https://urkesh.org/MZ/A/JP/D/^/apr1.htm

JP – The Temple Plaza and Terrace Edge (Version 1a)

JP^apr1

Processed on 2026-04-08

1. OVERVIEW

Roster Date Author Record
Includes other label 2009-09-24 pC J2f131 [Input: Zk304pC.j]
Best definition 2009-09-24 !! apron [Input: Zk304pC.j]

2. IDENTIFICATION

Designation

Roster Date Author Record
Definition 2009-09-24 pC apron [Input: Zk304pC.j]
Description (summary) 2009-09-24 pC A monumental stepped stone structure with 21 steps, rising 6 m in height. To the east, it is flanked by staircase st2; to the west, it is flanked by the lower half of flank wall w4. The staircase has a north-east axis, rising from the plaza to the terrace. It is parallelogram-shaped and inclined to the west by 20 cm. The lower half is regular, whereas the upper part looks irregular and is damaged. The height of the steps in the lower half corresponds to the height of the steps in the staircase, whereas in the upper half the steps are higher. The first two steps at the top are missing. Below the upper steps is visible the mudbrick glacis ^g1. [Input: Zk304pC.j]
Volumetric description 2009-09-24 pC West of staircase ^st2 and east of revetment wall ^w3. [Input: Zk304pC.j]

3. STRATIGRAPHY

Axial Definition

Roster Date Author Record
Slope (degrees/direction) 2009-09-24 pC 30° [Input: Zk304pC.j]
Orientation 2009-09-24 pC Northeast [Input: Zk304pC.j]

Time Sequencing

Roster Date Author Record
Phase (to which element belongs) 2009-09-24 pC EDIII A [Input: Zk304pC.j]
Stratigraphic reasons of assignment 2009-09-24 pC ED III floor ^f1 abuts the lower excavated step. [Input: Zk304pC.j]

4. TYPOLOGY

Measurements

Roster Date Author Record
Height 2009-09-24 pC 6m [Input: Zk304pC.j]
Size, other 2009-09-24 pC 133x70x35 60x60x30 25x40x20 [Input: Zk304pC.j]
Notes on measurement 2009-09-24 pC size of stones large, medium and small [Input: Zk304pC.j]

Morphology

Roster Date Author Record
Ware or Material, species 2009-09-24 pC lime stone [Input: Zk304pC.j]
Shape, form 2009-09-24 pC irregualr rectangular [Input: Zk304pC.j]
Condition 2009-09-24 pC lower half well preserved, upper half damaged (missing stones, moved, upper two rows are missing) [Input: Zk304pC.j]

Manufacturing

Roster Date Author Record
Notes on manufacturing 2009-09-24 pC The steps are made of medium-sized, irregularly shaped stones arranged in regular lines. The upper stone overlaps the lower stone by 2–5 cm. Smaller stones are set under the steps to adjust for their uneven backsides. Some larger stones are positioned beneath the step stones to form a substructure. [Input: Zk304pC.j]

Function

Roster Date Author Record
Generic function (1st degree of specificity) 2009-09-24 pC The purpose of the structure is unclear. It was possibly built to overcome the height difference between the plaza and the terrace. However, the steps are too high to climb comfortably. It may have been intended for use as a seating area. The structure is monumental in size. [Input: Zk304pC.j]