https://urkesh.org/MZ/A/A15/D/K/0003.htm

Unit Book A15

A15k3

Processed on 2024-03-21

1. OVERVIEW

Roster Date Author Record
Best image 2038-06-16 jW [Input: ZH616jW.j]

2. IDENTIFICATION

Designation

Roster Date Author Record
Description (summary) 2001-06-23 okk The 3rd square from the N, numbers running N-S. The western extent of the excavation. [Input: L916okk2.j]

3. STRATIGRAPHY

Recovery/Assignment

Roster Date Author Record
Daily notes about recovery of elements 2001-06-23 okk Today we broke ground in k3. The square slopes at about a 30 degree angle to the east, so we levelled the baulks as well. The first goal is to level the square, using the big pick in 15 cm deep pick runs. [Input: L629OKK.J]
2001-07-01 okk We excavated another pass of accumulation in f34 today and found nothing else of significance. [Input: L709okk.j]
2001-07-07 sb notes on pottery from f45. 213 diagnostic sherds (3 bags) q126, q133, q134. Discarded 663 body sherds. [Input: L709okk.j]
2001-07-18 sb Dug in lower (w) part of k3/k4, onto the wadi bed. Made a new feature, f100, for ash accumulation on NW quad of k3. On the E part (higher) of k3 found a lot of slag, and burnt fragments of brick, greenish-pink. [Input: L818okk.j]
2001-07-23 okk While digging in k3 we found another burial in the grey ashy layer f120 with a lot of sherds that looks like it might be a pit or some type of intrusive element. Now it appears as if there is a large vessel, possibly of the Bitumen Use Tradition. This is based on the rim, which is flattened with black paint on the rim and neck. Actually Marilyn came and said that it appears to be Khabur. [Input: L727okk.j]
2001-08-27 jlw on L825, gb, okk and jlw discussed the need to clarify functional relationships between certain features in A15. Specifically, there is a small ledge on the western interior side of the well, f145, in k93 . It is about 50 cm below the surface of the surrounding architecture, which coincides with the well top. Nearby, in A13, there is a drain that runs N-S, but appears to turn to the east at a point west of the well. The issue is whether there is a relationship between the two and if so, what is the direction of flow of the water. Did it flow from the well, through the drain, to the flagstone pavement to the north? Or, did it flow from the pavement to the south and out of the building? To this end, on L827, jlw cleaned the platform of the well. There was no obvious water channel exiting to the west. It was his opinion that the ledge may not be purpose-built, but may mark the Phase 2 level of the pavement in that section. The stones below seem larger and the shaft is more vertical below the ledge. The ledge may simply have been a weak spot in the extension of the lining upward to the new floor level to keep the well operational. We will measure the slope of the drain tomorrow to determine the direction of the water flow. Since Phase 3 architecture has covered the south end of the drainage system, we will have to remove it in a future season to be certain of what was built in Phase 2. [Input: L827jlw1.j]
2003-08-11 jw Yestafad continued to excavate a block of ashy accumulation f501 in the SW corner of the locus. At the end of the day he had exposed a hard, undulating floor surface f505 (elevation 8689) and, in the SW corner, what may be a remnant of the palace floor f506 (elevation 8716) and the underlying packing f507 (elevation 8704). [Input: N811jw.j]
2003-08-12 jw Yestafad continued to remove accumulation f502 to the south. There was less damage to the floor f505 from the pit intrusion than yesterday. Later, he began to excavate accumulation f501 on the north edge of the locus. [Input: N812jw.j]
2003-08-13 jw Aldare removed debris f510 atop what appears to be a northern extension of the possible Phase 2 surface f505. [Input: N813jw.j]
2003-08-18 jw Ibrahim and Khalid from A14 excavated the accumulation f510 south of wall f520. On the second pick run, a more reddish accumulation f524 was encountered. The foundation for the NW corner of wall f520 was reached. Human remains, i295, were discovered in pit fill f525 in the NW corner of the locus. [Input: N818jw.j]
2003-08-19 jw Khalid finished excavating the burial a37. We are trying to decide whether or not to leave it in place for next year due to the fact that it is overlaid by a large stone which will be difficult to remove in the last days of this season, considering all the other things that must be done. [Input: N819jw.j]
