage and abandonment prior to the construction of the house. While our excavations did require us to finish digging two Frankish pits, the majority of the contexts we encountered provided us with indications of the earliest Byzantine usage of the space as well as the latest Roman usage. ; ; The earliest evidence for use we have encountered occurs during the late second and third centuries C.E. when a series of surfaces were laid down along with the foundations for the northern curb of the Roman decumanus. Several more surfaces were laid down subsequent to this. By the Late Roman period there are indications that this space may have been neglected or abandoned. There is evidence of slumped mud-brick and collapse from a north-south wall and several fills were dumped in. The latest evidence of activity is a patch of collapsed mud-brick which would have abutted the western face of this north-south wall. When usage of the space resumed in the Middle Byzantine period (during the ninth or tenth century) it came in the form of a series of robbing trenches and fills. The north-south wall (perhaps associated with structure 6817) was robbed out as were components of the curb. Following this a series of leveling fills were dumped in and the earliest floor surface, a pebble floor only covering part of the room was laid down. On top of this were laid more leveling fills and until the first floor surface to cover the entire room (6668=6670=6672) would have been laid down sometime in the eleventh century.","Report"
"2010 Session II White Team Final Report: Area North of 1961 Byzantine House - west room and southwest corner","","","Corinth","","Corinth:Report:Nezi Field 2010 by Tully, John (2010-05-05 to 2010-05-21)","","","Corinthia | Ancient Corinth | Central Area | Nezi Field","","","Nezi Field 2010 by Tully, John (2010-05-05 to 2010-05-21)","North of Nezi 2010; White Second Session Report (John Tully); ; The following summarizes the results of excavations in two areas north of Nezi field during the second session of the 2010 excavation season at Corinth. These areas were:; - the area bounded by coordinates 265.90-270.70 E, 1023.65-1028.00 N.  This was known as the 'West Room' in Yellow Third Session 2009, and was excavated from 5 May, 2010, until 14 May, 2010.  For consistency, this will here too be referred to as the West Room.; - the area bounded by coordinates 275.01-276.92 E, 1027.53-1028.88 N.  This was known as the southwest corner of the 'Well Room', the east room of the Byzantine house, in Blue First Session 2010, and was excavated from 14 May, 2010, until 20 May, 2010.  For consistency, this will here too be referred to as the Southwest corner.; Supervising these excavations were Guy Sanders (director) and Martin Wells (field director). The excavator was John Tully, with assistance from supervisors and workmen in the area.  ; The objective in the 'West Room' was to complete removal of all material occupation traces, focussing initially on the area under 6624, and, in particular, to trace any sign of a possible EW road or pathway in this area.  The objective in the Southwest Corner was to trace the ashy deposit noted by Blue Third Session 2010 on the south side of Wall 5631 as continuing under the wall, and to understand better the activity in the area.;  ; Conclusions:; 'West Room'; 6923, the large deposit of large Neolithic and Early Helladic Sherds excavated last, is strong evidence for Neolithic and Early Helladic settlement in this area. ; The juxtaposition of Early Helladic and Hellenistic layers supports previous hypotheses that this area was not a focus for the classical or archaic city.; The juxtaposition of Hellenistic and Byzantine layers provides further evidence for site reorganisation and cutting-back that occurred in this area in the Early Byzantine period.; No additional evidence for an EW road or pathway through this area was found beyond the probable E-W robbing trench of the southern side of the decumanus excavated in 2009.; ; The Southwest Corner; The stratigraphy in this area was disturbed owing to a tree in the SW corner, and prior excavation in the 1960s. 6972, as the deposit nearest the tree, may have been particularly affected.  Nevertheless, its ceramic date, if accepted, gives foundation trench 6704 and its associated wall 6421 a terminus post quem of 5th/6th AD.; The consistency of the dating of the deposits below 6972 excavated suggests that this area represents the results of a single dump c 225 BC.; ; Future Considerations; Excavation in both areas was prematurely terminated, before bedrock was reached, because of the low quantity of pottery being recovered.  As such, both might be productively explored.  In particular:; West Room; The area under the redeposited fill of 6887 might lead to a deeper understanding of Neolithic and Early Helladic activity in this area.; the Southwest Corner; The area under 7008 and foundation trench 6707 might be examined to investigate activity prior to the third quarter of the third century BC.; ; 'West Room'; The West Room was excavated in the 1960s by Lattimore and Berg (NB 229, p 180), but most recently in the second and third session 2009.  Our efforts in 2010 concentrated on completing the excavation started in 2009.  As such, it was a broad, shallow dig, with several isolated parts of the room being excavated for their traces of material occupation.; ; Early Helladic and Neolithic Occupation; Most Early Helladic and Neolithic material found in this area was found in Hellenistic layers, and small, consistent with being redeposited colluvium washed down from Acrocorinth.  