Redazione Archaeogate, 28-11-2003 -
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WG 10, WG 11, WG 13 and WG 14
These excavation units were opened at the base of the southwestern side of the terrace, along the present bed of the Wadi Gawasis, to investigate some dumps, which were visible on the surface
WG 10[4]
The excavation unit WG 10 was aimed at investigating a large dump of sand covered with many potsherds, most likely discarded ceramics from a rock-shelter located at the base of the terrace nearby A. M. Sayed excavated in the mid-1970s. After the systematic collection of pottery on the surface, the dump was completely excavated. The excavation suggested that the dump accumulated in recent times. A stratum with artifacts, apparently unrelated to the dump, was found beneath it. This occupation phase was characterized by the occurrence of many fragments of ceramics and wood, as well as several hearths with ash and charcoal. A stratigraphic test, ca. 1 m deep, was conducted beneath this occupation phase; and several potsherds and charcoal were collected at the bottom of the excavated pit, suggesting an earlier phase of use of this area.
The excavation unit WG 10 was located at the base of the south-western edge of the terrace, at the same elevation of the bed of the river. The site was selected for excavation because of the occurrence of an elongated mound in front of a huge coral block, which collapsed in ancient times from the upper edge of the terrace. The area was investigated in order to understand if the mound was an ancient midden or the accumulation of discarded materials from a test excavation of A. M. Sayed in the mid-1970s. Actually, the top of the mound was covered with many big fragments of pottery, mainly jars, often with a compact salt crust,. suggesting that the mound was an ancient midden.
A 10 m x 6 m excavation unit oriented to the north was delimited and divided into 1 m x 1 m squares, which were marked with an alphanumerical system. A 1 m x 1 m square grid was adopted instead of the usual 2 m x 2 m square one in the other units at the site, in order to maintain a better horizontal and vertical control of the distribution of the potsherds, which were spread also on the surface around the mound. A systematic surface collection of the ceramics was conducted and the mound was completely excavated in conformity with Harris' stratigraphic unit (SU) procedure.[5]
Excavation unit WG 10 included two main features, which were visible on the surface: 1) An elongated, roughly oval, mound (Feature 1), ca. 9 m long, 3.50-4 m wide and 0.6 - 0.7 m high, apparently consisting of an accumulation of potsherds, mixed with sand; this feature was completely excavated. 2) A circular, shallow depression, ca. 6 m in diameter, about 2-3 m to the south-west of the mound, delimited with a circle of small coral blocks and potsherds; this feature was not excavated, and will be investigated in the coming season.
The following stratigraphic units were distinguished during the excavation:
SU 1: soft sand with a very loose consistency, including a few pebbles, pottery, shells and other archaeological materials,. Very few artifacts (potsherds and lithics) and shells were collected in this SU. This stratum formed most of the mound (Feature 1).
SU 2: Lower stratum of SU 1 (sand with a very loose consistency) in the eastern sector of the excavation unit. Small shells, lithics, and potsherds, as well as some fragments of a modern newspaper were collected in this SU, suggesting that the mound was the accumulation of discarded sand and materials from Sayed's excavations.
SU 3: Large hearth associated with many potsherds, wood, ash and charcoal in a compact salt crust (Feature 2) in the eastern sector of the excavation unit (squares D9-E9). This SU was difficult to dig because the artifacts were embedded in a very compact crust of salt.
SU 4: Hearth with many potsherds, ash and charcoal (Feature 3) in the eastern sector of the site (squares C9-C10-D9-D10). This SU is similar to SU 3, with a very hard deposit due to a crust of salt embedding all artifacts.
SU 5: Very badly preserved stratum of compact yellow-reddish sand, most likely a living floor, to the east of Feature 2 and south of Feature 3.
SU 6: Very badly preserved, compact yellow-reddish sand, most likely a living floor, to the north and west of Feature 2 and Feature 3.
SU 7: Roughly circular hearth, associated with Feature 2, located in the square E 9.
