Structural Description (part 10)

Additional Features

Other interesting features came to light under the massive collapsed stone scatter. Six roughly aligned postholes were recognized along the southwestern part of the peripheral wall. They are labeled PH2-7 in order of apparition (Fig. 35).

Fig. 35

Posthole PH2 was found in the southern cut in square N/8. For the second time, the remains of the wooden pole were found in situ, surrounded by at least three vertically placed stones and laying over a fourth horizontal stone. The diameter of the wooden pole averages 8-9 cm in PH2, which is consistent with the posthole dimensions.

Posthole PH3 is the largest structure of this type found around monument B3 (in square N/5). It is also the first posthole found through horizontal excavation of homogeneous sediment. At first it appeared as a spot with a slight difference in sediment coloration and texture. While progressively emptying PH3, we found four wedging stones; three of them were still placed in their original vertical position while the fourth and largest had fallen into sub-horizontal position (Fig. 36). The estimated diameter of the pole, which was not preserved, is 18.5 cm, making this pole the largest of all observed postholes. The depth at which the posthole was dug is about 45 cm. No footing stone was located at the bottom of the structure.

Fig. 36

Posthole PH4 is a smaller structure with no apparent evidence for wedging stones. The diameter of the pole, which was not preserved, must have been about 8-10 cm. It is dug to about 15 cm below original surface (minimal figure).

Posthole PH5 is the second largest, with an estimated pole diameter of 15-16 cm. It features two wedging stones. Its upper opening is quadrangular in shape, while its bottom is perfectly rounded. The hole is dug to a depth of about 36 cm below original surface.

Posthole PH6 is again a smaller and less complex structure similar to PH4 and about 21 cm deep. The maximal diameter of its pole must have been about 8-9 cm.

Posthole PH7 is also quite small but featured four wedging stones, the largest being 18 cm long. Its depth is 34 cm. Its diameter must have been about 8-10 cm.

The six postholes PH2-7 seem to be arranged following a specific plan. At first, we noticed that they are grouped by pairs (PH6 and PH7, PH3 and PH4, PH2 and PH5). The distances between both posts in each group vary from 82 to 88 cm (average 85 cm). The distance between each group center is 250 cm and 310 cm. Distance between the postholes and the peripheral wall limit is varying from 112 cm to the southwest (PH2) to 184 cm in the northeast (PH7)). The alignment is quite obvious for postholes PH2, PH5, PH4, and PH6.