https://urkesh.org/MZ/A/J07/D/I/0003.htm

Unit Book J7

The Southeastern End of the Plaza - Version 1a

J7.3

Processed on 2024-11-15

1. OVERVIEW

Roster Date Author Record
Best definition 2008-08-27 !! human bone [Input: S827CJC.j]
Best image 2008-08-26 !! [Input: J07V21.j]

2. IDENTIFICATION

Designation

Roster Date Author Record
Definition 2008-08-27 cJC human bone [Input: S827CJC.j]
Description (summary) 2008-08-26 lR Human cranium found complete age estimated within 6-10 years via dental development of the maxilla. The left and right permanent premolar 1 are at stage R½ (7.1-8.6 years using Moorres et al 1963), right and left permanent molar 1 almost at full apex at A½ (7-7.6 using Moorres et al 1963), and left? permanent molar 2 at R¼ (9.2-9.4 years using Moorres et al 1963). Comparing these estimates with Ubelaker 1989 tooth eruption sequence, age estimation within 8 years ±24 months or 6-10 years old at time of death. One dental cavity noted on the crown of the left deciduous molar 1 (photo taken). [Input: S826LR.j]
2008-08-27 cJC Fragment of a human skull, lR says it belongs to a child. It was found sitting in the brickfall layer of k5. It was on top of a small stone when found but it was incomplete. [Input: S827CJC.j]

3. STRATIGRAPHY

Recovery/Assignment

Roster Date Author Record
Daily notes about recovery of elements 2008-08-25 lR Human bones were found in area J7 at the end of the day. It was decided to excavate and articulate the bones during the afternoon, giving us more time to gather the necessary materials to excavate it properly. Preliminary photographs of the bones were taken in the field; these are views showing the left temporal and parietal of the cranium at the point when identified in the field. The cranium was found in extremely fragile condition visible by the brittleness of the bones which flake off and break at the slightest tough. For this reason, the left temporal, maxilla, and parietal were damaged while trying to cover the cranium. This damage was documented in the afternoon with photographs. In the afternoon, yM accompanied me to the field and began to first clean the surrounding area to see if a cut could be seen in section suggesting a burial. Nothing was noted in section, the cranium appears to be sitting in thick brick fall with large brick components scattered within a hard clay matrix. The colors alternate depending on the brick components but are mostly a bright orange-brown, dark brown, and gray. Small elongated inclusions of charcoal, white phytoliths, and large sand grains were also found in the matrix. Several stones were noted near the cranium to the south and are being left in place by cJC to see if any patterns are visible. Earlier in the day a small ceramic cup (i2) was found complete near the cranium and may be associated with i3. [Input: S826LR.j]
2008-08-26 lR cJC excavated north of the cranium to the baulk and found no mandible or cervical vertebra furthermore I checked several animal q-lots and found them full of human bones including an almost complete femur and a complete mandible!! This suggests that the massive brickfall of J7 and J6 washed down human bones from presumably the east (via the slope of the brickfall seen in area J6 section (J6k86, J6k87), given the depth of the cranium (elevation?) excludes these bones as modern most likely dating to the late Khabur (Old Babylonian) period similar to A16 where funerary structures were found covered by a thick brickfall from the east that also washed down bones. Unfortunately due to the excavation project goals to rapidly excavate J7 sacrificing documentation for a view of the temple stairs, no relays were taken or plan to be taken for disarticulated or isolated human bones. I will try to reconstruct the location of these bones via the feature log and q-log but think that no elevations were recorded, resulting in a loss of provenience. Luckily cJC kept bone lots for J7. [Input: S826LR.j]
Argument 2008-08-25 lR At the moment we are uncertain if this is a burial or isolated bone washed down from another area associated with the large brickfall. In area A16, 30 q-lots were found to contain human bones in the animal bone lots. Most of these come from a large brickfall that washed meters of bricks similar to J7 brickfall covering a funerary complex (area A15, A18, and A16). The bone q-lots for area J7 will be checked to see if more isolated bones are present. If this is an intentional burial, we expect to find the mandible and cervical vertebra only since the body runs north into the baulk. [Input: S826LR.j]
Procedures 2008-08-25 lR Tried to consolidate the cranium using diluted wood glue but was unsuccessful. The soil was too compact and adhered to the fragile bones making it difficult to articulate without damaging them. Only the left frontal, portions of the temporal, and left zygomatic were consolidated. We then attempted to block out the cranium however it sits directly on a stone, making it difficult to block it out unless the stone was also removed. Given the time frame to remove the skull (3 hours- only 2 days left of excavation with the baulk scheduled to be taken down tomorrow morning) I decided to articulate the cranium as best as possible, photograph it, then remove it in pieces. [Input: S826LR.j]
Notes on recovery 2008-08-25 lR The left side of the cranium was articulated, with the right side lying on an irregular stone with the right parietal, temporal, and portion of the occipital crushed inwards. No traces of the mandible or cervical vertebra found, these may be at a lower elevation if the skull was resting on the rock. Tomorrow cJC will excavate north of the cranium to see if more bones surface. At this point, it appears to be an isolated bone that washed down with the brickfall being stopped by the stone. [Input: S826LR.j]

Volumetric Localization

Roster Date Author Record
Relays (applicable to elements) 2008-08-27 hB r45 (38328 50755 - 8819 / Relay location: point) [Input: S826CJCR.j]

5. TREATMENT

Conservation

Roster Date Author Record
Current conditions 2008-08-26 lR fragile, completely fragmented with a larger portion of the left frontal and orbit present. The teeth are in fair condition. [Input: S826LR.j]

6. REFERENCE

Analogical Record

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Photo of individual elements (studio)

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View/drawing of item

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Files and Publications

Roster Date Author Record
Notes on references 2008-08-26 lR Moorrees, C.F.A., Fanning, E.A., Hunt, E.E. 1963. Formation and resorption of three deciduous teeth in children. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 90: 205-213. Ubelaker, D.G 1989 The Estimation of Age at Death from Immature Human Skeletons. In Age Markers in the Human Skeleton, edited by M.Y. Iscan, pp 55-70. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois. [Input: S826LR.j]