https://urkesh.org / RECORD / GRAMMAR / 9-special_lexica

The Grammar of the Archaeological Record
1. The System

9. Special Lexica

Giorgio Buccellati – June 2010
Marco De Pietri – November 2022

With the assistance of:
Sarah Comelli - June 2023
Rick Hauser – June 2010
Marilyn Kelly-Buccellati - June 2010
Christine K. Kimbrough – June 2010
Laura Ramos – June 2010
Mary Stancavage – June 2010


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9.1: Introductory

It is possible to have a special lexicon without a corresponding special roster. Such is for instance the case with the lexicon for beads given below (9.6). The reason is that the lexical variants apply to variable categories already found in the Main Roster. If so, the variant is given in the Main Roster, but is preceded by a lexical prefix that identifies the special lexicon – thus, for instance, a bead might be qualified through the lexical attribute ‘Zbdrt’ following the Main Roster category K4 (or sh) for shape. In this example, ‘Zbd’ identifies the special lexicon, and ‘rt’ stands for round tabular, according to the lexical definition given below.

As in the case of the Main Lexicon, the configuration of a lexicon contributes to an understanding of the structural make-up of given categories.

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9.2: Ceramic analysis (for special roster Zca) – by M. Kelly-Buccellati

The full Ceramics Roster and Lexicon are given within the digital CERAMICS topical book.

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9.3: Glyptics analysis (for special roster Zsi) – by M. Kelly-Buccellati

Categories 6 and 7 (below) include regularly two additional digits after 6 or 7, such as 612 or 731. The second digit refers to the first composition, and the third to the sequential number of a given figure in that composition. Thus 612 refers to a major compositional elements which occurs as the second figure in the first composition, and 731 refers to a minor compositional element which occurs as the first figure in the third composition.

If two registers are present, then the second digit is replaced by the letter A for the first composition in the second register, B for the second composition in the second register, and so on (see schematic arrangement given in Fig. 1).

Cf. also the dedicated topical book.

Figure 1. Schematic rendering of registers on seal

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9.3.0: Universal Codes

These codes (in UPPER CASE) can be placed as variants in any variable slot.

NO None
OR Other
UC Unclear
UI Unidentified
UK Unknown

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9.3.1: Documentation

Codes in this category are used only for seals from sites other than Mozan, and are accordingly omitted here.

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9.3.2: External characteristics

Some of the codes in this category are used only for seals from sites other than Mozan, and are accordingly omitted here.

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ob – type of object

2ob:bu Bulla
2ob:ds Door sealing
2ob:en Envelope
2ob:fr Fragment
2ob:mo Modern impression
2ob:tb Tablet
2ob:tg Tag

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9.3.3: Physical characteristics

Some of the codes in this category are used only for seals from sites other than Mozan, and are accordingly omitted here.

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ma – material

3ma:ag Agate
3ma:al Alabaster
3ma:am Amethyst
3ma:ba Basalt
3ma:br Breccia
3ma:ca Carnelian
3ma:cc Calcite
3ma:ce Ceramic
3ma:ch Chalcedony
3ma:cl Clay
3ma:di Diorite
3ma:dl Dolomite
3ma:do Dolerite
3ma:fe Felsite
3ma:fl Flint
3ma:fr Frit
3ma:ge Geothite
3ma:gr Granite
3ma:gs Greenstone
3ma:gy Gypsum
3ma:he Hematite
3ma:ja Jadeite
3ma:js Jasper
3ma:la Lapis lazuli
3ma:li Limonite
3ma:ls Limestone
3ma:ma Marble
3ma:mg Magnesite
3ma:ob Obsidian
3ma:on Onyx
3ma:ox Oxidized iron ore
3ma:po Porphyry
3ma:qu Quartz
3ma:ro Roch crystal
3ma:sa Sandstone
3ma:se Serpentine
3ma:sh Shell
3ma:st Steatite

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se – secondary features

3se:tr Traces of cap
3se:un Unperforated

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si – size of cylinder seal

3si:di Diameter
3si:he Height

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9.3.4: Inscription

Some of the codes in this category are used only for seals from sites other than Mozan, and are accordingly omitted here.

