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Introduction
The Urkesh Global Record is “global” also because you can see the problems and errors we all archaeologist make during excavations. The general approach to errors is described in the Identification of errors and accidents chapter of the Mozan sitewide book. Our approach is to preserve every recorded data element based on observation or measurement. However, these data are sometimes incomplete, conflicting or inaccurate. We address these factors specifically when they have a significant impact on a constituent. We discuss the recurring problems for clarity. Several errors are left in the record and explained in the judgement, enabling one to reconstruct how the error occurred.
Back to top: Errors for Unit J6
The unit director and most of the associates and assistants were not English speakers. There are several language errors, but these do not affect the substance of the text.
Back to top: Errors for Unit J6
Record
We recorded f192 as a pit fill and excavted it until we reached the bottom of the pit cut. Unfortunatly we under-excavated the feature below the pit and mantained the same feature number. We recognised the mistake after mKB reviewed the pottery for both features and assigned compleatly different dates to the upper layer of the pit fill f192, which belongs to Phase 5 (Isin-Larsa/OJ I) and the lower feature f200 which belongs to phase h3m (Early ED III). This mistake was confirmed by examining the section w206 , where the cut of pit f199 is clearly visible and the dump f200 underlies it. The large quantity of pottery in both features, and the speed of excavation due to the loose soil, unfortunately caused this mistake. Both features are key events in J6. Fortunately, we recognised the mistake soon and were able to assign the q-lots of f192 (q310, q318, q319, q342) to f200.
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Judgment
In all J6, we recorded several surfaces sloping towards the south. After removing these surfaces, we recognised a thick layer underneath, which was initially recorded as an accumulation. However, due to its similarity to other excavation units (J1 and J3), it was decided that these floors with underlying accumulations were glacis, protecting walls. This explains the different definitions of several J6 features. While they have a compact and defined surface like a floor, they have a marked slope that is not suitable for walking on. Below these, we identified accumulations and the underlying layers, which are instead part of the glacis. Therefore, all these layers became sequential glacis numbers (specific labels: glacis 1–8 glacis1, glacis2, glacis3, glacis4, glacis5, glacis6, glacis7, glacis8).
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Field description of objects
Objects are first recorded in the field. The objects are measured and identified for the first time when they are dirty in the field. These initial identifications and measurements are often inaccurate. After cleaning, the objects are measured and described again in the expedition house, and any mistakes made in the field are corrected.
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Record of objects
Unfortunately, we do not have drawings of some objects. This is because we had to return in 2011 to complete the object documentation, but the war in Syria prevented us from doing so. Below is a list of objects that still need a drawing and foto: