.bk J01
.fl T808lC.j
.fd Journal
;.fn included T809lc.j,T810lc.j,T811lc.j,T812lc.j (U814lc)
.ed T808
.ei lC
.rd T805
.ri lC

-dy Today we drawn and then we started to remove the east baulk of k129, assigning the f330 (vm) to the entire portion excavated. The excavation was later enlarged to the south notch to try arriving on top of the wall f258 in order to check its function and its date. In k127 f327 was removed, so we started to excavate the sloping surface f317, uncovering the ash layer f278. We had some problems because to the north there wasn't a clear distinction between f317 and f278. Removing the sloping surface we didn't find a soft ashy layer, but a hard compact gray surface, and it wasn't clear if it was the ashy or still the upper layer f317. Tomorrow probably we will start to excavate f278 trying to follow it, because there is the risk to remove something different to the east, if the ashy layer eventually stops before.

k 127
dy We removed f327, the compact accumulation above the sloping surface f317. Then we started to remove f317 in order to uncover the ashy layer f278 that we already know it is in between the two escarpments, at least in k127, from previous seasons. Removing the layer f317 we didn't find a really soft ash layer, but a gray ashy sloping accumulation, but without clear edges. Because it wasn't easy to follow it, we stopped and probably tomorrow we will start to remove the ashy layer. We hope so to be able to follow it uncovering the surface underneath, probably belonging to the early escarpment.

k 129
dy Today lC and aGA drawn the small east section of k127 and then we removed it assigning just one feature, f330. Being in this area some many different accumulations it was to difficult to distinguish them in such reduced area. Then we expanded the excavation to the south removing a small area of about 1,40x1,40 meters, to expose the other face of wall f259.

-sg Site meeting with fAB and gB. We discussed about the excavation of part of the accumulation against the flat stones of J05, right next to J01 west section of k129. It is very important for us to check the relationships of the stones with the pavement f325.

.rd T806

-vs Today, almost at the end of the morning, a small group of italian students from Rome, working at Ebla, visited the site. They came with fAB also in J01. lC showed the excavation in J01 with results from the previous seasons and the main goals for this year.

-dy Today we continued to remove f330. Then waiting that J05 finishes cleaning their area to take picture, we enlarged to the west the excavation of the small south notch in k129. So we were able to expose a wider surface of pavement f325 to better understanding its relationship with the escarpment. In k127 we started to remove f278, the ashy layer sloping to the south. Yesterday the situation wasn't clear because of the difficulty to distinguish the boundary between the ashy layer and the sloping accumulation f317. On fAB suggestion we left at the beginning a narrow strip showing the section to help us to understand any small change in color and composition in the ashy accumulation. The ashy layer was very compact and moreover scraping it, it looked yellowish in color, but removing it in chunks was clearly gray. Then we also recognized that the ash was sloping and in the eastern portion of k127 there was still part of f317, that was just a crust to the west, but much thicker to the east.

f 317
ds Layer sloping to east and in part also to south. This surface presents clear signs of a long exposition, probably also because of waters and sun action. This surface is like a crust of the ashy accumulation underneath, to the west, but to the east it is thicker and really very hard. It is composed of brown soil full of small charcoal fragments and white, perhaps gypsum, chunks. In section is clearly distinguishable from what above and below. No many sherds were recovered.

k 129
dy Today we removed f330 and then we expanded the excavation to the west to expose more surface belonging to pavement f325.

k 127
dy We started to remove f278. Excavating this hard gray accumulation we found an orange compact layer, very irregular and sloping almost to the south and east. Our first idea was that this could belong to the early escarpment f196 because we assume the succession of first escarpment, ash and second escarpment, recorded last year is the same here. Anyway next days we will check the relationship between this low orange accumulation and the upper part of early escarpment next to the revetment wall. It is also difficult to distinguish between the surface damaged by erosion or removed by the later cut. The surface here seems eroded by waters because similar to its upper surface.

