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

JP synthesis

5. Movable finds

Marilyn Kelly-Buccellati, Federico Buccellati, Hans-Peter Uerpmann, Laura Ramos – February 2007

5.1 Late Chalcolithic Ceramics

Late Chalcolithic ceramics were discovered for the first time in 2005 inside both the glacis and the escarpment. This season we excavated them in a deep sounding in J4 and on top of the glacis in J3. The shapes and wares are typical for Late Chalcolithic 3 ceramics in the Khabur and eastern Anatolia regions.

Essentially the ceramics divide into two basic groups: coarse wares and fine wares. The coarse wares all have the characteristics of low firing with a carbon core usually quite thick, a large amount of mineral inclusions with the pebbles ranging from small to very large. A gray colored type can be as large as 3.5mm while the white type (probably calcites) are smaller with an average size in the range of 2mm. Shell temper is sometimes present. There is also a great amount of straw temper in the wares with some having a large amount of straw on the surface. The coarse wares can be divided into three different categories depending on the texture of the ceramics from the very coarse low fired wares with pebble and chaff temper to the finer wares with very small sand particles as temper.

The shapes made in the coarse wares are for the most part open bowls with the so-called hammer head rims (Fig. 33). The rim diameters usually range between 17 and 36 cms. We have a large number of these vessels. Two of these bowl sherds have cord im-pressions around the exterior just below the rim. One rim has two lines of cord wrapped around the circumference and the other has one. Another typical shape for the period is the so-called casserole with its characteristic carination mid-body (J3q339-p70, Fig. 34). We have few of these and one of them is of a finer ware than usually found in these cooking vessels. Jars which range from small to medium are also relatively rare (Fig. 32). Only one sherd from a large jar has been found; it is extremely heavy and has secondary burning on the rim. It could certainly not have been lifted so must have been used for long term storage but the burning on the rim may indicate another use, not now clear. Many of the coarse ware vessels have traces of burning near the rim and the large sherd of a “casserole” had secondary burning also along the carination but none on the body between the rim and the carination. This appears to indicate that it was placed near a fire but had only limited direct contact with it. Other bowls and jars have use wear along the rim, probably because a lid was continually placed on top of them. Some coarse shapes have simple potter’s marks on the exterior.

We have excavated many fewer fine ware sherds than coarse ware. The shapes of the fine wares are quite small and consist in thin walled vessels more highly fired than the coarse wares (some examples are given on Figs. 34-35). Small jars and cups predominate but we have excavated two sherds of small carinated bowls that are typical for the LC 3 period. Several gray burnished bowls and small jars may be earlier, that is LC 2. Cooking pots are made with a heavy crystal temper that has been proven to retain more heat longer. It is very impressive how long these pots lasted in the overall inventory of the site. Essentially they changed little in their shape and temper over the 2,000 year period of the habi-tation at the site of Mozan.

5.2 Seals and sealings (Federico Buccellati)

5.2.1 Cylinder Seals

A frit cylinder seal (J1.33, see Fig. 36.a) found this season depicts a bearded figure with a pointed hat wearing a long garment bordered at the edge of the sleeve (the lower hem is not preserved). He is facing right in front of a tree that separates him from two lions. The lions are facing each other and are represented on their haunches with tails raised behind. Unusual in this scene is the fact that the front legs of the lions are raised and joined in a gesture that appears more like a patterned non-aggressive activity rather than a combat. The style emphasizes the drill holes, especially in the representation of the tree and the head of the left lion. The iconography and style date the seal to the Mittani period.

