; File processed on 2026-02-27 ; A14-argument -inc 2003-08-14_N817JL.j jl Although it may have been a retaining wall associated with the api, as was our previous theory, it could also have been the foundation of a wall associated with the palace wall to the east, since it is aligned with the palace wall (for which we never found the stone foundations, presumably because they were too deep). If another, parallel course of stone is concealed underneath f124, then a5 would likely be associated with the palace, perhaps as an extended foundation of sorts for the eastern wall, because the thickness of the palace wall is approximately two foundation stones thick. In the trench to the north of A14, the stone foundations of the wall are visible, but more than two meters below our level. gb pointed out that it was unlikely that a wall meant to retain the packing on which the palace rested would have such a low foundation, and therefore the stones could be a part of an extended stone retaining wall. We will only find this out by uncovering the area north of a5, and we cannot perhaps accomplish that in time if we try to follow the levels of the pathway across the two loci. In defense of cutting the "layers" of the pathway, it must be pointed out that they are not really layers, not in the sense that they are visibly distinct from each other. We know of their existence only as we find the white matting layers, often layered one on top of the other. If we were to dig the "layers," we would remove a white surface and any accumulation of the same elevation at the same time. Therefore, by cutting into the southern end of the accumulation (which is without white layers), we will not be disrupting the stratigraphical sequence. We will also try to remove the k13 baulks, in order to better understand a11, and to excavate k89, with the possibility of viewing more stones there, as well. ; A14-daily -inc 2001-06-24_L627JL.j ed We broke topsoil today in k1 and k2. Work is slow because of the heat and the large amount of dirt. Hopefully, we will get a tent in the next few days. Also, bp and I will sight in markers for relays today. -inc 2001-06-26_L627JL.j ed Our original plan for this morning was to draw a section of the N baulk of k1 and then dig into it to find the top of the pit. However, ed discovered from okk that the section might not have been drawn from the other side, i.e. the S section drawing of A12 area X might not exist. Therefore, until we find or draw that section, we cannot excavate it. In the meantime, we have focused on k2, revealing and defining f6, and orange layer noticed yesterday afternoon in scraping and discovered this morning in the baulk as well. In the process, we have discovered the remains of two small burials, a1 and a2. -inc 2001-06-27_L819JL.j jl Today, excagation started with the outlining of f6 in k2. This morning, the difference between f6 and f7 was very clear through hardness and texture, so I directed the workmen to remove the f7 material. Meanwhile, workmen with the big pick continued digging in k3, trying to level it. gb came and scraped where they had been working, identifying that the soil in the north half of the locus was more soft and powdery than the soil in the south half, which is redder and crumbly. It is possible that the red soil is related to f6 to the east, something we will investigate in the future. In k1, we discovered that the soil in the north half is harder than in the south half, but since the color did not appear significantly different, we decided to dig down another five centimeters in order to see if the difference continued. -inc 2001-06-28_L629JL.j jl Excavation proceeded normally today. Much of our work was focused on k3, trying to identify and isolate better the row of bricks discovered yesterday, f20. We also identified a bricky red material next to it, f17, which may be brickmelt. gb suggested that we cut slightly into both of these features in order to see a more clear section, which we did. We also removed more topsoil in k11 and backfill in k12. Finally, we began excavating the topsoil in k13. In general, the topsoil in the lower squares, k3 and k13, contains a large quantity of stones and some baked brick fragments, probably wadi wash from over the years. -inc 2001-07-02_L702JL.j jl After finishing leveling in k11 and k13, we decided to set aside the southern squares and focus on the northern ones. In k1, we excavated the soft dirt, f25, first observed in k15. In k2, we removed the last section of f7, in the south-west corner, in order to see f6 sloping down more clearly. Finally, in k3, since we observed that the bricks f20 seemed to be the lowest layer, and it seemed that there was only dirt underneath, gb suggested that we photograph the bricks and remove the step in the east third of k3. -inc 2001-07-02_L703JL.j jl Today, we continued excavating in f1, f2, and f3, as well as a little in f12. In f2, the wall f31 (it seems in fact to be a wall) revealed a plaster face on the inside (the western face). Its purpose is still unclear. To the east, we found a small aggregate of broken pottery and shell material, a3, perhaps related to a2. Overall, we can see the clear downward slope of the grayish brown ^ad (f30, f33, etc.), since we are excavating it in all three loci. -inc 2001-07-03_L703JL.j jl In k2 today, we discovered the edge of a third brick wall in the south baulk, extending west. This confirms our suspicions that the wall is contained inside the baulk. It does not, however, explain the lack of a western wall. Also, gb, ed, and I inspected the south baulk of area X and decided to photograph the pit and then begin removing it. We organized a bucket train and removed the fallen dirt from the trench. We will either begin digging today or first thing tomorrow morning. -inc 2001-07-08_L819JL.j jl The past few days have been very busy. The north baulk of k1 has been excagated down to the top of the pit f41 (the pit gisible in the A12k6 south baulk). After we have leveled and scraped the square, we will excagate the pit. In k2, we seem to have found the bottom of the wall, strangely 20cm higher than in k3. If it was a burial, the fill was removed or emptied at an early date. In k11, in the south-east corner, we have the tops of some large rocks, possible associated with the AP wall or the underground structure. Finally, in k12, we found more plastic, meaning that we are still above topsoil, and a small burial in a different part of the locus. -inc 2001-07-09_L819JL.j jl Today, we finished remoging the burial in k12 and discovered another large rectangular stone in k11, west of and in line with the first. However, f36 to the north, as well as most of the other squares, are very confused right now, and it will take us a lot of time and effort to figure out exactly what is happening in them. In the meantime, we have quit excagating anywhere except for k1 f41, i.e. the a4 pit. Four of our workers were transferred to rah, the rest are helping excagate the pit. -inc 2001-07-14_L817JL.j jl For the past three days, we have been excavating only the pit, a4, in k1. The pit seems to be phase 4, and therefore the accumulation into which it is cut is phase 3. At the bottom, we discovered a number of large stones, probably pulled up from the platform below, a series of white floor layers, a sherd packing over large stones (much like the lower platform in A12k6), and finally, a beautiful stone drain extending to the west. This drain seems to have actually served the platform, but with the stones having been pulled up, it is difficult to say. The section of the pit shows the red, wall-like layer, f49, continuing to slope downwards. Except for the removal of the baulks, this is probably the last area of A14 that we will excavate this season. -inc 2001-07-16_L718ED.j ed Cleaning the white layer f53 and taking pictures of it. Removing the plastic above the platform and digging the side of the pit in it. -inc 2001-07-16_L718ED.j ed Removing the plastic from the platform, we saw that there was another piece of plastic lower, so we decided to dig this backfill (in fact there was plastic, paper, etc) with the big pick. The lowest plastic was about at the same level as f58. 