| evidence |
2001-8-13 |
jl |
We have always presumed that a32 (and hence a33) predated the AP building, since the walls of the AP building were clearly built to accomodate its presence, i. e. they change course to skirt around it. The top level of the eastern wall of a33, being at approximately the same elevation as the first floors in AP, also gives a fairly good indication of the level of the tell surface at that location at the time that AP was constructed, i. e. the ground was already higher there than around the AK building. The level of the floors of the AK building, however, are much lower than the top of a33, suggesting that the tell surface was lower around the AK building, or that there was a fairly significant slope already in existence at that time. |
[Input File: L813jl.j] |
| 2001-8-13 |
jl |
If the hypothesized slope did in fact exist, and if the a33 shaft was dug straight down into the hillside, it seems possible that part of the western wall of a33 would have been exposed to view. The walls of a32 do not appear to have ever been freestanding, nor do they appear capable of ever having stood without earth behind them for support. However, since the original western wall no longer exists, it strikes me as possible that the construction technique could have been different, a difference about which we cannot comment because it is unobservable now. If it was exposed to the elements and to view, then this might explain why it no longer exists, that it was not built strongly enough for such wear. However, this theory has problems, for example, height of a36. This construction also does not seems to have ever been freestanding, and so must have been dug into something, the height of which would have been nearly equal with the top of a33. Perhaps the retaining walls which terraced the tell underneath the AP building also brought the level of the tell surface up to that elevation further out west, necessitating or precipitating the construction of a36. This theory still needs more development and consideration. |
[Input File: L813jl.j] |