Z1.555 is a complete seal found during a cleaning of the palace area. The seal is complete, but badly worn, so that the impression is not a clear one. The iconography includes five elements, all figures. The first is a human figure with both hands raised. The figure seems to be looking right, with legs splayed. Both hands are raised, and may be interacting with the second element. The second element is an animal, raised on its hind legs. It faces left, towards the first element. It seems to be interacting with the human figure, but this is unclear due to the preservation of the seal. The third element is also an animal, facing in the same direction as the second element. This figure is placed quite close to the second element, and seems almost to be resting on its back. To the right of this animal is the fourth element, a human figure. This figure is wearing a belt. The person is facing left, with both hands clasped at the waist. The fifth and final figure is an animal facing right, with the head turned back towards the fourth figure. This animal is also rampant. The subject of the seal seems to be an Akkadian style contest scene involving two humans. However, it is possible that the two figures are a bull-man and a nude hero.

J1.133 is broken at the base. The impression has four elements. First, a human figure with a very stylized head. The figure has a cap on, and a dress with what seems to be a fringe over the left arm. The right arm has the hand at the waist and the elbow away from the body. The dress seems to be open under the left elbow of the figure, portrayed by a vertical line. The second element is a stylized tree: five round balls at the end of short stems coming from a central ball which rests on a long trunk. The third and fourth figures are rampant lions which are facing each other and touching forepaws. These two do not seem to be fighting. The jaws of both are open. The date of the seal is Mittani.

J1.40 (Fig. 36b) is a seal with the complete impression preserved. There are six elements in the iconography of this seal. The first and second elements are animals, the first on top of the second. The animals are quadrupeds which seem to have wings. They both face the third element. The third figure is a standing deity, wearing a skirt which is shown as a cluster of points. The figure has two objects coming out of the shoulders, and seems to be displayed en face. The fourth and fifth elements are two animals similar to the first and second. These animals also face the third element, the deity, mirroring the first and second. The sixth and last element is also a human figure, standing and looking to the left. This figure is holding what seems to be an ax in its right hand. The seal can be dated to the second quarter of the second millennium.

J1.39 is a complete seal, showing two animals. The first is a standing animal with four legs visible. The head looks to the right, with an extremely exaggerated mouth. The animal has a tail and an elongated skull. The second element is another animal, perhaps an animal in flight, as no legs are visible. The animal is facing right. The date of this seal is uncertain.

5.2.2 Late Chalcolithic Cylinder Seal Impressions

5.2.2.1 Impressions from seal n1

J3.15.1 (Fig. 37c) is a seal impression with an amorphous reverse with 2 possible small leather knot impressions and one short thin leather strap impression. On the surface of the reverse may be fragmentary impressions of a fine cloth. The impression has exterior and 2 interior crossed “ribbons” each with outside edges raised and a narrow central depression. These interwoven elements found on seal impressions elsewhere are identified as snakes because of the heads, when indicated. Our impressions do not have these heads but, as they are incomplete, we are not certain of the identification.

5.2.2.2 Impressions from seal n2

J3q328.5 (Fig. 37a) is a seal impression, of which part of one end is complete and rounded so the object originally was approximately round in shape. The reverse has a small part of a peg impression and below it at a slight angle, is a deep clear impression but with smooth sides so can be identified as a leather impression. Above the peg impression, on top of the sealing are 2 shorter impressions, also with smooth edges, framing the top of the peg. From their relative angles with respect to each other they may have been 2 interwoven pieces of leather. The impression bears a fragment of interwoven pattern of 2 ribbons (?) that are each composed of 2 parallel lines in higher relief with a central depression.

J3.17 is triangular in section with the central portion thicker and gradually becoming thinner toward the exterior edge that is a portion of a circle. The seal impression is rolled parallel to the increasing thickness of the object, and at one end is rolled off the thinnest edge of the object. Neither peg nor cloth impressions are evident The impression shows overlapping “ribbons” in a criss-cross pattern. Possibly a braided pattern with four “ribbons”. Only the center portion is visible, with two overlapping junctures evident.

J3.15.3 has an impression with only one side which remains unbroken. This side has a very rough surface, as if there were no impression at all, or the object making the impression was very rough. On the reverse there is an impression of a cord, perhaps a leather knot, which is perpendicular to the rough side of the impression. The impression seems to have one border visible. The impression shows a fragment of overlapping “ribbon” impression. Three points of overlapping visible. where the “ribbons” cross at nearly right angles. The surface of the “ribbons” are composed of two parallel raised ridges with an indentation between them. Ridges and indentation are parallel to the edge of the ribbon and with even thickness over the whole ribbon.

