The only features of Stratum 15 were the previously identified glacis (L. 5005) and retaining
wall (L. 5006). Excavation in 1986 has confirmed the preliminary conclusion in 1983 that wall L.
5006 functioned as an integral part of the defensive structures of Stratum 15. However, it is now
clear that wall L. 5006 functioned as a retaining wall against the outer limit of the glacis. Locus
5005, consisting of crushed and decayed limestone, appeared in the narrow section in Area 5 with
a flat surface. Since the exposure of Locus 5005 is so narrow it is impossible to determine whether
it is wash or spill of glacis makeup material from above the wall, or whether it may be a deliberately
placed level area on the downslope side of wall 5006, which served as a paved pathway or additional
glacis protection. Since there are no tip-lines in the section of L. 5005, an indication one would
expect as a sign of erosion, it is less likely to have been washed debris. In addition, since the
glacis directly west of wall 5006 was for the most part intact, there does not appear to have been
wash of material from the glacis.
Locus Summary Area 5
Locus Stratum Description/Artifacts
5001 Str. I
Slope debris, located 1.0 m. from the South balk and 4.0 m. from the East balk
at top levels 478.93 m. (W) and 477.68 m. (E) to bottom levels 478.67 m. above
wall 5006, 476.80 m. above glacis 5005.
Includes 5002, 5003, and 5004, which have been canceled.
See Sections South, East, West.
I.5.1 7/7/83 EB, LB, Iron II
I.5.2 7/8/83 EB, LB, Iron II, Per, Byz
MC 26001 bone sample
MC 26002 shell sample
MC 26007 lithic sample
I.5.3 7/8/83 EB, LB, Iron II, Byz
I.5.4 7/8/83 EB, Iron II
MC 26003 shell sample
I.5.5 7/10/83 EB, LB
I.5.6 7/10/83 EB, LB, Iron II
MC 26005 shell sample
MC 26006 lithic sample
I.5.7 7/10/83 EB, LB, Per, Byz
MC 26004 shell sample
I.5.8 7/11/83 EB, Iron II
I.5.9 7/11/83 EB, Iron II
I.5.10 7/11/83 EB, LB
I.5.11 7/11/83 EB
I.5.12 7/12/83 EB, Iron II, Byz
I.5.13 7/12/83 EB, LB, Iron II
I.5.14 7/13/83 EB, Iron II
I.5.15 7/13/83 Iron II, Byz
MC 26008 bone sample
MC 26009 shell sample
I.5.16 7/13/83 Iron II, Per
I.5.17 7/13/83 LB, Iron II
I.5.18 7/13/83 EB, Iron II, Per, Byz
I.5.19 7/25/83 EB, LB IIA
I.5.20 7/26/83 EB, LB, Byz
I.5.21 7/26/83 no pottery
5002 Canceled; combined with 5001
5003 Canceled; combined with 5001
5004 Canceled; combined with 5001
5005 Str. XV
"Glacis" of crushed limestone. Located 1.0 m. from the South balk and
between 1.0 m. and 2.25 m. from the East balk at top level 476.35 m.
below debris 5001 to bottom levels 475.80 m. (E) and 476.23 m. (W,
adjacent to wall 5006) above soil 5007.
Because of its level, flat surface it may have been a pathway or an
additional part of the glacis east of wall 5006.
See Section South.
I.5.22 7/22/86 EB III
I.5.23 7/22/86 EB III
I.5.24 7/24/86 EB III
5006 Str XV
Retaining wall constructed of cobble and boulder-sized field stones. Located
1.0 m. from the South balk and between 2.35 m. and 4.5 m. from the East balk
(extending .50 m. into the West balk). At top levels 477.72 m. (E), 477.06 m.
(C) and 476.63 m. (W) below debris 5001 to bottom level 475.85 m. (on exposed
East face) above soil 5007.
Wall 5006 is set into a foundation trench cut into soil 5007. The lower four
courses built of large boulders serve to retain the chalk of glacis 6004.
Several upper courses were battered or laid in against and on top of the glacis
facing. On the downslope face a stepped construction was used, the lowest three
courses of which were composed of large boulders. A fourth course was recessed
slightly to the West with the four uppermost courses constructed of smaller
sized stones and recessed again to the West. Wall 5006 is interpreted as a
footing or retaining wall for glacis 6004 and thus an integral part of the
defensive structures of Stratum XV.
See Section South; Plan 512
Photos 937, 1254, 1255
5007 Str pre XV
Soil into which the foundation trench for wall 5006 was cut. At top level
475.80 m. (E) and 475.98 m. (W) below glacis material 5005 to bottom levels
475.15 m. (E) and 475.50 m. (W) above bedrock. Located 1.0 m. from the South
balk and between 2.5 m. and 3.0 m. from the East balk.
See Section South.
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