MZ sitewide

Main lexicon

January 2024
NOTE: cf. GRAMMAR/1.7.

Definition
     Universal codes
     Features
          1. Surfaces
          2. Buildup
          3. Fill, dumping collapse
          4. Installations
          5. Other features
     Items
          1. Metal
          2. Stone
          3. Clay
          4. Organic
          5. Other items
     Alphabetical list of codes for features and items
     Incidentals Ware or material
Contact association
Shape for ceramic vessels
View range
View orientation


Introductory

     A lexicon has been defined (12.4) as the list of attribute states or variants, i.e., the specific information that fills a given roster slot (attribute argument or variable). The term “lemma” (plural “lemmata”) refers to the concrete lexical item(s).

     The list is open ended, and as such it is susceptible of additions at any time. Thus, whether or not or a lexical entry “earring” for the roster slot B10=“definition” is present in our lexicon, or a lexical entry “green” for the roster slot K5=“color,” and whether or not it has been used in the past, it can be introduced at will the first time it becomes pertinent. It is important that in such cases a precise definition be given within the record itself: this is done by using the category –rd “roster definition” under incidentals (17.4 (4)).

     In this perspective, a formal listing of lexical entries would seem unnecessary. If that is not so, and if I undertake to give just such a list in this chapter, it is for two major reasons.

     (1) In most cases where a lexical entry is expected, there is a correlative need for sorting. Thus, for example, it is obviously desirable to sort the entries for the roster slot “definition” in such a way that we have all ceramic vessels together, all seal impressions together, and so on. A uniformity of lexical entries is expected to make such sorting possible: it would not work to call the same type of object “ceramic vessel” or “pottery item,” “seal impression” or “rolling,” and so on.

     The simplest function of a lexical list is, therefore, to provide consistency in the use of appellations for distinct phenomena. In the input phase, it will also serve as a list of abbreviations, or codes, that can be more easily utilized in a uniform manner. Just as we saw in the case of the roster (16.1), this aspect of the current presentation is of no concern to a normal user of the system, since in the display version as embodied in the browser edition all abbreviations are resolved, and thus no knowledge of the codes is expected.

     (2) More important is the conceptual dimension of the lexicon. Terms like “floor” and “fill” appear at first to have an evident meaning – the first term referring to a walking surface, and the second to material deposited within a given space. But closer inspection will reveal great variations. These have to be spelled out, and this goes to the core of the conceptual dimension of the lexicon. What is important in this endeavor is not so much to canvass a dictionary for definitions and paraphrases, but to articulate the variations into structured sets, where the definitions arise from contrasts among the members of the set. This I seek to do, to a limited extent and only for some basic categories, in this chapter.

     The individual lexical items given below reflect different degrees of specificity, and no attempt is made to provide a finer hierarchy in this regard within each of the categories. It is also important to note that the record may well reflect successive moments through which different, and progressively higher, degrees of specificity are ascertained and assigned to the data. At Mozan, this has often been the case, for instance, in the case of cl “clay lumps.” It was imperative, when collecting them in the field, that no attempt be made to determine whether they were sealings, and if so whether they were impressed with the rolling of a seal, for to attempt even a modicum of cleaning before they had become dry might seriously jeopardize their integrity. But after cleaning in the laboratory, such determination could, and would, be made. We estimate that we have collected some 10,000 cl clay lumps, of which only about 2,000 turned out to be sl “sealings,” of which again only some 1,600 bore a si “seal impression,” and a few even turned out to be tablet fragments. Progressively finer descriptions were then possible, e.g., as to iconography, epigraphic content, etc.


17.2 Simple and complex lemmata

     A simple lemma is based on a single set of parameters that is used to define a variant within a variable, e.g., “brown” within the variable “color.” With greater precision, a lemma may be based on the use of standards (e.g., the Munsell variant “5YR8/2" within the variable “color”; see below, 20, for a discussion of standards).