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ap – absent or present

4ap:ab Absent
4ap:pn Present, not translated
4ap:pr Present

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co – condition of inscription

4co:er Erased
4co:fr Fragmentary inscription
4co:ms Missing in break
4co:pa Partial rolling
4co:re Readable
4co:rw Rewritten
4co:un Unreadable

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ho – how inscription is written

4ho:01 One column
4ho:02 Two columns
4ho:03 Three columns
4ho:04 Four columns
4ho:05 Five columns
4ho:06 Six columns
4ho:in Inverted
4ho:le Less than full size casement
4ho:sc Scattered
4ho:si Single sign in field

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la – language of text

4la:ak Akkadian
4la:hu Hurrian
4la:lg Logographic (Sumerian or Akkadian)
4la:no None (text only has personal name and so cannot tell what
4la:su Sumerian

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lo – location of inscription

4lo:ab Above or below secondary element
4lo:ce Center
4lo:ch Center of heraldic composition
4lo:mf in midst of figures (between two figures)
4lo:sc Scattered (more than one sign in many locations)
4lo:te Terminal

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lp – language of person’s name (onomastics)

4lp:ak Akkadian
4lp:am Amorite
4lp:hu Hurrian
4lp:su Sumerian
4lp:lg Logographic
4lp:mx Mizex-Akkadian and Sumerian names

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na – names (prosopography)

4na:fa Father
4na:gf Goddess(es)
4na:gm God(s)
4na:hu Husband
4na:of Seal owner (female)
4na:om Seal owner (male)
4na:wi Witness

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ti – titles

4ti:pr Priest
4ti:ro Royal official (governor, etc.)
4ti:ry Royal
4ti:sc Scribe
4ti:se Servant (human or divine)

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9.3.5: Theme and overall composition

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ba – background

5ba:bl Blank
5ba:ob Objects only in relation to individual parts
5ba:sc Scattered (more than one area)
5ba:wi Wide blank space

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ge – general composition of entire seal

5ge:an Antithetical
5ge:do Double register
5ge:fr Frieze (e.g., contest)
5ge:he Heraldic
5ge:in Inscription predominant
5ge:li Linear (unrelated themes – 4 figures)
5ge:si Single figure composition
5ge:sy Symmetrical group(s) (2/3 figures, can be as many as 4 or 5)

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gr – groundline

5gr:sc Center
5gr:sl Left side
5gr:sr Right side
5gr:st Throughout
5gr:tr Trace
5gr:un Under individual figure(s)

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nu – number of compositions on entire seal

5nu:01 One
5nu:02 Two
5nu:03 Three
5nu:04 Four
5nu:05 Five

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th – theme of each composition

5th:be Beseeching – fervent appeal to a deity indicated through body position and gesture
5th:br Bringing gifts
5th:da Dancing
5th:di Dining – formal context in which eating or drinking are implied
5th:dy Dynastic
5th:fi Fighting or wrestling – interacting in a physically aggressive manner with contact usually indicated
5th:pe Performing ceremonial act – a formal act connected with a ritual or set of prescribed religious behavior
5th:po Pouring
5th:wa Walking
5th:wo Worshiping

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9.3.6: Major compositional elements

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a2 – identification of figures: gender

6a2:fe Female
6a2:ma Male

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aa – identification of figures: animal

6aa:bi Bison
6aa:bu Bull
6aa:ca Caprid (sheep or goat family)
6aa:cb Crossed bulls
6aa:cr Crossed lions
6aa:de Deer/stag
6aa:ga Gazelle/antelope
6aa:go Goat/ibex
6aa:lc Lion cub
6aa:li Lion/lioness
6aa:of Oryx (African)
6aa:or Oryx (Arabian)
6aa:sc Snake coil
6aa:sh Snake (horizontal)
6aa:sv Snake (vertical)
6aa:wb Water buffalo

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6ad:ad Adad
6ad:bg Beared god
6ad:bu Bull-eared god
6ad:de Deity with flowing vase
6ad:et Etana
6ad:ga Gate attendant god
6ad:gc God with crook
6ad:gs God with scimitar
6ad:is Ishtar
6ad:ma Marduk
6ad:sg Suppliant god
6ad:sh Shamash
6ad:sn Snake god
6ad:su Suppliant goddess
6ad:vg Vegetation god/goddess
6ad:wg Water god
6ad:wi Winged deity

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ah – identification of figures: human