.rd T808

-sg Daily site meeting with fAB. We decided how to proceed next days. In k129 we are planning to remove the pavement f325, but we are now weating J05 to finish exposing the continuation of the pavement to the west. This is important to show the relationships between the stones belonging probably to the first escarpment and the pavement possibly dating to early Mitanni. In k127 the situation is more complex due to stratigraphy. Once finished to remove the ash, finding the bottom of the cut or of the erosion, we will start to remove the material belonging to first escarpment in order to expose the two stone structures f259 and f288. Probably we will start from the upper part, next to the north western corner of k127, leaving the western section showing the sequence of the two escarpments. Then we want go down removing the material of early escarpment until we don't find the features below, which we are assuming belonging to Late Chalcolithic period. Once removed the escarpment if necessary we will remove also earlier levels. 

-dy Today we removed the small remaining portion of f330 in k127, then dM took pictures of the pavement f325 and the stone wall f259. In k127 we removed part of f317 still present to the east. We continued to remove the ashy layer f278 that is in part very compact, but it seems becoming more and more soft going down next to the bottom of the cut/erosion. The orange material of early escarpment seems cut because it slopes sharply, and some stones are visible in the vertical section. Its composition really looks the same of f309. Continuing to remove the ash we saw that its accumulation was much thicker close to the sharp slope, as it was dumped from above. At the end of the day we uncovered some medium sized stones, that could be part of the bottom of the escarpment or part of earlier structures. For now any face or clear line is visible and they seem just as collapsed stones. Right at the end of the day we started to find a slightly different surface that could be the bottom of the erosion. In fact next to the east section of k127 the accumulation is so fine and sandy, typical of pit bottom. And also the ash looks much finer and softer, and usually this is due to the water infiltrations. Tomorrow we will check better and we will decide how to proceed with the strategy.

f 278
dy Today we continued to remove this ashy layer. If the previous days it was hard and very compact, light gray in color and with small charcoal fragments, today instead, probably next to the bottom of the cut/erosion it was softer. Moreover it was much blacker in color, and there were some few lenses of really fine gray and black ash. I think it is all the same and it is just different in hardness and a little in composition because of the water and sun actions.

q 1264
np This qlot belonging to f278 could be mixed with pottery coming of f317. Even if they probably belong to the same stratum.

.rd T809
.ri lC

-dy Today early in the morning after a general cleaning of the area dM took photos of f325 in relationship with the stones J05f225. Then we continued to remove pavement f325 that appears to be less thick in the middle of k129. The surface below is very compact but it seems different from f239. It is browner and with a really hard surface, moreover the pavement was right on top of it, without any accumulation in between. In k127 we tried to look for the bottom of the cut/erosion removing few centimeters of still ashy material f278, but the surface appears still clearly mixed. Then as planned yesterday we started to remove f196, early escarpment, in the north-western corner of k127 leaving a witness of about half a meter at the base of revetment wall because of security problems and to show the section. To the east of stones f307 the escarpment f196 still presents a well preserved sloping surface. Instead to the west what we though being the eroded surface of the escarpment was still part of the ashy accumulation above it. Removing it we found some big stones belonging probably to early structures below the escarpment that there has been completely removed by erosion, while it is still (even if poorly) preserved just a little deeper. Moreover other stones running east to west, belonging to f288 have been exposed.

k 129
dy Today we removed pavement f325, except for a narrow strip next to the stones J05f225, to show their important relationships in order to determinate a date for them. Then we tried to follow the surface below the pavement, sloping to the south. It appears different from the red accumulation of late escarpment f239, and it could also be part of the early escarpment. Tomorrow we will try to better understand this context.

k 127
dy As planned yesterday we removed just few centimeters more of the ashy accumulation f278 to find the bottom of the cut/erosion of the early escarpment and older layers. Then, after the pictures of all cleaned area were taken, we started to remove f196 in order to expose the wall f288. f196 appears well preserved to the east of the stones f307 probably part of the escarpment to divert the waters coming from west. In fact to the west what we thought could be the eroded surface of the escarpment was instead still part of the ashy accumulation f241/f278, and once removed, other stones, probably belonging to an earlier structure, were uncovered. Tomorrow we will check but we assume that these stones could be part either of the wall f259 or f288.