SU 8: Roughly circular Hearth, associated with Feature 3, located in the square C 9.
SU 9: Roughly oval hearth, associated with Feature 3, located in the square C 10.
SU 10: Alignment of short wood poles and small planks around and besides SU 7, in Feature 2.
SU 11: Huge deposit including a great quantity of big potsherds and wood planks, located to the west of Feature 2, with a major concentration in squares D7-D8-E7-E8. This is a very thick and hard stratum of compact salt, which was not excavated..
SU 12: Fill in a geological test pit besides Feature 2, in square E 10.
The excavation of WG 10 was aimed at understanding the possible occupation and use of this area of site
Feature 1 resulted to be a recent accumulation of sand from somewhere around the excavation unit., most likely from the slope nearby. The interpretation of a recent origin of the mound is supported by the salt crust covering most of the potsherds on the surface. According to Abdel Moneim Mahmoud these potsherds were collected in another deposit and discarded there, as it is impossible to find concretions due to salt infiltration above a loose sand deposit. The collected fragments, however, are very interesting in terms of pottery typology. Their huge quantity and good preservation (about 300 diagnostic potsherds) provided a good sample of the vessels, which were used at this site.
Beneath and around the mound the evidence of an occupation area with hearths, small coral blocks. wood poles, charcoal and pottery was found.
The best preserved hearth (SU 7) in square E9 is a roughly circular arrangement of charcoal, ashe, wood pieces and pottery. The pottery was sometime burnt and was crushed horizontally on the fire place and immediately around it.
Along the western edge of SU 7, a linear arrangement of wood poles and small collapsed planks was found. They could be either a small wood reserve close to the utilitarian area, or because of their linear arrangement the supports for a "break-wind" shelter to protect the hearth. The original postholes were not found, and the poles may have been fixed in the superficial sand and supported with coral blocks or ropes. Small coral blocks were found all over the area and, some of them formed a compact deposit with the charcoal and pottery beneath the hearth. Some fragments of ropes and textiles were also found in SU 2 among the blocks and potsherds of SU 7, but they can have been moved later there by the wind.
Two hearths (SU 8, SU 9) in squares C 9 and C 10 respectively, were similar to SU 7. They are smaller and badly preserved with less pottery, but big coral blocks were probably arranged to support the hearth and the vessels associated with them.
A well preserved living floor (SU 5) was found to the south of SU 8 and SU 9, and the east of SU 7, in the squares D 9, D 10 and E 10. This was a compact smooth and regular layer of sand extending eastwards all around the edges of the hearths up to the edge of the excavated unit. Traces of this floor were found also to the north and northwest of SU 7, SU 8, and SU 9.
A huge deposit of big potsherds with a compact crust of salt (SU 11), mixed with small wood planks,. was found to the west of Feature 2, in squares D 7, D 8, E 7, E 8. In this deposit the potsherds were accumulated one upon another without any order, suggesting a discard or garbage area rather than a proper activity area. This deposit was not excavated.
A stratigraphic test pit, ca. 1 m. deep, was opened under the occupation phase in Feature 2. The pit was excavated at a depth of ca. 80 cm, three or four alternated eolic sand layers and thin fluvial gravel were found. At the base of the pit some potsherds including a rim fragment were found.
WG 11[6]
This was a dump of sand to the west of WG 10, with a south-west to north-east orientation, ca. 10 m long and 2 m wide. A transect, 1 m wide, was excavated in the southwestern section of the dump. The excavation demonstrated that this too was recently formed by the accumulation of eolic sand and the archaeological materials were most likely washed down from the surrounding terraces. They were mainly concentrated on the surface, and were rare in the deposit.
WG 13[7]
This was a dump to the east WG 10 with an east-west orientation, ca. 7.30 m long and 4 m wide. A transect, 1 m wide, was cut in the middle of the mound. The demonstrated that the dump consisted of recently deposed eolic sand and the archaeological materials were most likely washed down from the surrounding terraces.
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