6923, however, was a thick, compact layer, and contained only Neolithic and Early Helladic sherds up to Early Helladic II, suggesting that this was not redeposited.; ; Hellenistic occupation; Most evidence of occupation found was Hellenistic, in layers also containing much redeposited Neolithic and Early Helladic material.  This was primarily found in the higher area to the north of the room under stone structure 6853: 6849 (2nd quarter 3rd BC), 6863 (3rd BC), 6870 (mid 3rd BC), 6875 (1st half 3rd BC), 6887 (3rd BC).  ; The juxtaposition of Byzantine and Hellenistic layers supports theories of post-Roman clearing and site reorganisation in this area.  ; The absence of archaic and classical material from these redepositions perhaps supports the notion that this area was being newly occupied in this period, with the focus of the earlier city elsewhere, further to the north.  Alternatively, this may also reflect significant site reorganisation and clearing in the early Hellenistic period.; ; Roman occupation; Roman occupation has previously been traced in this room, eg, in 6673 (1st/2nd AD), the robbing trench to the west of the western bothros.  The only additional evidence discovered for Roman activity this year was robbing trench 6893 for wall 6157, previously identified on the excavation of cut 6380 as context 6381.  Fill 6894 dated this to the late 1st BC/early 1st AD.  It is noteworthy that both of these actions are fills for robbing trenches, and that both are at a lower elevation than the layers dated ceramically to the Hellenistic period (6649 and below).  The Roman floor level, if such there was, would thus most likely have been at a higher level, one not here present quite possibly because of post-Roman clearing of the site, rather than because of lack of occupation. ; ; Byzantine occupation; Much previous evidence for Byzantine activity had already been identified in previous years in this room, down to the late 10th/11th centuries (6646).  Only two further such traces were found in this excavation. ; A feature of seven stones in two rows (6853) was revealed in 2009 by the excavation of 6624 (11th AD NPD).  6868, the fill on which the stones sat, was ceramically Byzantine (NPD), but contained a coin of Romanus I (931-944), indicating that the structure was likely constructed and in use in the Middle Byzantine period, a date also in keeping with that of 6624.  This was the only structure excavated or revealed this year.; Deposit 6903, a fill of Byzantine date (NPD), filled cut 6904, a thin cut of the southeast corner of the higher area in the northern part of the room.  Only a small section of this cut survives, as it was itself cut by cut 6665 (filled by deposit 6676: late 12th/early 13th), excavated in 2009.  Nevertheless, the profile of 6904 suggests a pit rather than a robbing trench.  In addition, the looser soil forming 6903 was only identified after excavation of 6875, a context of Hellenistic date.  As the edge of the higher area slanted here, it is possible that 6904 did not cut 6675 (1st half 3rd BC).  Alternatively, we may have missed 6904 when excavating 6675.  In 2009, the excavators believed that cut 6665, a robbing trench filled by deposit 6676 (late 12th/early 13th), cut the layer we this year excavated as 6875.  If correct, this would suggest we did miss the cut at a higher level.  Alternatively, they may have failed to notice 6904, which was very slender.; ; Southwest Corner; This area was last excavated by Marty Wells and Rob Nichols, Blue First Session 2010.   In exploring the room, they unearthed wall 6421 restricting access to the southwest corner, and excavated its foundation trench (6704: Late Roman/mid-Byzantine).  We returned to learn more about earlier activity in this area.  Excavations were complicated by a tree in the southwest corner of the room, where walls 54 and 5651 meet. This could not be removed as it was structural, and might imperil them.  Its roots had caused some disturbance to the stratigraphy.; ; Hellenistic occupation; Bar 6972, all activity was dated to the 3rd BC, and involved a large dumped fill in several layers.  These layers extended under the walls, and were disrupted by root activity from a tree in the southwestern corner of the area.  Hence, each was taken as multiple contexts.  There was a significant number of joins not just between contexts forming the same layer, however, but between layers, including between 6993 and 7008, and 6888 and 6993.  This may be owing to root activity.  Alternatively, given the close dating of the contexts, all to the 3rd century BC (2nd half, 2nd quarter, 3rd quarter, or 225 BC +/- 10 years), we might argue that the fill represents stages of a single dumping or clearance operation.  In favour of this may be that all deposits sloped to the NE, suggesting they were all dumped from the same direction.; ; Late Roman activity; 6972, a small patch of fill dated to the 5th/6th AD, was the only additional evidence of late Roman activity found in this area.  It is also the latest layer cut by 6706, the foundation trench for wall 6421.  As such, it confirms the late Roman/mid Byzantine date ascribed that trench, and wall.","Report"