     A complex lemma is a combination of simple lemmata and is used in the same way to define a set of variants within a variable. thus, a ceramic “ware” is set of pertinent attributes for matrix, inclusions, manufacturing technique and measurements, each of which is defined separately as a simple lemma.


Current version

     The current version is indicated by a code that relates the lexicon to the roster, thus LZmr-003 is the 3rd version of the lexicon applicable to the main roster, LZca-002 is the 2nd version of the lexicon applicable to the Ceramic Analysis roster.


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17.4 Universal codes

uk     unknown

vr     varia


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17.5 Variants for variable B10 = df: Definition

     These codes are also applicable to A5=sp specific label (in which case they are preceded by a circumflex), and M1, M2 or M3 generic and specific function.

     It must be stressed that the lexicon is an open system (17.1), so that features that occur rarely may be named in an ad hoc fashion as necessary. For instance, such entries as “pile of bricks” may be used for a stack of brocks ready for use in constructing a wall. The only twoconstraints are that initial hyphen is reserved for incidentals, and that the maximum length allowed is 20 characters.

     Labels that are more specifically typological are given in italics at the end of each group of definitions. These typological definitions may be given under B10, in addition to the more generic definition. Thus something defined first as co “collapse” may also be defined as bf “brickfall.” Conversely, if a wall has (even just partly) collapsed into an open pit, then the typological definition as “brickfall” would accompany the emplacement definition f2 “fill in secondary context.” In addition, the qualification bf “brickfall’ may also be entered under A5, if distinct brickfalls are numbered sequentially, and under M1 as a determination as to primary function.

     In some cases, a typological definition that includes a higher degree of specificity may apply to more than one type of material – for instance, a sculpture may be in stone or bronze. For this reason, it is advisable, though it is not strictly required by the system, to give in every case the more generic definition, e.g., ma “metal artifact” as well as sc “sculpture.” (In the topical lists given below, a term like “sculpture” may accordingly be entered twice, under ma “metal artifacts” and under la “lithic artifacts.) A more precise definition of the type of ware or material (e.g., arsenical bronze) will be found under the roster slot K3=wm “ware or material.”


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(1) Features (stationary elements)

     The main criterion for sorting the different types of features is the manner of alignment of the components of any given feature. Accordingly, four types can be distinguished.

     1. Surfaces: the alignment is along a single plane.

     2. Buildup: this refers to the inert, i. e. gradual and unintentional, buildup that occurs on top of a surface, and which is characterized by the horizontal alignment of inclusions, each of which tends also to have a horizontal angle of repose.

     3. Fill: this refers to a dumping or collapse that results in the random alignment of inclusions. The term “fill” refers, strictly speaking, to a situation whereby the material “fills” a given space that is bounded, as is the case with discards dumped into a pit or walls collapsed inside a room. The category, however, subsumes also cases when the material is not bounded, but has piled up without containment, as with a brickfall that took place onto an open space.

     4. Installations: this refers to the ordered organization of components, such as the bricks within a wall.

     Note that, for ease of reference, the descriptive terms are taken from the depositional, rather than the emplacement, aspect that characterizes the feature – thus “fill” instead of something like “amorphous amassment.”


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1.Surfaces

     sf       subfloor: hard layer, suitable for compaction and/or additional cover on top; it may at times be inferred to have resulted from the leveling of a pre-existing collapse

f       floorsurface in general

fa       floor, type a (plastered or lined)

fb       floor, type b (highly compacted)

fc       floor, type c (medium compacted)

fd       floor, type d (compacted naturally)

pv       pavement in general (floor defined structurally by distinct surface elements, generally a finished cover or a coating laid on prepared surface)

pa       pavement, type a: coating (heavier than fa: cement, bitumen)

pb       pavement, type b: large components (flagstones, bricks or tiles)

pc       pavement, type c: small components (pebbles, sherds)