6ah:ar Archer
6ah:at Attendant
6ah:bh Bearded hero
6ah:bo Bowlegged dwarf
6ah:bu Butcher
6ah:ch Child
6ah:co Cook
6ah:da Dancer
6ah:ki King/god
6ah:nr Nurse
6ah:nu Nude female
6ah:pi Princess
6ah:pn Prince
6ah:pr Priest with pail and sprinkler
6ah:qu Queen
6ah:ro Royal child
6ah:sh Shepherd
6ah:tr Triangle-head man
6ah:va Vanquished body
6ah:wa Warrior
6ah:wm Warrior with mace
6ah:wo Worshiper

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am – identification of figures: composite and mythological

6am:bl Bird-lion
6am:bm Bird-man
6am:bu Bull-man
6am:cr Cross human-headed bull
6am:df Double-faced god
6am:he Nude hero
6am:hu Human-headed bull
6am:ld Lion-demon
6am:lg Lion-griffin
6am:tm Triangle man
6am:wg Bull-winged gate
6am:wi Winged dragon

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as – identification of figures: standard

6as:cr Crescent standard
6as:cs Cross disc in crescent standard
6as:ct Crescent standard on tripod base
6as:dp Double headed lion/panther standard
6as:gl Globe standard: one globe
6as:g7 Globe standard: seven globes
6as:lf Lightning fork standard
6as:li Lion scimitar standard
6as:ma Mace standard
6as:po Pointed gatepost standard
6as:s* Star standard
6as:sd Star disc on crescent standard
6as:sp Spade standard

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at – identification of figures: trees and plants

6at:ba Bare conifer
6at:co Conifer
6at:dp Date palm
6at:lf Leafy
6at:pl Plant
6at:tm Tree growing from mountain

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av – identification of figures: various

6av:bg God-prowed boat
6av:bh High-prowed boat
6av:cr Crook
6av:do Dog balancing crook
6av:fr Frame
6av:ga Gate
6av:gl Lion/lioness gate
6av:gp Gate-post
6av:gt Trellis gate
6av:gu Guilloche
6av:l2 Lightning fork on bull: double line
6av:l3 Lightning fork on bull: trident
6av:pl Plow
6av:ru Ruminant balancing crook(s)
6av:sp Spear
6av:ss Star-spade
6av:va Vase with palm branch
6av:ve Vegetation
6av:vs Vessel with straw

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di – identification of figures: distinctive physical characteristics

6di:an Antlers
6di:ba Bald
6di:be Bearded
6di:bo Braid ornament
6di:br Braid
6di:cu Curls
6di:do Downturned tail
6di:hb Hair styled in bun
6di:hd Hair styled in double bun
6di:ho Horns
6di:hs Hair styled in S-shaped loop
6di:it Ithyphallic
6di:lh Long hair
6di:ta Talons/claws
6di:up Upturned tail
6di:wi Winged

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dr – identification of figures: dress

6dr:bl Belt or girdle
6dr:fm Fringed or bordered mantel
6dr:fr Fringed or bordered skirt
6dr:fs Fringed or bordered shawl
6dr:gh Garment with bordered hem
6dr:lo Long garment
6dr:sa Sandal
6dr:se Shoes with upturned toes
6dr:sh Short garment
6dr:sl Slit skirt
6dr:ss Short skirt
6dr:t2 Tiered garment: both shoulders covered
6dr:td Tiered garment: one shoulder covered
6dr:tp Tiered double pleated garment
6dr:tr Tiered garment/skirt: running triangle design
6dr:ts Tiered skirt
6dr:ve Vertically pleated: long
6dr:vs Vertically pleated: one shoulder covered

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he – identification of figures: head covering

6he:ch Cap; one pair of horns
6he:co Conical hat
6he:cp Cap: rounded
6he:cv Cap: vertically ridged
6he:dr Hat three drillings
6he:fc Flat cap
6he:fe Feathered crown
6he:ho Hat rounded top: one pair of horns
6he:h3 Horned miter: several pairs of horns, tips meeting above ear
6he:h4 Horned miter: several pairs of horns, view unclear
6he:h5 Horned miter: several pairs of horns seen in profile, tips meeting over forehead
6he:h6 Horned miter: several pairs of horns, frontal view
6he:ro Rounded hat: rolled brim
6he:ta Tall hat: flat topped
6he:tr Tall hat: rounded top, wide brim