10 cm down, we found stones, just as in f60. When we achieved f59 level I would have liked to remove the stone in the middle of the pit and the fill below, in order to understand if f59 extends also in the east half of the pit or if there are more stones of f60, but gb decided not to dig more. We are wondering why the stones of f55 are at this level: presumably, their original position was lower (the same as f60 and the stone platform), but in fact they could also be linked to the drain-f56, since the level is the same. -inc 2001-07-25_L627JL.j ed Today is Elena Devecchi's first full day in A14. This morning, I took her down to A12 area X and explained our rationale for excavating in A14 k1, k2, k11, and k12. bp and her assistant Adib came and set more markers for us, and laid out the boundaries of k11. After we finish excavating f3 in k1, if we have not found the top of the pit visible in the A12 area X section, then we will probably begin removing topsoil in k2 and k11. Also, one corner of the metal roof over the A12 underground building rests on the south side of k11. It appears that the roof will continue to be sturdy if that support is removed, but I will have to check that with gb or Sabah Kasem, our smith, before we reach that depth. Also, I will need to find some foam to cover the edge, so that no one hurts themselves on it once we are below its level. -inc 2003-07-12_N828JL.j jl Today, we cleaned, scraped and sectioned all of the loci, in preparation for excavation. gb, mkb and I discussed the presumed formation of A14 and our excavation plan. Originally, there was probably a walkway between the platform and the api. As the accumulation above the platform increased in height, the walkway rose with it and gradually built up, as seen by the sloping layers in the A12k6 south baulk. Eventually, the walkway ceased being used, and plain abandonment accumulation (through which we are now digging) built up over it. -inc 2003-07-13_N828JL.j jl In k1 today, we began a series of small pickruns across the locus, hoping that the clear division between black and red soil would continue, but were disappointed. The seemingly clear line disappeared after one pickrun, returning the feature to mixed swaths of red and black. Now, however, the black is concentrated in the western part and the north-east corner of the locus. We opened a new locus, k100, around the pit a4 in the north baulk of k1, in order to get a clearer section to guide our excavations, since the current pit section has been badly damaged by exposure. In k4, we started a large pick run to level out the square, and discovered what appears to be the head of a human burial, although it may be a modern burial washed down the hillside by the wadi. In k2, we finally removed f6 and started on f29. In k12, Khaled excavated the last small area of wadi wash in the south-west corner, f79. -inc 2003-07-14_N828JL.j jl Today, after cleaning in k1, the top layer of fill f81 in pit a8 was first clear, so we started excavating the pit, as well as f82, the top layer of fill in a9 (the smaller pit in the northeast corner). Also, since Abdul Kerim insisted that the area of k100 east of a4 was made up of bricks or bricklike material, we decided to extend k100 east to the northeast corner of k1 to see if we could get any more definition in that area. In k3, we dug a series of pickruns across the locus, looking for the other end of the burial a7. In k2, Diadin removed the top layer of f31, the brick wall, and found another layer of bricks (although bricks of very poor quality) underneath. Also, we completely removed f29. -inc 2003-07-16_N828JL.j jl Today, we continued to excavate the pit, a8, in k1. The fill, f81, continues down. In k3, gb, rd2, dc and I discussed our excavation plans. Since we can't see the north face of the k3 north baulk, we can't really use it as a guide for excavating; however, if we remove the baulk, then excavate that area along with the rest of the locus, we will be better able to notice and follow the very faint layering currently visible at the bottom of the section. So, after finishing our last pickrun across the locus, we switched to the baulk and removed the top few layers with the big pick. -inc 2003-07-17_N828JL.j jl Today, we continued to excavate the pit a8. The ashy-red mixed soil, f81, is continuing. In k3, we continued to dig the north baulk, f92. We found a few small objects, a small jar and a door sealing, and then, an hour before finishing, we uncovered a burial, a10. We could not finish it in time, so we covered it with cloth and dirt, and a guard will watch it tonight and tomorrow, Friday. -inc 2003-07-21_N828JL.j jl Today we continued down in the pit a8 through a large layer of animal bones and found a layer of earth and sherds which may represent the bottom. In k100, we found the first phytolith layer, f97, of what may be the same reed matting which jo observed four seasons ago in A12, above the platform. In k3, we finished leveling the north baulk underneath the burial and then stopped digging there for the time being, since we had to transfer three of our pickmen to A12 to replace missing A12 workers. dc spent most of the day at the house, teaching rd2 and raf how to describe objects. -inc 2003-07-22_N828JL.j jl This is the second day that most of our pickmen were lent to A12. Because we only had two diggers, we focused on the pit, a8, and on k100, where we had found the white phytolith layers, f97. In a8, we reached a reddish-brown layer of the same color as the south wall of the pit in the lower levels, f98, almost devoid of pottery. It may be the bottom of the pit, but a small ashy pocket in the north-east seems to continue underneath this layer, so the red may just be another layer of fill sandwiched between ashy layers. In k100, we found another phytolith sample in the western part. However, we also observed a number of small, straight fissures in the surface of the eastern part, which continued into the east baulk of the locus and the section of the pit a4 (see v59). After discussion, we decided that these were probably caused by the drying of the soil along the baulk and pit section, and excavated it. -inc 2003-07-24_N828JL.j jl Today, we were mostly without pickmen, as before, so we focused on k1 and k100. In k100, gb decided that it was much larger than he had intended, so he told us to stop digging across it after we had excavated the last ledge down to the level of f97, the white phytolith layers, and to focus only on squaring the circular edge of the pit a4 and on k1. We only had time to remove the ledge down to the white surface, not also square the pit. In k1, we managed almost 2 complete pickruns, being stopped at the very end of the day not only by the discovery of white phytoliths in the north-west corner of the locus (f99), but by the unexpected appearance of a white floor-like layer in the center of the locus, f149. gb also discussed the possibility of removing the baulks around k1 and k2 in order to get a better horizontal exposure of the white layers. For a 2-hour period in the morning, work was stopped in A12 for photography, during which period our diggers returned and removed another layer of the k3 north baulk. -inc 2003-07-25_N828JL.j jl Because work was temporarily stopped in A12 this morning, we had extra diggers for a few hours. Most of them worked on the north baulk of k3, which we are trying to remove before A18 needs its dirt train, since two of the train legs rest on this baulk area. One worker stayed in k1, removing the small area of f99 soil left over from yesterday's pickrun. Then he dug the southwest side of the pit a4, cutting the round section back into a corner, so that we could see the section better. -inc 2003-07-29_N827JL.j jl dc fell into the pit a8 today when the baulk edge on which she was standing collapsed underneath her. Luckily, she only sprained her ankle. In terms of excavation, we finished removing the east baulk of k1 and began on the east baulk of k100, but stopped because fab took most of our workmen for A18. Instead, we concentrated on the east baulk of k2, where we removed the top layer and then excavated the pit fill of a8. rd2 and raf spent most of the day drawing baulks. -inc 2003-08-09_N827JL.j jl Today, we excavated primarily in the southern extension of k11 and in k2/the k3 east baulk. gb and fab came to discuss our plans for further excvation in k1/k11. At first, gb believed that we should removed the north baulk of k11 and dig k1 and k11 at the same time. However, the extremely red, bricky material visible in the north-east corner of the k11 section convinced him that there was possibly a structure there, or possibly brickfall, the remains of a nearby palace wall which collapsed during Phase 3. So, we decided instead to open k89, a new locus to the east of k11, next to the AF palace wall. Then, we could view and draw the whole section, extending to the palace wall, before we removed the north baulk, and would hopefully understand the red better before we removed it. -inc 2003-08-10_N827JL.j jl Today, we continued excavating in the southern part of k11 and in k2/the east baulk of k3, around the tannur enclosure a11. In k11, we revealed a stone connecting a5 to A12a33. -inc 2003-08-11_N827JL.j jl Today, we dug first in k2/k3 and in the southern part of k11. We decided to quit digging in order to avoid removing f104, since it is not yet clear whether or not it (and a11, for that matter) is associated with the "path" between the platform and the underground structure. Instead, we began removing the baulk between k11 and k12, since it was drawn two seasons ago. In k11, we brought all of the south side to the same level and then laid out k89, east