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2. Buildup

a       accumulation: gradual buildup, generally bounded by walls or abutting at least one wall. Depositionally, an accumulation may be inferred to have occurred through two major processes. (1) Occupation is the process resulting from human activities, whereby debris (including artifactual fragments such as sherds, and organic material such ash) comes to be embedded and compacted into a coagulated layer. (2) Sedimentation  refers to the precipitation of natural material, such as dust, windblown sand or organic particles.

aa       accumulation, type a: occupation immediately above floor surface, with sherds lying perfectly flat on the surface, vessels sitting upright, large pot smashes suggesting that the original ceramic vessel broke in place, etc. This is what is generally referred to as a “living floor,” and it is of particular importance for stratigraphic considerations

ab       accumulation, type b: accumulation above accumulation, without distinct floor surface underneath, but well defined in terms of layering of matrix and distribution of inclusions

ac       accumulation, type c: not above floor, e.g. abandonment

ad       accumulation, type d: natural accumulation (i.e., sedimentation)

ba       band(horizontal deposit with sharp lower and merging upper boundaries)

ly       layer (horizontal deposit with sharp lower and upper boundaries)

l       lens, sameas accumulation, but not abutting any walls

la       lens type a (same criteria as for as accumulation a)

lb       lens type b (same criteria as for as accumulation b)

lc       lens type c (same criteria as for as accumulation c)

ld       lens type d (same criteria as for as accumulation d)

ts       topsoil: this is generally a band or layer

lm       laminations: a special kind of lens of type d, characterized by the even horizontal layering of very uniform soil, with an even layering and a sharp horizontal face, giving the appearance of compaction, but in fact quite brittle; it may be inferred that it was produced by the settling of water dripping from above (as with a light rain) after which it was left to dry without disturbances

mud       a special kind of lens, similar to a lamination but with greater compaction, for which one may infer that it was produced by a sizeable downpour, such as heavy rain, rather than by a light drizzle


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3.Fill, dumping, collapse

fi       fill in general: soil matrix with inclusions not laid horizontally, at least not uniformly so (e.g., sherds or bones with different and sharp “angles of repose”), often contained within a bounded space, from which one can infer intentional and one-time dumping

f1       fill in primary context (e.g., within a foundation trench)

f2       fill in secondary context (e.g., discard within a pit originally meant for storage)

co       collapse: uniform matrix (e.g., bricks), with individual inclusions showing similar “angle of repose” (so as to suggest disaggregation of a built-up installation during collapse), often not contained within bounded space; it may be inferred that the collapse happened through intentional destruction by human agents of preexisting installations, or through erosion due to natural agents (especially rain and wind)

bf       brickfall(specific collapse)

rf       roofing material (specific collapse)

or       organic refuse or midden (specific dump)


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4.Installations

is       installation in a general sense: a discrete whole whose component parts are ordered according to a structured organization, from which one can infer that it was set up intentionally to serve as a specific functional aggregate (13.4)

w       wall

be       bench

bp       brick pile: the individual bricks are laid side by side, often set on their narrow side and leaning on each other, without the cohesion resulting from mortar binding

s       structure

r       room

cr       corridor

d       doorway

pt       pit

tr       trench, trough

bu       burial (not built up, see gv, hb)

gv       grave (built up, see bu,hb)

hs       house

bn       bin

ki       kiln

he       hearth

ov       oven

st-is       stone installation (isolated large stones, threshold, steps)

ta       tannur (bread oven)


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5.Other features

ho       hole

ia       item aggregate (e.g., vessels on floor)

pf       platform

rh       rodent hole

so       soil


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(2) Items (movable elements)

      The main criterion for sorting the various types of artifacts is the ware or material of the specific item. This is in some respects analogous to the criterion used for features, in that the definition is based on the consistency of the item and on the identification of traits that are apparent even at a low level of specificity.


