https://urkesh.org / RECORD / JP / bd.typology

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

JP Synthetic View / Objects / beads

Typology

Yasmine Mahmoud – August 2026

NOT FINISHED- WORK IN PROGRESS

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Introduction

The classification of archaeological material culture is subject to numerous considerations, based on the corpus its self and the archaeological context. For the corpus of beads from Urkesh, it was decided to use the comprehensive universal classification of beads by Horace Becks.
Other classifications were considered, such as:
- Bar-Yosef Mayer classification of stone beads of Neolithic southern Levant. This system is based on archaeological assemblages, therefore Useful to check the methodology not they typology itself.
- Baysal’s Barcın Höyük classification which modified on Beck’s work to build a typological classification suitable for an assemblage.
- Woolley’s Ur beads classification as a parallel tradition.
These classification (except for Wolley’s) were adapted using comprehensive classification systems to suit an assemblage from one or more archaeological site. A similar approach can be adopted for the classification of the beads from Urkesh, where Beck’s classification can function as a comparative vocabulary while the actual typology is generated from the archaeological assemblage. For the time being, Beck’s method and typological classification guarantee a level off consistency and coherence for the morphological classification in particular, since Beck standardized morphological terminology without allowing his typological categories to dictate the entire classification.

The standard method of bead classification takes into consideration Shape, Cross section, dimensions (especially length to diameter ratio), perforation (straight, biconical, etc.), Manufacturing technique (molded, carved, etc.), material, Surface treatment (painted, glazed, incised, etc.), color, decoration, and archaeological context.

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Beck’s classification

For the full classification refer to Beck 2006. As for the beads from the JP area, they fall within one of the following categories in Beck’s classification.
Beck divides his classification into divisions, groups, subgroups, families and classes.
The main 4 divisions are:
Division I: regular rounded beads
Division II: regular faceted beads
Division III: special type beads an pendants
Division IV: irregular beads and pendants

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Division I: regular rounded beads

This division is divided into 7 groups according to their transverse section.
- Group I. circular
- Group II. elliptical
- Group III. ovoid
- Group IV. lenticular
- Group V. plano-convex
- Group VI. semi-circular
- Group VII. circle an flat

These 7 groups are further divided into subgroups according to length:
- Disc beads
- Short beads
- Standard beads
- Long beads

These 4 sub-groups are divided into 6 families:
Family 1. beads in which the profile is convex
Family 2. beads in which the profile consists of one or more straight lines
Family 3. beads in which the profile consists of one or more concave lines
Family 4. beads in which the profile consists of a combination of convex and straight lines
Family 5. beads in which the profile consists of a combination of straight and concave lines
Family 6. beads in which the profile consists of a combination of convex and concave lines
These families are further divided into sub families according to shape.

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Division II: regular faceted beads

This division is divided into 9 groups according to their transverse section.
- Group VIII. triangular
- Group IX. square
- Group X. rectangular
- Group XI. diamond
- Group XII. pentagonal
- Group XIII. hexagonal
- Group XIV. octagonal
- Group XV. polygonal
- Group XVI. tabular

These 9 groups are further divided into subgroups according to length:
- Disc beads
- Short beads
- Standard beads
- Long beads

These 4 sub-groups are divided into 6 families:
Family 1. beads in which the profile is convex
Family 2. beads in which the profile consists of one or more straight lines
Family 3. beads in which the profile consists of one or more concave lines
Family 4. beads in which the profile consists of a combination of convex and straight lines
Family 5. beads in which the profile consists of a combination of straight and concave lines
Family 6. beads in which the profile consists of a combination of convex and concave lines
These families are further divided into sub families according to shape.

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Division III: special type beads and pendants

The division is divided into 32 groups.
The beads from JP fall within the following groups of these 32.

Group XII. Multiple beads
Subgroup A. Beads
Family A.2. Multitubular beads
Sub-family a. Beads of faience, glass or metal tubes with the axes in different plane.

