https://urkesh.org/MZ/A/A06/D/K/0022.htm

Unit Book A6

The Palace Kitchen (Version 1a)

A6k22

Processed on 2024-12-20

2. IDENTIFICATION

Designation

Roster Date Author Record
Description (summary) 1996-07-21 rK k21 + part of A8 W of A8f59 + additional area E of doorway a4 & N of f200, f12 [Input: ZH306lC3.j]
1996-07-31 rK Includes k21 and the part of A8 now being absorbed into A6; i.e., all of A8 area W of wall f210, and the area between the line connecting the E limit of the stone walls of doorway a4 to the W limit of k217, k218, as well as the area in the S baulk of k218 that is N of wall f200. So in effect, this area is bounded by wall f78 and doorway f217 in the N, wall f200 in the S, doorway a4 in the W and wall f210 = A8f59 in the E. There are two areas adjoining wall f210 that are fully or partially unexcavated and are excluded from this locus: bounded by f78 and f210 a 250 x 250 area fully unexcavated; bounded by f210 and f200, a 270 x 140 area is part of A8 and has only minimally been excavated. Its top is down to a level above that of f102 in A6. [Input: G806RK.J]
1997-06-26 dns Two floors found below f358, lower one was dug through in a small area in the center of the W end of locus. Top floor is f365, lower floor is f364. Part of f365, 366, and 367 collected as part of f358 for an area of about 1.5 meters in the center of the W end of locus. [Input: H616DNSD.J]
1997-07-07 bsh removal of accumulation to the lowest floor surface in the Eastern section revealed five bricks in a row, alternating red and grey in color. They measured ca. 20x20cm. Accumulation between f370 and the next floor surface below it revealed numerous layers of intermediate surfaces, especially 150cm W of the oven. The layers did not continue across the full floor surface. For example, to the S surfaces would simply stop, scraping with a trowel would reveal an uneven line where these surfaces stopped. [Input: H707BSH.J]