-sg Today nothing different from what we planned yesterday, but many new discoveries, most of all the continuation of the wall f288 to the west and the find of other stones probably belonging either to the wall f259 or f288. Now the possibility that the two walls are part of a same structure is much more plausible. Tomorrow at first we will check if the stones of f307 are part of the deeper structures or just part of the second escarpment, and in this last case we will remove them to see the continuation of wall f288 and its eventual relationship with wall f259. It is important to reach at least the bottom of the early escarpment to see the base of the two structures. Probably we will excavate also part of the levels underneath (Late Chalcolithic?) to have a complete understanding of the walls. Of course because the days of planned excavation are becoming less and less we are trying to figure out the best way to proceed. Next days we will also check with the shish if the stones of wall f288 stop really to the east. In k127 we have to clarify the relationship between the first and the second escarpment and to understand if the layer found below f325 belongs to one or to the other one.

f 196
df early escarpment
ds The escarpment shows a sloping surface. Next to the base of the revetment wall it is constituted of pure clay to prevent the water seepage. Its surface is hard and kind of plastered, while inside the soil is softer and sandy, brown in color, with some medium to small sized stones. It incorporates also stones belonging to the earlier structures as the wall f288.

q 1278
nr We assigned this qlot to f278 even if at the beginning we thought it was f196. We preferred to keep separate the pottery in order to certainly date the early escarpment.

.rd T806
-sm During the second week of excavation we removed all the late layers of k129. As in the other previous J01 excavation we recovered that a sequence of at least three different probably Mitanni (because the pottery has not been analyzed yet) pavements abutting directly earlier surfaces. It is not clear yet if the surface below the last pavement f325 belongs to the early or late escarpment. We have also reached the bottom of the cut/erosion happened probably after the ED II and we don't have yet a clear idea of what above. Next week we will start to remove the material of early escarpment to see the face of the wall f288 and its eventual relationship with the other stone wall f259. This should help us to have a better understanding of what was this area in the Late Chalcolithic period and what happened later.

.rd T810
.ri lC

-dy Today f307 was photographed and then removed in order to see if the stones uncovered yesterday and belonging to the stone wall f288 were going to the west. The wall is continuing but it is not clear yet the relationship of wall f288 with wall f259. Some of the stones found yesterday next to the west section of k127 seem to be just inside the escarpment but without other stones underneath. Wall f259 is continuing to the north even if at a deeper level and we don't have a link yet to f288. Right at the end of the day, continuing to remove f196 we found another big stone below the second row of stones of f288, going to the south. It could be part of the corner of the two walls and tomorrow, still removing f196 we will try to look for a connection. In k129 we just removed part of accumulation f337 found below the pavement f325. Here we tried to look for the surface of the early escarpment, but it is difficult because the layers uncovered have hard surfaces and are sloping. We are thinking to stop at this level except for a small probe sounding behind f259 to determine the eight of the LC material to the west of it.

-sg Daily site meeting with fAB and gB. In k127 we are following the strategy decided the previous days to remove all f196 to the level of stones f336 and the bottom of the wall f288. Tomorrow we will use the big pick to remove f196 because it is compact and just few sherds and almost no objects were recovered. Of course the soil will be sifted. In k129 the situation is more complex because below pavement f325 we found a hard surface and we don't know its relationship with early or late escarpments. We decided to draw the west section of k127 and then cut back f239 about 40 cms, in order to try to follow the surface of the early escarpment already exposed, that howewer, to the south, could be eroded. The goal is also to check the relationship of the big stone just slightly exposed inside f239 with the early escarpment. Then we decided, on fAB suggestion to dig a sort of probe sounding to the west of wall f259 to see its western face and the probable presence of Chalcolithic layers at a higher level.

k 127
dy Today we continued to remove f196 uncovering more stones belonging to f288 and other stones of wall f259. We also cut the east section of f196 already cut in antiquity, in order to see if f196 was at some point stopping, above probably Chalcolithic levels, but it seems almost the same. On the contrary we uncovered another medium sized stone probably at the base of the early escarpment like the other belonging to f336.

k 129
dy Today we removed part of the accumulation f337 found below the pavement f325, trying to look for the sloping surface of the early escarpment. We uncovered a very hard and sloping surface but for now we are not sure about its interpretation. This seems a good stopping point for k129, except for a sort of probe sounding we will excavate to the west of the stone wall f259 to look for its western face.