"Blue Session III; area North of courtyard house","","","Corinth","","Corinth:Report:Nezi Field 2010 by W. Flint Dibble Mark F. Piskorowski (2010-06-01 to 2010-06-21)","","","Corinthia | Ancient Corinth | Central Area | Nezi Field","","","Nezi Field 2010 by W. Flint Dibble; Mark F. Piskorowski (2010-06-01 to 2010-06-21)","W. Flint Dibble; Mark F. Piskorowski; Corinth Excavations; North of Nezi; 01.06.2010 to 21.06.2010; Blue Session 3; ; We, Flint Dibble and Mark Piskorowski, excavated North of Nezi between June 1  and June 21, focusing on the area directly North of Nezi Field: the eastern portion of Room E (N: 1016.40-1020.60; E: 279.20-282.10) and the eastern half of Room F, “the pithos room” (N: 1015.70-1020.50; E: 273.10-276.90). Previous excavation had taken place in these areas in 2008 (Nathan T. Arrington and Andrew W. Sweet), 2007 (Ioannis Sapountzis), and in 1961. The director was Guy Sanders, supervisor Scott Gallimore, pickmen Panos Kakouros and Athanasios Notis, shovelman Sotiris Raftopoulos, and sieve operator Giannis Oikonomou.; ; Our goals were to explore the Roman and Hellenistic phases in order to understand the earlier history of the N. of Nezi area.; ; Room E:; ; Hellenistic Period (7290, 7291, 7293, 7294, 7295, 7299, 7300, 7303, 7304) ; The earliest identified activity in the area of Room E is a cut (7294) through an unexcavated and unnumbered context for the construction of cellar 7301.  The elevation at the top of this cut (85.11) suggests that the area had been terraced previously since Hellenistic layers in rooms to the North occurred at much lower elevations. Deposit 7299, filling cellar 7301, provides a solid terminus ante quem for this activity of 300-290 BCE.  Cellar 7301 represents two bonded walls, one running N-S (truncated later by a well marked by cut 7260) and one running E-W continuing under wall 7304.  Cellar 7301 is faced on the south and east edges and unfaced on the north and west edges, suggesting it was intended as a retaining wall, probably functioning as a cellar.  A foundation trench (7291) cut through the same unnumbered context as 7294 for the construction of the E-W running wall 7300, the northern border of Room E.  The fill of this trench (7290) also dated to the early 3rd century BCE suggesting contemporary construction activity for cellar 7301 and wall 7300. Wall 7300 continued further to the West past structure 5035.; ; At some unspecified point in time the top 0.25 m of cellar 7301 were truncated in order to construct the N-S running wall 7304, lying at the eastern border of Room E.  Wall 7304 appears to overlie yet an earlier phase of this wall, which was left unexcavated and unnumbered but seems to be evident in the excavation of deposit 7259 in the Early Roman well.  No foundation trench was discovered for wall 7304 but it is abutted by deposit 7299, which provides a terminus ante quem for this construction.  ; ; The area between structure 7301 and wall 7304 was filled by a large deposit (7299) of vessels, which are complete or nearly complete when mended, dating mainly to the 4th and early 3rd centuries BCE.  Above fill 7299 were two dumped fills (7293 and 7295).  Fill 7295, dated to the late 4th and early 3rd centuries BCE, was mainly a rubble and tile deposit that included stones and tiles similar to those found in N-S running wall 7303, which directly overlay wall 7304.  This suggests that wall 7303, for which no foundation trench was found, was also constructed in the Hellenistic period.; ; Early Roman Period (5343, 7236, 7237, 7259, 7260, 7275, 7276, 7279); Some construction activity seems to have taken place in this area in the Early Roman period. The dates are not precise from the few excavated diagnostic sherds (ranging from 1st BCE-2nd CE).  Some fill layers (in the North: 7279 cut by 7276 filled by 7275; in the South: 7283) were deposited over the Hellenistic phase of the room. ; ; Two construction activities took place sometime after the above fills were deposited.  Context 7260 was cut through the above deposits (7275 and 7283) and the unnumbered, presumably Hellenistic contexts. This pit was oval-shaped and large (long diameter: 1.90; short diameter: 1.60) and truncated cellar 7301.  Its fill (7259) was dated to the Early Roman period (1st CE/early 2nd CE).  Excavation of this pit was halted due to time after 0.94 meters.  Mostly likely, 7260 was cut for a large well that continued deeper.  A foundation trench (7237) for wall 5343 also cut through fill 7283.  The fill of this trench (7236) had an Early Roman not precise date.  Wall 5343 ran E-W and formed the southern boundary of Room E (unexcavated below, so it is unknown if there’s an earlier phase). ; ; Middle Roman Period (7226, 7228, 7238); In the Middle Roman period some fills were deposited in Room E (7226, 7228, 7238).  In particular, fills 7228 and 7238 were very rich in pottery and were perhaps contemporaneous, representing differential dumping.  Both of these fills contained similar sherds, and were in very similar sandy sediment. The depth of these deposits (7228: 0.24 m; 7238: 0.24 m) suggests the fills were deposited for leveling the area. ; ; Eastern Half of Room F (“The Pithos Room”); ; Early Roman Period (7106, 7112, 7113, 7114, 7117, 7126, 7127, 7132, 7145, 7155, 7162, 7163, 7164, 7179, 7181, 7182, 7184, 7185, 7197, 7207, 7249, 7250); Context 7207 is the only deposit dating to the Hellenistic period in this area.  The sediment was not sieved and was quite similar in consistency to deposit 7197, both representing redeposited mudbrick (the decision was made to start a new arbitrary context after a day of excavating 7197).  Therefore deposit 7207 probably dates to the Early Roman Period.  Since deposit 7207 abuts and provides a rough terminus ante quem for wall 7250, it is also likely that this wall phase has an Early Roman date.  