3. STRATIGRAPHY

Recovery/Assignment

Roster Date Author Record
Daily notes about recovery of elements 1996-08-04 rK f211 exists in 2 levels the top level, uncut along the S of the locus to a width of approx 50 cm S to N at the W end, and ca. 100 cm. at the the E end along the S baulk. Within the area bound the baulks and the E wall (i.e., former A8), the first cut removed the top 10 cm. In an area along the middle of the locus, W to E, all of the accumulation has been removed. The face of the wall f200 has been left with a few cm of accumulation to protect it. The wall is now assumed to extend along the whole border of the locus where the S baulk of k218 existed. [Input: G806RK.J]
1997-06-26 rK Excavation in k22 has furthered the clarification of floors close to the level of the flue of the tannur. Today's removal of the floor accumulation led to the identification of a slightly higher ash covered floor, and perhaps another one 1-2 cm above it. Excavation in the NW quadrant of the room also revealed the presence of white striations in the deposit that called for comparison to a mat, directly in front of doorway, f217. [Input: H627RK.J]
1997-06-28 rK We have observed the vagaries of the floor surface at and below the level of the threshold. The floor is not even. There are several layers of it which proceed with intervening accumulation/deposits between them in a certain direction, and then all of a sudden merge. In places, the floor surface slopes down dramatically. A second rodent hole was also observed. To the Southern wall, in certain areas, the floor surface ended in a patch that had very uneven deposits & stone & sherd, but within 20 cm, a harder floor surface continued. [Input: H703RK.J]
1997-06-29 rK The two pickmen working on the floor followed f364 to the N and E. An opening, perhaps to the tannur flue, was found at the level of f365. The flue, most likely is level with f364. [Input: H703RK.J]
1997-07-02 bsh finished the removal of f372 in the Eastern section of the excavation area (between the excavation lines). In the process, that surface previously thought as the possible continuation of f369 was determined to be a layer of ash accumulation overlaying f364 (note the absence of f365 in this area). A step in f364 did remain; further excavation revealed the step simply to be a layer of ash accumulation, it was lacking in the Southern half of the Eastern excavation area. During the removal of this step, a large patch of white ash mixed with patches of carbon and outlined by a brown surface was discovered to the E of the oven and W of the bricks earlier discovered. Further pursuit of the surface containing this feature (i.e., f364) revealed a downward slope. The white patch was assigned a new feature number (, and covered to be photographed the next day. f364 was fully uncovered in the Eastern quadrant of the excavation area. The depression in the SW corner of k22 (i.e., the large area characterized by standing water) was assigned a new feature number (f377), the gypsum coating was excavated fully only to find partially disintegration of the coating marked by an ashlike layer overlaying it. [Input: H702BSH.J]
1997-07-03 bsh Photos were taken as planned of f376, 356, 376, 380, 364, 378, and 382 (cf. v119). When I returned, f380 had been fully excavated. With anticipation of guests the following day, extra time was devoted to straightening all sections and removing all loose dirt. [Input: H705BSH.J]
1997-07-05 bsh the pickmen were spread out, one was assigned the pursuit of the surface with the gysum coating, another was assigned the removal of the top layer of accumulation of on the E side of f374. The third and later pickman was assigned the removal of the next layer of accumulation leading from the Western edge of f378 Southwestward. All pickmen met at the same level, heading S, this lead them to the area dense of sherds. En route, they passed over an intermediate surface until instructed to stop and pursue that surface instead (a clump of soil was taken as a sample and shows clearly the layers here encountered). Here one pickman was excused. One continued the pursuit of this new surface ultimately to begin the removal of the dense collection of sherds to the south, the other pickman was assigned the removal of the accumulation of f356. Four bricks were discovered to the N, abutting the outer surface of the oven wall. Also, a path through the damaged, disengaged, W portion of the oven wall was discovered leading from the top extant edge of the oven wall into f374. Extra time was devoted to cleaning and straightening out all sections for kite photos later in the afternoon. [Input: H705BSH.J]
1997-07-06 bsh two pickman worked toward the E in the Eastern section of the locus; one worked in the Southern part of the W section of the locus; each was following f370 (removing f371). The oven also had excess accumulation removed from it. [Input: H707BSH.J]
1997-07-12 rK Work continued at two levels on the room floor: One from the N to the NE of the tannur f356, removing all of f372; the other, W of f356, removing f372 to expose f 368, the reed/straw remains in the floor. [Input: H726RK2.J]
Strategy (projected or implemented) 1997-06-28 rK We have seen a layer of gypsum underlying the ashy floor at the base of the depression in the SW corner. This will hereafter be referred to as f370. The multiple, sometimes merging floor levels above it, we will attempt to trace. This would of significance if any material finds of importance are obtained from these floor deposits. We will leave a section EW midway acroos the room toward the middle of the tannur. This will show the stratification of the floor along with its relationship to the trace of the reeds/straw in the N of the room. We will trace the full extent of that material, its relation to the tannur, and excavate the floors to the gypsum level. [Input: H630RK.J]
1997-07-05 bsh the present itinerary includes bringing all strata to the level of f370, removing the accumulation to the S of the threshold, and removing the numerous layers of accumulation still extent in the doorway at the NW corner of k22. [Input: H705BSH.J]
1997-07-08 bsh f387 will be approached from the S in case it continues there. This procedure cannot begin until k31 reaches its elevation due to the presence of the excvation line. f368 will be uncovered and photographed tomorrow. f385 will remain covered until its full extent is reveal (i.e., until the N half of the W section of the locus is excavated). [Input: H708BSH.J]
