.bk J05
.fl T929jW.j
.fd summary of T929 stratigraphy discussions
.ei jW
.ed T929
.rd T929
.ri jW

-su gB, fAB, pC, jG, rE, and jW met at the site to discuss several stratigraphic issues in J1 and J5 which have arisen during the study periods and in the preparation of the analytical sections of the UGR.  The results with respect to J1 will be discussed in that book.  The results for the affected J5 features  will be discussed in the specific labels which incorporate them.

^ esc1
ha The revetment wall, f189, in J5 is 2.4m high, while in J1 it is 3.4m high.  The tops are at about the same elevation, implying that the base of the J5 segment must be 1m higher, stepping up between the units.  An E-W line of stones atop the baqaya first escarpment in J1 is aligned with, is the same elevation as, and joins the top row of ^esc1 stones in J5.  Where is the baqaya in J5?  The best answer is that it stops at the point where it abuts the step, while the stones continue on.

^ wall2
ar The first escarpment, ^esc1, doesn't precisely follow the line of component wall, f189, as it runs from J1 into J5 and begins a gradual turn to the northwest.  In fact, there is a large gap (30cm maximum decreasing to zero) between the top stones of the escarpment and the wall's south face.  This gap is partially filled by the top stones of the earlier ^wall1 (f284).  Since escarpments are built to protect walls from being undermined, the gap is inconsistent with this function.  One possible explanation is that the escarpment was built to protect an earlier wall segment which was removed or which collapsed.  One candidate is the cut stone component wall, f41, whose southeastern end is obscured by the soil pillar supporting Mittani ^wall3. f41 has the same gradual curve as the escarpment in this region and can be projected southeast to fill the gap.
sg More information can be obtained resolve this issue by removing the southern and eastern parts of the Mittani wall, f3, and its soil pillar.  Here we expect to find the intersection of the earlier walls, f41 and f189.  This should be done in the next excavation season.

^ eps1
ar Although this large, stepped stone structure probably did divert water flowing north to south away from the revetment wall segment, f41, post-excavation analysis reveals another, more important function.  From appearance, it looks like a stairway built against the wall which leads to a platform near the top of the wall.  However, it has been unclear why it might have been needed.  It is now clear from the excavation of the stone escarpment that the bottom of the revetment wall, f41, almost certainly rises rapidly, perhaps in a single jump near the platform, f194.  If people needed to get from lower levels to the west up to the floors in front of and west of the new monumental staircase, f20, this would have been the most convenient way to get there.