Group XVIII. Spiral beads and pendants
Subgroup A. Beads
Family A.2. Moulded or painted spiral beads in faience and pottery
Sub-family b. Multiple spirals, RLS. Right and left hand spirals superimposed, 3. Incised

Group XXIII. Notched and gadrooned beads and pendants
Subgroup A. Beads
Family A.3. Gadrooned beads
Sub-family a. Spherical, oblated an ellipsoidal, 1. Straigh gadroons, Melon beads

Group XXVII. Beads and pendants representing or made of complete shells
Subgroup A. Beads
Family A.1. Beads consisting of complete shells
Family A.3. Beads consisting of moulded representations of complete shells

Group XLVII. Zone, stripe, wave and shevron beads
Subgroup A. Beads
Family A.3. Wave beads
Sub-family d. Multiple waves
Sub-family f. Faience beads with moulded or painted waves

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Division IV: irregular beads and pendants

None of the beads from JP fall within the groups of this division

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Typology of JP beads

The typological classification of JP beads is presented below based on division that takes into consideration the material. This is intended to reflect the correlation between the material and the chosen shape that could indicate a preference, both aesthetic and in terms or production technique, where certain materials are more suitable for certain shapes.
This becomes evident below, for example, when the largest number of clay beads are disk shaped, because the used material is very suitable for such shape.

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Examples

The following are some examples on each of the types found in Urkesh.

Disk bead
J1q1148.2

J1q192.1
Short bead
J1q754.2

J5q80.2
Long bead
J1q972.2

J6.15
Standard bead
J1q1135.2

J1q826.1
Melon bead
J1q362.1

J5.19

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Clay

Bead numberTypological classification codeTypological classification
J4q245.1Division I-I.A.1.aCircular- disk bead- convex- oblate disk
J2q254.1Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J2q211.1Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J3q549.3Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J5q177.1Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J5q181.1Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J5q314.3Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J3q501.2Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J5q100.1Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J1q507.1Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J2q342.1Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J2q813.1Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J2q391.3Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J2q616.1Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J6q234.2Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J6q192.1Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J7q66.4Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J4q263.3Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J6q342.5Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J1q1275.2Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J1q1298.1Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J1q1171.5Division I-I.A.1.cCircular- disk bead- convex- convex cone disk
J1q832.1Division I-I.A.1.dCircular- disk bead- convex- truncated cone disk
J5.36Division I-I.A.1.dCircular- disk bead- convex- truncated cone disk
J5q267.1Division I-I.A.1.dCircular- disk bead- convex- truncated cone disk
J6q44.1Division I-I.A.1.dCircular- disk bead- convex- truncated cone disk
J3q533.1Division I-I.A.1.eCircular- disk bead- convex- convex bicone disk
J1q852.1Division I-I.A.1.e Circular- disk bead- convex- convex bicone disk (wafer bead)
J1q850.1Division I-I.A.2.bCircular- disk bead- straight- cylinder disk
J7q68.1Division I-I.A.2.bCircular- disk bead- straight- cylinder disk
J6q39.1Division I-I.A.2.dCircular- disk bead- straight- truncated cone disk
J1q1171.5Division I-I.A.4.d.bCircular- disk bead- convex and straight- cylinder disk with one convex end
J1q1317.2Division I-I.A.4.d.bCircular- disk bead- convex and straight- cylinder disk with one convex end
J1q1284.1Division I-I.A.4.d.bCircular- disk bead- convex and straight- cylinder disk with one convex end
J1q1273.1Division I-I.A.4.d.bCircular- disk bead- convex and straight- cylinder disk with one convex end
J1q451.1Division I-I.A.4.d.bCircular- disk bead- convex and straight- cylinder disk with one convex end
J3q543.6Division I-I.A.4.d.bCircular- disk bead- convex and straight- cylinder disk with one convex end
J1q754.2Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J2q300.1Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J1q835.1Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J5q80.2Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J6q128.4Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J2q858.1Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J1q972.1Division I-I.B.1.bCircular- short bead- convex- short barrel
J2q611.1Division I-I.B.1.bCircular- short bead- convex- short barrel
J1q826.1Division I-I.C.1.aCircular- standard bead- convex- circular
J1q850.4Division I-I.C.1.bCircular- standard bead- convex- standard barrel
J1q835.3Division I-I.D.1.aCircular- long bead- convex- ellipsoid
J1q869.1Division I-I.D.1.dCircular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex cone
J2q188.1Division I-I.D.2.bCircular- long bead- straight- long cylinder
J5.19Division III-XXIII.A.3.a.1Notched and gadrooned beads- melon bead
J3q170.4Not enough data for classificationNot classified
J1q816.1No photographic referenceNot classified
J1q845.3No photographic referenceNot classified
J6q164.1Not enough data for classificationNot classified
J1q864.7Not enough data for classificationNot classified
J3q330.1No photographic referenceNot classified
J3q584.1No photographic referenceNot classified

