Why does Trench 3 rule? Simple, of all the trenches to be closed on the acropolis, it provided us with some of the most incredible detail and information regarding the acropolis’s usage and purpose towards the end of its occupation. The pottery remains, broken glass, burned bones, and slag tell us what exactly happened on the acropolis. We know that glassmaking was occurring by the Prince Rupert’s drop and broken glass piece found towards the end of our time in the trench. The slag found throughout two of our loci tells us that somewhere in one of the surrounding buildings there was some smelting or burning of metals occurring, suggestive of industrial craftsmanship. We know from the burned pottery and bones that what we have is an alleyway in which items were thrown out or washed out in later years. The bedrock that covers our entire trench was at one point notched to help create a more level surface with signs of masonry that are suggestive of the existence of that more level surface at one point in time. Everything in that trench may appear at first as insignificant finds to be jotted down and recorded in some dusty little book but when taken together with our locus sheets and recorded finds sheets, our trench has proven an invaluable asset to the reconstruction of the acropolis. What looks like a hole in the middle of the acropolis is in fact a glimpse into the everyday lives of those who at one point called this place home.
