What we propose is to excavate the fill of the current
feature in a series of vertical “slices” approximately 20
cm thick, preserving the bedrock sides.
Detailed
analysis of these bedrock sides should yield some evidence of the origin
of the feature, but definite proof will be available by showing either
that the cavity continues under the bedrock in the back of the cave
(indicating an endokarstic tube), or that it has a definite back to
it (thus indicating a pit).
If it is a deliberate pit, this technique of excavating in vertical
slices will also provide the best documentation of the fill within
it.
There is, of course, the possibility that the analogy between this
feature and the original pit found by Lafille works the other way,
and that both contain hominin remains. In this case, the excavation
techniques will be reevaluated as circumstances warrant.
It should be noted that dosimeters were placed in these fill deposits
in 2006, and will therefore provide background radiation estimates
for any dating samples found within it (teeth for ESR, burned flint
for TL). |