.bk A6 .fl ZJ828aMA.j .fd strata .rd G812 .ei aMA .ed ZJ828 .ri rK s 1b-AAH df sod layer, Wadi acc ds the most recent level in A6 is a mixed layer combining the sod layer, Wadi accumulation, and ash layer in unit A6. A small number of pottery sherds and bones were collected from this layer. During this phase, the Wadi accumulations were removed, and the work extended to the doorway a14, where several pottery sherds, bones, stone and shell fragments, as well as clay artifacts were uncovered. >s f116, f109, f180, f189, f193, f150 s 2b-AAH df very late occupation ds this stratum is considered a very late occupation phase at the site, indicated by accumulations of ash that point to early occupation activities. The presence of an ash layer indicates activities related to cooking, particularly the kiln f40, a plate, and pottery sherds such as q549 and q407.1. >s f37, f151, f181, f40 s 3b-AAH df late occupation ds strata 3bAAH is considered an extension of strata 2bAAH, containing accumulations and installments that more clearly indicate an early occupation phase at the site dating back to the Ur III and Isin-Larsa periods. However, no floor was found in this phase, and the distribution of recovered artifacts was irregular. This strata overlaps with both the 2bAAH and 4bAAH phases through the ash layer. Evidence of occupation at the site includes pottery sherds q308, plates q587.1, and clay lids q326.1, in addition to seeds q320.1. An andiron i49 was among the important discoveries indicating a connection between the site's inhabitants and populations in Anatolia. Also significant was burial a12, which contained a skull i50 and some jewellery. >s f102, f104, f108, f117, f149, f150, f152, f153, f154, f182, f183, f190, f191, f31, f122 s 4b-AAH df mid occupation ds The strata 4bAAH represents the earliest stage of the Ur III period, the Isin-Larsa period, and the Khabur period. It is characterized by the pit f29, which cuts through the lower levels, particularly Phase 5bAAH, indicating that it lies directly above the level of the walls of Building AK. Evidence suggests the presence of a possible floor, represented by f111, which may be associated with a phase of occupation or functional activity at the site. This phase also shows a clear integration with stratum 3bAAH, particularly through the shared burial a12, which constitutes the actual upper level of stratum 4bAAH. As the excavation deepened, a packed layer of red soil was uncovered, likely associated with a phase of site abandonment. The removal of the Wadi accumulation f135 revealed that it had filled a gap caused by the removal of a wall (a "negative" wall), identified as f139, which is aligned with wall f123. It is also notable that in this stratum 4bAAH, the original walls of Building AK began to emerge clearly as their tops were reached. Further evidence shows that pits had cut down from above into the earlier walls f194 and f195, which were originally connected but separated by this later intrusion. The stratum 4bAAH provided a diverse assemblage of ceramic, including: q422 (pottery fragment) q426.2 (strainer) q426.1 (pot) q462.1 (plate). In addition, burial a13 was discovered in the north-eastern corner of unit k218. The phase also yielded animal figurines such as q423.1, and a weapon labeled i83. One of the most significant finds is a seal impression i125, which depicts a woman wearing a long, patterned dress, facing right, and holding a necked jar at the base. >s f29, f111, f155, f156, f157, f159, f179, f135, f137, f139, f184, f197, f225, f227, f229, f124, f126, f161, f162, f122, f161, f162, f209 s 5b-AAH df wall usage ds The strata 5bAAH continued with the discovery of pits cutting through the lower levels, notably pit f141 located above wall f78. As the excavation deepened, the soil exhibited a reddish-brown color, more intensely red than in stratum 4bAAH, indicating a phase of settlement and the clear emergence of constructed walls in area A6. Ash layers appeared f168, reinforcing the idea of abandonment of the area during this period. The lower layers showed very hard packed buff and brown dirt, suggesting the presence of bricks, similar to wall f44 found above wall f78. There was a noticeable increase in the number of seal impressions such as i86, i90, and i106,, as well as stone lithic i76,. Additionally, finds included i87, (a jar or bottle stopper) and i80, (a clay artifact). >s f141, f158, f159, f160, f163, f164, f165, f166, f168, f169, f171, f172, f176, f177, f186, f204, f205, f167 s 6b-AAH df rebuilding ds Excavation continued with the aim of reaching the earlier layers, eventually revealing remains from the Akkadian period, represented by wall f78. The abandonment accumulation was found to extend above the upper limit of the palace's mud-brick walls. These accumulations varied in texture and color, ranging from red and gray to pinkish-brown, with materials ranging from fine to coarse/granular. They also contained large quantities of bones and pottery sherds. Evidence also emerged of secondary walls constructed atop the original Akkadian building wall. This was indicated by compacted beige and brown soil, suggesting later architectural activity. An example of this is wall f44, which was built directly over wall f78, pointing to reuse after the original palace occupation. Additional secondary structures include walls f195 and f199. During the stratum 6bAAH several artifacts were discovered, including numerous pottery items and seal impressions such as i118 and i147, in addition to i176 (bead). Lithic artifacts were also found i74. Furthermore, burial a11 was uncovered, which dates