| 1998-7-5 | jW |
work began slowly as logistical problems in getting men and equipment to the worksite were resolved. The farmer provided workmen with shelter and cool water, which will be repeated on a daily basis. After the first pick run, the soil changed color and consistency, becoming more moist and darker. A half-bag of pottery and a pieced of a figurine were found at this level. Several of the sherds were preliminarily evaluated to be Ninevite V. After several more pick runs, the soil began to take on a more densely packed consistency, yielding another half-bag of pottery and apart of a flint blade. When cleaned and scraped at the end of the day, there was little sign of human occupation aside from the pottery. For example therewas no ash and only a part of one bone was found near the surface. There were some laminated areas where water had collected and evaporated, and it is possible that the compaction we observed was a result of working the fields. Although the surface soil was Munsell 10YR 6/3 pale brown, it quickly darkened to Munsell 10YR4/4, dark yellowish brown. [Input file: I706JLW.J / I706JLW.-J]
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| 1998-7-8 | jW |
amount of pottery found increasing with depth. Pick runs proceeding quickly. At an approximate depth of 100 cm, found seal impression just before breakfast. Found another just after breakfast, and noticed a distinct soil change. Color is Munsell 10YR 5/4, yellowish brown, and a more granular texture. Assigned f4 and designated as accumulation. Immediately began excavating with small picks. Found more clay lumps, bone, pottery and lithics. Scraped and scored baulk to separate f3 and f4. Scraped bottom and detected evidence of occupation, including charcoal pieces and other evidence of organic mixing of soil, including a "greasy" feel as the trowel passed over the soil. Ended by careful scraping and leveling to prepare for better inspection in morning light by gB on early I709. mKB visited site to look at pottery sample and at second seal impression. She equated pottery at this level with Temple BA, about 2400 BC. [Input file: I708JLW.J / I708JLW.-J]
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| 1998-7-9 | jW |
sixteen workmen under the direction of Abdul Kareem. jW and jL on site full time to monitor progress. Installed tent to provide shade to increase productivity and to lessen contrast to aid visibility of features and artifacts [Input file: I711JLW.J / I711JLW.-J]
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| 1998-7-11 | jW |
cleaned and scraped entire locus in preparation for v4. Scraped entire locus after first pick run. Surface becoming far more greasy and color changing to dark brown, Munsell 7.5YR4/4. No red or gray patches. Saw a few light patches of accumulation with scattered whiteish stones. [Input file: I711JLW.J / I711JLW.-J]
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| 1998-7-15 | jW |
jW and jL drew sections of all baulks. [Input file: I715JLW.J / I715JLW.-J]
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