https://urkesh.org/MZ/A/J05/D/A/0023.htm

Unit Book J5

The Mittani Staircase - Version 1a

J5a23

Processed on 2024-11-03

1. OVERVIEW

Roster Date Author Record
Includes other label 2022-09-21 jW f245 (wall), f254 (stone installation), f255 (wall), f260 (lens type d), f277 (stone installation) [Input: ZG821jW2.j]
Typological specific label 2022-09-21 jW ^eps1 [Input: ZG821jW2.j]
Category !! !! installation
Best definition 2022-09-21 !! installation [Input: ZG821jW2.j]
Sub-definition (type, family) 2022-09-21 jW erosion protection [Input: ZG821jW2.j]
Best image 2022-09-22 jW
v192 [Input: ZG822jW1.j]

2. IDENTIFICATION

Designation

Roster Date Author Record
Definition 2022-09-21 jW installation [Input: ZG821jW2.j]
Description (summary) 2022-09-21 jW The first of two water protections systems designed to keep flowing water from damaging the north part of the revetment wall, f41, and related structures during the middle part of the Mittani period. It consisted of an east to west mudbrick wall, f245 to the east (founded on stones f266) and a mudbrick wall, f255 to the west (founded on stones, f277). Behind the dam (to the north) there was a pocket of fist-sized river pebbles which sat atop a greenish layer of soil, f279. There was a channel, f260, which breached the middle of the dam. [Input: ZG821jW2.j]

3. STRATIGRAPHY

Recovery/Assignment

Roster Date Author Record
Argument 2009-09-29 jW Although this large, stepped stone structure probably did divert water flowing north to south away from the revetment wall segment, f41, post-excavation analysis reveals another, more important function. From appearance, it looks like a stairway built against the wall which leads to a platform near the top of the wall. However, it has been unclear why it might have been needed. It is now clear from the excavation of the stone escarpment that the bottom of the revetment wall, f41, almost certainly rises rapidly, perhaps in a single jump near the platform, f194. If people needed to get from lower levels to the west up to the floors in front of and west of the new monumental staircase, f20, this would have been the most convenient way to get there. [Input: ZG822W3.j]