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Lithic

Bead numberTypological classification codeTypological classification
J1q27.1Division I-I.A.1.aCircular- disk bead- convex- oblate disk
J2q400.8Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J6q254.3Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J1q1148.2Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J2.15Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J3q15.2Division I-I.A.1.dCircular- disk bead- convex- truncated cone disk
J3q16.2Division I-I.A.4.d.bCircular- disk bead- convex and straight- cylinder disk with one convex end
J5.43Division I-I.B.1.bCircular- short bead- convex- short barrel
J1q1139.2Division I-I.B.1.bCircular- short bead- convex- short barrel
J1q1096.1Division I-I.B.2.bCircular- short bead- straight- short cylinder
J1q675.3Division I-I.C.1.aCircular- standard bead- convex- circular
J5.53Division I-I.C.1.aCircular- standard bead- convex- circular
J1q1226.1Division I-I.C.1.aCircular- standard bead- convex- circular
J1q1135.2Division I-I.C.1.bCircular- standard bead- convex- standard barrel
J3q70.2Division I-I.D.1.aCircular- long bead- convex- ellipsoid
J2q294.1Division I-I.D.1.bCircular- long bead- convex- long barrel
J6q344.1Division I-I.D.1.bCircular- long bead- convex- long barrel
J1q972.2Division I-I.D.1.bCircular- long bead- convex- long barrel
J3q73.2Division I-I.D.1.dCircular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex cone
J1.20Division I-I.D.1.fCircular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone
J1q366.1Division I-I.D.1.fCircular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone
J2.7Division I-I.D.1.fCircular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone
J6q264.1Division I-I.D.1.fCircular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone
J6q238.2Division I-I.D.1.fCircular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone
J1q190.1Division I-I.D.2.bCircular- long bead- straight- long cylinder
J1q388.1Division I-I.D.2.bCircular- long bead- straight- long cylinder
J6q260.2Division I-I.D.2.bCircular- long bead- straight- long cylinder
J1q1251.4Division II-XVI.C.2.bTabular- standard bead- straight- standard square?
J5q381.2Division II-XI.C.2.bDiamond- standard bead- straight- standard square?
J2q24.2Division III-XLVII.A.3.dwave beads-multiple waves
J1q466.1Division III-XVIII.A.2.b.RLS.3Incised multiple right and let hand spirals superimposed
J1q844.2No photographic referenceNot classified
J1q529.1No photographic referenceNot classified
J2q616.2No photographic referenceNot classified
J3.7No photographic referenceNot classified
J2q346.1No photographic referenceNot classified
J2q9.3No photographic referenceNot classified
J5q181.3Not enough data for classificationNot classified