J3q328.4 has two rollings of the same seal. The reverse seems to show a door sealing, with impressions of the door, the peg and the cord. The reverse shows signs of secondary firing. The main impression has the top border of the seal preserved; the lower border is not preserved, but only very little is missing. This impression shows that the ‘ribbons’ of the pattern are four in number, in a superimposed sinusoidal pattern. At four points in the middle of the seal impression the ribbons overlap. In the second impression only a small portion is visible along the top of the seal impression.

J3.15.2 has a very small portion of a seal impression. On the obverse are several fin-gerprints. The reverse has a very clear impression of what was sealed, probably a basket. This object shows only a very small fragment of a seal impression, showing two overlap-ping ‘ribbons’.

5.2.2.3 Impressions from seal n3

J3.19 (Fig. 37d) is broken on all sides, and even the reverse seems not to bear any impressions but to be broken. The material seems to have been secondarily fired, due to its weight proportional to the size and the strength of the object. The upper border of the impression is visible, but is broken below. The impression consists of two elements: a human figure and a cross-hatched pattern in a half circle. The figure has an elongated head, exaggerated in the horizontal. The shoulders and hips are visible, while the waist does not leave an impression. To the left of the head is a jagged line which may or may not be part of the seal. The cross-hatch impression is in an elongated half-circle with the flattened portion of the circle pointing up. The lines of the cross hatch are parallel and perpendicular to the border of the seal impression. The cross-hatch pattern seem to have a shaft below, as if the whole was a standard. This shaft is being held by the figure.

J3.14 (Fig. 36d) has three rollings of the same seal. None of the sealings are complete. On the reverse there is a good impression of the object sealed. This object had a curled rim and a convex surface. It is likely that the object sealed was a bottle; the convex surface would indicate a very small vessel. The middle impression is the most intact, with four elements of the scene visible. The top and bottom borders of the seal are not preserved. First, a standard with a long shaft is present. This standard has a partial circle which is not entirely preserved because of the portion of the rolling. Inside the circle is a cross-hatch pattern with three vertical spars and an unknown number of horizontal ones. The second and third elements are two vertical pieces parallel to the shaft of the standard. These elements are between the standard and the figure, the fourth element. They are otherwise not to be identified. The fourth element is a human figure re, of which an arm, shoulder, waist and a leg are visible. The figure is holding the standard with one arm. The figure re seems to be shown en face. The top most impression has five elements, here de-scribed from right to left. These figures are only partially preserved, since the bottom bor-der of the seal is present but only approximately half of the vertical portion of the seal is preserved. The first element is a pair of legs, not much more than the feet of a figure fac-ing left. The second element is a vertical piece which does not rest on the bottom border of the seal. The third element is a second pair of legs and the waist of a figure facing left. The fourth element is another vertical piece. The fifth element is just a stub which is not further definable. The bottom impression has only a very small portion preserved. This seems to be the arm of the figure from the middle impression, the top of the second and third elements of that rolling, and the shaft of the standard. It seems that this object may have the rollings of two different seals. The middle and lower seal impressions are made from the same seal, while the upper impression seems to be made from a second seal. First, the proportions of the figures seem to be different between the seals. Second, while it is difficult to discern, the seal that made the middle and lower impressions seem to portray the figures en face, while the upper impression has the figures facing left. However, the impressions are only partial, and the secondary firing or rolling may have changed the proportions.

5.2.2.4 Impressions from seal n4

J3.16 (Fig. 37e) has on its reverse the impression of a peg. The single impression has only the lower border present, with the rest broken off. There are five elements visible on the impression. On the far right is a very faint impression that is not further distinguishable. Above this is an element, perhaps a bird, perhaps in flight. Below is a four-legged animal, preserved entirely apart from the neck. This animal is facing left, and is reclining with both legs folded under the body. A tail is visible. Above the back is a fourth element, a diamond shape, possibly the head of the animal, element three. A fourth element is seen to the left of the animal, but not further distinguishable.

