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MZA and cross-unit correlations

Giorgio Buccellati – March 2009, March 2024

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Table

MZA_frame
horizons
 
phases
  strata
middle chr Mesopotamia Syria Urkesh MZA JPB JPC MZA
                 
  Modern   Mozan 9s 8   9 1-5
      Mozan 9m
1900 AD        
  medieval   9h
         
  late antique   9c
1200   8 6-9
  Middle Assyrian Late Bronze   8m
  8
1300
  Mittani Nuzi

Late
Bronze
royal
sanctuary (?)
7r 6 b 7b 11-13
  7m 7a
  a    
1400 7h 6 14-16
 
 
  Early Mittani     7e
  7d
  7c 18-19
1500  
  OB Khabur

Middle
Bronze

Old Jez.2
Terru
Haziran
6 5 a-c   20-29
1900    
  Isin/Larsa OJ I 5h 4 a-b 30-39
2000      
  Ur III Early Jez.V Atal-šen
Sadar-mat
5c
2100  
  Post-Imperial EJ IVb   3 40-49
2200 Šar-kali-šarri Išar-kinum 4r
  late Naram-Sin Tar'am-Agade 4m
2270 early Naram-Sin EJ IVa Tupkish 4j 2 50-59
Sargon, M., R. 4f
2330       1 h
  ED IIIb EJ IIIb Temple BA 4c g
2500   f  
  Late ED III     3u
  Late ED III     3s
  Late ED III     3p
  ED IIIa EJ IIIa/
late Nin.V
construction BA
early escarpment
3m e 60-69
2600       d
  ED II EJ II/
early Nin.V
first
escarpment
3h c
2800       b
  ED I EJ I/
early Nin.V
3c a
2900    
  J Nasr/
post-Uruk/
pre-Nin.V
EJ0 2r 0 i 70-79
3000       h
  Late Uruk Late Chalc.5 2p g
3400       f  
  Late Middle Uruk LC4 2m e 80-89
3600       d
  Early Middle Uruk LC3 early
Terrace
2h c
3800       b
  Early Uruk LC2 2c
4000  
  Late Ubaid LC1 1m a 90-99
4200      
  Early Ubaid 1j
4500      
  Late Halaf 1f
4800      
  Early Halaf 1c
5000      
  Proto-Halaf 1a

Back to top: MZA and cross-unit correlations

Notes

     The concept of frame, as opposed to sequence, is explained under stratigraphy and under sequencing.

     This version is for in-house temporary use only. Note in particular the following:
  1. This version of the frame includes a correlation to the earlier sequences JPB abd JPC. As the JP and AA sequences are updated to reflect the numbering system of the MZA frame, this correlation will be omitted, and will be given only in the archival versions.
  2. For the sub-phase suffixes, the idea is to stagger the letters leaving space for four extra letters between each, so that c h m r w would be the start-up set.
  3. I still have to fill in details, especially for the Khabur period. The early phases and Mittani are privileged because they are the subject of our current work.
     Strata, phases and horizons are, respectively, minimal, intermediate and maximal units of reference relating spatial elements in terms of a temporal sequence.
     Strata are defined exclusively on the basis of stratigraphic criteria, especially types of contacts, e.g., floor and accumulation sequences in contiguous rooms, or pits cut from the same floor.
     Phases reflect a substantial re-organization of space (e.g., abandonment of a building and rebuilding using a different footprint) and use typological evidence (e.g., distinction in ceramic inventory).
     A horizon includes all possible integrative considerations, especially regional comparative evidence, absolute date determinations, and textual references.