Introduction

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Introduction

The Lexicon is divided in two sections.

1. Codes: a list of all codes for the individual lexical attributes within the pertinent roster categories.

2. Description: a detailed description of the individual attributes.

For example,

1. the code “dm” is given in the overall list of codes, while
2. the full desciption, with an illustration, is given in the section on shapes under attributes.

In the rest of this page, a brief general description of the nature of the attributes for each roster category.

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Developmental stages in the analysis

As always, with the increasingly more detailed knowledge of the ceramics the system changed. For instance in the early years we did not measure the percentage of the particular rim preserved. Also the details of the wares and their inclusions as they varied through time was accumulated only gradually with the excavation of the time periods present at the site.

This can especially be seen in the description of the Middle Assyrian wares and shapes of which we have found stratified evidence only in the 2009 and 2010 field seasons. Since this Middle Assyrian ceramic evidence is minimal, we do not have as good a description for it as compared with the Mittani ceramics, with a much larger sample.

All sherds, are analyzed according to the characteristics listed here but, given the long development of the project, not all have been fully analyzed by all the categories listed even if they did exhibit those characteristics.

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A note on the drawings

Most of the sherds displayed in the drawings have the shape code noted; this occurs both in the Horizon Catalogs as well as in the ceramic drawings by context, that is the ceramic drawings by important features; this code is found at the top of the drawing. Many of the sherds drawn have also the ware noted, below the drawing, along with the context and sherd number, which are always present. While in the earlier years of the excavation not every sherd had a discrete number, the sherds in the present edition of the UGR all do have a separate number assigned to them (see History 1 and History 2).

After the drawings were made sometimes the shape code was changed which means that the shape code found on the drawings can be incorrect. We are working on revising these but many still need to be checked.

Many of these codes are embedded in the drawings of the shape sherds:

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The code system

Every ceramic sherd and whole vessel was analyzed according to the main roster categories of ware, shape, decoration, firing/manufacturing technique, color, size measurements, and function - see also the Ceramic Special Roster. The attribute system utilized throughout the excavation of the site of Mozan/Urkesh have been developed with criteria based directly on the ceramics as found in the excavations on the one hand and on the other, standard criteria for the analysis of ceramics in the field. Thus the system was established ex novo , and not imported from our previous excavations nor those of others. The lexical code system for the ceramics included a unique number for all sherds which have an identifiable shape, so not each body sherd but only shape sherds. Numerical codes were assigned for the various shape variations. A separate system was also created for primary function as described below.

For short video clips on ceramic processing in the field, see VC28 Ceramic Processing and VC29 Ceramics Lab.

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Wares

The ware attributes are based on clay, inclusions, firing and surface treatment. The continuity of the potting tradition is stressed through the continuation of the same ware codes. This is due to the fact that for many horizons changes through time were relatively small and were introduced gradually. For the main ware attributes of CH and RC there is an extended description of the changes through time.

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Shapes

The same fundamental philosophy in assigning ware attributes was used for assigning shape attributes. attributes were established based on the data from the excavations and not from other abstract methods of determining shape. The shape attributes are divided into basic shapes, family,sub-family and type. The basic shapes are large attributes such as bowls and jars. The next category is Family which depends on a further description of the shape. An example is the category of jars with a straight neck. In this case the basic shape code is j and the Family code is ns for necked, straight. After Family the next category is Sub-family code. The last category is type and these numbers were assigned arbitrarily (see Shape Codes: Complete Listing). Here we established codes for rim descriptions when the shape of the vessel is known. Types are the last category and they are assigned arbitrarily. In the case where the shape of the vessel is not known there are separate codes for the details of rims, bases and handles.

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Decoration

The types of decoration were assigned according to the main attribute classes of painted, incised, appliqué, stamped and combinations of these. Most common are linear or banded types of decoration, but we also find geometric and figural designs, along with applied features such as snakes and scorpions. The decoration codes were assigned based on the ceramics discovered, and the range of codes expand as we find examples not yet incorporated into the corpus. Painted decoration is further divided into bitumen painted, Khabur, and Mittani painted.

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Color

The color of the ceramics was determined using the standard Munsell Color Chart. The color was measured on the exterior and interior surfaces, the section and the decoration where present, any painted decoration. The color measurements are taken on a sample of sherds as it is too time-consuming to measure every sherd. The colors were always taken under the same light conditions and by a select number of people to ensure standardisation. An example would be A16q264-p8, which has an exterior color of 2.5YR 8/3 pale yellow and an interior color of 7.5YR 7/4 pink. Where only one color notation occurs, it is typically because the same color was on both the interior and exterior surfaces. Shades of light yellow and pink dominate the ceramics at Mozan.

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Measurement

The ceramics were analysized using standardized mesurement systems and are measured in centimeters and not inches. For our ceramics the inside diameter of the rims is measured, not the exterior diameter reasoning that the interior diameter more closely reflects the capacity of the vessel and therefore the function of the vessel. The rim diameter is indicated on the upper right of the rim drawing; base diameters are placed on the lower right of the drawing. The scale on each drawing is uniformly indicated by a 5 cm cross bar placed on the center line. This bar is measured from the rim for rim shapes and from the bottom for the base shapes.

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Function

Our system for the establishment of the primary functional types is based on whether the vessel is an open or closed form and whether or not it can be held in one hand, two hands or cannot be held at all (e.g. large storage vessels). Access to the contents of the vessel through the opening (almost always at the rim) depends on the rim diameter determining whether the contents can only be poured out, scooped out or both. Most bowls can have the contents scooped out and with more control even poured out in some cases. Jars, depending on their rim diameter, can have the contents poured out and if the rim is wide enough scooped out.

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Time assignment

Lexical attributes for time assignment refer simply to the major horizons. Finer detail are to be found in the file pertaining to each individual vessel or sherd in the respective excavation unit book.