J3q328.3 (Fig. 37f) has on its reverse an impression of the door(?), which is nearly parallel to the rolling of the sealing, which is unusual. There is also a peg impression, but no string impression. The impression seems to have both the upper and lower borders of the seal impressed in small portions. The height of the seal is 3cm. Three elements are present on the impression: first, in the middle of the seal directly behind and slightly above the animal. This element is not further definable. The second element is above the rump of the animal, perhaps a bird? The third element is a seated quadruped, with both visible legs tucked under the animal. A tail is also visible.

5.2.2.5 Impressions from seal n5

J3.18 (Fig. 37b) is large object with a single impression on the obverse. No impressions were discernable on the reverse. The scene has several vertical lines which do not appear to be a part of any element. The left most element seems to be a human figure, exaggerated in the vertical dimension. The figure seems to be holding what may be a standard, a vertical shaft with a semi-circle containing possibly a cross-hatch pattern. To the right of the standard is an element which could be an animal facing right.

5.2.3 Other Seal Impressions

J04q987.1 has a string impression, the positioning of which suggests a peg, of which however there is no imprint. The seal impression has three elements. The first seems to be a deity, only half visible in the rolling. The figure has a horned crown, with one pair of horns (only one visible). The left arm of the figure is bent with the hand at the waist and the elbow away from the body. The second element is another human figure, this one with what seems to be a cap with a wide band. The right hand of this figure is also at the waist, with the elbow away from the body. The third element is an animal figure. This figure is a quadruped which is standing upright, with an elongated neck which curves forward. The way that the figure stands and the position of the forehands may indicate an anthropomorphic portrayal.

5.3 Other objects

5.3.1 A frit necklace

A lost necklace in front of the revetment wall must have caused consternation in antiquity because the beads were important and made with great delicacy. The largest one is a frit pendant (J3.20.2, Fig. 38a) molded in a metal mold. This can be determined by both the large size of the object (2.1 cm in diameter) and the sharp detail of both the design on the face and the detail of striations in low relief on the part used to hang the pendant. The design is a sun surrounded by raised globes. Perhaps the sun evoked the god Shamash but we see this symbol also in other Mittani glyptic. Near the pendant were a number of beads; two of them were decorated glass (J3.20.1, J3q379.1). According to our conservator Beatrice Angeli of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence) who worked on the beads and the pendant (all arrived from the excavation in a very fragile condition) the decorated beads were first woven as two strands of glass, one white and one black. The resulting black and white spiral was then pulled in a wavy pattern that can now be seen on the beads. The pendant and the largest of the beads (J3.22) were covered with a blue glaze; unfortunately almost gone when they were excavated.

5.4 Clay objects

Two other important objects from the excavations of this season are a figurine of a sheep with very thick bunched hair (J4q28.1). The first impression is that the hair signals the identification of the figurine as a lion – well known at Urkesh from the seal iconography, the lion statue found in the temple BA, and from lion bones in the palace that must have been hunted in the nearby Tur Abdin. The other important item (J3q383.6) is an object with concentric circles in relief on a base that is 7.50 cm in diameter. This type of object has been found in Mittani levels before and is either a stamp seal or a wall peg. The largest ones, as is this one, might have been placed in a wall but it is hard to think that the smaller ones found in earlier strata (Phase 2) could have had this function.

5.4.1 A fragment of an Old Babylonian cuneiform tablet

A very small fragment of a cuneiform tablet (Z1.544, Fig. 37c) was found on the surface near the excavations in A19. In spite of its very diminutive size, it is worth mentioning because it is the first epigraphic find from Mozan that can be attributed to the Old Babylonian period, and because one of the signs may perhaps be the sign LUGAL for “king.”

