Long Barrack Archaeology Update - April 19

This week three excavation units (EUs- 8, 12, and 15) were active and one was idle (EU-10).

Archaeologists reached an approximate depth of 80 cm below surface in EU-8. Two soil deposits were documented in the unit, further evidence of previous activity in the area. The builder’s trench along the Long Barrack wall continues. The soil east of the builder’s trench was a sandy clay and contained an increase in charcoal, ceramics, metal, and buttons. One unique artifact was a round, glass object that may be a button or jewelry component. The glass object was likely held within a metal clasp.

Archaeologists in EU-12 reached a final depth of 150 cm below surface. The silty clay soil at the base of the unit  contained a low density of ceramics, shell, and lithics. Archaeologists will now complete final documentation (photos, scanning, and mapping) of the unit.

In EU-15, archaeologists reached a depth of approximately 80 cm below surface. The limestone feature was more clearly exposed this week. Along with the builder’s trench along the Long Barrack wall in the western portion of the unit, there is a second builder’s trench visible in the southeast profile. This second builder’s trench is associated with the construction of the courtyard wall that divides the Convento and Cavalry Courtyards. Archaeologists continued to recover artifacts from the unit but the most exciting find was several fragments of  painted or tinted plaster.