Depositional data for Unit A6
Construction

Amer Ahmad – September 2025

Pavements: abandonment accumulations

Unit A6 exhibits a variety of pavements, with indications of accumulations resulting from abandonment as well as others associated with the original construction. In some areas, such as f312, there is a deposit located beneath the topsoil, containing sherds and large and small stones. This accumulation is generally loose, with compacted soil in some locations, and what appears to be remnants of bricks.

Other pavements

In the northwest corner of k31, a row of bricks f415 and a brick-like assemblage were documented. Scraping of the western area revealed small bricks laid in a curved line along the western baulk, extending approximately 70 cm from the southern baulk, with the brick color changing from red to gray at about 85 cm from the western baulk.

Vertical rows of bricks were also recorded: one such as f202 abutting f199 north of a15 and another f302 abutting f201 south of a15. In addition, f230 which is a flat-laid brick on the floor of a15 forms part of threshold f228.

Regarding stone elements, f327 which is a large stone was found at the southern end of f306, indicating the use of diverse materials in the pavements within the unit.

Floors

Floors, type b were uncovered, including f364, which has a smooth and compact surface, light ash-gray in color with scattered black and brown deposits, penetrated by rodent holes near the tannur. Beneath the ash layer, a thick dark red layer was present, while previous excavations revealed a thin deep red layer with a gray ash surface above it. Floor f365 was refinished to merge south of the depression caused by intensive use f373, and is covered by a gray ash layer with scattered dark patches, sloping in some areas from south to north. Floor f369 lies about 1 cm above f365. Floor f370 is plastered, with the associated accumulation identified as f371. Floor f385 represents the lowest detectable surface, with patches of hard coating in the east and west, and exposed packing visible elsewhere.

Floors, type a include f416, a gypsum floor between f403 and f405 in k31.

All these floors show evidence of daily use and repeated surface activity, with ash stains, red deposits, and rodent holes, indicating that these floors were associated with various kitchen-related activities in the Akkadian period.

Pits

Several pits were uncovered in Unit A6, ranging from ash pits and refuse pits to small pits with varied fills. Pit f29 had an arc of red soil along its W edge with a larger accumulation of ash beneath, which was completely removed, reaching a smooth white floor at the base, its radius was later extended, while ash remained in the S baulk. Pit f31 was characterized by a wall of coarse red-brown clay with gypsum inclusions and a fired appearance, while pits f56 and f141 and their ash layers were observed on the E side of the partially cut pedestal above wall f78.

Pit f165 included a rodent hole with tracks toward f29, as well as a small narrow pit beneath f164. Pits f320 and f413 were ash pits extending toward the E baulk, with layers of blue ash separated by a pinkish-brown accumulation, the blue ash is thought to have originated from sheep dung.

Pit f322 contained numerous sherds and bones and was initially suggested to be a burial, but the nature of the fill indicates a refuse pit. It is oval in shape, oriented NS, and may be associated with surface f313, though it is unclear whether it covers f322. Pit f336 in the SW corner began as f331, associated with numerous sherds and possibly a working surface, with a firm brown soil at the base.

Pits f352, f354, f360, f361, f362, and f363 share characteristics of disintegrated wood and loose brick material, located near the tannur and the N baulk. Pit f377 in the SW corner overlays f370 and indicates standing water.

Graves and rooms

Among the mud brick and stone structures in Unit 6, the storage a1 from the palace period (Akkadian) shows brick extending along the lower part of the N wall f146. In the palace kitchen, a100, walls appear bonded at the brick levels in the NE and SE corners, while the stone wall f210 extends N, surpassing f78, and brick f78 extends E, with mortar lines sloping around the SE corner.

The upper part of f444 shows a deposit of plaster and wall repair materials, while the lower stones of f200 extend beyond f210, highlighting the interaction between brick and stone in the upper layers, with the floor preserved in room D1 of AK building.

Confirmed graves include a11, a12, a13, a18, a19, f209, f422, f439, f459, most of which were not created through a pit cut from above and merged with the surrounding accumulation. Tomb f439 appears as a mud brick structure on three sides, with walls reaching approximately the highest layer of f430, and the plan shows clear mortar lines on all sides, indicating a well-defined burial.

Structures that may represent partial burials or deposits include f341, f425, consisting of variously sized stone and brick accumulations, possibly functioning as work or living surfaces, or partial burial features. In k22, a vertical line of loose accumulation abuts a column of at least six aligned bricks, suggesting a cut in the wall, with a potential burial structure adjacent.

Unit Book A6

The Palace Kitchen (Version 1a)