Argument 1997-06-29 rK ash may have penetrated at various levels? floor builtup in places with red dirt following wearing off of the original? [Input: H703RK.J]
1997-07-07 bsh since the numerous intermediate surface did not continue across the full extent of the room contained by k22, they must be lenses or patches, perhaps fill to level the floor surface at various stages. Their sproradic presence and disappearance is indicative of this. Following each surface is not feasible for contraints of time, and so it was deemed sufficient to document and remove them. [Input: H707BSH.J]
Procedures 1997-07-07 bsh began with the removal of the extand light patch of accumulation near the dense sherd area in the Southern part of the Western section. Once finished, pickmen removed accumulation down to the first detectable surface (presumeably f370) beginning on the W edge of the rodent hole (f374). Several intermediate layers were uncovered near the section containing f368 and f365 and photographed (v121). (f376 also was photographed in section.) rk and gb were consulted and it was advised that the pickmen go down to the next detectable floor surface. One pickman was sent to the E wall, dug a trench, and began removing accumulation to the lowest floor surface detectable in section. The other two removed accumulation beginning at the Western threshold at a depth of 10cm. [Input: H707BSH.J]
1997-07-08 bsh further pursuit of the bottom floor surface continued in both the Eastern and Western sections of the locus. The bricks discovered on H707 were left in place. By day's end, the full extant lowest detectable surface had been uncovered, omitting that portion still containing f372 and below in the Northern half of the Western section of the locus. Two pickmen met near the oven confirming that each was indeed uncovering the same surface. Some thought was given to the experiences of the past week and so new features were assigned to the bricks (f387), the lowest floor surface (f385), the packing below it (f386) and the accumulation above it (f386). The continued removal of f372, uncovering f368, was resumed, the Eastern and Northermost limits of f368 were reached; a small pit immediately to the N was discovered and assigned a new feature number (f383), a sample was taken of its contents (i317). That portion of f385 uncovered to the E was cleaned thoroughly and covered with plastic until it is ready to be photographed. [Input: H708BSH.J]
1997-07-09 bsh continued the uncovering of f368, uncovered the greater portion of this feature and photographed it alone and with respect to the oven. The contents of f376 were collected and the excavated feature was photographed. Continued the removal of f372 to the N and uncovered two structures adjacent to each other, each of which appears to abut, if not be overlayed by, the Northern wall (f78). The structure to the W is circular in shape, approximately one quarter of the circle is visible. It appears to be a pit, but with a thin (ca. 1cm) outer wall appearing to be made of the same material as the oven. The structure to the E is square and made of one row of thin bricks (10x20cm). The bricks to the W, at the interface between the two structures (i.e, at their common edge) were damaged almost completely, it was during this process that both structures were discovered. The identity of that portion inside the square is unclear. These structures were discovered at day's end, so no triangulation was perfomed. [Input: H711BSH.J]
Notes on recovery 1997-06-27 rK Today, being Friday, was off for excavations. A visit to the site in the morning (along with DNS) to review the state of things yielded some observations as well as thoughts of strategy for the coming week. 1. The brick threshold, f142, was identified as consisting of two layers of bricks when examined from k25. Since it is exposed on the E side at these levels, I was able to pick off the accumulation and identify the face of a brick in the lower layer. The threshold limit on the E is uneven. Where the lower layer of brick does not come out as far as the top, the floor accumulation goes in under the first layer and abuts the lower brick. This means that the accumulation is later than the threshold. This was verified only over the surface area of one brick and needs to be examined more thoroughly. 2. The floor f364, the lowest of what has so far been discovered, forms a depression at the SW corner of the room, adjacent to the threshold. Picking here recovered lumps of accumulation which had laminations where they were in contact with the floor. This suggests that at some point there was standing water here that was stirred and in which things settled. The lowest layer of the lamination had particles of the size of sand grains. The hollow was about 6 cm deep from where the floor surface came down. The section of the accumulation against the threshold preserves the profile of the ash floor. This deservsd further careful study. Other questions raised by the evidence pertaining to this floor as follows: (3) Are there 3 floors revealed at this level? There definitely is evidence for two separated by a cm or two of accumulation. However a third layer of ash could be traced above these at least over a little area. Further examination can reveal if this is extensive enough to be considered a floor. (4) With which floor does the pit/depression in the SW corner go? (5) Were both layers of brick part of the threshold at the same time(s). (6) What floor does the tannur go with? (7) What is the earliest floor with which the threshold f142 belongs. (8) Have we discovered the original floor that goes with the walls of the AK building. (9) Is there a floor associated with the "log pits"? (10) What is the relationship of the broken jar with ash, that is adjacent to the tannur, to the floors? (11) There is the top of a fairly large area of carbon, visible to the N of the tannur. This should be examined and excavated carefully as a separate feature. (12) f158 excavation to the E of the locus shows two cuts, the first of which might be the top of a floor. If so, which floor surface of the ones identified to the W of the room does it go with? --- It would also seem valuable to document the following with suitable photographs: (a) The section created in the floor accumulation by the stage of the excavation to the E of the tannur shows several carbon samples occurring at the same level. (b) The pit at the SW corner of the room. (c) Various floor surfaces, along with the trace of the matting. (d) The outside brick reinforcement to the tannur walls. [Input: H627RK.J]