This is supported by the fact that wall 7250 and the phase overlying it (7249) were constructed with identical stones and technique.; ; Wall 7250, an E-W running wall marking the Southern border of Room F, represents the earliest construction in the Eastern Half of Room F and it directly lay under wall 7249.  Two small segments running N-S were bonded directly to 7250 at both the Eastern boundary (0.75 m long) underlying wall 7145 and the Western boundary (0.35 m long) underlying wall 5345.  This suggests that the space of this room was defined from this early phase.; ; Several thick fill layers of redeposited mudbrick and construction material were then deposited in the area (7207, 0.40 m thick; 7197, 0.36 m thick; and 7182, 0.22 m thick). Perhaps this activity should be interpreted as the terracing of this area. The foundation trench (7185 filled by 7184) for the N-S running wall 7145, overlying wall 7250, marking the Western border of this room was cut into deposit 7182. Two postholes (7179 and 7181) were also cut into 7182, suggesting the top of 7182 was a beaten earth floor. Above 7182 lay clay floors 7155 then 7132. ; ; An L-shaped foundation trench was cut (7127=7164, filled by 7126=7163) into clay floor 7132 for the E-W wall 7249 bonded with the North-South wall 5345 (marking the Eastern edge of the area), both of which overlay wall 7250. While wall 7249 primarily re-used material from wall 7250, both wall 7249 and especially wall 5345 included several large orthostates marking fairly monumental construction for the area. The construction of wall 7249 truncated wall 7145 to the South. It is evident that the robbing trench B5113 in Room F, West of wall 7145 robbed out a portion of wall 7249 and/or wall 7250, suggesting that this wall extended further West. ; ; After this construction, fill 7117 leveled the area and deposit 7114 marked a new clay floor with posthole 7113 (filled by 7112) in a similar location in the room to the earlier posthole cut 7179. Above this the hard beaten earth surface 7106 lay.; ; Late Roman (5450, 7042, 7046, 7047, 7050, 7051, 7055, 7058, 7062, 7066, 7068, 7069, 7076, 7078, 7079, 7080, 7095, 7149, 7103, 7107, 7140, 7144); There are three major construction activities that took place in this period.  At some point in the fourth century, four large rectangular pits (7069, 7078, 7107, and 7144) were cut around three sides of an earlier floor layer (7106).  Due to their arrangement and size, it is likely that these pits were used for storage vessels.  ; ; Later, all three of the above pits were filled in with a series of fills.  Deposit 7068 was the fill for pit 7069; deposits 7076 and 7149 for pit 7078; deposits 7066, 7096, 7099, 7103, and 7140 for pit 7144 and 7107.  In the latter two cases, the different fills were likely deposited at approximately the same time because they share similar sediments and inclusions.  Above the three filled pits a surface of compacted earth (7062) was set down over most of the room.  A pit (7050), which likely held a storage vessel, cut context 7062 suggesting that it was used as a floor surface.; ; Above this floor surface, two leveling fills were added in the West (7055) and in the North-East (7046).  These deposits helped to give the room a slight slope to the north, upon which a concrete floor was constructed.  This concrete floor was one of the latest feature in Room F, other than walls, that was left from the 2007 excavations.  The other feature remaining from previous excavations was a pithos (Pithos 6) in the North-West corner of Room F E-half.  This pithos, and the deposit around it B5118, which we left martyred, are probably later than the concrete floor.  Even so, it is likely that the concrete floor was used in some agricultural process (eg. Olive or grape pressing).  The products of this pressing, then, would have flowed into and/or been stored in the pithos or a similar container in the same place space.; ; The foundation trench 7080 for wall 5450, originally excavated in 2007 (B5140), was continued in this session.  The dates provided this session suggested a 2nd century CE date; however, B5140 dated to the Late Roman period.  Wall 5450 runs E-W and marks the Northern boundary of this room, perhaps closing the space to the North for the first time (although the martyrs left for the pithos and step into the room during the excavation of 7182, 7197, and 7207 prevents 100% confidence).; ; Byzantine Period (5335, 7136, 7137); Coin 2010-126 dating to 1152 – ca. 1260 CE was found during the excavation of context 7106.  It is clearly intrusive, since 7106 and everything above was clearly Roman in date.  Its location along the southern E-W wall at the interface between phases 7249 and 5335 suggests this coin provides an excellent terminus post quem for the construction of wall 5335. ; ; NB 238 Bothros 4, originally excavated in the 1961 season, was also continued (cut 7136 and fill 7137). Although fill 7137 dated to the Roman period, the date of this bothros, determined at he time of its original excavation, is the late 13th century AD.; ; Suggestions for Future Excavation; ; Room F, east half was backfilled and does not allow any opportunity for further excavation. Most likely what is left in this room was terracing fill. However, Room E, East of structure 5035 will probably provide more Hellenistic contexts. Cellar 7301 suggests the presence of more early architecture. Although, it should be noted that cut 7294 was rather ephemeral, created out of necessity for the construction of cellar 7301, so there might be an early Roman context left. ; ; In Room E, to the West of structure 5035, excavation would answer some important questions.  Notably wall 5345 is on a different alignment than 7250/7249/5335/5334. Excavation within here would answer some important questions concerning the relationship between Room F and Room E in the Hellenistic through Roman periods.  Interestingly, it appears as if the two areas were terraced in different periods (Room E, East of 5035 in the Hellenistic period and Room F, Eastern half in the Early Roman period).  Therefore, excavation between structures 5035 and 5345 would answer questions left unanswered by the current excavations.","Report"