f 196
dy Today we continued to remove the material of the early escarpment. It is almost the same of yesterday, brown in color, compact but not hard with few mud brick chunks and some lenses of pure clay. Next to the stones of wall f288 there is a soil very brown and clayish. It could be just result of water infiltrations or could be a sort of packing between the junctures of the stones. The pottery seems clearly dating to Late Chalcolithic III, but further analysis are required.

pr Today we decided to excavate this feature with the big pick starting from tomorrow. The soil is compact and just few sherds and almost not objects were recovered. Moreover we will sift the soil so we don't miss anything.

f 288
dy Today we uncovered other stones of this wall running to the west. The stones are big in size, and what we assume is the face (the southern) doesn't appear very regular. Between the junctures of the stones there is a really brown and clayish material, coming perhaps from water seepage, or maybe it was a sort of packing, like for the revetment wall f72.

.rd T811
.ri lC

-dy Today we started cleaning all the area and taking pictures of k127 (work in progress) and k129. The small northern portion of the west section of k127 was drawn and then we started to remove the planned narrow strip of f239 to see the relationship of the big stone belonging to f318 with the first escarpment. In k127 we continued to remove f196, early escarpment, but assigning a new number (f340) to its northern part to keep separate the pottery from the core and the surface of the escarpment, even if it seems all dating to Late Chalcolithic. After removed just few centimeters of f340 we found another stone of f259 showing that the two walls f259 and f288 are part of the same structure and they are bonded. Below f340 and f196 was then recovered a hard surface, with small white chunks and small pebbles. After a short meeting with gB we decided for now to leave this feature, that could be a sort of Chalcolithic escarpment, even if it seems to me too flat and not much different from f196. So we will concentrate the efforts of the last week to reach the bottom of the wall f288. We started to remove f345 in the small eastern triangular part left from the cut and the erosion, recovering more big stones, probably related to the stones of f336.

-sg (Part 1)First daily meeting of fAB with all J01 team. We discussed the strategy for the last week of excavation. In k129 the sloping surface f338 seems a good stopping point for this season, but still some questions are open. First goal is to see the western face of wall f259 and eventually to find Chalcolithic levels possibly at a higher elevation to the west. To do this it was proposed a small probe sounding, that while has some risky elements. For example the difficulty to understand the excavated layers in a such small area (about 1,40 x1,40 meters) but also to remove the pebbles alignment f343 and the baqaya f342. So we decided for now just to remove part of f239 uncovering eventually the surface of early escarpment f196, if preserved, to understand its relationship with the floor f338, stones f339, f318 and what to south. If the escarpment is eroded this will allow us to expose more stones of f339 and probably to understand their function. Removing this small portion of f239 we can also try to understand if the eastern stone of f318 belongs to the early escarpment or not. Once removed this portion of f239 we will decide how to further proceed. 
-sg (Part 2) In the second daily meeting with fAB and gB, after the recovering of the last stone showing that the two walls f259 and f288 are bonded and form a single structure, many other questions have arisen and also the strategy is a little changed. Probably this structure is linked to a Chalcolithic mound and its function was in some way linked to controlling water flow and as boundary from west and east where possibly the plaza was in LC period. For us for now it can't be excluded that it could be some other kind of building, with public or private functions, and we hope that the remaining week of excavation could solve this question. Moreover the northern part of wall f259 is damaged by a cut or erosion f344. If it is linked to water damage probably it happened in Late Chalcolithic period, when the wall wasn't repaired any more, and in ED II was it regularized with the construction of the early escarpment covering it. Important seems also the relationship of this structure with what is to the west. Probably to the west the Chalcolithic levels are higher. At least f259 was still visible in Mitanni period because the pavement f325 was abutting it. So if the stones f318 seem stopping right in line with the wall f259 running south to north, it could has been a sort of boundary even during the period of ^esc1. The material of the early escarpment seems to date clearly to Late Chalcolithic and this can due to the reuse as fill of material found around. At the end of the morning we uncovered the harder surface f345 below the first escarpment. It could be interpreted as a Chalcolithic escarpment, even if quite flat and similar to f196, still considering the walls f288 and f259 as part of the LC mound structures. Since tomorrow we will excavate to the east of f345, trying to reach the bottom of the wall f288 and, depending on how deep it is going, if we have still time we will expand the excavation to the west. This will allow us, removing f345, to uncover more face of both walls f259 and f288.