of k11 and against the AF palace wall. Finally, we removed the topsoil in this new locus. -inc 2003-08-12_N812JL.j jl Today, we excavated the northern baulk of k11 and the eastern baulk of k12. We also continued within k89, in what we believe to be the original topsoil, before dirt from our own excavations covered it. In that area, we exposed an extremely red square in the middle of a black circle, which we believe to be a pit with possible brickfall inside of it, or perhaps the clay cover over a burial. -inc 2003-08-13_N813JL.j jl In k12 this morning, we continued to remove the eastern baulk, until it was at the same level as the rest of the locus. Meanwhile, we drew the north baulk to record the limited excavations along it this season, and then excavated most of it, as well. In k11, we drew the part of the east section recently exposed by the removal of the northern baulk, and then began to excavate it, as well. In k89, we excavated the presumed pit, which turned out to be the decayed remains of a burlap bag from many seasons before. In k1, we began to excavate a9, the pit, in anticipation of beginning to excavate the four loci k1, k2, k11 and k12 according to the layers of the "pathway" from the platform to the underground structure. Also, today we officially closed k100. From now it, it will be referred to by its original designation, as the north baulk of k1. -inc 2003-08-14_N817JL.j jl We started today by excavating in a9 in k1, in the red brick f143, the red bricky material in the k11 east baulk, and in k12, in f142, the accumulation within the wall of a11. Within a11, we discovered a group of strange, floor-like surfaces which seem to be associated with the "tannur" f132. We decided to turn to the k13 baulks, in order to uncover the last corner of a11 and hopefully understand better the purpose of a11. Upon seeing the excavation in f143, gb wondered if it was perhaps the very decayed top of a wall, and decided to quit excavating there. Instead, he suggested that we begin excavating f124, in the step still overlaying a5, in an effort to better understand the stone formation a5 before the end of the season. He agreed with our plans in k13. In the second half of the day, we dug also in k13 and k89, in an effort to perhaps see the stones connecting a5 to the palace wall, but were stopped by a layer of apparent bricks (although the wrong color to be palace bricks). -inc 2003-08-16_N817JL.j jl We did not dig today, in order to get caught up with templates and feature descriptions before we enter our last week of digging. We stayed at the house and worked on the computer and on objects. -inc 2003-08-17_N817JL.j jl At the beginning of the day, we split our efforts among three areas: the step f124 beside the stones f45/a5 in k11, the pit a9 in k1 and the baulks of k13. However, gb decided upon his arrival in the morning to change our excavation plan from the previous workday: we would not continue digging around the stones a5, but that we would stop digging for the season at the current level, except for removing the k13 baulks. There are two reasons: first, more workmen are needed in A15 in order to clear up some important areas before the end of the week. Second, in the event that our previous hypothesis is incorrect, i.e. that the stones do not continue underneath the step, we will not have time this season to properly excavate the layers across k1 and k11 and solve this stratigraphic problem. Rather than possibly ending the season with this question, it will be better to wait until next season to approach the problem, so that the evidence will be fresh and we will have the time to properly excavate the series of layers, rather than cutting into them as was our plan. -inc 2004-06-15_O617JW.j jw Inspected site to determine state of preservation since excavation stopped last August. None of the loci excavated in season N (2003) were covered. This includes squares k1,k2,k3,k4,k11,k12,k13 as well as exploratory loci k89 and k100. Some surface definition was lost but most large features appear to be intact underneath a layer of blended material including soil deposited by wind and consolidated by precipitation. A general cleaning with small hand tools should restore the unit to the condition it was left. A small, deep gully was cut by surface wash which breached a dirt berm during the winter along the southern side of the unit (roughly corresponding to the "k31,k32..." string of potential loci). It should not interfere with excavations this season. -inc 2004-06-16_O617JW.j jw Spent most of the day at the house studying the global record prepared by last season's unit supervisor, jl. The purpose was to gain general familiarity and to identify surface features to appear upon cleaning. Starting numbers for logs were determined. Spreadsheets were prepared in anticipation of data entry. Photographed each locus active last season to document condition. Assembled blank pages for this year's book. -inc 2004-06-19_O619GM.j gm we draw a sketch of k15 and k5, we described the surface features, we practiced measuring relays and elevations. no workmen were present today. -inc 2004-06-20_O620JW.j jw opened two new squares (k5,k15) and removed the backfill from a previously-excavated part of k22. Cleared accumulated seasonal deposits from k4 and k3, left uncovered after the MZ16 excavation season. -inc 2004-06-21_O621JW.j jw In addition to excavations, continued cleaning loci excavated in MZ16. -inc 2004-06-22_O624JW1.j jw excavating in 5 loci (k3,k4,k5,k14,k13) and cleaning previously opened loci to the north (k1,k2,k12,k89,k100). -inc 2004-06-23_O624JW2.j jw concentrated on finishing the excavation of k14, continuing the excavation of k13, trimming and re-cutting the outside edges of the north baulks on the "1" line of squares and on general cleaning of the loci excavated in previous seasons. -inc 2004-06-24_O625JW.j jw opened two new loci, k24,k25, on the west side of the unit. Continued to excavate k13, exploring the extent of accumulation f181, which yielded over 130 clay artifacts. -inc 2004-06-27_O628JW4.j jw continued to remove the black ash, f170, in the SW corner of k5. Excavating k25 and k24 to find the extent of the immense layer of ancient and modern gully wash that we noticed in k15 and k14. Isolated, and continued to excavate the clay projectiles in k13. The working assumption is that they were being manufactured here. -inc 2004-06-30_O630JW.j jw excavation activity focused on the west end of the unit. We are seeking surfaces which indicate activity or occupation during individual phases. In the N edge of the N baulks of k4 and k5 we have exposed an E-W line of large worked stones, f198, similar to those found in the palace walls. Abutting these to the south there is a flat, horizontal surface of compacted bricks, f199. To the E of the last stone there is a horizontal pise surface upon which rested a Nuzi jar, i116, and a grindstone, i115. We halted excavating in k24, having reached a horizontal surface below over a 150 cm vertical column of gully wash. We resumed excavating k15 and immediately encountered copious amounts of conical cups and similar period material, confirmed as Ph2-3 by mkb on-site. We resumed excavating k14 and immediately came down on a large mass of gray bricky material which may be a late phase floor. In k13, we have finally reached the end of the deposit containing almost 200 clay objects, as well as baked bricks and raw clay. -inc 2004-07-01_O701JW1.j jw throughout the unit we are trying to find evidence of human activity that has not been obliterated by the gully wash. In the north baulk of k4/k3, we have found a pise floor upon which sit jars, bronze and grindstones. In k15, we have finished excavating a layer in which were found a large number of vessels with string-cut bases. The material beneath has far fewer sherds, only one of which had a base which was of the ring design. We paused excavating in k13, having reached the end of the accumulation which yielded the large number of clay projectiles. We began excavating k22 after breakfast. k4 is the most complex active locus, having two pits and a surface of stones sherds and material resembling deteriorated brick. -inc 2004-07-06_O706JW2.j jw gb and mkb stressed the need to identify key pottery lots for immediate analysis. All lots cannot be analyzed at the time of excavation and most will be evaluated in a later season. The general criteria for immediate analysis were that the lots have the potential to provide information on phasing that may help to relate strata to occupational sequence. This is especially important in A14 because we have virtually no architecture and the unit is located in an ancient and modern gully that has subjected whatever was built here to consistent erosion. Neverthelss we have excavated several isolated functional units which may provide clues as to the stratigraphy of A14. What follows is a list and rationale for the request for immediate