5.4.2 A clay plaque

The fragment of clay relief (J4q16.1, see Figs. 38b-c) is the upper right corner of a plaque (3.3 cm high and 2.6 cm wide at the top). The preserved portion indicates a raised border at the top but not one on the right side and no border below the feet to indicate that it is part of a plaque divided into registers. The plaque is flat on top and on the reverse as well as the preserved right side. However if it had been divided into the standard, but by no means universal, pattern of three registers, then the original would have been about 5-6 cm high. The scene depicts two evenly spaced figures, a soldier on the left and a naked prisoner on the right. The head of the soldier is shown in profile facing right. He is wearing a head band but his hair above is not clear. The beard is shown as short thickened strands with the hint of curls at the bottom. His left shoulder is represented in front view with his arm rendered as wide near the shoulder, a pointed elbow and a thinner arm to the wrist. His left hand holds a cord used to restrain his prisoner. The prisoner is nude and rendered with his head in profile, shoulders in front view and the rest of his body in a rotated view with the change in direction coming at mid torso so that his legs and genitals are depicted in profile. Since he is shown walking his left leg is forward, his genitals are shown against the middle portion of his left leg. While a cord is tied around his neck, his hands are not fastened behind his back, as we have in other scenes of prisoners, his right arm is indicated as bent up across his chest. Unfortunately his left arm is not preserved.

The stylistic characteristics of this plaque indicate that it is early Akkadian in date. These include the details of the beard, the shape of the eyes, the extension of the lower stomach, and especially the rotated posture. The plaque is close in style to the fragment of a stone plaque discovered a number of years ago in A7. Both represent significant interaction between two figures, evenly spaced, with bodies in a rotated view. Other ED III and early Akkadian scenes in registers depict soldiers restraining prisoners who are walking in front of them. This plaque relief from Urkesh is the first example of a prisoner being restrained by a cord around his neck. While the rest of the plaque cannot be reconstructed with certainty, it probably also depicted other pairs of soldiers and naked prisoners.

The imaging of captive prisoners is a favorite theme in late ED III and early Akkadian iconography, not only because the period is one of turmoil as the Akkadian dynasty sought to extend its imperial presence. The victories of the imperial army and the wide-spread images of their success, extending even into the popular culture of the period, contributed significantly to the image of power and prestige the dynasty wanted to create in the public perception. This perception was important to create not only in the minds of their immediate neighbors but also in the consciousness of states as far away as Urkesh.

5.5 Paleozoology (H.-P. Uerpmann)

5.6 Physical anthropology (L. Ramos)

Laura Ramos continued her study of the human remains, updating her catalog, which has now reached a total of 153. In particular, she provided a full analysis of a skeleton found last year in J3, which we report below:

J3.8 was stored in the object room and was moved into the osteology lab. Two boxes were recovered, one containing the skull wrapped in aluminum foil with the post-cranial skeleton placed in a separate box. I began with the skull and removed the foil carefully which exposed a partially articulated skull with the right side still embedded in soil. The skull exhibits severe postmortem cracking that crushed the skull (medial-laterally) but retains shape, allowing for the skull to be consolidated in the lab. A diluted mixture of primal was applied to the entire skull and two days were spent articulating and removing the skull. The soil is hard with small fragments of charcoal, burnt clay, and small stones. Based on the skeleton examined thus far, it appears that the bones were heated at a low temperature due to the presence of heightened bone cracking and a brown coloration however the bones are not warped. Heat exposure to produce this type of bone change is estimated below 200-300 degrees centigrade in Buikstra and Ubelaker 1994 Standards volume. Accidental or intentional firing in the vicinity of the body after burial remains a plausible assumption or the bone condition may be due to the soil matrix or other environmental conditions.

While removing the soil around the skull, the cervical vertebrae were recovered around the neck region and were found displaced postmortem. Several maxillary and mandibular teeth (primarily the incisors) were found under the mandible, possibly moved by rodents. On the right side of the cranium, two hand phalanges were found (medial and distal) indicating that the head was lying on at least one finger.

