.bk J05
.fl S729jw.j
.fd observations and strategy for excavating staircase f12
.ei jW
.ed S729
.rd S729
.ri jW

f 21
ds This feature, originally identified as a stone installation in k24 and now more appropriately called a staircase in both k24 and k34, descends in at least 6 steps from west to east, towards the palace.  At least three accumulations abut it from top to bottom; Midddle Assyrian floor accumulation, f42; Mittani natural floor, f45, and Mittani laminations, f63.  When we exposed the top of the last step at elevation 9090 (same elevation as the top stones in the revetment wall, f3, to the southeast), we found that it was abutted by a dense, clean, highly compacted accumulation, f72.  Furthermore the stones of the northern border, turned south at this step.  A probe with a sheesh to the west of the sixth step, through f72, did not strike any additional step stones.
sg mKB, fAB, and jW met on site to discuss the short term strategy to deal with this finding.  We decided to photograph the situation as it exists, then excavate floor f45 and laminations, f63 in the north half of k34 to the level of the sixth step of f12 and the top of f72.  When this is done, we will meet on S730 to revise our overall strategy.