pottery analysis for each. -inc 2004-07-06_O706JW3.j jw Most of the heavy tasks were focused on exploring the possible boundaries of the sacral precinct to the west and south. In k23, we are still digging gully wash after almost one meter of excavation. From viewing the E baulks of k24 and k25, we may expect that there may be another meter overlaying evidence of occupation and use. In k25 and k15 we were trying to define the extent and organization of large stones that were found in a general N-S alignment in the middle of both loci. In k15 we found a horizontal stone and sherd surface at the level of the stones. We have either not found the same in k25, immediately to the south or we have inadvertantly dug through it. In k4 we have come down on a very hard surface at the same elevation as the pise floor, f213, along the N edge of the N baulk. -inc 2004-07-07_O707JW1.j jw covered sherd and stone surfaces, f230 in k15 and f233 in k25 with plastic to reduce the chances of cross-contamination caused by excavation and dirt removal. -inc 2004-07-08_O708JW2.j jw concentrated work on loci k14, k23, and k24. Spent the entire day removing a sucession of tamped earth floors from the N half of k23. Found several installations and restorable vessels resting on a floor. In k23 we continued to excavate through gully wash, now presumed to be ancient since no plastic has been found. In k24 we concentrated on exavating a 1.5m strip of ashy accumulation on the N side of the locus, eventually encoutering a layer of soft, accumulation which, at the end of the day, approximately matched the extant elevation in k25 to the south. -inc 2004-07-10_O711JW.j jw received all LORES and Thumbnail photos from jjj and put them into record. Entered all pending logs and processed them through the "J" and "E" programs. jw developed tentative stratigraphic assignments for the loci we have excavated so far, k3 to k5, k13 to k15, and k23 to 25 in preparation for a meeting with gb and mkb O710. -inc 2004-07-11_O711JW1.j jw continued to excavate in k14, k23, and k23. -inc 2004-07-14_O714JW.j jw Photographed the composite of the east baulks of k5, k15, and k25. Began to remove the east baulks of k15 and k25. Later in the day, focused on k25 to avoid conflicts with ongoing excavation in k14, which shares the same baulk as k15. Completed wheelbarrow ramp constructed from the E baulk of k25, shared with k15 to the north. -inc 2004-07-28_O802JW.j jw work today focused on the removal of baulks in preparation for ceasing all excavation as scheduled tomorrow, O729. We are removing the second series of jars and cups which belong to pottery cache a20 from living accumulation, f278, in k4. In k3 we are excavating two accumulations, f299 and f300, in order to see if they overlay the floor surface, f213, seen in the north baulk of k4 near its juncture with k3. In k22, we are carefully excavating the east baulk of k22 to see if we can find the structural mechanism for keeping the large stone f296 in place. -inc 2004-07-29_O803JW.j jW Half of the resources were devoted to excavating k4, its east baulk, and a small amount of modern accumulation, f306, covering the area immediately in front of the steps leading down into the abi. One crew cut two ramps between k24 and k23, and k23 and k22, and as well, installed temporary steps from k22 to k21. The purpose of these is to allow visitors to access the abi from the west, just as we assume was done in ancient times during Phase 3. In the last scheduled hour of excavation, a well-preserved seal impression (with inscription) from a door sealing, i239, was found near the bottom of the east baulk of k4. -inc 2004-08-12_O812JW.j jw Removed jar, i242, whole except for a partially broken rim, from the remnants of the E baulk of k4. Workmen had sounded around it to see how large it was and enough was exposed so that it presented an opportunity for theft in situ. Reviewed section drawings to record features seen in section and not seen while excavating. ; A14-equipment -inc 2004-06-17_O617JW.j jw The dirt removal train for A17 and A18 to the east follows a line along and just inside the northern boundary of this unit. Coordinated the location with gb and the contractor SabaH Kassem, to minimize the danger and disruption to A14 workmen as the cars filled with spoils pass overhead. -inc 2004-06-20_O620JW.j jw need more wheelbarrows. Will be purchased in the next day or so. Need tents for shade from the sun-workman effiency diminished greatly as the day progressed. Promised tomorrow. -inc 2004-06-21_O621JW.j jw 3 wheelbarrows on site today. Will be adequate for the next several days. -inc 2004-06-21_O621JW.j jw in the next few days gb will have the dirt train from A17/A18 to the lower spoils dump moved to the north. In its current position, it is marginally safe, but the supports and dirt spills interfere with excavation and limit access to the south face of the north baulk and the platform, which is necessary to guide excavation strategy. -inc 2004-06-22_O624JW1.j jw supply of wheelbarrows now adequate. Trowels are of marginal quality and somewhat impede the work of the good pickmen. Work after breakfast slowed by the lack of tents to shield the workplace from the heat of the sun. -inc 2004-06-23_O624JW2.j jw poles to support the tents have been erected but the covers have not yet been installed. -inc 2004-06-24_O625JW.j jw tents fully functional. Workman efficiency improved. -inc 2004-06-30_O630JW.j jw discussed need for additional wheelbarrows with gb. Four for here is optimum. Re-assigned specific tasks to all workmen to bring and return tools and equipment to site from the house. -inc 2004-07-01_O701JW1.j jw lost use of one wheelbarrow due to bad wheel. -inc 2004-07-04_O704JW.j jw still short of wheelbarrows. Had to relinquish one of four to A18. -inc 2004-07-05_O705JW.j jw distribution of wheelbarrows again a problem. Loaned one to A17 and again discussed the problem with gb. More will be ordered. Also considered installation of a dirt train, but rejected idea because of spatial conflicts with projected new loci. Decided best approach is to move dirt pile closer to unit to reduce transit time. -inc 2004-07-06_O706JW3.j jw More wheelbarrows promised after the improvements to the dirt train to allow more cars to travel per hour from A18/A17. There are no large pottery bags, which means that administrative workload is unnecessarily increased to process more small bags per volume of pottery. ; A14-marker -inc 2004-07-07_O707JW1.j jw markers m3422, m3460, and m3461 loosened and removed. ; A14-methods and techniques -inc 2004-06-30_O630JW.j jw gb reviewed A14 database, transferred to the main server for backup. He wants to prepare a preliminary browser edition to illustrate its utility during excavation. jw and gm must, during O702 and O703 oganize and catalog photos and prepare templates and plots to complete the database prior to running the programs for the browser edition. -inc 2004-07-14_O715JW.j jw fab suggested that, that to improve safety, we change a wheelbarrow bridge across an eroded gully from one constructed of wood slabs to one constructed of a burlap bag filled with dirt. This new arrangement is immesurably better. ; A14-notes on time sequencing -inc 2004-07-16_O716JW.j jw In k13 and k14 we have excavated a number of sealed strata, only a few of which have been analyzed. They encompass elevations from 8213cm for an accumulation, f181 in k13, which yielded 200 clay oblong objects to 8109cm for a sherd and pebble floor, f253 in k14. All of these strata are above the pebble and sherd surface, f230, in k24, elevation 8048. The sherds from f181 and the sherds from the living accumulation, f229, that covered f230, were analyzed. Both extremes were evaluated as belonging to Phase 3. To guide the excavation strategy in the next few weeks we need to know the function of the intermediate floors and accompanying living accumulations in this stratigraphic column. What follows is a list of individual features and the special characteristics that merit an analysis of the pottery within. -inc 2004-07-17_O717JW.j jw At the weekly progress meeting, gb presented an explanations for the thick, reddish accumulation, sometimes accompanied by brickchunks, that we have seen in k5, k15, and k14, and the long period for which we are finding Phase 3 pottery. The red came about as a result of remodeling of the AK building during Phase 3. At first, after the Tupkish period, people lived in the building but did not use its installations as constructed for palace occupation. They discarded refuse outside (source of the lowest, gray accumulation). They then altered the palace on the same footprint, primarily by adding a layer of gray bricks to "raise the roof." The red was refuse from this effort. (fab alerted us to look for evidence of roofing tiles, none of which we have seen to date.) People then continued to use the building until its abandonment at the end of a long Phase 