Unit Book J4

The Eastern Top of the Main Staircase (Version 1a)
J4 Synthetic View / Stratigraphy

Introduction

Yasmine Mahmoud – August 2025

Back to top: Introduction

Organization of the material

The UGR section on typology gives an overview of the elements sorted according to the typological categories. Here, instead, the same are analyzed from the point of view of their assignation to specific moments along the sequential scale. Given the specificity of the materials, we can in turn assign relatively precise time limits to these “moments,” which emerge therefore as proper chronological periods, and not only as stratigraphical segments.

Back to top: Introduction

The sequence

There is first an overall presentation of the sequence as a whole, with an overview of the phases and strata. Reference is also made to the particular generation of the stratigraphic sequence used and to the to MZ frame.

Each phase is ere described in terms of its relationship to the other phases, i.e., as a successive moment in the overall scalar sequence.

Back to top: Introduction

The individual phases

Then there is a detailed analysis of the major elements (structures, installations, objects, etc.) belonging to each phase.

Where warranted, larger bodies of data, such as ceramics and faunal remains, are discussed separately for each phase.

Back to top: Introduction

Horizons

A horizon is a maximal unit of reference relating spatial elements in terms of temporal sequence. It includes all possible integrative considerations, especially regional comparative evidence, absolute date determinations, and textual references.
Historical and chronological frame for Unit J4:

Horizon B.C. Temple Terrace phase Phases Corrisponding J4 phase J4 strata Strata definition
Late Chalcholithic 3 3600 Proto Temple Terrace - - - -
ED II/EJ II/ late Ninivite V 2600-2800 reorganization of Temple Terrace - - - -
ED IIIa/EJ IIIa 2500 reorganization of Temple Terrace - - - -
ED IIIa/EJ IIIa 2500 Main construction phase of Temple Terrace - - - -
ED IIIb/EJ IIIb 2400 Main construction phase of Temple Terrace - - - -
ED IIIb/EJ IIIb 2400 Rapid rise to the east - - - -
ED IIIb/EJ IIIb 2400 BA Temple - - - -
ED IIIb/EJ IIIb 2400 BA Temple - - - -
Akkadian/ EJ IVa? 2300 BA Temple 4m-JPD 32 MZA 49 Building activities
Isin-Larsa/ OJ I 1900 BA Temple - - - -
Early Mittani 1500 Second construction Phase of Temple Terrace 7f-JPD 63 MZA 18-19 Build-up and reorganization of the area west to J02
Middle Mittani 1400 The great western swift: construction of western staircase 7j-JPD, 7m-JPD 65 MZA 14-16 Scattered use, build-up and erosions
Late Mittani 1300 abandonment of eastern portion of Temple Terrace 7v-JPD 67 MZA 12 Buildup- erosion
mid Assyrian 1100 abandonment 8r-JPD 85 MZA 1, 2, 3, 5 Natural buildup and scattered occupation in Upper layers
medioval to modern 1900 A.D. abandonment - - - -
Modern last 30 years between seasons accumulations - - - -


Back to top: Introduction

Phases

A phase is an intermediate unit of reference relating spatial elements in terms of temporal sequence. It relies on broad structural and functional considerations. Phase distinction reflects substantial re-organization of space (e.g., abandonment of a building and rebuilding using a different footprint) and uses typological evidence (e.g., distinction in ceramic inventory).
The overview of J4 phases is given in the phases section witth a more detailed version under chronometry elements. Here one will find a summary of the data presented separately in full detail for each individual phase. The Phase sequence is JPD (by Giorgio und Federico Buccellati, June 2013).
The J4 phase sequence followed the MZA frame sequence, hence the reference to the corrisponding JPD seuence since J4 belongs to the temple terrace. J4 sequence egins with phase 32 MZA (4m-JPD)
Each phase is discussed in detail on the left bar.

Back to top: Introduction

Strata

A stratum is a minimal unit of reference relating spatial elements in terms of a temporal sequence. Strata are defined exclusively on the basis of stratigraphic criteria, especially types of contacts, e.g., floor and accumulation sequences in contiguous rooms, or pits cut from the same floor.

Back to top: Introduction

Strata sequence for Unit J4

The strata sequence for J4 can be found here.

Back to top: Introduction

Chart of the full chronological system

The various levels may be summarized in a tabular format as follows, from the more general to the more detailed:

definition location link
1 non-technical introduction Urkesh website: Setting Urkesh website: setting
2 wider chronological frame MZ sitewide integrative analysis: periodization
3 Urkesh Ceramics Analysis ceramics ceramics
4 sequential organization
     of strata and phases
unit book,
     synthetic view (here)
chronometry
     strata
     phases
5 full contact associations unit book,
     tabulations section
stratigraphic summaries
     depositional index
     depositional synopsis
6 strata with complete list
     of included features
unit book,
     constituent section
sequential list of strata

Back to top: Introduction