Volumetric Localization

Roster Date Author Record
Elements within locus 1997-06-20 rK a31 (doorway) [Input: H728RK1.J]
1996-07-31 rK f210 (wa)
f211 (accumulation C)
f212 (accumulation C)
f213 (ac/pit) [Input: ZGx10aMA.j]
1996-07-31 rk f214 (stone)
f215 (accumulation C)
f216 (ash layer)
f217 (d)
f218 (pot-smash)
f219 (plaster)
f220 (a/f2)
f221 (accumulation C)
f222 (isolated stone) [Input: G810JO.J]
1997-06-21 dns f315 (floorsurface in general) [Input: H619BSH.J]
1997-06-19 rK f352 (pit)
f353 (fill)
f354 (pit)
f355 (accumulation B) [Input: H622BSH.J]
1997-06-21 bsh f356 (tannur (feature))
f357 (accumulation) [Input: H622BSH.J]
1997-06-22 bsh f358 (accumulation A) [Input: H622BSH.J]
1997-06-24 bsh f359 (cs)
f360 (pit)
f362 (pit)
f363 (pit) [Input: H624BSH.J]
1997-07-01 bsh f364 (fl)
f365 (fl)
f366 (accumulation C)
f367 (accumulation C)
f368 (unknown)
f369 (fl)
f370 (fl)
f371 (accumulation C)
f372 (accumulation C)
f373 (fill)
f374 (rodent hole)
f375 (rodent hole)
f376 (unknown) [Input: H701BSH.J]
1997-07-02 bsh f377 (pit) [Input: H702BSH.J]
1997-07-03 rk f379 (fill)
f380 (unknown)
f381 (accumulation A) [Input: H705BSH.J]
1997-07-03 bsh f382 (isolated individual brick) [Input: H705BSH.J]
1997-07-08 bsh f383 (pi)
f384 (accumulation C)
f385 (fl)
f386 (accumulation)
f387 (unknown) [Input: H708BSH.J]
1997-07-02 bsh f388 (pi) [Input: H702BSH.J]
1997-07-12 rK f389 (fill)
f390 (platform)
f391 (unknown) [Input: H725BSH.J]
1997-07-26 rK f392 (unknown) [Input: H728RK1.J]
1997-07-28 rK f474 (accumulation A) [Input: H728RK1.J]
1996-07-30 jO i140
i143 (seal impression) [Input: ZGx25aMA.j]
1996-08-01 jO i144 (seal impression ?)
i148 (figurine)
i150 (strainer) [Input: ZGx25aMA.j]
1996-08-03 rk i151 (clay artifact)
i152 (seal impression)
i153 (carbon sample)
i154 (seal impression ?)
i155 (clay artifact)
i156 (figurine)
i157 (uncertain)
i158 (seal impression ?) [Input: G810JO.J]
1996-08-04 rk i159 (seal impression ?)
i160 (seal impression)
i161 (seal impression ?)
i162 (seal impression)
i163 (seal impression ?)
i164 (seal impression ?)
i165 (carbon sample)
i167 (clay artifact) [Input: G810JO.J]
1996-08-05 rk i168 (carbon sample)
i169 (carbon sample)
i170 (seal impression)
i171 (seal impression ?)
i172 (seal impression)
i173 (seal impression ?) [Input: G810JO.J]
1996-08-06 rk i174 (carbon sample)
i175 (seal impression ?)
i177 (carbon sample) [Input: G810JO.J]
1997-06-16 rK i200 (pot) [Input: H617DNS.J]
1997-06-17 rK i201 (seal impression) [Input: H617DNS.J]
1997-06-18 bsh i251 (metal artifact) [Input: H619BSH.J]
1997-06-18 rk i252 (seal impression) [Input: H619BSH.J]
1997-06-19 bsh i253 (clay lump)
i254 (seal impression) [Input: H619BSH.J]
1997-06-22 bsh i255 (sample)
i256 (sample)
i257 (figurine)
i258 (clay artifact)
i259 (sample)
i260 (clay artifact)
i261 (clay artifact)
i262 (sample)
i263 (sample) [Input: H622BSH.J]
1997-06-23 bsh i264 (clay artifact)
i265 (clay artifact)
i266 (clay artifact)
i267 (metal artifact)
i268 (clay artifact)