3, again discarding material outside, which accounts for the brownish accumulation atop the red. -inc 2004-07-24_O724JW1.j jw In k4, k13 and k14 we have excavated several living accumulations over pise and pebble/sherd floors, all in strata suggesting they should belong to Phase 3. In k4, the living accumulations above a pise floor, f213, have yielded a number of restorable clay vessels and grindstones. In k14, we have discovered the second in a series of pebble and sherd floors, f253, (the pottery from its covering living accumulation, f254, has already been analyzed), which step up about 50cm each to the east from a pebble and sherd floor found in k15 and k25. In k13 we have discovered the third such floor, f281, which is covered by living accumulation, f280. Analysis of the pottery from these two loci will help us determine what activities were taking place on them and will help us determine why they were built and rebuilt in the same pattern in the same place. At the lowest excavaed level of k5, we have discovered an accumulation, f260, which suggests that it was deposited from the drain system of the palace. The pottery from the bottom of this feature may help us determine if the palace systems were still being used in Phase 3, or if the accumulation was deposited in Phase 2 and therefore gives us a benchmark for the transition to Phase 3, whose material is found in the accumulations above. Finally, we have contined to excavate one pit that extends into several squares. Analysis of one lot from the fill, f203, indicates that it was Phase 4. Now that we have several more lots, it would be useful to confirm the original diagnosis since this is the only benchmark for the transition from Phase 3 to Phase 4. -inc 2004-07-28_O728JW.j jw There are four parts of A14 that are of interest in the last days of excavation. One, arising from excavation near the northwest side of the abi is important for determing the late date the extant entrance was in use. The second is accumulaton surrounding what appears to be the N end of a N-S brick wall abutting the abi entrance to the south. The other two are continuations of pottery analysis already begun as a result of previous requests. -inc 2004-08-25_O825JW.j jw gb and jw discussed the preliminary strata assignments to the features excavated in MZ17. Although there is a clear Phase 3 sequence from start to finish (except for Phase 4 material in a large pit which cuts deep into the matrix), there is no clear indication of the phase of material just above and just below these features. In the far western part of the unit (k15 and k25) we stopped excavating at a sealed pebble and sherd pavement whose living accumulation was Phase 3. The pavement itself was assumed to be Phase 3 based upon what was found in the accumulation directly above. It was covered during excavation of loci to the east with the thought that it would be a clear starting point for subsequent excavations. The loci in the northeast corner, k1 and k2, were excavated in MZ14 and MZ16. Strata were not assigned in either season. The unit supervisor, jl, responded to a query about the stratigraphy by listing groups of features encountered in MZ16, but did not know to what time period they belonged. There are two large pits which cut deep into most of the accumulations in k1 and k2, and analysis of the contents may allow us to determine when the area around the abi was last used. This in turn would be useful in determining the Phase of the features excavated in MZ14 and MZ16, which could be anything from Phase 3 to Phase 6. ; A14-phase -inc 2004-07-31_O801JW.j jw gg and jw took a series of final photographs of each of the loci both in the morning and the afternoon. Several more remain to be taken on O801. -inc 2004-08-01_O801JW1.j jw gg and jw on site in the morning to photograph remaining loci and construct overall shots showing the numerous activity levels in different loci. gb reviewed the results and suggested one additional overall shot from a ladder looking to the NE toward the palace, whose walls will be re-covered this afternoon. ; A14-section -inc 2004-06-30_O630JW.j jw vve, on loan from A18 drew E baulks of k24 and k25 and the N baulk of k25. Elevation for string for E baulk of k25 is m3557+42-147 = 8106. Elevation for string for E baulk of k24 is m3560+28-147 = 8164. Elevation for string for N baulk of k25 is m3557+37-147 = 8101. -inc 2004-07-01_O701JW1.j jw gm drew a N section of k4, roughly the same as had served as the N baulk of k4 last season. It is based on an excavated area which extended 250cm to the N of the S baulk and was 400cm wide along the N-S axis. Elevation of the string was m3474+93-134 = 8268. -inc 2004-07-06_O706JW3.j jw jo began to explore the long, S face of the N baulk of "1 series" squares running E-W from the walls of the AF palace, south of the stone and brick platforms, and along the south side of the Ak wing of the palace. It has been cut and recut several times, and perhaps drawn, but we need an up-to-date analysis and drawing to guide our excavation of k1, k2, and k3 to understand the use of the sacral precinct, particularly the relationship between the abi and the platforms. -inc 2004-07-08_O708JW2.j jw gm drew the N section of k25. -inc 2004-07-12_O712JW.j jw gm and jw drew sections of the north and east baulks of k15 and the east baulk of k25. -inc 2004-07-14_O715JW.j jw gm drew the E section of k24. Elevation of string was 8160. -inc 2004-07-17_O717JW.j jw jw drew the N section of k24. Elevation of string was 8160. jw drew the E section of k14. Elevation of the string was 8164. -inc 2004-07-18_O718JW2.j jw jw drew the north section of k14. Elevation of string was 8165. -inc 2004-07-20_O720JW1.j jw jw began to draw the section of the east baulk of k5. String elevation is 8162. -inc 2004-07-26_O727JW1.j jw jw drew sections for the north and east baulks of k22, where the string was aligned by the laser level and the elevation was m3653+85-150=8303cm. He began to draw the east baulk of k3, where the string was aligned by the laser level and the elevation was m3656+85-150=8276cm. -inc 2004-07-28_O802JW.j jw jw drew sections of the east baulk of k4 (string elevation m3673+86-156=8243cm) and the east and north baulks of k13 (string elevation m3542+95-165=8251cm). -inc 2004-07-31_O801JW.j jw dc and jo drew the section of the north face of the parts of the north baulks of k1, k2, and k3 which had been trimmed to a uniform E-W line earlier in the season. This should help guide excavations in MZ18. Elevation of the string was m3430+54-165=8289cm. -inc 2004-08-01_O801JW1.j jw jw continued to review the section pencil drawings. In k13 and k4 there were poor correlations between the features assigned during excavation and the features observed in section, otherwise there was close agreement in the other loci. All features observed in the partial section of the north face of the north baulk shared by k1, k2, and k3 are newly assigned and should be useful in guiding future excavations of those loci in future seasons. (The portion extending to k1 contains several pits whose walls have either been excavated or have partially collapsed. Therefore this part of the section could not be drawn.) ; A14-site overall -inc 2004-06-20_O620JW.j jw installed additional guard-ropes to protect workmen in A14 from inadvertantly walking under dirt train moving overhead from A17/A18. -inc 2004-06-24_O625JW.j jw created a new level pathway just south of the S berm to provide a safe path between the upper level of excavations (A17/A18) and A12/A14. This should minimize the possibility of material rolling downhill into the abi or onto the excavations to the west. ; A14-staff -inc 2004-06-24_O625JW.j jw representative of the Department of Antiquities, Hickman, began to work with the unit, joining jw and gm. gm spent the last two hours after breakfast processing objects at home. -inc 2004-06-27_O628JW4.j jw gm ill and worked at home for the entire day. As long as this situation continues, jw will be the sole staff member at the site and therefore the journal will be sparse. Most of his time will be devoted to supervising operations and maintaining the logs. -inc 2004-06-28_O628JW5.j jw jw sole staff member in field for the entire day as gm continued to work at home as she recovers from illness. -inc 2004-06-29_O629JW.j jw gm's illness continued to prevent her from coming to the field. Worked at home for the entire day. -inc 2004-06-30_O630JW.j jw gm recovering from illness. Worked in field until breakfast, then at home for the rest of the day. -inc 2004-07-01_O701JW1.j jw gm worked the last two hours at home. -inc 2004-07-04_O704JW.j jw jo joined the field staff. The initial plan is for him to spend the first half of the morning on site and be available for occasional tasks in the afternoon. The balance of his day will be spent in ceramics analysis. gm worked at home for the second part of the morning. mb temporarily joined the team and will