The Diaries
 
November 14th 2008
:: 2008 :: 10/27 - 10/28 - 10/29 - 10/30 - 10/31
11/01 - 11/02 & 11/03 - 11/04 - 11/05- 11/06 - 11/07 - 11/08 & 11/09 - 11/10 - 11/11 - 11/12 - 11/13 - 11/14 - 11/15 - 11/16 - 11/17 - 11/18 - 11/19 - 11/20 - 11/21 - 11/22 - 11/23 - 11/25 - 11/26 - 11/27 - 11/28
11/29 - 11/30
12/01 - 12/02
- Mystery on the absence of burials -  

Thomas studying the human remainders
Photo : Jean-François REBEYROTTE

The end of the week approaches, undoubtedly salutary, because after the efforts provided by the whole team, a little rest won’t hurt anybody.
The whole team is concentrated and work flat out. If we consider the volume of sand and blocks of coral released of the site, and divided into enormous monticules around the excavation, we are amazed.
After the daily update of the overall plan of the site, the work of clearing the last two discovered buildings continuous.

Thomas Romon took in hand the release of the human bones. They are dispersed in a layer of rubbles, in a space more restricted than the precedents. The only contemporary elements discovered in the side are nails of framework and a bottle.
In the end of the afternoon, Thomas has sufficient elements to conclude that they belong to the same individual: a young man of approximately 18 years old.
We understand rather well how these remainders were released at the time of the digging of the foundations of the modern building, the limit of this building, materialized by blocks of coral bound by cement, is not within more than 50 cm. Is there a building, intended to gather the bodies of the deceased’s, perhaps after a stay in a tomb a little further away?

Drawing of the zone of the human bones
Photo : Jean-François REBEYROTTE

In the small space which remains to be excavated, we did not reach the archaeological layer yet and we have the hope to be able to release a burial or an element of burial still in place. Everyone is so impatient.

Nick examines the cut of the ground
Photo : Jean-François REBEYROTTE

At the top of the hillock, we released, for Nick Marriner, a splendid cut of the ground of almost one meter high. He disappears almost entirely in the hole which was dug, attentively examining the traces left by the passage of the cyclones.

The release of the second building also continues and, in the end of the afternoon, we arrive on the archaeological ground, nearly 80 cm under the level of this morning. No object was discovered for the moment, a home is in a corner.
We receive messages of encouragement which goes straight to our hearts because, on this small island far from everything, we are alone with ourselves to try to understand the elements of the drama which was played here.