Long Barrack Archaeology Update - October 27

By the end of the week EU-3 reached an approximate depth of 80 cm below datum. The perimeter wall footer was also exposed in this unit and, like EU-1, continues deeper. Two additional features were encountered in EU-3 this week. Feature 3 is a limestone foundation or footer located in the southeast corner of the unit. The limestone still has intact mortar. The feature was initially encountered at 60 cm below datum and continues to at least 82 cm below datum. The feature has not been fully revealed, so more to learn about this structural element. Feature 4 is a compacted surface that is located in the southwest corner of the unit. The surface is fairly level across and is at a depth of 74.5 cm below datum. The relationship between these features is still unclear, further excavation and analysis is required. Artifacts from this unit include ceramics, metal, lithics, and glass.

Excavations also continued in EU-5, although water infiltration from the rain did cause a delay. Unlike EUs 1 and 3, no features have been encountered in EU-5. However, a distinct charcoal-rich silty clay deposit extends across the unit and has been present for three levels, making it at least 30 cm thick. Another distinct characteristic of this deposit is that it contains a lot of cultural material. Artifacts include Spanish Colonial ceramics, Goliad ceramics, European Earthenware, lithic debitage, glass, gunflints, and two musket balls. The diverse date ranges of the artifacts from this deposit indicate this is a mixed context deposit. However, further excavation and analysis will reveal more about this interesting deposit.

Although the unit does not have the features or soil changes of EUs 1 and 2, the artifacts coming out of this unit provide plenty of excitement.