"Excavations in NE Area of Nezi Field by Team Pink, Session 1, 2012","","","Corinth","","Corinth:Report:Nezi Field 2012 by Andrew Connor and Simon Oswald (2012-04-03 to 2012-04-20)","","","Corinthia | Ancient Corinth | Central Area | Nezi Field","","","Nezi Field 2012 by Andrew Connor and Simon Oswald (2012-04-03 to 2012-04-20)","Andrew Connor, Simon Oswald; ; Team Pink; ; Final Report for April, 2012 ; Session 1, 2012 American School Corinth Excavations; Nezi Field, NE Region. N 1013-1014 S 1007.5-1009.5 E 276.0 W 264.5;     ; ; This report summarizes the results of excavations in the NE area of the Nezi Field region, in a space defined to the west by N-S wall 540 (E 264.5), to the southeast by the local coordinate N 1009.5 and the southwest by a line running more or less directly east from wall 366, to the east by the scarp edge (ca. E 276.0), and to the north by the scarp of the excavations in the North of Nezi region (ca. 1014-1013, W-E). ;     The excavation of this area was under the direction of Dr. G.D.R. Sanders, Director of Excavations, Corinth, and the assistant field director was Ms. Heather Graybehl. Our pickmen were the brothers Panos and Tasos Kakouros, our shovelman and co-sieve operator was Vasillis Kollias, and our wheelbarrow man and co-sieve operator was Memos Karvouniaris. Andrew Connor and Simon Oswald were recorders for the April session. This area was last excavated in 2008 by Joey Lillywhite, Joel Rygorsky, Martin Wells, Matthew Wells, Alexis Bellis, and Christina Gieske. Their conclusions make clear that by the end of the 2008 season they believed that they had reached Byzantine and Frankish levels and that there had been little or no activity in the Venetian and Ottoman periods. Our findings are in direct contrast to theirs in this respect.;     Our primary objectives in excavating this area were to complete excavation of the Frankish contexts in this area, to explore the Byzantine activity in this area, and to understand what changes might have accompanied the replacement of Byzantine authority with the new Frankish government in Corinth. In the course of our excavation, we worked primarily in a roughly rectangular area running from wall 540 to the eastern scarp, divided into north and south sections by wall 420. ; ; Late Antique;     Beneath our earliest dated context (#717, a large fill), we discovered a cemented wall (746) that appears to belong to the Late Antique period and stratigraphically, predates fill 717 (8-9th centuries). Wall 746 was probably constructed as part of a building project more fully preserved in the North of Nezi region. Cleaning of the scarp in this area uncovered a number of Hellenistic and Roman sherds, which may be linked to Late Antique activity in this area. This will be tested during a later session, with excavation of this wall and its surrounding contexts. ; ; Byzantine;      In the 8th or 9th centuries, a deep fill (717=735) was laid down over wall 746. Due to the large stones found during excavation, it is possible that 717=735 preserves the upper courses of this wall in the form of a fall after the larger, more finished lower blocks were robbed out. This hypothesis might be tested by excavation of the wall and its foundation trench. In any case, if 746 represents a wall of a major structure, following its ruin there is a shift in land use in our area, as we move into what would appear to be an exterior out-of-doors space right through the remainder of the upper levels. Following the deposition of 717=735, a small rough wall (731) was constructed. It appears to have fallen into disuse soon after, when it was cut by 741, but final conclusions must await excavation of the wall and its surrounding context. ;      By the 10th century, a dark grayish, mixed fill (741=688) was laid down across the center of our area, running from E-W. This context can be dated both by coins and pottery to this period, and filled a small cut or gully moving from the SW-NE.  This may in fact continue to the SW at a lower level than two pits (704 and 709 – see below), which cut its upper courses. This hypothesis can be tested upon further excavation.;      Two deep pits (709 and 704) were sunk in the southern part of our area in the late 11th or early 12th centuries. Atop them was a shallow pit (665). These pits contained much re-deposited pottery, and would appear to represent dumped debris from digging in the surrounding area.; In the center of our area, a short un-coursed stone structure (694) was built in the mid-12th century, running north-south for 1.7 meters. The purpose of this structure is problematic – it may have been a wall which continued to the south, but had its course completely obliterated by later interference, or it may represent some sort of a bench feature. No clues were furnished to assist in solving this mystery.  