work the first half of the morning. jw sole staff member on site for the second half of the morning. -inc 2004-07-05_O705JW.j jw mb again participated in the work on site before breakfast. gm remained at home after breakfast to process objects and receive medical treatment. jw lone member of team in field after breakfast. -inc 2004-07-06_O706JW3.j jw jw worked at home for one hour before breakfast to process markers for the surveyor. jo departed at 0800 to work on pottery. jw alone at the site after breakfast, as gm worked at home to enter data in prepartion for the publishing of the preliminary browser edition of the global record. -inc 2004-07-07_O707JW1.j jw dc joined the staff this morning. Although she will be primarily responsible for work in A12, she will spend today re-familiarizing herself with A14 and routine data recording and analysis procedures. jw spent one hour before breakfast at home entering data for the surveyor and other computer work. -inc 2004-07-08_O708JW2.j jw dc now full time on A12. jo did not return to the field after breakfast. -inc 2004-07-10_O711JW.j jw jw and gm worked full days and evenings at home O709 and O710 to enter and process all recorded data to give to gb for the browser edition of the A14 global record for the first half of the MZ17 excavation season. -inc 2004-07-14_O715JW.j jw jw did computer work at home for 1 hour after breakfast, with jo on site. gm worked for 2 hours at home processing objects before lunch. -inc 2004-07-17_O717JW.j jw on O716, jw and gm each worked at home processing data for 8 hours. On 0717, jw worked in the field in the morning drawing sections while gm processed data at home. Both worked at home in the afternoon processing data. -inc 2004-07-18_O718JW2.j jw gm spent two hours working at home on objects. -inc 2004-07-19_O719JW.j jw gm worked at home for the entire day processing objects and trying to get the "J" and "O" programs to process all of our files. The "J" program does not process the file produced by the template program. The "O" program does not process the files from the view logs. -inc 2004-07-20_O720JW1.j jw dc joined the unit full-time. jw and dc spent the entire day at the site. gm worked at home processing objects after breakfast. -inc 2004-07-21_O723JW3.j jw gm worked at home all day processing items, entering data, and preparing templates. -inc 2004-07-22_O723JW1.j jw except for occasional trips to home by jw to process relays and u-photos associated with the removal of jars from cache a20 in k4, all staff worked at the site. -inc 2004-07-25_O725JW.j jw gm sick at home. Processed a20 jar cache and visited doctor in Qamishlie. dc and jw on site all day. -inc 2004-07-26_O727JW1.j jw gm, jw, dc, and jo all worked in the field, co-ordinating a large number of diverse activities in the unit. -inc 2004-07-27_O727JW2.j jw gm worked at home after breakfast processing objects. jo stayed for 1.5 hours after lunch to help oversee work in many locations throughout the unit. -inc 2004-07-29_O803JW.j jW All staff in field for wrap-up activities. gm returned to the house after breakfast to process the second group of jars and cups from cache a20 in k4. -inc 2004-07-30_O804JW.j jw jw and dc shared supervisory work in the field. gm stayed at home processing jars from the second phase of the cache a20, found in k4 and the surrounding baulks. jo worked on documenting pottery from other units. -inc 2004-07-31_O801JW.j jw gm departed for Italy in the morning of O731. dc and jo on site to supervise the final excavation of the E baulk of k4, supervise the cleaning of the unit for final photographs, and to draw a section. jw worked at home reviewing sections prior to scanning. -inc 2004-08-01_O801JW1.j jw jw was the sole staff member working on A14. dc was finishing A12, while jo was conducting pottery analysis. -inc 2004-08-12_O812JW.j jw dc departed for Italy. jw now the sole person working on A14, but the last several days he has been working on the stratigraphic record for A09, located on the opposite side of the AK building and which is expected to provide clues for the analysis of both A14 and A09. ; A14-strata description -inc 2004-07-10_O711JW.j jw A14 staff met with mkb and gb to discuss tentative strata assignments. jw proposed 14 strata based on stratigraphic observvations and pottery analysis by mkb. Two combined and one moved down two places as a result of thise discussions. gb and mkb need to visit site to gain familiarity with the relationship between features and their connection with the pottery lots analyzed. ; A14-strategy -inc 2001-07-14_L817JL.j jl We have decided to close A14 earlier than originally planned, in order to focus more on finishing A12 this season. rd and I will transfer to A12, and ed will go to A15 to help with their data processing and completing of the book. -inc 2003-07-12_N828JL.j jl We want to excavate the layers visible in the A12k6 south baulk individually, so we are going to try to remove the abandonment accumulation all across the area first. To this end, we will start in k1 and k2. In k1, we will do a single pick run (to reestablish the borders of the locus) and then perhaps continue, depending on the material that we find underneath f34. In k2, we will remove the pseudo-bricks (f31), f6 and f29, and then excavate f33 to the same level as f32. When we finish that, we will move on to f38 (k11) and f42 (k12). In that way, all of the squares will be at the same approximate level, in the same accumulation, and then we will dig down until we reach the sloping layers visible in the section. -inc 2003-07-21_N828JL.j jl Since we will probably missing our three pickmen again tomorrow, I intend to concentrate on k100, hopefully lowering it significantly. dc will also use the opportunity to work on object descriptions. -inc 2003-07-22_N828JL.j jl I am anticipating getting our workmen back from A12 tomorrow. Presuming that the pit a8 does continue, then we will continue following it down. We will also continue in k100 with one or two people. The rest will probably return to k3, to finish digging its north baulk. -inc 2003-07-29_N827JL.j jl Because dc is injured and can't come down to the site, she will stay at the house and work on object descriptions and on the computer. I will spend every day in the field, with the assistance of rd2 and raf. -inc 2003-08-13_N813JL.j jl Before we excavate k1 any further, we need to draw the section of a4 which was exposed by the excavations within k100 (see v67). We will do this tomorrow morning. We will also continue excavating in a9, to complete the pit. We will remove the eastern baulk of k13, in order to completely uncover the contents of a11. We will finish removing the k11 east baulk and the accumulation within k89. And then, we will proceed to excavate across all four loci (keeping the features and q-lots distinct, of course), following the layers of the white reed matting and other examples of the "pathway" from the platform to the api, until we reach the original construction. -inc 2003-08-14_N817JL.j jl We will quit digging in the k11 east baulk and will instead focus on the step f34 beside a5. We will continue in the k13 baulks and in a9. -inc 2003-08-17_N817JL.j jl We will focus today on removing the k13 northern and eastern baulks, and consider that the end of our excavation season. Most of our workmen will go to A15. This will give us extra time to complete the A14 book before the end of the season. -inc 2004-06-17_O617JW.j jw jw met with gb and fab to discuss the basic approach to the start of excavations. At first we considered directly addressing the issue of the link if any between the platform and the abbi. We could accomplish this by continuing the excavation of loci k1, k2, k11, and k12. However, fab pointed out that we may get an added advantage by moving west to begin at an organized pile of large stones which generally follow the E-W line of the AK palace wall and seem to angle a bit to the south to line up with the abbi. All agreed to this approach since the cover is thin in this region due to erosion and excavation can proceed quickly. Therefore, we will establish squares k4, k5, k14, and k15 today so that excavation may begin there on Sunday, O620. -inc 2004-06-19_O619GM.j gm gb, fab, gm, and jw discussed how we will excavate for the next few days. we will begin from k15 and k5, proceeding from W to E, in order to understand the connection between the lower sacral area and the southern wall and platform of the palace. -inc 2004-06-21_O621JW.j jw gb, gm and jw met briefly to review the progress in the first day of the excavation and consider any revisions in approach for the next few days. As f170 in k5 represents the first horizontal surface encountered, we will pause work in that locus and move east to k4, partially excavated with no significant finds in MZ16. Here we will remove the new material deposited over the winter and consolidated by precipation. We will also re-cut the partially