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je – jewelry

6je:br Bracelet
6je:co Counterweight of necklace
6je:ea Earrings
6je:ne Necklace

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pa – posture of figure: general

6pa:as Ascending
6pa:be Bent
6pa:co Couchant
6pa:fo Foot on object or animal: standing
6pa:ho Horizontally placed
6pa:in Inverted
6pa:k1 Kneeling on one knee
6pa:k2 Kneeling on two knees
6pa:ra Rampant
6pa:re Reversed
6pa:se Seated
6pa:sf Standing on forelegs
6pa:st Standing

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pb – posture of figures: view shown: body

6pb:fr Frontal view
6pb:pl Profile, left side
6pb:pr Profile, right side
6pb:sh Shoulders front view legs profile

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ph – posture of figures: view shown: head

6ph:df Double-faced
6ph:fr Frontal view
6ph:pl Profile, left side
6ph:pr Profile, right side
6pb:se Seen from above

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pl – posture of figures: left arm

6pl:ac Arm down, elbow bent, forearm crossing body
6pl:ad Arm down, extended away from body
6pl:ae Arm raised, elbow up, forearm down
6pl:af Arm down, elbow bent, forearm extended
6pl:ar Arm raised, elbow bent, forearm above waist
6pl:at Arm down, next to body
6pl:au Arm raised above head
6pl:hc Hands clasped
6pl:hr Hand raised in front of face

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pr – posture of figures: right arm

6pr:ab Arm behind body, elbow up
6pr:ac Arm down, elbow bent, forearm crossing body
6pr:ad Arm down, extended away from body
6pr:ae Arm raised, elbow up, forearm down
6pr:af Arm down, elbow bent, forearm extended
6pr:ar Arm raised, elbow bent, forearm above waist
6pr:at Arm down, next to body
6pr:au Arm raised above head
6pr:hc Hands clasped
6pr:hr Hand raised in front of face

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ro – role of figure in composition

6ro:at Attending
6ro:be Beseeching
6ro:bh Being held
6ro:bl Being led
6ro:bp Being presented
6ro:br Bringing gifts
6ro:bu Butchering
6ro:bw Being worshiped
6ro:co Cooking
6ro:da Dancing
6ro:fi Fighting with a weapon
6ro:fo Fighting without a weapon/wrestling
6ro:ho Holding
6ro:ma Making pots
6ro:pa Participating in a ritual
6ro:pr Presenting offering
6ro:si Single figure not interacting
6ro:td Tending child
6ro:wa Walking
6ro:wi Worshiping inscription
6ro:wl Worshiping and leading
6ro:wo Worshiping
6ro:wp Worshiping and presenting

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9.3.7: Minor compositional elements: attributes

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a& – staffs and clubs

7a&:ba Ball staff
7a&:bi Bird on pole
7a&:bl Ball
7a&:cr Crook
7a&:cs Crescent staff
7a&:ct Crescent staff, pendant flags, tripod base
7a&:do Double-headed panther/lion club
7a&:fs Frog on staff
7a&:g5 Globe staff: five globes
7a&:g7 Globe staff: seven globes
7a&:g9 Globe staff: nine globes
7a&:li Lion scimitar
7a&:s* Star disc in crescent staff
7a&:sd Star disc in crescent staff  [double entry?, ZGy13 mDP]
7a&:sp Spade-topped staff
7a&:ss Star staff
7a&:st Staff

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aa – animal

7aa:bi Bird
7aa:bu Bull
7aa:db Dog balancing crook stick or pole
7aa:do Dog
7aa:ea Eagle
7aa:fi Fish
7aa:fl Fly/bee/insect
7aa:fo Fox
7aa:fr Frog
7aa:ga Gazelle/antelope
7aa:gi Goat/ibex
7aa:go Goat/ram head on stand
7aa:ha Hare
7aa:ki Kid/lamb
7aa:li Lion
7aa:mo Mongoose/monkey
7aa:ms Monkey on stool/pole
7aa:os Ostrich
7aa:po Porcupine/hedgehog
7aa:ru Ruminant balancing crook(s)
7aa:sc Scorpion
7aa:sn Snake
7aa:to Tortoise

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ac – composite or mythological beings

