Our work now centers on the portico of the church. We finished exposing the lacunae next to the west wall, where benches were once placed. Those benches preserved some of the mosaic of the original floor. We have identified three patterns in the geometric mosaic running the full length of the portico.
Dr. Dorner shows the central lacuna.
We also began work on a small probe in the portico. Almost immediately we encountered the cobble base for the original mosaic.
Base for the mosaic
After removing this base layer, we probed a bit deeper and ran into a line of stones. At this point we speculate that they may be the cover stones for a draining system under the street, as we found in the other small cardo. We will learn more tomorrow.
July 17, 2019
Day 14: Portico of the Church
by Dr. Mark Schuler • 2019, Research Phase
Our work now centers on the portico of the church. We finished exposing the lacunae next to the west wall, where benches were once placed. Those benches preserved some of the mosaic of the original floor. We have identified three patterns in the geometric mosaic running the full length of the portico.
We also began work on a small probe in the portico. Almost immediately we encountered the cobble base for the original mosaic.
After removing this base layer, we probed a bit deeper and ran into a line of stones. At this point we speculate that they may be the cover stones for a draining system under the street, as we found in the other small cardo. We will learn more tomorrow.