In any case its period of use ended at the latest by 1260, when a Frankish pit deposit (691) bored through its western courses. Beginning with the construction of structure 694 the area immediately surrounding it was used as a dumping ground for debris and rubbish. Multiple contexts of tiles, stones, and pottery were excavated that are dated to the Late Byzantine period (682, 689, 693, 696, 698, 699). We may speculate that this is a continuation of the land use in this area from the 10th c. onwards, as already demonstrated above with 704, 709, and 688=741.; One further act in this period may be briefly discussed. An outer apse or buffer (676) was added to wall 539, another apse-like shape. The reason for this is unclear, as is the status of both of these walls as apses. They may rather represent the closing off of the two adjacent vertical walls (538) connecting to either end of each apse. Furthermore, it may turn out that outer apse 676 is in fact part of the same building project as 539 and this structure division thereby arbitrary.; ; Frankish; The Frankish period has few clear contexts that have not been disturbed by Venetian/Ottoman/Modern layers. The most important is deposit 691, mentioned above, which was a circular fill of a pit and is filled with a midden of sorts - charcoal, bones, pieces of pottery, and an especially large concentration of seashells. It is hoped that our soil sample will reveal specifically what a 13th century diet might consist of. Shortly after this a large leveling course (663) was laid down over 691 and the northern zone of our area – in other words the area specifically littered with 12th c. debris deposits and we may hazard a guess that the motivation was to level out this uneven and rough surface along with the foundations of structure 694.; ; Venetian; The Venetian period obviously saw a major reworking of our area which disturbed much of the Frankish material. As such, many of our Frankish finds were found in Venetian contexts. A major N-S running fill dissected our area through the middle (651=667) and probably continued to the north and the south, but was lost to us due to the northern scarp and pit 193 respectively. Around this time (or later) pit 193 was sunk in the southern end of our area, and the ceramic evidence used by previous excavators to assign it to the Frankish period perhaps instead represent a redeposition of debris from the pit construction. Above deposit 651=667 we uncovered a short E-W running wall of rough field stones (673), the majority of which has apparently been lost due to later interference. Its purpose must remain shrouded in the dark depths of time. The northern extent of our area was then covered with a grand leveling fill (655) in order to iron out the underlying perturbations. ; ; Ottoman II; Contra the 2008 findings, wall 420 must now be dated to the second Ottoman period based upon both stratigraphy (cf. 637 and 656) and pottery found within the wall itself. It represents some sort of dividing wall that dissected our area into northern and southern zones, although its poor quality and haphazardly curving course makes its identification as an exterior dividing wall the most likely.; ; Modern; Contra the 2008 finding, pit 430 must now postdate the construction of wall 420, given that it cuts this Ottoman structure. Fill 634 most likely represents backfill or slump over an area previously excavated in 1936 or 1961. Deposit 738 underlay 717=735 stratigraphically, but also formed part of our eastern scarp and thereby prey to contamination from other layers. Within was found a petulant iron spoon, likely dating at earliest to the Early Modern Period. Context 738 thereby dates stratigraphically to at latest the 9th century.; ; Conclusions; The tantalizing emergence of wall 746 hints at presence of a major structure lower down in our area. However, the general conclusion based upon the complicated and multifarious layers that we excavated is that from the Byzantine period onwards this area was monopolized for external land use. Several rough unrelated haphazard walls suggest the occasional organization of this space, but for the most part it would appear to have formed a happy dumping ground for unwanted material emanating from the surrounding structures in Nezi Fields. Although a relatively small area, these results are suggestive. They indicate that the area outside of the former Roman Forum was not densely populated enough to exclude areas of non-building from the Byzantine period onwards. Furthermore, there is some 1000 years of (non-)use in this space, indicating some sort of negative continuity. ; Further excavations of this area should concentrate on establishing the relationship and function of apse walls 539 and 676, namely whether they are part of the same wall and whether they postdate or are part of the same construction project as the vertical walls (538) running off them.  The removal of context 644 should allow better understanding both of the apse and of wall 540, helping to define the relationship of our area with the built-up areas to the west. Wall 731 should be removed and its construction date clarified. Finally, wall 746 should have its date accurately assessed and its function clarified.","Report"
