A14-notes on time sequencing

Processed on 2024-10-01

Date	Author	Record
2004-07-16	jw	In k13 and k14 we have excavated a number of sealed strata, only a few of which have been analyzed. They encompass elevations from 8213cm for an accumulation, f181 in k13, which yielded 200 clay oblong objects to 8109cm for a sherd and pebble floor, f253 in k14. All of these strata are above the pebble and sherd surface, f230, in k24, elevation 8048. The sherds from f181 and the sherds from the living accumulation, f229, that covered f230, were analyzed. Both extremes were evaluated as belonging to Phase 3. To guide the excavation strategy in the next few weeks we need to know the function of the intermediate floors and accompanying living accumulations in this stratigraphic column. What follows is a list of individual features and the special characteristics that merit an analysis of the pottery within. [Input: O716JW.j]
2004-07-17	jw	At the weekly progress meeting, gb presented an explanations for the thick, reddish accumulation, sometimes accompanied by brickchunks, that we have seen in k5, k15, and k14, and the long period for which we are finding Phase 3 pottery. The red came about as a result of remodeling of the AK building during Phase 3. At first, after the Tupkish period, people lived in the building but did not use its installations as constructed for palace occupation. They discarded refuse outside (source of the lowest, gray accumulation). They then altered the palace on the same footprint, primarily by adding a layer of gray bricks to "raise the roof." The red was refuse from this effort. (fab alerted us to look for evidence of roofing tiles, none of which we have seen to date.) People then continued to use the building until its abandonment at the end of a long Phase 3, again discarding material outside, which accounts for the brownish accumulation atop the red. [Input: O717JW.j]
2004-07-24	jw	In k4, k13 and k14 we have excavated several living accumulations over pise and pebble/sherd floors, all in strata suggesting they should belong to Phase 3. In k4, the living accumulations above a pise floor, f213, have yielded a number of restorable clay vessels and grindstones. In k14, we have discovered the second in a series of pebble and sherd floors, f253, (the pottery from its covering living accumulation, f254, has already been analyzed), which step up about 50cm each to the east from a pebble and sherd floor found in k15 and k25. In k13 we have discovered the third such floor, f281, which is covered by living accumulation, f280. Analysis of the pottery from these two loci will help us determine what activities were taking place on them and will help us determine why they were built and rebuilt in the same pattern in the same place. At the lowest excavaed level of k5, we have discovered an accumulation, f260, which suggests that it was deposited from the drain system of the palace. The pottery from the bottom of this feature may help us determine if the palace systems were still being used in Phase 3, or if the accumulation was deposited in Phase 2 and therefore gives us a benchmark for the transition to Phase 3, whose material is found in the accumulations above. Finally, we have contined to excavate one pit that extends into several squares. Analysis of one lot from the fill, f203, indicates that it was Phase 4. Now that we have several more lots, it would be useful to confirm the original diagnosis since this is the only benchmark for the transition from Phase 3 to Phase 4. [Input: O724JW1.j]
2004-07-28	jw	There are four parts of A14 that are of interest in the last days of excavation. One, arising from excavation near the northwest side of the abi is important for determing the late date the extant entrance was in use. The second is accumulaton surrounding what appears to be the N end of a N-S brick wall abutting the abi entrance to the south. The other two are continuations of pottery analysis already begun as a result of previous requests. [Input: O728JW.j]
2004-08-25	jw	gb and jw discussed the preliminary strata assignments to the features excavated in MZ17. Although there is a clear Phase 3 sequence from start to finish (except for Phase 4 material in a large pit which cuts deep into the matrix), there is no clear indication of the phase of material just above and just below these features. In the far western part of the unit (k15 and k25) we stopped excavating at a sealed pebble and sherd pavement whose living accumulation was Phase 3. The pavement itself was assumed to be Phase 3 based upon what was found in the accumulation directly above. It was covered during excavation of loci to the east with the thought that it would be a clear starting point for subsequent excavations. The loci in the northeast corner, k1 and k2, were excavated in MZ14 and MZ16. Strata were not assigned in either season. The unit supervisor, jl, responded to a query about the stratigraphy by listing groups of features encountered in MZ16, but did not know to what time period they belonged. There are two large pits which cut deep into most of the accumulations in k1 and k2, and analysis of the contents may allow us to determine when the area around the abi was last used. This in turn would be useful in determining the Phase of the features excavated in MZ14 and MZ16, which could be anything from Phase 3 to Phase 6. [Input: O825JW.j]