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1. Metal

ma       metal artifact

sg       slag (from metal smelting)

ar       arrowhead

ax       ax(head)

mace

sh       spearhead

je       jewelry item

pi       pin

spoon

sc       sculpture


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2. Stone

la       lithic artifact

ls       lithic specimen (e.g., an unworked pebble)

bd       bead

bl       blade

mace

sc       sculpture

se       seal


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3. Clay

qp       pottery lot

cv       ceramic vessel

ca       clay artifact

cl       clay lump (and possible tablet)

kw       kiln waste: vitrified, amorphous matter from ceramic kiln (cf. kwr, slag)

kwr       kiln waster: misshapen or molten ceramic piece(s) or fragment(s). The difference between kw and kwr is significant, for a waster (kwr) retains at least partially the shape of the object that had been initially intended, and as such it qualifies as a proper artifact

bo       bowl (rim/height: 3/1)

bt       bottle (rim/height: 1/5)

di       dish (small platter)

go       goblet (proportions as for small jar)

ja       jar (rim/height: 1/3)

po       pot (rim/height: 1/1)

pl       platter (rim/height: 5/1)

bk       brick

si       seal impression: refers to the impression left by a seal (the seal itself may be reconstructed as a “trace,” see 13.3)

sl       sealing: refers to the object used to seal an opening (generally a container or a door), whether it has been sealed with a seal or not

fg       figurine

wh       wheel


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4. Organic

sm       sample (non count, see sp)

sp       specimen (count, see sm)

qb       bone lot

ba       bone artifact

waf       wood artifact

cs       carbon

ash

awl

board       (as on back of sealings)

hb       human body (see bu, gv)

in       inlays (generally made of shell or mother-of-pearl)

ro       root

peg

string


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5. Other items

to       tool

vs       vessel

we       weapon

su       statue

e       epigraphic: refers to anything with writing on it, e.g., a sherd, a seal, a seal impression

t       tablet: refers to an object shaped for writing, whether in fact epigraphic or anepigraphic


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(3) Combined alphabetical list for features and items

a       accumulation: gradual buildup, bounded by walls or abutting at least one wall

aa       accumulation, type a: above floor surface (“living floor”)

ab       accumulation, type b: above accumulation

ac       accumulation, type c: not above floor, e.g. abandonment

ad       accumulation, type d: natural accumulation (i.e., sedimentation)

ar       arrowhead

ash

awl

ax       ax(head)

ba       band (horizontal deposit with sharp lower and merging upper boundaries)

ba       bone artifact

bd       bead

be       bench

bf       brickfall (specific collapse)

bk       brick

bl       blade

bn       bin

bo       bowl (rim/height: 3/1)

board       (as on back of sealings)

bp       brick pile

bt       bottle (rim/height: 1/5)

bu       burial (not built up, see gv, hb)

ca       clay artifact

cb       carbon

cl       clay lump (and possible tablet)

co       collapse (not contained within bounded space)

cr       corridor

cv       ceramic vessel

d       doorway

di       dish (small platter)

e       epigraphic: refers to anything with writing on itf       floor surface in general

f1       fill in primary context (e.g., within a foundation trench)

f2       fill in secondary context (e.g., discard within a pit originally meant for storage)

fa       floor, type a (plastered or lined)

fb       floor, type b (highly compacted)

fc       floor, type c (medium compacted)

fd       floor, type d (compacted naturally)

fg       figurine

fi       fill in general (contained within bounded space)

go       goblet (proportions as for small jar)

gv       grave (built up, see bu,hb)

hb       human body (see bu, gv)

he       hearth

ho       hole

hs       house

ia       item aggregate (e.g., vessels on floor)

in       inlays (generally made of shell or mother-of-pearl)

is       installation

ja       jar (rim/height: 1/3)

je       jewelry item

ki       kiln

kw       kiln waste: vitrified, amorphous matter from ceramic kiln (cf. kwr, slag)

kwr       kiln waster: misshapen or molten ceramic piece(s) or fragment(s)

l       lens, same as accumulation, but not abutting any walls

la       lens type a (same criteria as for as accumulation a)

la       lithic artifact

lb       lens type b (same criteria as for as accumulation b)

lc       lens type c (same criteria as for as accumulation c)

ld       lens type d (same criteria as for as accumulation d)