7ac:ab Animated boat
7ac:aw Animated wave
7ac:bl Bull with lightning fork
7ac:bu Bull-man
7ac:de Demonic head
7ac:dr Dragon
7ac:fi Fish with human head
7ac:go Goat-fish
7ac:hu Human-headed bull
7ac:ld Lion demon
7ac:lf Lion-headed fish
7ac:lg Lion-griffin
7ac:lr Lion head, reptile body
7ac:sn Snake dragon
7ac:wp Winged human in flying pose

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af – furniture

7af:bt Bird-leg table
7af:cg Complex geometric support
7af:ct Cross-leg table
7af:fo Footrest
7af:pe Pedestal: single
7af:pd Pedestal: double
7af:pf Pattern stools with footrest
7af:pl Platform
7af:ps Platform: stepped
7af:pt Patterned stool
7af:se Seat on legs: patterned
7af:sf Stool with footrest
7af:sg Simple geometric support
7af:sl Stool with lion decoration
7af:sp Seat on legs plain
7af:sr Seat: rectangular pattern
7af:su Seat with upturned back
7af:ta Table
7af:ve Vertical-patterned table

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ah – human

7ah:ar Arm
7ah:bo Bowlegged dwarf
7ah:fa Fallen body/ies
7ah:ha Hand
7ah:he Head
7ah:hn Head of nude bearded hero
7ah:ma Man kneeling on one knee
7ah:nf Nude female
7ah:nm Nude male
7ah:pr Priest with pail and sprinkler
7ah:ro Robed figure
7ah:wo Worshiper

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an – natural elements

7an:br Branch/plant
7an:ft Flat-topped mountain
7an:lo Low rounded mound
7an:mt Mountain
7an:na Natural elevation/knoll
7an:ro Rosette
7an:tr Tree
7an:wa Water stream(s)
7an:wv Waves

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at – tools and weapons

7at:ao Arrows
7at:ar Arrows in quiver
7at:ax Axe
7at:ba Bow and arrow
7at:bo Bow
7at:cl Club
7at:da Dagger
7at:dr Dart
7at:fl Fly whisk
7at:fo Fork
7at:kn Knife
7at:ma Mace
7at:mu Multiple mace head
7at:pl Plow
7at:qu Quiver
7at:sa Saw
7at:sb Serrated blade
7at:sc Scimitar
7at:sd Spade
7at:sh Shield
7at:sl Sling
7at:sr Spear
7at:ss Star-spade
7at:st Stick
7at:sw Sword
7at:wh Whip

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av – objects and other elements

7av:al Altar/stand
7av:ba Basket
7av:cd Cross disc in crescent
7av:cr Crescent
7av:ct Cooking pot
7av:cu Cup
7av:dr Drilling(s)
7av:fe Vertical flute
7av:fl Flowing sprinkler
7av:fo Flat oval object
7av:fv Flowing vase
7av:gu Guilloche
7av:li Lightning fork
7av:lm Leg meat
7av:lu Lute
7av:ly Lyre
7av:om Omega
7av:pa Pail
7av:ra Rays
7av:re Rein
7av:ri Ring
7av:rn Rain
7av:ro Rod
7av:rp Rope
7av:s* Star
7av:sd Star disc in crescent
7av:sp Sprinkler
7av:su Sun disc in crescent  [double entry?, ZGy14 mDP]
7av:ta Tamburine
7av:vb Bucket-shaped vessel
7av:ve Vessel/vase
7av:vf Vessel with flowing liquid
7av:vh Vessel with handle
7av:vl Vessel with leaves

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la – location of attributes

7la:f1 Figure with one foot on
7la:f2 Figure with two feet on
7la:fh Figure holding
7la:fk Figure kneeling on
7la:fs Figure seated on
7la:fw Figure wearing
7la:pf Placed in front of

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po – posture of animal attributes

7po:be Being held
7po:cr Crouching
7po:da Dangling
7po:in Inverted
7po:ra Rampant
7po:re Recumbent
7po:rv Reversed
7po:se Seated on hind legs
7po:st Standing

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9.3.8: Minor compositional elements: filler motifs

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lc – location: in composition

8lc:01 In composition 1
8lc:02 In composition 2
8lc:03 In composition 3
8lc:12 Between composition 1 and 2
8lc:23 Between composition 2 and 3
8lc:34 Between composition 3 and 4
8lc:te Terminal