"2012 Session 3 Team Blue Final Summary","","","Corinth","","Corinth:Report:Nezi Field 2012 by George, Charles Valente, Rossana (2012-06-26 to 2012-06-27)","","","Corinthia | Ancient Corinth | Central Area | Nezi Field","","","Nezi Field 2012 by George, Charles; Valente, Rossana (2012-06-26 to 2012-06-27)","Charles George, Rossana Valente; Nezi Field Excavations; N: 1015.90 N, S: 1006.90 N, E: 264.20 E, W: 255.50 E; 28 May – 22 June, 2012; ; This is a final summary of the third season of excavation (28th May – 22th June) in 2012 in the northwest area of Nezi field. Guy Sanders (director) and Heather Graybehl (field director) supervised. The blue excavation team consisted of Charles George and Rossana Valente (recorders), Athanasios Sakellariou (pickman), Athanasios Notis (pickman), Christos Sakellariou (shovelman), and Pavlos Sennes (barrowman).; Excavation began in the area bounded by the Giambouranis house (NB 252, NB 262, 1015.90 N) to the north, Wall 540 to the east (264.20 E), Wall 366 to the south (1006.90 N), and the balk of Nezi field (255.50 E) to the west. The lack of preserved architecture, except the partially preserved Wall 747, led us initially to interpret our area as exterior space associated with the Byzantine room to the south, bounded by Wall 366 and Robbing Trench 497 to the north (1006.00 N), Wall 365 to the south (1002.10 N), Wall 332 to the east (262.07 E) and Wall 306 to the west (258.01 E). The goal of this session was to further explore the Byzantine habitation layers found during earlier excavations in the area (2008 and 2009, sessions 1st and 2nd 2012), with the hope of better understanding the use of space in this area during Frankish and Byzantine times and also of reaching Late Roman material by the end of the season.; ; Late Antique (5th-7th AD); ; We have reached Late Antique contexts in the northeast of the area which are overlaid by Wall 540, dated to the late 11th c. For this reason, we cannot see the eastern ends of the contexts, and we suggest close cooperation and contact with the Pink Team’s excavations of the area east of the wall.; We have identified a mid 6th- early 7th c. AD floor (S 936, removed as 957), which seems to continue under wall 540, and we argue that it is equal to a floor in the Pink Area (S941). This context contained two fifth century nummi (coin no.  2012-159, 160), with five fifth century nummi (coin no. 2012- 162-166, 169) also found in what we interpret as the continuation of the floor to the north (959), and two fifth century nummi (coin no. 2012-161, 164 ) found in a suggested floor surface below S 936 (958). The excavation of the floor has revealed another possible floor, which itself was laid over another possible floor surface. This may suggest that we have a stratification of floors indicating several successive habitations during the Late Antique period. The section of the floor called 959 seems to be laid on an E-W wall (S 918), therefore dating the wall earlier. It is unclear when and under what circumstances the wall later was robbed out. However, further excavation in the area and removal of wall 540 should elucidate the relationship. ; ; Above floor S 936 is a tile destruction layer (934), which is likely equal to the tile destruction layer across wall 540 on the Pink Team’s tile destruction layer 929. The elevation of Pink 929 is roughly equivalent to that of Blue 934 and part of Blue 931, a leveling fill directly above the destruction layer. As supporting evidence for this relationship is an AFRS form 99, which has joining fragments both in Blue 931 and Pink 929.; ; Vast quantities of sherds of Late Antique pottery have been found in the fill of a Late Byzantine lime pit (the eastern part of pit is 878 and western part is 917), an ovular Byzantine pit (888), and adjacent cleaning contexts and leveling fills (895, 906, 907, 908). Also, a Late Antique glass bottle (MF 2012-50) and jar (MF 2012-51) have been found in the lime pit (917). While we have interpreted these all as redepositions, the large size of the glass sherds and the size and density of the pottery suggest that the Late Antique material in these fills does not show signs of frequent redeposition.; ; Late Byzantine (1059-1210 AD); ; The most important feature identified as Late Byzantine is the western portion of wall called 747, which dates to the late 11th c. The excavation of the fill to the east of western wall 747 has revealed a finished surface to the wall and an apparent end to the foundation beneath the wall. We think that in this space East of Western wall 747 there was an entrance. As the Western and eastern portions of wall called 747 are on the same axis, despite the gap and differences in construction, we maintain that they are contemporaneous and of the same structure. We still hope to determine whether there was an interior space north or south of the wall. North of 747 may have been exterior as suggested by the massive pit there (C 870, fill 844 and 868, W-E 258.43-261.89, S-N 1011.63-1014.56), which we have identified as a bothros, since it contains a mix of pottery ranging from the Geometric Period to the late 11th c.; ; Western Wall 747 seems to be surrounded by several leveling fills that are also dated to the Late Byzantine period. These leveling fills are both north (854, 855, 857, 858, 859, 863, 868, 869, 875, 876, 925, and 927) and south (897 and 904) of Wall 747. These leveling fills characterized by a yellowish brown soil, are poorly sorted, and there are not many material inclusions. Small quantities of pottery are found across these contexts. These small contexts are overlaid in several areas by various lenses of leveling fill, often consisting of harder-packed and different colored soil, but the pottery dates from all of these contexts suggest that they are all part of a relatively contemporaneous leveling of the area. None of these contexts has a precise date for the Late Byzantine period; we can relate this context to the Late Byzantine leveling activity of this area mainly by stratigraphic relationships. In the middle Byzantine dumped fill of a robbing trench along the