2003-08-20 jw Sultan spent the day exploring the extent of wall f537, which runs along the north edge of the locus. Having identified a possible floor surface f543 which was to the north of the north face of wall f537, he then began searching for the south face. After removing a pit a40, a large stone was located at the bottom which could mark that face. Clarification will be a key goal of the work here tomorrow. [Input: N820jw.j]
2003-08-20 jw we continued to explore for the south face of a wall defined on the north side by three large stones in the NW corner and by a thin line of plaster in the NE corner. In k2 we continued to remove the platform below the wall fall f439. We recovered fragments of at least two door seals with impressions along the north edge of the locus. [Input: N820jw.j]
2003-08-21 jw We excavated in the NE corner of k3 to look for wall foundations/stone components. We found what appears to be the corner stones for wall f520 and the west end of E-W wall f548, whose deteriorated brick top and underlying leveling stones we had seen in section in the N baulk of k13 after we cleared the material from a huge industrial pit. [Input: N821jw.j]
2003-08-22 jw Stef and Sa'ud cleared all the locus of accumulation f558 to the same level, except where the burial interferred. After scraping and brushing, we began to see an extensive patch of bricks f558 laid horizontally, almost certainly a Phase 2 floor linked to the floor f554 west of wall f528 in k2. One seal impression, which gb identified as being that of queen Uqnitum, was found in f558, leading to the conclusion that the floor f558 was associated with Phase 2. After flp drew the skeleton, Stef removed the human remains i295 that were part of a40. [Input: N822jw.j]
2003-08-23 jw Stef and Sa'ud removed stones atop the burial a37 and removed the last of the remains i295. One Khabur pot, i336, dates it to Phase 5. They continued to clear packing from atop the brick pavement f558. All available workmen assisted in dismantling the east wall f564 of platform f214. Muhammad Kher 2 discovered a N-S line of stones f562 under the foundation for wall f520. It was unusual in that it was offset to the east (looking north) from the alignment of other walls of the palace. [Input: N823jw.j]
2003-08-23 jw Stef and Yestafad removed platform f208 after we determined that the surface stones were not deeply founded. Then, Muhammed Kher began to remove the accumulation f560 beneath. [Input: N823jw.j]
Strategy (projected or implemented) 2001-06-27 okk To continue levelling in topsoil feature. [Input: L629OKK.J]
2001-06-28 okk To find the extent of ac f22, which appears to extend over the northern half of k3. lr suggested that it might be a floor surface as there is a similar surdace in A16k6. [Input: L629OKK.J]
2001-06-28 okk to find the extent of ac f22, which appears to extend over the northern half of k3. lr suggested that it might be a floor surface as there is a similar surface in A16k6. [Input: L708okk.j]
2001-07-03 sb gb came here this morning, and said that we should dig the soft accumulation on the S-W of the locus, f45 since it is certainly gully wash. Because this pottery is so mixed and of a large quantity, we will count it, keep the diagnostic sherds and then throw the body sherds back into the backdirt. [Input: L709okk.j]
2001-07-05 okk This morning we will take photos in this square of the N baulk of A13 which is the opposite section from the western baulk of k3. Per gb's suggestion yesterday, we will take out this baulk today as it consists of only gully wash and it would be easier to excavate f45, the gully wash from the western edge of this feature (note that A12 excavated this feature in MZ12, we should find the feature number and description to correlate them). [Input: L706okk.j]
2001-07-22 okk In k3 and k4 we want to look closer at the accumulation features there as it appears that we have reached red earth layers which might indicate walls or red packing. From there we will determine how to dig in this area. [Input: L722okk.j]
2001-07-24 okk Today we plan to clean and take photos of the area in k3, to show the different phases of occupation and use in a single photo. The well in the foreground (2), the kiln (4?), the cut of the burial and burial (5). Then we plan to clean the burial, to dig in the west in f128 to make a complete section. [Input: L818okk1.j]

