Corinth Basket Nezi Field, context 902

Collection:		Corinth
Type:		Basket
Name:		Nezi Field, context 902
Area:		Nezi Field
Title:		Possible Well, Cistern or Manhole
Category:		Structure
Notebook:		1106
Context:		902
Page:		0
Date:		2012/06/11
Description:		Structure materials: worked stone. Material size: S block: 0.3 x 0.5; N block: part. Excavated. Material finish: Plastered limestone. Material construction: regular courses?. Material bonding: Unknown. Features: horizontal tool marks on a lining stone.
Notes:		We believe that we have found either a well, a cistern, or a service hole at the bottom of the fill of a Frankish pit (889=884=887). The structure consists of a hole, of which a 0.3x0.5m rectangle is visible, with the widest side being E-W and with a little extra notch on the north part of the west side. The other side of the well hole is obscured by a large rectangular block to the north of the visible hole. One can see that the obscured part is about the same size as the visible part by looking under the block. The block is finished and regular on all visible sides except for the south side, which faces the hole. The south side of the block has an indent which serves as the vertex for an obtuse angle to the SW and SE corners of the block. There is a rock to the south of the hole, 0.3 x 0.5 m. Under the hole are several courses of roughly hewn blocks with a heavy coat of plaster around. Only one block is visible where the plaster has worn. We measured the structure as going down 2.35 m with plaster all around down to the bottom. The space inside is largely empty, but a healthy-sized pile of dirt from above sits in the bottom of the structure, hiding the floor and keeping the actual depth measurement uncertain. That the northern block obscures half of the well hole seems to suggest that the hole is prior to the block. However, the obtuse angle on the south side of the rock may indicate accomodation for the hole. The block has also been suggested as being related to the E-W wall 747, though there is a layer of soil between the block and the far smaller blocks of the wall. As for the function, that the structure is a man hole is encouraged by the slightly ovular shape of the hole (including the part now under the northern block). However, with the dirt pile on the bottom of the well, it is impossible for the moment to say whether it connects to the vast underground water systems of Corinth. We must also consider the relationship of the structure to the pit in which it was found. In fill 889, around the vicinity of the hole, was a complete jug and a good deal of carbon. The jug suggests a well. There is also a large block to the east that may or may not be related to the structure. Excavation of all blocks mentioned above would probably be revealing. Please note: James Herbst and Andrew Connor rigged a camera/tripod contraption that allowed them to make a video of the inside of this feature. The video shows the plaster and few worked courses, as well as the hard packed soil underneath. It is saved in the 2012 Nezi Excavations folder for future reference.
Grid:		262.75-262.27E, 1009.67-1010.15N
XMin:		262.27
XMax:		262.75
YMin:		1009.67
YMax:		1010.15
Site:		Corinth
City:		Ancient Corinth
Country:		Greece