to the period prior to the use of the palace. A circular pit resembling a well, f66, was also discovered and is believed to predate the palace occupation. No significant finds were recovered from within or around this formation. >s f103, f105, f106, f107, f112, f118, f127, f129, f173, f174, f175, f176, f188, f206, f207, f208, f66, f199, f195, f170, f178, f140 s 7b-AAH df high layer, akkadian period ds The strata 7bAAH represents the upper layers of the Akkadian period, specifically the phase of palace use. During this stage, additional palace walls were uncovered, such as wall f210, alongside previously identified walls such as f44 and f78. The soil in this layer was dark brown to black in color, loose in texture, and contained carbonized material and ash q555, indicating the beginning of the end of the palace abandonment phase. The accumulations yielded a large quantity of pottery, including jars q684 and plate q684.2. Several noteworthy finds were also recovered, including a piece of a tannur (oven), a jewellery item q684.1, and seal impressions i128. >s f78, f44, f212, f223, f198 s 8b-AAH df mid layer, akkadian period ds The strata 8bAAH is characterized by reaching the foundation levels of the stone walls in various parts of the building. The pinkish-gray accumulations from this phase contained numerous pottery sherds, bones, small stones, as well as limited amounts of carbon and kiln waste. This phase also marks the beginning of uncovering kitchen-related installations at the site. This is evident through the discovery of a working floor within accumulation f220 in the middle of f215, where an incomplete circular layout of bricks was observed. This discovery is considered the initial indication of a tannur within Room D1, which dates back to the original use phase of the AK building. One of the most notable discoveries in the stratum 8bAAH was the identification of three layers of bricks that formed the steps located within doorway a4, which connects rooms D1 and D2. These bricks were covered with plaster. Metal artifacts such as i46 were found, as well as several seal impressions, including i47 and i48. In addition, charred grains were discovered in f202 and f203, indicating the function of the space as a kitchen. A collection of pottery was also recovered such as f218 and i94, along with a jar sealing i51. Rows of bricks were also uncovered in f145 inside vault a1, which closely resemble the bricks forming the steps between rooms D1 and D2, as well as those at threshold a15. >s f101, f110, f119, f125, f128, f130, f131, f138, f142, f144, f145, f211, f213, f214, f215, f216, f218, f222, f202, f203, f226, f228, f230 s 9b-AAH df low layer, akkadian period ds The stratum 9bAAH continued to reveal walls dating back to the Akkadian period, a time during which the site was under the control of King Tupkish. This conclusion was supported by architectural characteristics, particularly the scale of construction and the clear use of mud-brick walls built on stone foundations. Several walls were uncovered, especially in the kitchen area, including: f196, f123, f133, f132, f143, f192, f199, f200, f201, and f210. Together, these walls formed a significant part of the service quarter. The associated soil varied in color, ranging from gray to reddish or pinkish-brown, and contained traces of carbonized material, along with pottery sherds and bones. The uniformity in brick size and color, the presence of a gypsum-coated platform, and a tannur all reinforced the significance of this unit as an important and functional sector within the royal palace, offering valuable insight into the architectural and administrative organization of the Akkadian period. In addition to the exposure of walls, pottery fragments, and seal impressions, such as seal f105, several kitchen-related installations were uncovered. These included a tannur f356 and a hearth f376. Mud-brick shelves f146 were also found, extending along the northern and western walls inside Vault a1. Moreover, a threshold f142 was discovered, functioning as a barrier between rooms D1 and D2. An additional architectural feature, an entrance a31, was also identified during excavation. >s f196, f113, f114, f115, f121, f123, f146, f147, f132, f133, f143, f187, f192, f199, f200, f201, f220, f219, f224, f210, f231, f217, f148 s 10b-AAH df find floor ds strata 10b-AAH represents the earliest level excavated in the service wing, specifically in the kitchen area, where it cut through the first floor of room D2 in the kitchen. The earliest preserved floor is also dated to stratum 10b???, where it was associated with the stone wall foundations of the palace. Earlier occupations are suggested by the EDIII negative wall (stratum 10b???), which lies beneath the lower floor of the previous phase, stratum 9b???. This earlier phase represents a floor of the palace constructed during the Akkadian period. A substantial leveling took place during this phase as part of the palace's construction. The excavation was limited in scope, and this is evident in the stratigraphic data: feature f136 appears at the bottom and rises approximately 10 cm along the sides, while feature f134is also visible on the sides, positioned 3-5 cm above f136. Typologically, traits associated with the EDIII period or the early Akkadian period can be recognized, based on the accumulations found beneath the trace of the negative wall. This phase also revealed the first floor associated with the stone walls, corresponding to the palace use phase. Additionally, bones, artifacts, and pottery were found in this layer, represented by the context q485. >s f134, f136