f 196
dy Today we continued to remove it. We gave a new feature number (f340) to keep separate the pottery coming from the surface of the early escarpment and from its core. The feature is the same of the previous day, brown in color and compact. We removed also a thin and not extended ash lens that was just on top of the hard surface f345. It could be the bottom of the escarpment or something related to Late Chalcolithic period.

f 259
dy Today, continuing to remove f196 we found other stones belonging to this wall. It is stepping down, and a couple of stones seem floating, but at least one row of stone is bonded to f288. Probably the wall was damaged (f344) in the antiquity by water flows.

f 345
dy Below the core material of the escarpment f196 we found this harder surface that has a thin layer of ash on it, probably meaning that it was exposed for some time. It is harder and more clayish in texture than f196, but removing it, at least in its eastern part, it seems very similar to f196. Excavating it some medium sized stones were uncovered. They could belong to the stones of f336 that are almost at the same level. They could be a sort of foundation for the escarpment or could belong to LC structures linked to wall f259 and f288.

.rd T812
.ri lC

-dy Today we started taking pictures of walls f259 and f288 with the damage f344 to the wall f259. These views show also the link between the ash f341 on top of the wall f288 and the ash in k129 we removed today. Because the ^esc1 doesn't seem preserved here, this ash could be misunderstood with the ash f241. Removing this ash other pebbles belonging to f343 were uncovered. After the meeting with fAB we decided to remove part of the floor f338 to the west of the pebbles to check what below and to look for the face of wall f259. Removed the floor we found a soft accumulation brown in color with probably Late Chalcolithic sherds. This accumulation f346 was covering another hard surface sloping to the south and a thick patch of baqaya probably linked to the other baqaya f342 right next to the wall. In k127 we finished to remove f345 in the eastern half of the locus. At the same time we continued to remove f329 exposing more stones of wall f288 that is going deeper and other unorganized stones, probably the same of f336. Then we gave a new number f349 to a different alignment of stones, running E to W, that seems more organized. This alignment functions as some kind of boundary because to its south there is a clear surface, perhaps a floor, f348, while to the north we have the accumulations f329 and f347. We also started to remove f279 exposed since last year, and very damaged from the work next to the chafat. Right at the end of the day we uncovered other two stones of f288 going to the east.

-sg Today during the meeting with fAB we decided, at the end, to start the small probing sounding in k129. It should help us to understand both the wall f259 and the sequence of accumulations against it. Today we didn't remove the pebbles of f243 but tomorrow we want to follow the baqaya that could be part of the construction of wall f259, or likely later. In k127 we followed the strategy planned yesterday. But the recovering of many big stones below f329 and f345 probably will make us change strategy. It seems very important understand their meaning, even if at a first glance these stones seem just floating or collapsed stones. So tomorrow we will remove f345 next to the walls and at the same we will look for the bottom of wall f288, that is one of the main goals of the season.

k 127
dy Today we finished to remove f345 in the eastern half of the locus. At the same time we continued to remove f329 exposing more stones of wall f288 that is going deeper and other stones unorganized probably the same of f336. Then we gave a new number f349 to a different alignment of stones, running E to W, that seem more organized. This alignment functions as a kind of boundary because to the south there is a clear surface, maybe a floor f348, while to the north just the accumulation f329 and f347. We also started to remove f279 exposed since last year, and very damaged from the work next to the chafat. Right at the end of the day we uncovered other two stones of f288 going to the east.

k 129
dy  Because the ^esc1 doesn't seem preserved in the eastern portion of k127 the ash  f341 could be misunderstood with the ash f241-f278. So we took picture of it and then removing this layer, other pebbles belonging to f343 were uncovered. After the meeting with fAB we decided to remove part of the floor f338 to the west of the pebbles to check what below and to look for the face of wall f259. Removed the floor we found a soft accumulation brown in color with probably Late Chalcolithic sherds. This accumulation f346 was covering another hard surface sloping to the south and a thick patch of baqaya probably linked to the other baqaya f342 right next to the wall.