Volumetric Localization

Roster Date Author Record
Elements within locus 2001-07-01 okk a4 (kiln), a7 (burial), a9 (gully), a10 (gully), a22 (accumulation) [Input: L916okk3.j]
2003-08-27 jw a37 (burial), a41 (room) [Input: N921jw3.j]
2023-12-12 jw a43 (pit aggregate) [Input: ZHz12jW.j]
2001-07-24 ed f1 (topsoil) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-06-28 cc f22 (accumulation C), f28 (accumulation C) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-06-30 sb f34 (accumulation C), f41 (accumulation C), f45 (accumulation C), f48 (accumulation D) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-07-18 okk f100 (accumulation C), f103 (accumulation C) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-07-22 sb f110 (accumulation C) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-07-22 okk f111 (accumulation C), f112 (accumulation C) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-07-22 ed f119 (accumulation), f120 (accumulation C), f121 (kiln), f122 (fill) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-07-23 ed f129 (accumulation), f135 (fill) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-07-24 ed f140 (layer), f141 (accumulation) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-07-25 ed f143 (fill), f144 (accumulation), f146 (floor, type b) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-07-26 sb f154 (accumulation), f156 (wall), f157 (accumulation) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-07-28 ed f164 (pavement, type c), f165 (cut) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-07-29 ed f167 (accumulation), f171 (accumulation) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-07-30 ed f176 (accumulation A), f183 (wall) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-07-31 ed f184 (accumulation) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-08-01 ed f196 (accumulation), f201 (pavement, type c) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-08-02 cc f212 (floor, type c) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-08-28 ed f228 (lens type c), f230 (isolated stone) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-09-09 okk f234 (wall), f235 (accumulation) [Input: ZG114jW.j]
2001-08-28 jw f363 (accumulation) [Input: ZG115jW.j]
2022-01-28 jW f371 (accumulation) [Input: ZG128jW.j]
2003-07-29 ms f452 (fill), f453 (cut), f455 (accumulation), f456 (accumulation) [Input: N921jw1.j]
2003-08-11 jw f502 (accumulation C), f505 (floor, type b), f506 (floor, type b), f507 (layer) [Input: N921jw2.j]
2003-08-13 jw f510 (accumulation) [Input: N921jw2.j]
2003-08-18 jw f524 (accumulation) [Input: N921jw2.j]
2003-08-19 jw f533 (accumulation A) [Input: N921jw2.j]
2003-08-20 jw f538 (accumulation), f543 (floor, type c), f544 (wall) [Input: N921jw2.j]
2003-08-22 jw f552 (accumulation) [Input: N921jw2.j]
2001-06-27 sb i12 (figurine) [Input: L909okk.j]
2001-07-22 ed i36 (seal impression), i37 (bowl) [Input: L909okk.j]
2001-07-23 ed i47 (human body), i48 (jar) [Input: L909okk.j]
2001-07-29 ed i57 (sample) [Input: L909okk.j]
2003-08-03 jw i263 (unknown) [Input: N808MS1.j]
2003-08-22 ms i322 (seal impression), i323 (seal impression), i324 (seal impression), i327 (seal impression) [Input: N921jw.j]
2001-06-23 okk q1 (pottery), q2 (pottery), q3 (pottery), q4 (pottery) [Input: L910okk.j]
2001-06-27 cc q30 (pottery), q35 (pottery), q36 (pottery), q40 (pottery), q41 (pottery) [Input: L910okk.j]
2001-06-28 cc q42 (pottery), q48 (bones, pottery) [Input: L910okk.j]
2001-06-30 okk q59 (pottery), q61 (pottery), q63 (pottery) [Input: L910okk.j]
2001-07-01 okk q65 (pottery) [Input: L910okk.j]
2001-06-30 cc q74 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-02 okk q79 (bones, pottery), q81 (pottery), q83 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-02 cc q87 (pottery), q88 (pottery), q89 (pottery), q90 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-03 cc q94 (bones, pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-04 cc q106 (bones, pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-05 sb q124 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-07 cc q126 (bones, pottery), q133 (pottery), q134 (pottery), q135 (pottery), q137 (pottery), q138 (pottery), q144 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-12 sb q191 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-18 okk q220 (bones, pottery), q221 (bones, pottery), q225 (pottery), q226 (pottery), q227 (pottery), q228 (pottery), q229 (pottery), q230 (pottery), q233 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-19 sb q234 (pottery), q235 (pottery), q238 (pottery), q239 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-21 ed q242 (pottery), q244 (pottery), q248 (pottery), q249 (pottery), q252 (pottery), q256 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-22 ed q258 (bones, pottery), q261 (pottery), q264 (pottery), q266 (pottery), q267 