Unit Book J4

The Eastern Top of the Main Staircase (Version 1a)
J4 Synthetic View / Stratigraphy

Introduction

Giorgio Buccellati – June 2024
Yasmine Mahmoud – August 2025

Chronometry is the section that interprets the emplacement within a chronological frame divided into phases that encompass multiple strata levels. For an overview and definition, refer to the Grammer.

Back to top: Introduction

Strata

The strata section presents a synthesis of the strata sequence and the related temporal event of the unit’s history. The strata are numered successively from top to bottom. Contomporanious features in contact are enclosed in a stratum, which in turn is enclosed within a phase.

The full set of data is available separately in the Stratigraphic Summaries, both as a depositional index and as a depositional synopsis. The strata are also available as a sequence that includes all strata, with a list of all features found in each stratum.

Back to top: Introduction

Phases

The phases in this section are presented in relationship with emplacement. Each phase represents a temporal entity that contains consecutive strata. Through the identification of the various phases, it becomes possible to understand the organization of the space through time.

The J4 phase sequence followed the MZA frame sequence, hence the reference to the corrisponding JPD sequence below, since J4 belongs to the temple terrace.

Back to top: Introduction

J4 within the general horizons

Horizon B.C. Temple Terrace phase Phases Corrisponding J4 phase J4 strata Strata definition
Late Chalcholithic 3 3600 Proto Temple Terrace - - - -
ED II/EJ II/ late Ninivite V 2600-2800 reorganization of Temple Terrace - - - -
ED IIIa/EJ IIIa 2500 reorganization of Temple Terrace - - - -
ED IIIa/EJ IIIa 2500 Main construction phase of Temple Terrace - - - -
ED IIIb/EJ IIIb 2400 Main construction phase of Temple Terrace - - - -
ED IIIb/EJ IIIb 2400 Rapid rise to the east - - - -
ED IIIb/EJ IIIb 2400 BA Temple - - - -
ED IIIb/EJ IIIb 2400 BA Temple - - - -
Akkadian/ EJ IVa 2300 BA Temple 4m-JPD 32 MZA 49 Building activities
Isin-Larsa/ OJ I 1900 BA Temple - - - -
Early Mittani 1500 Second construction Phase of Temple Terrace 7f-JPD 63 MZA 18-19 Build-up and reorganization of the area west to J02
Middle Mittani 1400 The great western swift: construction of western staircase 7j-JPD, 7m-JPD 65 MZA 14-16 Scattered use, build-up and erosions
Late Mittani 1300 abandonment of eastern portion of Temple Terrace 7v-JPD 67 MZA 12 Buildup- erosion
mid Assyrian 1100 abandonment 8r-JPD 85 MZA 1, 2, 3, 5 Natural buildup and scattered occupation in Upper layers
medioval to modern 1900 A.D. abandonment - - - -
Modern last 30 years between seasons accumulations - - - -


Back to top: Introduction

Chart of the full chronological system

The various levels may be summarized in a tabular format as follows, from the more general to the more detailed:

definition location link
1 non-technical introduction Urkesh website: Setting Urkesh website: setting
2 wider chronological frame MZ sitewide integrative analysis: periodization
3 Urkesh Ceramics Analysis ceramics ceramics
4 sequential organization
     of strata and phases
unit book,
     synthetic view (here)
chronometry
     strata
     phases
5 full contact associations unit book,
     tabulations section
stratigraphic summaries
     depositional index
     depositional synopsis
6 strata with complete list
     of included features
unit book,
     constituent section
sequential list of strata

Back to top: Introduction