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Metal

,
Bead numberTypological classification codeTypological classification
J3q543.3Division I-I.A.1.bCircular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk
J1.59Division I-I.B.1.bCircular- short bead- convex- short barrel
J1q139.1Division III-XXIII.A.3.amelon bead
J1.25Division III-XXVII.A.3beads consisting of moulded representations of complete shells

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Shell

Bead numberTypological classification codeTypological classification
J3q162.1Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J1q390.4Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J1q420.1Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J1q513.3Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J1q767.2Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J3q70.4Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J3q76.1Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J3q76.2Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J3q109.1Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J3q124.1Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J1q786.1Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J1q357.1Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J1q830.4Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J2q675.1Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J3q78.2Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J6q389.10Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J1q1230.2Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J1q1281.1Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J4q998.1Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells
J5q353.2Division III-XXVII.A.1beads consisting of complete shells

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Frit

Bead numberTypological classification code
J3q153.2Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J1q468.2Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J1q456.1Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J5.47Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J1q673.1Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J1q835.2Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J1q840.1Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J1q844.1Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J1q845.1Division I-I.B.1.aCircular- short bead- convex- oblate
J6q333.1Division I-I.B.1.bCircular- short bead- convex- short barrel
J6q346.1Division I-I.B.1.bCircular- short bead- convex- short barrel
J1q468.4Division I-I.B.1.bCircular- short bead- convex- short barrel
J1q471.3Division I-I.B.1.bCircular- short bead- convex- short barrel
J1.19Division I-I.B.1.bCircular- short bead- convex- short barrel
J1q28.2Division I-I.B.1.bCircular- short bead- convex- short barrel
J1q856.1Division I-I.B.1.bCircular- short bead- convex- short barrel
J1q677.1Division I-I.B.3.fCircular- short bead- concave- short concave truncatedd bicone
J1q351.1Division I-I.D.1.aCircular- long bead- convex- ellipsoid
J3.22Division I-I.D.1.bCircular- long bead- convex- long barrel
J3.20.3Division I-I.D.1.dCircular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex cone
J5q162.2Division I-I.D.1.fCircular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone
J3.21Division I-I.D.1.fCircular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone
J3.24Division I-I.D.1.fCircular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone
J1q447.1Division I-I.D.2.bCircular- long bead- straight- long cylinder
J3q374.2Division I-I.D.2.bCircular- long bead- straight- long cylinder
J6q260.1Division I-I.D.2.bCircular- long bead- straight- long cylinder
J6q260.5Division I-I.D.2.bCircular- long bead- straight- long cylinder
J6.15Division I-I.D.2.bCircular- long bead- straight- long cylinder
J6q258.2Division I-I.D.2.bCircular- long bead- straight- long cylinder
J3.25Division I-I.D.2.b.dCircular- long bead- straight- long chamfered cylinder
J1q375.1Division III-XVII.A.2.aMultitubular bead
J1q816.2Division III-XVII.A.2.aMultitubular bead
J1q681.1Division III-XVII.A.2.aMultitubular bead
J1q367.2Division III-XVIII.A.2.b.RLS.3Incised multiple right and let hand spirals superimposed
J1q362.1Division III-XXIII.A.3.aNotched and gadrooned beads- melon bead
J3.20.5Division III-XXIII.A.3.aNotched and gadrooned bead- melon bead
J3.26Division III-XLVII.A.3.dWave bead-multiple waves
J3.23Division III-XLVII.A.3.fWave bead-faience bead with moulded or painted waves
J3q379.1Division III-XLVII.A.3.fWave bead-faience bead with moulded or painted waves
J3.20.2Division III-XLVII.A.3.fWave bead-faience bead with moulded or painted waves
J3.20.4Division III-XLVII.A.3.fWave bead-faience bead with moulded or painted waves
J3q371.2No photographic referenceNot classified
J1q839.1No photographic referenceNot classified

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Bone

Bead numberTypological classification codeTypological classification
J7q63.2Division I-I.B.1.cCircular- short bead- convex- short convex cone
J6q158.1Division I-I.D.2.bCircular- long bead- straight-long cylinder

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