eroded baulks. Similarly, we will repeat this process in k3, where according to what we see in the south face of the extant north baulk, we should see some occupational accumulation under the hardened crust which covers the locus. Although we have not yet reached a level surface in k15, we will open k14 and move to the east, analagous to the move to k4. The string of loci which includes k15 is in the middle of the gully and received the brunt of the wash from above over the centuries. We fear that most of the significant architecture that may have once been here may have been washed away. gm will explore the extent f170 in k5 to see if it is contained. -inc 2004-06-30_O630JW.j jw we will continue on the basic approach established in a meeting between gb, fab, and jw on O629, which is to seek evidence of occupation and use of this precinct, then identify the Phase. Logically we expect the lowest levels to be associated with the palace (Ph 2), but the action over the centuries of the gully wash may have obliterated earlier facilites which were replaced at the same elevation by those of later phases. We are concentrating on the lower, western portion of the unit because it represents the lowest part of the gully which formed after the palace was abandoned and built over in Phases 4, 5, and 6. -inc 2004-07-01_O701JW1.j jw early in the day, gb, fab, gm and jw briefly reviewed progress for the week and discussed what needed to be done to maintain the schedule of understanding what activities and structures were a part of the abi and platform precinct. Work was suspended in k13, upon reaching the level marking the end of the sling ball manufacturing area. The team working here will be shifted to begin excavating k22, the last full square to the west of the abi entrance. After the section for the N baulk of k4 has been drawn, we will begin to remove it so that we can better trace the horizontal brick surface, f199, and the horizontal pise surface, f213, found along the far north edge of the locus yesterday and today. In k15 we will try to resolve the issue as to the source of the large quantity of Ph 2 pottery in a place and elevation where we would have expected to see Nuzi ware. In k14 we will excavate two pits, a15 and a16, found respectively in the NW and SE corners of the locus. We will finish excavating the pise floor surface,f213, in the E end of the N baulk of k4. -inc 2004-07-04_O704JW.j jw gb, fab, jo, gm, mb, and jw met on site to discuss possible alterations in the current approach to this season's excavations, which is to seek to define the sacral precinct by searching for a western boundary or approach and moving E toward the entrance to the abi. Two alternatives were discussed. jo suggested that we focus first on the loci closer to the abi (k1, k2, k12, k22) where we would be more likely to find evidence of use near the current surface since it did not have the deep cover of gully wash seen in the western loci (k15, k14, k24, k25). fab suggested that since a E-W line of stones defines the north side of the abi precinct, a similar line defining the south side may found in the "30" line of squares, where the modern tell increases sharply in elevation and the surface soil shows signs of covering architectural features. jw preliminarily evaluated current resources as insufficient to add this task, but gb indicated that more workmen could be hired. In the end, we decided to stick with the current strategy for the remainer of the week, then reconsider when jo had been fully integrated into the team. -inc 2004-07-05_O705JW.j jw meeting with gb, fab, jo, gm, mb, and jw to evaluate strategic decisions of O704 in light of progress yesterday and this morning, as well as a series of elevations of key places taken by jw at the close of yesterday. Decided to continue searching for possible stones in k15 that may be in the same N-S alignment with those in k25 to the S, f228, and those in k5 to the N, f165. At jo's suggestion, we will excavate k4 as a E-W half section to get a vertical sense of the stratigraphy, and may choose a similar approach to others, including k14. gb cautioned us to be especially alert for reddish accumulation, which is a common sign of nearness to the Phase 2 walls, which were built with bricks of reddish clay, unlike later Phase walls which used gray soil for bricks. -inc 2004-07-06_O706JW3.j jw Although gb and fab did not yet see the results of yesterday's excavations, it is clear to jw that we should excavate k24 to the level of the stones and open k35 immediately to the south of k25. jw would prefer to temporarily stop excavating k4 and explore horizontally the extent of the possible floor, f230, and the links with nearby floors, f224 and f213, particularly if the requested pottery analysis shows that these are a part of Phase 3. -inc 2004-07-07_O707JW1.j jw gb, fab, jo, dc, gm and jw discussed progress from yesterday and how to use it to best accomplish our overall goal of defining the sacral precinct and understanding the changes in use over time. -inc 2004-07-11_O711JW1.j jw Held brief meeting on-site to orient gb, fab, and mkb to the logic behind the tentative stratigraphic assignments made by jw on O710. It was immediately apparent that the east and north baulks of most loci were keys to understanding the stratigraphic sequence. Staff will score baulks and place tags with feature numbers on the baulks to assure that all features had been recognized, named, described, and incorporated into the analysis. -inc 2004-07-13_O713JW.j jw gb, fab, and mkb discussed with jw and jo the stratigraphic implications of what we see in the E baulks of k15 and k25 and the N baulk of k15. Feature 207, seen in the E baulk of k15 is of particular interest since it is seen in k14 (as f245) and will, with the removal of the N baulk of k15, be seen in k5. It will be important to analyze the sherds from these features to see what part of the boundary between Phase 3 and Phase 4 they occupy. jw hypothesizes that it should be Ph 3 because the floors in k14 which capped it were Phase 3 and the pit in the NW corner of k14 which cut the accumulation f244 (which covered f245) was Ph 4. -inc 2004-07-17_O717JW.j jw gb and jw met in the field to review the strategy for the final two weeks of excavation. jw is concerned that the excavation of the deep, ancient and modern gully, filled with wash and no organized architecture, except a pebble surface at an elevation of about 8090cm, which appears in k15 and in the NE corner of k25, will consume almost all of the available resources. gb agreed and we decided to shift the focus to excavating the seven loci to the N of the deepest part of the gully, k1, k2, k3, k4, k5, k12 and k13. To accomplish this, we will close out the excavations in the abi, A12, for the season and devote their resources to excavating in A14. We will continue to excavate k22 with the idea of seeing whether the early phases of the area just in front of the entrance survived the erosional forces that destroyed the area further to the west. -inc 2004-07-21_O723JW3.j jw At the end of the day, jo, dc, gm, and jw met with gb to review the priorities for the final few days of excavation. We decided that the highest priority will be to continue to work in k22, k4, and k3. As soon as possible we should also re-open k12 from last season and to excvate k21, a partial square directly in front of the abi. Due to the unexpected complexity of working surfaces found in the excavation so far, we cannot hope to explore the direct links, if any, between the ceremonial platforms and the abi in k1, k2, k11 and k89. -inc 2004-07-28_O802JW.j jw With respect to baulk removal, we will clear only the modern topsoil/gully wash from the E-W line of baulks which includes the north baulks of k24, k23, k22, and k21. This will contribute to the understanding of the erosional effects of the ancient gully which washed through the abi and down the slope to the west. ; A14-summary -inc 2004-06-24_O625JW.j jw f181 is the fourth feature/aggregate (others are f170, a13, a14) to have been excavated in the first week that lay along what we had originally hypothisized may have been a path that led from the west to the sacral area to the east. The small pits do not negate the hypothesis, since they could have been dug post-abandonment. On the other hand the large, horseshoe-shaped pit fill, f170, and the contained accumulation f181 are indicia of major occupational activities. They stand direcly in the way of the path. In particular, f171 is only a meter from the initially proposed boundary for the pathway, f165, a W-E line of very large stones. ; A14-surveying -inc 2004-06-15_O617JW.j jw jw worked with the surveyor, bp, to re-establish the grid whose remaining markers were all lost during the winter. We marked the northern boundary of the "k1,k2..." string of squares 3.5m from the southern boundary to protect the weak, deep-drop baulk that runs along the northern edge of