Skeleton J3.8 was found in thick packing material north of the large stone wall of the temple terrace. The body was found lying on its right side with the left portion of the skull visible from overhead with skull facing north. The body was oriented east to west, skull in the east with the pelvis to the west. Based on the photographs, the body position appears tightly flexed with the femur flexed sharply towards the skull but not enough to touch the rib cage. The left tibia was found parallel to the left femur with the feet close to the pelvis. No grave goods or pit cut was noted with the exception of a medium size stone tool placed under the left illium/pelvis and several animal bones to the south. It is unclear if the animal bones are related with this burial.

The cranium is in good condition after being consolidated however the skull was badly crushed, particularly the right side, I decided to leave the soil inside the cranial cavity to preserve the shape of the skull since removing the soil would cause the skull to collapse. In doing so, this may increase further cracking but hopefully the consolidant should minimize this. The mandible was also consolidated but could not stabilize it completely and was removed in three large pieces; it is also in good condition. The post cranium suffered badly from crushing and there is also evidence of rodent activity on one vertebral body which many have damaged more of the skeleton. The right proximal humerus was found completely crushed flat. Only fragments remain of the majority of the skeleton but the left radius and ulna were recovered complete and where used to estimate stature.

5.6.1 Stature

Stature was estimated using the left radius (209mm) through Trotter and Gleser (1958) regression formula for White females (4.78(20.9)+54.93+/-4.24) at range 158.24-149.76 (minus 0.06 for age adjustment) and Black Females at 2.75(20.9)+94.51+/-5.05) at range 157.4-146.94 (minus 0.06 for age adjustment). Taking the maximum and minimum of both these ranges, J3.8 stature ranges 5‘2- 4‘8 or 158-147cm.

5.6.2 Sex

Sex was estimated as female via a series of sexually morphological characteristics of the skull and pelvis with the skull showing a typical mixture of male and female traits common of the Mozan skeletons while the pelvis exhibited all female traits. The skull was found gracile, slightly protruding glabellar profile, medium/large mastoid process, obtuse mandibular angle, and a straight or perpendicular mandibular border. The pelvis was found very gracile and broad. The illiac blade flared laterally, very wide greater sciatic notch, narrow and small auricular surface, prearicular sulcus present, short/thin pubic symphysis, ventral arc present, sub pubic concavity present (very concave), sharp medial ischio-pubic ridge and small ischial tuberosity were noted. Based on the high degree on female traits of the pelvis, sex was determined as Female.

5.6.3 Pathology

Trauma was noted on the right pubic symphysis on the distal end showing bone remodeling and notched inwards in comparison to the left pubic syphysis. A study on pelvic scarring from the Hamann-Todd collection by Anderson (1988) found that pelvic pitting occurs in loosely articulated pelvic bones which allow too much flexibility, increasing the risk of trauma to the pubic symphysis. Females tend to have broader and more flexible hips that may attribute to more frequent cases of pelvic pitting. Anderson also adds that certain activities may factor into increasing the presence and severity of pits, these include; occupation involved with heavy and frequent strain, childbirth, chronic obesity, habitual squatting, and trauma. J3.8 was found to have a broad pelvis and given the location on the distal end of the pubic bone along with the high amount of stress on the body noted on the rest of the skeleton, this individual probably suffered from either direct trauma to the bone or from muscular strain that tore the ligaments of which may be due to childbirth. It is also interesting to note that the only object recovered with this burial was found under the right pelvis, a wedge shaped stone tool.

The post-cranial skeleton was found in poor condition, especially the joint surfaces. Of those that were recovered the left navicular shows eburnation and perosity on the distal cuneiform joint and the distal phalanx of the big toe (side unknown) shows an increased bone growth on the plantar surface. The eburnation on the navicular would have caused discomfort and pain during locomotion with plantar surface bone growth on the big toe suggestive of increased pressure on the foot that correlates with the navicular eburnation. On the hands, the left capitate at the scaphoid articulation shows a small remodeled area and the left third metacarpel at the styloid process also shows a remodeled surface. These are bones in the wrist indicating that the left wrist was stressed while on the right side, the trapezium at the first metacarpel joint surface (for thumb) exhibits lipping. One can infer that this individual was engaged in habitual movement of the left wrist and right thumb as evident from bone wear.