i269 (lithic artifact) [Input: H624BSH.J]
1997-06-24 bsh i270 (sample)
i271 (sample)
i272 (lithic artifact)
i273 (clay artifact)
i274 (lithic artifact)
i275 (sa) [Input: H624BSH.J]
1997-07-01 bsh i276 (clay artifact)
i277 (bone artifact)
i278 (lithic artifact)
i279 (sample)
i280 (metal artifact)
i281 (lithic artifact)
i282 (lithic artifact)
i283 (wheel)
i284 (sa)
i285 (metal artifact)
i286 (clay artifact)
i287 (clay artifact)
i288 (carbon sample)
i289 (clay artifact)
i290 (sa)
i291 (sa)
i292 (sa)
i293 (sample)
i294 (tag)
i295 (bone artifact)
i296 (ceramic vessel)
i297 (ceramic vessel)
i298 (seal impression)
i299 (clay lump)
i300 (ceramic vessel) [Input: H701BSH.J]
1997-07-02 bsh i301 (sample)
i302 (stamp seal impression? on the obverse, appears to have a clear corner as if sealed by a square or rectangular object)
i303 (sample) [Input: H702BSH.J]
1997-07-03 bsh i304 (sample)
i305 (sample) [Input: H705BSH.J]
1997-07-03 rk i306 (ceramic vessel)
i307 (sample)
i308 (metal artifact) [Input: H705BSH.J]
1997-07-05 bsh i309 (sample)
i310 (sample)
i311 (bead)
i312 (bone artifact) [Input: H705BSH.J]
1997-07-06 bsh i313 (seal)
i314 (tag?)
i315 (tag, flattened on both sides)
i316 (metal artifact) [Input: H707BSH.J]
1997-07-08 bsh i317 (sample) [Input: H708BSH.J]
1997-07-09 bsh i318 (sample) [Input: H725BSH.J]
1997-07-19 rK i319 (seal impression) [Input: H725BSH.J]
1996-07-31 rk q603 (bones, pottery)
q604 (bones, pottery)
q605 (bones, pottery)
q606 (bones, items, pottery)
q609 (pottery)
q611 (pottery) [Input: G802JO.J]
1996-08-01 rk q614 (bones, items, pottery)
q615 (items, pottery)
q617 (pottery)
q618 (pottery)
q623 (pottery) [Input: G802JO.J]
1996-07-27 rk q624 (items, pottery) [Input: G802JO.J]
1996-08-01 rk q625 (bones, items, pottery)
q629 (pottery)
q631 (pottery) [Input: G802JO.J]
1996-08-03 rK q632 (pottery)
q633 (bones, items, pottery)
q634 (bones, items, pottery)
q635 (bones, items, pottery)
q636 (bones, pottery) [Input: G811JO.J]
1996-08-03 jO q640 (pottery) [Input: G811JO.J]
1996-08-03 rK q644 (pottery)
q645 (pottery)
q646 (pottery)
q647 (pottery) [Input: G811JO.J]
1996-08-04 rK q648 (bones, items, pottery)
q649 (pottery)
q650 (bones, items, pottery)
q651 (bones, items, pottery)
q654 (pottery)
q655 (items, pottery)
q656 (bones, pottery)
q658 (pottery)
q659 (pottery)
q661 (pottery) [Input: G811JO.J]
1996-08-05 rk q662 (bones, items, pottery)
q663 (items, pottery)
q664 (items, pottery)
q665 (items, pottery)
q668 (bones, pottery)
q670 (bones, pottery)
q671 (pottery)
q673 (pottery)
q674 (pottery) [Input: G811JO.J]
1996-08-06 rK q675 (pottery)
q676 (pottery)
q677 (bones, pottery)
q678 (items, pottery)
q680 (items, pottery)
q681 (pottery) [Input: G811JO.J]
1997-06-16 rK q700 (bones, items, pottery)
q702 (pottery) [Input: H617DNS.J]
1997-06-17 bsh q704 (bones, items, pottery) [Input: H617DNS.J]
1997-06-17 dns q708 (pottery)
q709 (bones)
q715 (pottery) [Input: H617DNS.J]
1997-06-20 bsh q851 (pottery)
q852 (pottery)
q853 (pottery)
q854 (bones) [Input: H620BSH.J]
