Stage 5: Khabur

James L. Walker – September 2024

Background

Much of the Khabur period structure was not affected by the gullies and therfore a complete stratigraphic column was preserved. Furthermore, excavations in adjacent units A13 and A16 revealed the existance of a large town whose ceramic production industrial activity was concentrated in A15. The time period was sufficiently long and the activities sufficintly varied to identify 5 phases; 6c, 6h, 6s, 6v, and 6z. The excavator noted ceramics from 3 distinct Khabur periods (5a, 5b, and 5c), but these could not be specifically related analytically to building phases.

Construction and use

Phase 6c encompasses the buildings, pathways, and specialized structures associated with industrial activity in the adjacent Khabur town. There was a large courtyard, possibly a shop (a48), a hearth, a basin and several other facilities. The pavements were kept clean so it is difficult to discern the precise nature of the activities, but overall ceramics production was a principal activity. It supported at least 4 pit kilns ove time. Everything but perhaps the shop was not roofed and exposed to the elements. There was no residential activity.

Burials, pits, and kilns

Phase 6f collects the three specialized types of features that were located below the surface during the Khubur period. They are burials, kilns, and pits. All belong to Stratum 250 which encomasses the period of highest activity during the Khabur occupation. Sub-stratum 250a includes all of the pits, which came in a variety of sizes and contained a variety of materials including kiln waste and broken ceramics. Stratum 250b includes all of the extant kilns. Two, a30, and a31 were abandoned with ceramics in situ, indicating that the industrial activity had ceased. We do not know if that signaled the end of Khabur occupation however. Stratum 250c contains the burials. All but one were pit graves dug in the indestrial area and all were Khabur judging from the contents.

End of Khabur occupation

Phase Phase 6v marks the end of Khabur occupation. Accumulations cover wall tops, floors, and paths. Accumulation, f5, reached an elevation of 8943, which is the low point of Mittani accumulations above in nearby loci.

Phase 6z

This phase was established to explain the existance of brickfall along the eastern baulk of the unit. At that time we were unaware of a large Mittani settlement that began in the east baulk line. Associated brickwork (and brickfall) were assumed to be Khabur. However, later analysis revealed these structures to be Mittani and that the fallen bricks came from them. Phase 6z will be re-attributed to a Mittani phase, Phase 7z.