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lf – location: horizontal

8lf:01 Before figure 1
8lf:12 Between figures 1 and 2
8lf:23 Between figures 2 and 3
8lf:34 Between figures 3 and 4
8lf:45 Between figures 4 and 5
8lf:te Terminal

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lv – location: vertical

8lv:lo Lower
8lv:mi Middle
8lv:un Under inscription
8lv:up Upper

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9.3.9: Secondary motifs

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de – description

9de:2a Two animals one above the other
9de:2b Two bullmen facing central staff
9de:2d Two dancers
9de:2f Two facing figures
9de:2i Two identical human figures back to back
9de:2k Two figures kneeling
9de:2s Two facing seated sphinx
9de:bo Bowlegged dwarf
9de:bs Bull standing
9de:bu Bull reclining (with front leg up)
9de:c2 Crossed lions between two rampant goats/ibex
9de:co Cow suckling calf
9de:cr Crossed lions
9de:do Dog
9de:ec Enthroned figure with crook
9de:en Enthroned figure
9de:gd Goat seated
9de:gf Goatfish
9de:gl Goat between lions
9de:gr Griffin attacking horned animal
9de:gt Goat
9de:gu Guilloche
9de:la Lion and seated goat
9de:lc Lion crouching
9de:ld Lion demon holding goat
9de:le Lion-headed eagle
9de:lg Lion griffin
9de:ly Lyre playor and singer
9de:mf Male figure before nude female
9de:mg Man on one knee attacked by lion-griffin
9de:ml Man on one knee attacked by lion
9de:nf Nude female
9de:nh Nude hero
9de:nm Nude male/worshiper
9de:pf Priest facing ascending god
9de:pl Plant
9de:pr Priest
9de:ri Rider on horse
9de:sc Scorpion
9de:sh Sheep facing mongoose

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lv – location

9lv:lo Lower
9lv:mi Middle
9lv:ov Over inscription
9lv:un Under inscription
9lv:up Upper

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9.4: Aglyptic impressions on sealings (for special roster Zai) – by C.K. Kimbrough

This lexicon has been established by Christine K. Kimbrough, and is quoted here from her notes. The codes refer to the special roster described above, 8.4.

Cf. also the dedicated topical book.

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9.4.0: Universal variant

u unclear

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9.4.1: Variants for variable ZaiK1 spin

s s‑spun, meaning that the thread was spun in a counter‑clockwise direction. When the thread or cord is viewed, the fibers appear to run from upper left to lower right, like the central bar of the letter s.
u unclear; when the direction of spin is not apparent due to the poor state of preservation of the impression or because the evidence for the direction of spin is contradictory or inconclusive, unclear will be used.
z z‑spun, meaning that the thread is spun in a clockwise direction. When the thread or cord is viewed, the fibers or twists appear to run from upper right to lower left, like the central bar of the letter z.

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9.4.2: Variants for variable ZaiK2 angle

numbers (indicating the number of degrees but without the word degree)

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9.4.3: Variants for variable ZaiK3 (thread 1) and ZaiK4 (thread 2)

numbers (indicating centimeters)

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9.4.4: Variants for variable ZaiK5 (twist)

numbers indicating total twists
+ a plus sign may be included after the number of twists to indicate additional partial or unclear twist impressions

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9.4.5: Variants for variable ZaiK6 (weave)

- a descriptive term refers to the type of weave

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9.4.6: Variants for variable Za1K7 (hole diameter)

numbers (indicating millimeters)
i incomplete

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9.5: Figurines (lexical prefix for special roster Zfg) – by R. Hauser

Cf. also the dedicated topical book (animal figurines).

Cf. also the dedicated topical book (human figurines).

TEXT TO BE WRITTEN

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9.6: Beads (lexical prefix for special roster Zbd) – by M. Stancavage

TEXT TO BE WRITTEN

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9.7: Physical anthropology (lexical prefix for special roster Zpa) – by L. Ramos

Cf. also the dedicated topical book.