lm       lamination

ls       lithic specimen

ly       layer ((horizontal deposit with sharp lower and upper boundaries)

ma       metal artifact

mace

mud

or       organic refuse or midden

ov       oven

pa       pavement, type a: coating (heavier than fa: cement, bitumen)

pb       pavement, type b: large components (flagstones, bricks or tiles)

pc       pavement, type c: small components (pebbles, sherds)

peg

pf       platform

pi       pin

pl       platter (rim/height: 5/1)

po       pot (rim/height: 1/1)

pt       pit

pv       pavement in general (floor defined structurally by distinct surface elements)

qb       bone lot

qp       pottery lot

r       room

rf       roof collapse and roofing material

rh       rodent hole

ro       root

s       structure

sc       sculpture

sc       sculpture

se       seal

sf       subfloor

sg       slag (from metal smelting)

sh       spearhead

si       seal impression

sl       sealing

sm       sample (non count, see sp)

so       soil

sp       specimen (count, see sm)

spoon

st-is       stone installation (isolated stones, threshold, steps,…)

string

su       statue

t       tablet

ta       tannur (bread oven)

to       tool

tr       trench, trough

ts       topsoil: this is generally a band or layer

vs       vessel

w       wall

wa       wood artifact

we       weapon

wh       wheel


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(4) Codes for incidentals

  related to excavation

  unrelated to excavation

   --i      introduction

  -ae      aerial photography

  -dy      daily

  -eq      equipment

  -fl      file log

  -iv      inventory

  -lb      labeling

  -lg      log

  -mk      marker

  -mt      methods and techniques

  -ns      notes on time sequencing

  -ov      overall shot

  -ph      phase

  -rd      roster definition

  -rs      record shot

  -sf      staff

  -sg      strategy

  -sn      section

  -so      site overall

  -sp      special project

  -sr      strata description

  -st      storage

  -su      summary

  -sy      surveying

  -tr      transmittal

  -vr      varia

  -wa      work activities

  -wk      workmen

  -zx      site general, excavations

  -cy       city scenes

  -eh       expedition house

  -el       expedition life

  -fn       fauna

  -fr       flora

  -hl       health and medical

  -id       individuals

  -ls       landscape

  -nm       name,address,references

  -ny       next year

  -oa       official activities

  -pc       people and customs

  -pr       public relations (excludes visitors)

  -pw       public works

  -tv       travel

  -vb       village buildings

  -vg       village, general

  -vs       visits and visitors

  -we       weather


     A full alphabetical listing follows.

     --i       introduction

     -ae       aerial photography

     -cy       city scenes

     -dy       daily

     -eh       expedition house

     -el       expedition life

     -eq       equipment

     -fl       file log

     -fn       fauna

     -fr       flora

     -hl       health and medical

     -id       individuals

     -iv       inventory

     -lb       labeling

     -lg       log

     -ls       landscape

     -mk       marker

     -mt       methods and techniques

     -nm       name, address, references

     -ns       notes on time sequencing

     -ny       next year

     -oa       official activities

     -ov       overall shot

     -pc       people and customs

     -ph       phase

     -pr       public relations (excludes visitors)

     -pw       public works

     -rd       roster definition

     -rs       record shot

     -sf       staff

     -sg       strategy

     -sn       section

     -so       site overall

     -sp       special project

     -sr       strata description

     -st       storage

     -su       summary

     -sy       surveying

     -tr       transmittal

     -tv       travel

     -vb       village buildings

     -vg       village, general

     -vr       varia

     -vs       visits and visitors

     -wa       work activities

     -we       weather

     -wk       workmen

     -zx       site general, excavations



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17.6 Variants for variable D3 = wm: Ware or material

      One will find here only major categories that are easily recognizable during excavations. Finer definition, e.g., with regard to the nature of a metal to be redefined as a certain type of copper alloy, will be given as a special lexicon, of the type described presently in 21.

     bn       bone

     cl       clay (finer definitions of ceramic wares are given in 21.2)

     gl       glass or frit

     li       lithic (finer definitions will be given in 21; here only obsidian is identified, since it is easily recognizable at first glance)

     mt       metal

     ob       obsidian

     sh       shell

     wd       wood


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17.7 Variants for variable F2=tc: Contact association

      This lexical category is one of the most powerful in the whole grammar, on two grounds (see also 5.9; 31.2).

