Use Areas

James L. Walker – June 2024

Ceramics Manufacture Area

Ceramic vessels were manufactured on-site during the Khabur period. Although some associated activites took place in the industrial courtyard, a52, the kilns were located downslope to the west and south in an area now heavily affected by gullys a9 and a10. At least three large pit kilns were located near one another, a30, a31, and a57. Clay preparation facilities, turning wheels, and decorating tools were probably located nearby but have been washed away. Judging from the few vessels remaining at the bottom of the kilns, they probably had the capacity to supply local needs and perhaps some could have been exported.

Khabur Street

A sherd and pebble street, f71, ran north to south from structures in the northeast excavated in previous seasons to the eroded portion of the Khabur town and perhaps as far as room a35 in the southeast corner. On its west side it provided access to such entities as the bin containg an andiron, a1, the industrial courtyard, a52, and the shop building, a48. It passed across threshold, 92 into room a15 and perhaps farther south. On the east side it bordered wall, f377, and accessed basin, f76.

Access to Palace Residential Area

A narrow pebble pathway, f574, runs west to east on the north side of room, a41. It is bordered by wall f528 to the north and wall f520 to the south. At this point, absent more excavation data, its use is speculative. However, the pathway does continue east into the unexcavated east baulk, beyond which we expect to find the residential section of the Tupkish palace. If so, it would provide a direct pathway for royals to proceed to the ceremonial courtyard. It was blocked by wall f548 which was built directly atop, perhaps signaling the transition of the reception area to domestic uses.

Burial Ground

There were nine burials excavated in this unit. Eight were shallow pit graves, some with mudbrick linings. One, a37, was a Khabur tomb, dug deep to the level of the Tupkish palace floor and topped with a dome of cut stone blocks. The majority of the pit graves (5) were located in a restricted area beneath the floor surface, f107, of the industrial courtyard, a52. All were at approximately the same elevation, indicating that that they were more or less contemporaneous. Among the usual ceramic vessel grave goods, several bodies had bronze bracelets, indicating their relative importance. It is not clear whether this was a community burial ground or one devoted to a single family. Gully f40 ran along the south edge of this area and may have eroded several more graves.