Osteophytosis of the vertebrae were also noted. C2 (neck) shows porosity and lo-calized osteoarthritis on the anterior surface, right side. C5 has increased perosity and lip-ping on the anterior surface with a depression on the vertebral surface similar to shmorles node. One thoracic vertebra shows shmorles nodes on the inferior side. T1 has lipping and perosity on the posterior surface, with a number of the vertebral bodies exhibiting perosity around the borders. One lumbar shows trauma, compression on the right anterior surface with osteophytes on the inferior border. This has caused the vertebral body when viewed with the inferior end up to have a flattened. Compressed vertebrae are a result of either trauma to the spine or increased stress on the back.

5.6.4 Musculo-Skeletal Markers (MSM)

The right ulna has a prounounced ulnar tuberosity that correlates with the right radial tuberosity. These areas are the insertion points of the brachialis muscle that flexes the forearm. The supinator muscle areas were also noted as robust, with this muscle responsible for supinating the forearm. Muscular skeletal markers support the bone wear found on the wrist and thumb.

5.6.5 Dental

The teeth are in excellent condition showing low to medium calculus buildup and medium periodontal disease. Enamel hypoplasia was noted on the majority of the teeth, most sever on the mandibular molars and premolars. Enamel hypoplasia is a nonspecific disease often attributed to nutritional stress during tooth development. Dental wear is minimal with all first molars showing the greatest wear. The right mandibular premolars, canine, and second incisor show wear on the buccal surface associated with activity external to chewing and may be an occupational stress such as using the teeth for weaving. The aveolar bone around the right third molar on the maxilla shows infection, with M3 in the process of being lost at time of death.

5.6.6 Age

Age was estimated using Miles attrition scheme (1962) with a range of 28-35 years of age, ectocranial vault suture closure (Meindl and lovejoy 1985) at 24-75 (mean age 45.2), ectocranial lateral-anterior suture closure (Meindl and lovejoy 1985) at 25-49 (mean age 36.2), pubic symphysis (Suchey and Brooks) at advanced stage 4 within age range 26-70 (mean age 38.2), auricular surface (Lovejoy et al 1985) between phase 5-6 with an age range of 40-49. Total methods give an average age range of 28.6-56 years however based on the attrition which shows little wear on the teeth, I am inclined to favor the attrition scheme method as a more probable indicator of age.

5.6.7 Conclusion

Skeletal analysis estimates J3.8 as a petite female aged 28-35 years at time of death with little tooth wear and several areas of skeletal stress and trauma. The pubis shows pitting and an indentation possibly from pelvic trauma associated with strain. The cervical vertebrae (neck) show osteoarthritis particularly on the anterior inferior surface with evidence of herniated disk cartilage on one thoracic vertebra (presence of Schmorl’s nodes). In the lumbar region, one vertebra shows possible trauma to the right side of the spine (anterior) that compressed the vertebra (photo taken). Skeletal stress was also noted on the right hand where the thumb metacarpel articulates with the wrist and the left wrist. This coincides with muscle use of the right forearm that suggests activities involving the wrist and forearm. The left foot also shows stress in the form of frequent foot use that caused cartilage around the navicular to degenerate causing bone friction and eburnation. Comparing this skeleton with later Khabur A16.31, also a female aged 26-35 shows that A16.31 also contains osteophytosis of the neck but not as severe as J3.8 while no other bones showed osteoarthritic changes. Two skeletons from an earlier time period, tentatively dated as Early Dynastic in area F2 show a high degree of premature osteoarthritis of the joint surfaces on young individuals aged between 16-26 years and suggests that occupational stress was responsible.