      In the first place, the categorization given here aims at being exhaustive. In this respect, and unlike other lexica, it is meant as a closed system, to which no other terms can be added. It is conceived, in other words, as a paradigm with a precise structural configuration that excludes variations or expansions. Clearly, this is not a matter of semantics. To say that a jar sits in a pit, or that a pit contains a jar, are equivalent formulations of the same reality, semantic variations applicable to the same paradigmatic slot.

      The second reason for the importance of this particular paradigm is that it serves as the basis for the construction of the depositional synopsis (the equivalent of the so-called “Harris matrix”), which is derived automatically from the data once their contact association has been observed and defined according to the terms of the paradigm (see below, 32). Besides the practical advantage of such a procedure, one must note the all important conceptual correlation that is thereby established between emplacement and deposition. The observation of physical contact is demonstrable and documentable, and on it rests a univocal conclusion as to the depositional processes that have brought about the situation as observed. In other words, the data as observed are physically present in the ground and can be described in relationship to volumes, but the inference that is drawn from it speaks to the depositional process in a way that is predefined and hence predictable. It should be noted that, except in the case of bonding (3b), it is always clear which of the two volumes is the subject of the verb and which is the object. What is crucial in terms of the depositional inference just mentioned is that the subject is always in a temporal relation of posteriority vis-à-vis the object (except for 3b). This also makes recording easier, in that during the recording phase the contact association is always entered only once, namely under the element that serves as subject.

      Here I will define in detail the nature of each term of the paradigm in an order that reflects the temporal sequence inherent in each action, from the point of view of the object. Thus the process described under 1a “truncation” is the first event that can affect the object of the pertinent sentence (e.g., a floor that is truncated by a pit), and 5b describes the last event that can so affect it (e.g., a pottery lot sits in an accumulation overlaying a floor).

      Three additional points must be stressed. The first is that each definition is meant to define a term that is part of a paradigm, i.e., a term that is in structural contrast with all the other elements of the paradigm. It matters little whether we say that some­thing “leans” or “is placed” against something else. What really matters is the paradigmatic definition that defines this process in contrast with all the others.

      The second is that the exclusivity I claim may well be disproved. I argue for it on the basis of my (inductive) experience with data against which I have tested this paradigm over the years, and I also argue for it on the basis of a (deductive) logic that seeks to interpret a priori the universe of possible relationships. Corrections and additions are certainly possible. But what must be kept in mind is that they must be done systemically, i.e., with a vie towards respecting the integrity of the correlations among all members of the set, and not in an ad hoc fashion that simply adds synonyms or paraphrases.

      The third is that each and every relationship is in the active voice, and it entails a single subject and a single object. Descriptively, it of course makes sense to say that an accumulation is cut by a pit (in the passive voice). It is only a practical choice that privileges the active instead pf the passive voice, because in so doing we achieve a uniformity that allows the person who does the recording to enter the relationship only once, when it affects the subject, leaving it to the programs to generate the converse for the object.

      1a: to cut – Total truncation of a volume, affecting both the upper and the lower faces of the volume that is the object of the verb. As a result, the contiguity of the different portions of the truncated volume takes place only along the edges of the truncated volume itself.

      1b: to intrude – Insertion into a volume, where only the upper face of the (object) volume is affected. As a result, the contiguity of the different portions of the truncated volume takes place in the lower part, as well as long the edges, of the truncated volume itself.

      2a: to lean against – Partial contact of two volumes in their upper part, which implies that their lower part are not adjacent, whether the space in between is filled or not.

      2b: to rest on – Partial contact of two volumes where the bottom of one is in contact with the top of the other.