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-22 sb q268 (pottery), q270 (pottery), q271 (pottery), q272 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-22 ed q277 (pottery), q278 (pottery), q282 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-23 ed q283 (bones, pottery), q284 (bones, pottery), q286 (bones, pottery), q287 (pottery), q288 (pottery), q293 (pottery), q294 (bones, pottery), q298 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-23 dc q304 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-24 ed q316 (pottery), q318 (bones, pottery), q320 (pottery), q321 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-24 cc q330 (pottery), q331 (bones, pottery), q332 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-25 ed q343 (pottery), q344 (pottery), q346 (pottery), q347 (pottery), q352 (bones, pottery), q353 (pottery), q356 (pottery), q357 (pottery), q358 (bones, pottery), q360 (pottery), q362 (pottery), q363 (items, pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-26 ed q366 (items, pottery), q371 (pottery), q374 (items, pottery), q379 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-26 cc q381 (pottery), q382 (bones, pottery), q388 (bones, pottery), q392 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-28 ed q395 (pottery), q398 (pottery), q399 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-28 cc q416 (bones, pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-28 ed q422 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-28 cc q426 (items, pottery), q431 (pottery), q432 (pottery), q434 (bones, pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-29 ed q440 (pottery), q441 (bones, pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-29 cc q449 (pottery), q454 (bones, items, pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-29 ed q469 (bones, pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-29 cc q472 (bones, pottery), q474 (pottery), q476 (bones, pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-30 cc q482 (bones, pottery), q485 (bones, pottery), q487 (pottery), q498 (pottery), q506 (bones, pottery), q507 (pottery), q511 (pottery), q513 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-31 ed q517 (pottery), q518 (bones, pottery), q522 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-07-31 cc q530 (pottery), q532 (bones, pottery), q533 (pottery), q535 (bones, pottery), q540 (pottery), q541 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-08-01 ed q563 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2001-08-02 cc q583 (bones, pottery), q586 (pottery) [Input: L915okk.j]
2003-07-12 ms q727 (items) [Input: N726jw4.j]
2003-07-29 ii q907 (pottery), q911 (pottery) [Input: N915jw1.j]
2003-07-31 ii q912 (bones, pottery), q920 (pottery), q921 (pottery) [Input: N919jw.j]
2003-08-02 ii q929 (pottery), q931 (pottery), q936 (pottery), q937 (pottery) [Input: N919jw.j]
2003-08-03 ii q942 (bones, pottery), q943 (bones, pottery), q944 (bones, pottery), q946 (pottery), q947 (pottery) [Input: N919jw.j]
2003-08-05 ii q962 (bones, pottery) [Input: N919jw.j]
2003-08-09 ii q1101 (bones, pottery) [Input: N919jw.j]
2003-08-10 ii q1104 (pottery) [Input: N920jw.j]
2003-08-11 ii q1117 (bones, pottery), q1119 (pottery), q1122 (pottery), q1125 (pottery), q1126 (pottery) [Input: N920jw.j]
2003-08-12 ii q1128 (bones, pottery), q1131 (pottery) [Input: N920jw.j]
2003-08-13 ii q1146 (bones, pottery) [Input: N920jw.j]
2003-08-18 ii q1187 (bones, pottery), q1189 (bones, pottery), q1191 (pottery), q1193 (pottery), q1195 (bones, pottery) [Input: N920jw.j]
2003-08-19 ii q1206 (pottery), q1207 (pottery), q1210 (pottery), q1215 (bones, pottery) [Input: N920jw1.j]
2003-08-20 ii q1226 (pottery), q1227 (bones, pottery), q1229 (pottery), q1232 (bones, pottery) [Input: N920jw1.j]
2003-08-20 ms q1235 (pottery), q1236 (pottery) [Input: N920jw1.j]
2003-08-21 ii q1241 (bones, items, pottery), q1245 (pottery), q1247 (pottery), q1250 (pottery), q1252 (bones, pottery), q1254 (pottery), q1256 (bones, pottery), q1259 (pottery) [Input: N920jw1.j]
2003-08-22 ii q1260 (bones, pottery), q1264 (pottery) [Input: N920jw1.j]
2003-08-23 ms q1292 (pottery) [Input: N920jw1.j]
Relays (applicable to elements) 2001-07-13 okk r58 (39746 37358 - 8933 / Relay location: top of rebar) [Input: L713OKK.R]
2001-07-13 okk r59 (39597 37742 - 8956 / Relay location: top of rebar) [Input: L713OKK.R]
2001-07-13 okk r60 (39223 37597 - 8953 / Relay location: top of rebar) [Input: L713OKK.R]
2001-08-28 jlw r309 (39120 37552 - 8722 / Relay location: r309 equals m5530) [Input: L828JW.R]
2003-08-17 jw r1017 (39534 37276 - 8577 / Relay location: top) [Input: N917JW.R]
2003-08-25 jw r1500 (39333 37353 - 8875 / Relay location: center) [Input: N825JW.R]
Extension of locus or q-lot 2001-06-23 okk m2546 [Input: L916okk2.j]
Length of two sides 2001-06-23 okk 400E [Input: L916okk2.j]
2001-06-23 okk 400N [Input: L916okk2.j]