the unit. We also established the "k31,k32..." string of squares to the south. -inc 2004-06-17_O617JW.j jw jw worked with the surveyor, bp to establish standard excavation markers for k4,k5,k14,k15. -inc 2004-06-23_O624JW2.j jw surveyor established markers in preparation for excavating k24 and k25, both new. -inc 2004-06-23_O624JW2.j jw gb suggested that we measure the elevations of key points in the unit to keep as a ready reference and guide to excavation strategy. The following were determined: top step of abi=8315, bottom of abi rectangular floor=8059, top of brick platform to N of k1=8241, top of stone platform to N of k2=8190, Ph 2 palace floor(F1 courtyard)=8309, present depth of lowest excavated point so far this season (k15)=8169. -inc 2004-06-27_O628JW4.j jw marker m3423 loosened and removed. -inc 2004-06-28_O628JW5.j jw bp surveyed points on large surface stones f165 and f190 as an aid in drawing them. -inc 2004-06-30_O630JW.j jw bp installed and surveyed control points in k4, k5, and k23, where she strang a new square. -inc 2004-07-01_O701JW1.j jw bp installed and surveyed points for k22. -inc 2004-07-07_O707JW1.j jw surveyor visited unit to discuss need for markers. jw suggested that we will soon need markers in the E baulks of many squares. She will have to install a new survey reference point to the W of A14 to see all of the proposed locations for these markers. -inc 2004-07-08_O708JW2.j jw bp installed control points on the baulks of k23 and k24 and the full NW grid corner of k5. -inc 2004-07-11_O711JW1.j jw bp removed unused marker stakes m3559, m3640, m3407, m3560, m3642, m3641, m3406, and m3561 from loci k23 and k24 because we had excavated below the point where they would be useful for relays and elevations. Installed control points in vertical faces of baulks in k14. -inc 2004-07-13_O713JW.j jw bp installed new control points deep into locus k23. Survey monument b31 loosened and removed. Marker m3452/m3464 loosened and removed. -inc 2004-07-14_O714JW.j jw Markers m3557, m3469, m3451, and m3482 loosened and removed during baulk removal operations. -inc 2004-07-17_O717JW.j jw Upon calculating the elevation of the strings for the section drawings, jw noticed a discrepancy in the numbering of control points in k14. The numbers on the stakes were m3476 thru m3478 for the N, E and S baulks respectively. However, the points have been surveyed and recorded as m3776 thru m3778, respectively. As we have taken a number of relays with the improperly designated numbers, we will have to review and correct the relay log where appropriate. -inc 2004-07-18_O718JW2.j jw Marker m3470/m3471 loosened and removed. -inc 2004-07-20_O720JW1.j jw bp installed new markers for k21 and k12. -inc 2004-07-21_O723JW3.j jw bp installed markers in preparation for excavating k12. -inc 2004-07-25_O725JW.j jw bp on site to install markers for the excavation of k11. -inc 2004-07-27_O727JW2.j jw bp in the field to install control points along the south and west faces of the unit to assist in final measurments when interior baulks are removed. The following markers were loosened and removed during baulk clearing operations: m3718, m3404, m3458, m3473, m3472, m3429, m3474/m3475, m3424/m3459, m3476/m3477, m3639. ; A14-workmen -inc 2001-07-25_L627JL.j ed One of the workmen's American trowels was taken by another worker today. Diadin came, took the workman away briefly, and the trowel was replaced. -inc 2004-06-20_O620JW.j jw 16 workmen reported. 6 picks and 10 in support. -inc 2004-06-21_O621JW.j jw 7 pickmen and 12 in support reported, with four additions and 1 deletion from O620. -inc 2004-06-22_O624JW1.j jw 7 picks and 11 in support reported for work. After breakfast, Adib (assistant to the surveyor) worked with Musa Ismail and Juan Muhammad to improve their ability to take and record relays. Noticed immediate improvement in speed and accuracy. -inc 2004-06-23_O624JW2.j jw 7 picks and 12 in support reported for work. Occasionally supplied workmen to assist in moving the spoils train for A17/A18 to the north to avoid interference with our ongoing excavation work. -inc 2004-06-24_O625JW.j jw 7 picks and 12 in support reported for work. -inc 2004-06-27_O628JW4.j jw 9 picks and 12 in support reported for work. Khdr detailed to another unit in mid-day. Ahmed Shamden excused at 1030 to attend funeral of relative. -inc 2004-06-28_O628JW5.j jw 23 reported for work. -inc 2004-06-28_O628JW5.j jw continuing operations in three loci, k25, k24, k13. As time permits, we are also re-cutting sections on the N side of N baulks in k1 thru k5. -inc 2004-06-29_O629JW.j jw 21 workmen reported. 9 picks. Abd el Menham excused for the day to attend funeral. -inc 2004-06-30_O630JW.j jw 23 reported. 9 picks and 12 in support. Musa Ismail excused after breakfast for trip to Qamsihlie. gb pointed out the need for workmen to cut back baulks to the control points and to continuously clean loose dirt from the baulks to prevent accidents. -inc 2004-07-01_O701JW1.j jw 23 reported for work. 9 picks and 14 in support. Muhammad Kher excused at 1130 for personal business. -inc 2004-07-04_O704JW.j jw 24 reported for work. -inc 2004-07-04_O704JW.j jw continuing to excavate topsoil in k23. Excavating in k15 to reach the current level of k25 (el=8061), where we see a N-S line of small stones, which may define the S end of the precinct. Removed the N baulk of k4 in preparation for excavating the entire locus to the level of the pise floor, f213, (el=8190) seen as a result of excavating the far N baulk moving from N to S. Attempting to resolve the intersection of a number of features under the gully wash in k14. This includes pits in three corners (a15, a16, a17) and a surface that hints of human activity, f216. -inc 2004-07-05_O705JW.j jw 23 reported for work. -inc 2004-07-06_O706JW3.j jw 23 reported for work. Requested 5 additional workmen from gb and fab to expedite dirt removal. This number will allow 2 shovels per unit that is excavating with large picks and two wheelbarrows to move away the spoils. They will be hired to report tomorrow. -inc 2004-07-07_O707JW1.j jw Five new removal personnel reported, raising the total to 28. Immediately detailed 2 to work with SabaH Kassem to install the A18/A17 spoils train. -inc 2004-07-08_O708JW2.j jw 28 reported for work. Six (2 skilled picks, 4 removal) assigned to A12 under the supervision of dc. A14/A12 sharing other resources such as relay assistant as needs dictate. Continued to supply occasional assistance to SabaH Kassem for work on A17/A18 spoils train. -inc 2004-07-11_O711JW1.j jw 28 reported for work. 6 detailed to A12 to work in the abi. -inc 2004-07-12_O712JW.j jw 28 reported for work. 6 detailed to work in A12. -inc 2004-07-13_O713JW.j jw 32 reported for work. Khdr and Hamza assigned as pickmen for a new team of 7 whose primary function will be to remove baulks. Backfilled their two former positions with other high-performing workmen. Khdr and Fawaz then taken by gb for higher priority work in A18. -inc 2004-07-14_O714JW.j jw Thirty men reported for work. -inc 2004-07-14_O715JW.j jw 30 reported for work. Recommended 7 for bonus payments. -inc 2004-07-18_O718JW2.j jw 28 reported for work. Five from A12 excavation reported for a period of 4 hours until a dangerous rock overhanging the abi could be photographed and removed. -inc 2004-07-19_O719DC1.j dc dc with her equipe of 2 pickmen and 3 people for the removal are now working in A14 unit. -inc 2004-07-19_O719JW.j jw 28 reported for work. Abd el Menham and Abd el Rahmah fought just after breakfast. AeM went home for a time and we dispatched Adib and Muhammad Omo to resolve the conflict. AeM returned about 1100 and both workmen promised to co-exist peacfully, although we changed their work groups to effect maximum separation. -inc 2004-07-20_O720JW1.j jw 28 workmen reported. jw and gb discussed the need for more workmen to remove the baulks in the western part of the unit. With several absences, we are not able to devote a crew full-time to baulk removal. -inc 2004-07-21_O723JW3.j jw 29 reported for work -inc 2004-07-22_O723JW1.j jw 29 reported, and worked in five crews. -inc 2004-07-25_O725JW.j jw Two more workmen reported bringing the total to 31, divided into 5 crews and a relay assistant. Deldar Omo departed at 1030 for business at home. Excused by jw after unsuccessfully seeking gb for permission. -inc 2004-07-26_O727JW1.j jw Thirty-one reported for work. Organized into 5 teams with one relay assistant. -inc 2004-07-27_O727JW2.j jw Thirty-one reported for work and were divided into 5 teams with one relay assistant. -inc 2004-07-28_O802JW.j jw Thirty-one reported for work. -inc 2004-07-29_O803JW.j jW Thirty-one reported for final scheduled day of excavation work. Submitted evaluations to gb. -inc 2004-07-30_O804JW.j jw Fifteen reported for work and were assigned duties excavating the east baulk of k4 and cleaning. -inc 2004-07-31_O801JW.j jw 15 workmen on site to excavate and assist in cleanup.