The exploration of a low mound 100 meters east of the Area 9 monastery church was designed to determine if the monks lived in a cluster
of cells near the church. Pottery sherds on the surface of the mound indicated that it was contemporanous with the Area 9. Extensive excavation
of Area 10 proved that it was a monastic workshop with several pottery kilns and a winepress. An extensive well on the east edge of the mound
may have been constructed during the Late Roman period and eventually filled by the monks. Two very unique artifacts (a marble reliquary and
a small bronze bell) found in the monastic workshop were probably discarded in the workshop by individuals who had plundered the monastery
in the 11th century AD.
Michael Fuller (left, kneeling) and Robert McWhorter (right, kneeling) use a metric tape to establish excavation units on the
first day of excavation in Area 10. Jim Walker (background) begins the first excavation forms for Area 10. The apse of the Area 9
church is visible in the background.
Area 10 during excavation looking northwest. Chad walks on the bulk between two excavation units.
The footings for two kilns in Area 10, looking south.
Footing to a kiln in Area 10, Square 53.
Footing to a kiln in Area 10, Square 64.
Louis Naes excavating large sherds of pottery vessels from adjacent to an Area 10 pottery kiln.
A prominent platform in the center of Area 10 was probably used in the manufacturing of pottery.
A small circular kiln or furnace in Area 10, Square 73.
The crushing floor (right) and fermentation vat (left) for wine production in Area 10.
The Late Roman well in the southeast corner of Area 10. Proton Magnetometry identified the distinct anomaly
that excavation proved to be this well.
The Late Roman well in the southeast corner of Area 10. We stopped at this depth for safety reasons. The bottom of the well had not been reached.
The well contained remarkably few artifacts in the fill that we removed.
Professor Michael Fuller, wearing an Archaeological Institute of America t-shirt, at the mouth of the Late Roman well in Area 10.
Pat McWhorter holds an intact pottery vessel from Area 10.
Chad uses a string grid to draw a cluster of pottery sherds in Area 10, Square 76.
Photographic Credit: Professor David Hanlon, St. Louis Community College at Meramec
Webpage created June 1, 2003 by Neathery Fuller
Webpage migrated 1 April 2008 by Michael Fuller
Webpage updated 25 January 2023 by Michael Fuller
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