Time Sequencing

Roster Date Author Record
Notes on time sequencing 2003-08-13 jw mkb and jo analyzed pottery from f502 in k3. They found a mix of Nuzi, Khabur, and Simple Ware sherds. This can be explained as a result of the intrusion of deep Phase 6 and Phase 5 pits into Phase 2 structures which are to the north and east of f502. [Input: N813jw.j]

6. REFERENCE

Analogical Record

Roster Date Author Record
View/drawing of locus

v1
2001-06-23 okk [Input: L916okk.j]

v1a
2001-06-23 okk [Input: L916okk.j]

v12a
2001-06-30 okk [Input: L916okk.j]

v17
2001-07-03 okk [Input: L916okk.j]

v25
2001-07-05 cc [Input: L916okk.j]

v26a
2001-07-05 cc [Input: L916okk.j]

v35b
2001-07-10 cc [Input: L916okk1.j]

v78
2001-07-26 ed [Input: L916okk1.j]

v113
2001-07-28 ed [Input: ZI203jW.j]

v85
2001-07-29 ed [Input: L917okk.j]

v85a
2001-07-29 ed [Input: L917okk.j]

v85b
2001-07-29 ed [Input: L917okk.j]

v85c
2001-07-29 ed [Input: L917okk.j]

v167
2001-09-17 jw [Input: L918JW.J]

v167b
2001-09-17 jw [Input: L918JW.J]

v169
2001-09-17 jw [Input: L918JW.J]

v271
2003-07-09 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v181
2003-07-13 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v225
2003-08-16 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v225a
2003-08-16 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v225b
2003-08-16 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v229
2003-08-19 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v229a
2003-08-19 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v231
2003-08-19 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v231a
2003-08-19 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v236
2003-08-22 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v236a
2003-08-22 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v236b
2003-08-22 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v236c
2003-08-22 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v239
2003-08-23 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v240
2003-08-23 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v246
2003-08-27 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v253
2003-08-27 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v243
2003-08-30 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v243a
2003-08-30 jw [Input: ZH330jW.j]

v152b
2022-01-17 jw [Input: ZG117jW.j]

v162b
2022-01-17 jw [Input: ZG117jW.j]

v48d
2024-01-30 jw [Input: ZI130jW.j]

v51
2024-01-30 jw [Input: ZI130jW.j]

v51a
2024-01-30 jw [Input: ZI130jW.j]

v51b
2024-01-30 jw [Input: ZI130jW.j]

v51c
2024-01-30 jw [Input: ZI130jW.j]

v51d
2024-01-30 jw [Input: ZI130jW.j]

v54
2024-01-30 jw [Input: ZI130jW.j]