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9.7.0: Universal codes

04 unknown
05 other
06 left
07 right
08 distal
09 proximal
10 medial
11 lateral
12 anterior
13 posterior
14 ventral
15 dorsal
16 palmar
17 shaft (diaphysis)
18 epiphyses
19 left
20 right
21 inferior
22 superior

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9.7.1: Zpa1: Identification

hs human skeleton articulated
hi human bones isolated

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9.7.2: Zpa2: Skeletal analysis

Ma Male
Fe Female
Sk Skull
Fh Femoral head diameter
   
Ft Fetal (before birth)
If Infant (0-3 years)
Ao Adolescent (12-20 years)
Ad Adult (20-35 years)
Ma Middle adult (35-50 years)
Oa Old adult (50+ years)
   
bs Bass 1995
mc McKern and Stewart 1957
kg Krogman 1962
pr Pearson 1917-1919
tg Trotter and Gleser 1952
sw Schwartz 1995
fr Ferembach et al. 1980
lh Loth and Henneberg 1996
ki Krogman and Iscan 1986
ph Phenice 1969
sb Suchey and Brooks 1990
lj Lovejoy et al. 1985
ml Meindl and Lovejoy 1985
mi Miles 1962
tr Trotter 1970
fn Feldesman et al. 1990
hp Hoppa 1992
gw Gowland 1998
sm Smith 1991
mf Moorrees, Fanning and Hunt 1963
by Byers et al. 1989

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9.7.3: Zpa3: Trauma

bf blunt force
cm compression fracture
fr fracture
sf sharp force
ds dislocation
ad artificial deformation
te trephination
am amputation

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9.7.4: Zpa4: Pathology

os osteomyelitis
pr periostitis
tb tuberculosis
tr treponema
ph porotic hyperstosis
rk rickets
ot osteoarthritis of spine
ob osteoarthritis of joints
cr carious lesion, dental
eh enamel hypoplasia
pd peridontal disease
ta tooth abscess

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9.7.5: Zpa5: Muscular-skeletal markers and stress

pm pectoralis major
tm teres major
dt deltoid
su supinator
ra biceps brachii
gt greater trochanter, gluteus min and medius
lt lesser trochanter, iliopsoas tendon and psoas major
la linea aspera, vastus muscle and adductors
pt patella, tendon of quadriceps femoris
tt tibial tuberosity, quadriceps femoris
pp tibia popliteal line
at calcaneal tuber, achilles tendon
3t presence of third trochanter, gluteus maximus
bb brachialis
cc costoclavicular ligament
sl spiral line femor, vastus medialis

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9.7.6: Zpa6: Inventory

00 absent
01 <25% present
02 25-75% present
03 >75% present

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9.7.7: Zpa7: Preservation

gd good: >75% cortical bone present
fr fair: 25-75% cortical bone present
pr poor: <25% cortical bone present

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9.7.8: Zpa8: Burial type

sm simple pit
mp multiple pit
sb simple built tomb
mb multiple built tomb
sj simple jar
mj multiple jar
ot other

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9.7.9: Body position

su supine
sf semi-flexed
fx flexed
ss sharply flexed

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9.8: Metals (lexical prefix for special roster Zme) – by S. Comelli

Cf. also the dedicated topical book.

TEXT TO BE UPDATED - ZH624 mDP

ma metal artifact Generic term (also category) for any item made from metal.
sg slagResidue from metal smelting often found as tiny green particles.
ar arrowheadPointed metal object, often molded, hafted onto a thin wooden shaft and launched by a bow.
ax ax Fist-sized metal object with a sharpened edge used for chopping, hafted onto a wood shaft.
bd-m metal bead Bead made of metal instead of stone.
coin coin Small metal disk of precious metal,usually decorated, that serves as a medium of exchange.
mace mace Ceremonial staff carried by public officials. Head is often decorated. Shaft often wood.
je jewelry item Metal object fashoned to adorn or decorate the human body, e.g., bracelet.
pendant-m metal pendant Metal central element of a necklace or bracelet.
pi pin Long, thin metal object used to fasten garments.
spoon spoon Metal object similar in form and function to modern object with the same name.
sc sculpture Molded metal object that accurately depicts a specific diety, human, or animal, (contrast and compare with a figurine made in clay).
spd spearhead Pointed molded metal object, larger than an arrowhead, hafted onto a long shaft, and designed for thrusting.
str-m metal strainer Small can with holes fitted on the end of a hollow reed thst filters out solids from sipped liquids.
to-m metal tool Item fashioned from metal that assists in the performance of a repetative task.

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