1997-06-21 rk q855 (bones, pottery)
q856 (items) [Input: H622BSH.J]
1997-06-21 bsh q857 (bones)
q858 (bones) [Input: H622BSH.J]
1997-06-22 bsh q859 (bones)
q860 (items)
q861 (bones)
q862 (pottery) [Input: H622BSH.J]
1997-06-23 bsh q863 (bones)
q864 (bones) [Input: H624BSH.J]
1997-06-24 bsh q865 (pottery)
q866 (bones)
q867 (pottery) [Input: H624BSH.J]
1997-07-01 bsh q868 (bones, pottery)
q869 (bones, pottery)
q870 (bones, pottery)
q871 (bones, pottery)
q872 (pottery)
q873 (bones, pottery)
q874 (bones, pottery)
q875 (pottery)
q876 (bones, pottery)
q877 (bones, pottery)
q878 (bones, pottery)
q879 (bones, pottery)
q880 (bones, pottery)
q881 (pottery)
q882 (bones, pottery)
q883 (pbv)
q884 (pottery)
q885 (pbl)
q887 (pottery)
q888 (pl) [Input: H701BSH.J]
1997-07-02 bsh q889 (bones, pottery)
q890 (bones, pottery)
q891 (pottery) [Input: H702BSH.J]
1997-07-03 bsh q892 (bones, pottery) [Input: H705BSH.J]
1997-07-03 rk q893 (pottery)
q894 (bones, pottery)
q895 (bones, pottery) [Input: H705BSH.J]
1997-07-05 bsh q896 (bones, pottery)
q897 (bones, pottery)
q898 (pbl)
q899 (pottery) [Input: H705BSH.J]
1997-07-06 bsh q900 (bones, pottery)
q901 (bones, pottery) [Input: H707BSH.J]
1997-07-07 bsh q902 (pottery)
q903 (bones, items, pottery)
q904 (pbl) [Input: H707BSH.J]
1997-07-08 bsh q905 (bones, pottery)
q906 (bones, pottery)
q907 (pottery)
q908 (pbl) [Input: H708BSH.J]
1997-07-09 bsh q909 (pottery)
q910 (pl)
q911 (bones, pottery) [Input: H725BSH.J]
1997-07-12 rK q912 (pbl)
q913 (bones, pottery)
q914 (bones, pottery)
q915 (pottery)
q916 (pbc)
q917 (pbv) [Input: H725BSH.J]
1997-07-13 rK q918 (bones, pottery)
q919 (bones, pottery)
q920 (bones, pottery)
q921 (bones, pottery)
q923 (pl)
q924 (pl)
q925 (pottery) [Input: H725BSH.J]
1997-07-23 rK q1109 (items, pottery)
q1110 (pottery)
q1111 (pottery)
q1113 (items) [Input: H723BSH.J]
1997-07-26 rK q1137 (pc)
q1140 (pbli) [Input: H728RK1.J]
1997-07-27 rK q1142 (items) [Input: H728RK1.J]
Notes on volumetric localization 1997-07-27 rK All of the elevations taken from k22, and those from k30 toward the end of the excavations, which used elevation marker m1659 should add 54 to the readings. This was because of discrepancy in the number used for calibrating the pole: 82.607 (8261) had been read as 82.067 (8207). The problem was noticed by the excavators (bsh & rk) in using an elevation marker set up near A10, and the surveyor kindly double checked (elevation of marker on H617 = 8261; on H723 = 8260) and clarified the source of the discrepancy. This requires the addition of the number to all measurements prior to H724. The pole was not in fact used after that date. This affects only elevations read directly off that pole and does not affect those computed by the system using the marker tags. [Input: H728RK1.J]

6. REFERENCE

Analogical Record

Roster Date Author Record
View/drawing of locus
v99
1996-08-09 jO [Input: G810jO2.J]
v99a
1996-08-09 jO [Input: G810jO2.J]
v99b
1996-08-09 jO [Input: G810jO2.J]