W Scarp (950), we have found a likely-Christian clay bread mold (MF 2012-47). These fills seem bounded by Wall 747 in the south but extend as far as the Northern Balk.; ; We have found a lime pit (C 882, W-E 257.54-260.87 S-N 1008.88-1010.10, filled by 878 and 917) directly south of Western Wall 747. All the preserved sides of this pit are covered with lime. It is possible that the walls of this cut were intentionally covered with lime, for building purposes. For example, the lime pit may have been used for the construction of walls 747 and/or 540, which both also seem to date to the late 11th c. In a later action, this cut was filled by a dumped fill (878 and 917). The filling of this cut, dated to the late 11th c, is a secondary deposition of large quantities of Late Antique pottery (5th – 6th C). Excavation of the oven (S 910) and the area between the oven and the pit will elucidate the issue and will provide confirmation as to the western boundary of the pit, which is not yet certain.; ; Last but not least in importance is pit 888 (W-E 262.21-263.10, N-S 1009.06-1007.06). Partially excavated during session 1 (888=680), this pit seems to be a bothros. Its dumped fill, dated to the 11th C, seems to be a secondary deposition of much earlier material including large quantities of Late Antique (5th – 6th C)  pottery, Late Antique coins (2012 22-29, 105-126), and a 2nd-3rd c. incised intaglio (MF 2012-33). ; ; Frankish (1210-1458 AD); ; During the Frankish period E - W Wall 747 was partially robbed out. As noted during session 2, certain fills (833, 744) excavated in the robbing trench for this wall were distinguished both in materials excavated and soil composition, and should be considered the first robbing episode of this structure. ; S of this robbing trench, we excavated a Frankish pit dated by the pottery to 1270 (C 926 filled by 883, 884, 885, 887, 889, W-E 261.88-264.03, S-N 1010.35-1008.90). The pit was particularly rich in finds, including luxurious items such as gilded bone bands (MF 2012-43, 45), incised bone knife handles (MF 2012-48), and gilded bronze flower-shaped clamps (MF 2012-53A, 53B, 54, 55) as well as stone- and metal- working tools such as a lead cupellation bowl (MF 2012-38) and an iron chisel (MF 2012-40). Also found was a pecten shell used by pilgrims travelling on the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela (MF 2012-34).; ; Below the pit, we came on the head of a well, a cistern, or a manhole (S 902 W-E 262.23-262.71, S-N 1009.55-1010.05). The structure is lined with plaster, and goes down 2.35 m, without any visible fill except for a small accumulation of debris, much of which is from our excavation of proximate contexts. The hole seems to have been intentionally closed with blocks. That it is a manhole is suggested by the slightly ovular shape of the hole, but it appears to be self-contained in all horizontal directions, which makes it more likely that it was a cistern or a well. That it is a well is suggested by the nearly intact water jug that was found at the bottom of pit 889, just centimeters away from the hole. Further excavation is needed to ; Another Frankish pit (C 871, filled by 860, W-E 255.51-256.95, S-N 1011.92-1013.63) was excavated during the second quarter of the 13th C, as its dumped fill suggests. This pit, located next to the W scarp of the excavation area has been interpreted as a bothros. Interestingly, the N side of the pit scarp is full of tile. A few large, unworked stones (possibly mined bedrock) are visible at the bottom on the E side. ; These pits may have been created for the purpose of storage. Generally Frankish pits were made along walls, as the surface of the wall offered an easy ready-made boundary for the pit. Our Frankish pits C 871 and C 926 correspond to this interpretation as do two Frankish pits excavated by the Pink Team (C 847, C 867).; ; Early Modern (1831-1945); ; Context 880 is the only context that has been dated to the Early Modern period, specifically Turkish II. We have interpreted the Turkish finds as contamination from the robbing trench for wall 747 (759), and therefore we interpret the context as a disturbance of the Frankish pit (C 926).; ; Recommendations; ; We recommend to future excavators the following:; ; 1.    Take down Wall 540. We are now certain that the Late Antique floors in the northeast of our area (S 936, 939, and those stratigraphically below) continue under the wall and into the Pink area (see above). The excavation and dating of the wall would remove an obstacle to excavating in the area and would be helpful for dating in the area. Lastly, there are many walls in the Blue (S 747 and S 918) and Pink areas that misalign by as few as 0.10-0.30 m, and the excavation of the wall would help in seeing more clearly whether they are related and how.; ; 2.    Excavate oven S 910 and the surrounding contexts in order to determine the relationship between the oven and the Byzantine lime pit to the east (C 882). ; ; 3.    Excavate floors S 911 and S 912 to discern their dates as well as the relationship between the two floors and between the floors and the surrounding area; ; 4.    Take down the contexts east of 949 and then proceed to finish its excavation. Digging in this area is important for understanding the boundary between the Late Antique material to the east and the 11th c. lenses of fill 844 to the west.; We hope that in the future, interior and exterior areas will be able to be identified, and that the Late Antique levels, now appearing in the NW, will become apparent throughout the area.","Report"