      3a: to abut – Adjacency of two volumes along one of their edges, entirely preserved, whereby no space is left between the two volumes, consequently without either void or fill. This implies intentionality of juxtaposition, and the contemporary presence of both volumes at the time that the abutting took place.

      3b: to bond with – Interlocking of two volumes along their edges, entirely preserved. In a sense, the two volumes constitute therefore a single feature, and if they are kept separate it is because they are clearly distinguishable in terms of shape and other possible traits. This is the only case where one cannot identify a subject, since the two volumes are wholly reversible.

      4a: to cover – Total superposition of one volume over the other, whereby the upper side of the lower is not in contact with any other volume.

      4b: to overlay – Partial superposition of one volume over the other, whereby the upper volume does not entirely cover the lower, as when a large sherd straddles the top opening of a pit and the floor into which the pit has been cut.

      5a: to cap – Matching of all the edges of one volume with the corresponding edges of the second volume, as in the case of a lid whose edges match exactly the opening onto which it is set.

      5b: to sit in – Matching of all the sides of a given volume by the matrix within which it is embedded. This is typically the case with items found within an accumulation or a fill. Note that the tendency is to refer to this relationship by saying that the matrix contains the inclusion. However, the relative temporal sequence is inverted, in that the inclusion is deposited at a later point in time within the matrix, which, in fact, it helps to construe. Accordingly, I prefer to use the term “to sit in” which reflects the proper temporal sequence.

      The following chart provides a synopsis of all ten types, with a sketch that represents graphically the situation intended. In these sketches, the subject is highlighted with a dark, and the object with a light color. At the top is the last, and at the bottom the earliest, process that can affect the object.


      Chart 17-1

      Type of contact association

seq.#

code

verb

definition

example

sketch

1

a

cu

to cut

truncation

pit cuts floor



b

in

to intrude

insertion

pit intrudes fill



2

a

le

to lean against

partial contact at top

jar leans against wall



b

re

to rest on

partial contact at bottom

jar rests on floor



3

a

ab

to abut

adjacency of edges

floor abuts wall



b

bo

to bond with

interlocking of edges

wall bonds w/ wall (note that in this case either wall can serve as subject or object)



4

a

co

to cover

total superposition

floor covers wall



b

ov

to overlay

partial superposition

floor overlays wall



5

a

ca

to cap

matching of edges

lid caps jar



b

si

to sit in

matching of sides

sherds sit in accumulation





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17.8 Variants for variable K4=sh: Shape – for ceramic vessels       (M. Kelly-Buccellati)

      These codes are applicable for pottery shapes only, i.e., they are applicable when the variants for roster slot B10=df “definition” include either cv or any of the following: bo, bt, di, go, ja, po, pl. Note: the symbol >> means “considerably greater than.”

Overall shape



     ob       bowl       (rim > height)

     oc       cup       (small bowl)

     oj       jar       (rim < height)

     op       pot       (rim = height)

     opl       platter       (rim >> height)

     os       stand       no solid base

     ox       other       shape should be described as a local note, e.g., ox @vat


Rim

     rh       hole mouth

     ri       inturned

     ro       outturned

     rs       straight

     rx       other


Base

     bf       flat

     bfv       flat, slightly concave

     bfx       flat, slightly convex

     bhf       high footed

     blf       low footed

     bp       pointed

     bring       ring

     bround       rounded

     bsp       slightly pointed

     bx       other


Handle

     hitab       interior triangular tab

     hlug       triangular lug

     hsc       small semi circular

     hsh       strap handle

     htab       tab


Other

     x1       interior ledge for holding cover

     x2       interior groove

     x3       other


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17.9 Variants for variable O11: View range

     c       close-up

     f       far shot

     m       medium shot

     t       tight shot

     w       wide shot

      For an explanation of the concepts behind the codes see above, 16.19 (O21)


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17.10 Variants for variable O12: View orientation

     n       north

     e       east

     s       south

     w       west

     ne       northeast

     nnenorth      northeast

etc.