Depositional history for Unit A6

Amer Ahmad – August 2025

Introduction

Unit A6 represents a uniquely integrative model, particularly concerning the volume of archaeological discoveries found within it. These findings reveal a continuous historical sequence that spans from the Early Dynastic III period to the mid-second millennium BC, reflecting the rich and uninterrupted history of the entire site of Urkesh. Notably, Unit A6 was not affected by the period of abandonment that occurred at the end of the Akkadian period, the disruption that impacted many sites in the Khabur region, such as Tell Leilan and Tell Brak. According to researcher Harvey Weiss, most settlements in the Khabur plains were either partially or completely abandoned during a period of abrupt climate change. However, the discoveries within Unit A6, located in the service quarter of Tell Mozan and forming part of the broader site, provide evidence of continuous occupation, unaffected by this climatic shift or any other cause of historical discontinuity during that time. This continuity in settlement highlights the remarkable stability at this archaeological site, making it a significant exception in the study of the region’s history.

Before the Abandonment of the Palace

During the Early Dynastic III period, archaeological excavations uncovered an accumulation underneath the trace of the negative wall, as well as the first floor associated with stone walls from the Akkadian period. During the Akkadian period, Unit A6, particularly the northern section where the kitchen is located, provided crucial evidence of the site’s development and prosperity. This is evident through the kitchen installations, the quantity of pottery discovered, seal impressions, and the presence of a sophisticated sewage system, all indicating an unprecedented period of flourishing in the region during that time.

The ceramics discovered in Unit A6 are closely linked to the Akkadian period, particularly chaff tempered ware and decorated with incised wavy and straight lines, along with decorations using fingerprint or cord impressions. Significant finds include conical cups, which are characterized by their roughness and lack of attention to detail, and have straight sides and a string-cut base. Additionally, cooking vessels with handles attached to the rim were found, including spherical pots with hole mouths and rounded bases. Regarding seal impressions, the “Cook’s Seal” is considered one of the most prominent features of Akkadian art, reflecting the distinctive artistic style of that period. Seals belonging to queen Uqnitum have also been found. Although her name is Akkadian, her seals are characterized by a purely local style in their engravings, which distinguishes them from Akkadian tradition. Another significant discovery includes seal impressions on pottery jars belonging to queen Taram Agade, daughter of the Akkadian emperor Naram-Sin. Her seal impressions depict a classic Akkadian scene of competition, particularly featuring animal combat. The presence of this scene in seals associated with members of the Akkadian royal family suggests that these individuals held important political or administrative positions, supporting the conclusion that Taram Agade was a prominent political figure in Urkesh.

After the Abandonment of the Palace

This phase can be divided into two periods

Ur III and Isin-Larsa periods

This period represents a crucial transitional phase between the third and second millennium BC. The site of Tell Mozan serves as a distinctive observation point for studying the transition between the Early Bronze Age and the Middle Bronze Age. This transition is clearly evidenced by the production of bitumen-decorated ceramics, found in Unit 6 within one of the graves from this period q998.1. Additionally, long-necked pots adorned with bitumen were discovered i17. This technique is one of the most prominent features of this phase in dating the site as a whole. Although the use of bitumen as an adhesive or waterproofing material is documented as far back as the Akkadian period, the Ur III and Isin-Larsa periods were distinguished by the use of bitumen primarily for decorative purposes. This shift in the use of the material highlights a continuity in the use of the area, despite a significant deviation from its original purpose. The previous palace, once a hub of authority, was abandoned and transformed into a peripheral of a settlement and a repository for debris.

The Khabur Period

During the Khabur period, the practice of coating pottery surfaces became common, and numerous pottery sherds from this period have been discovered. Among the notable finds in this unit are horseshoe-shaped hearths, which serve as a significant cultural marker of early Caucasian culture. A striking example is a horseshoe-shaped hearth i49 that was plastered on the inside, with the plaster being approximately 2-3 mm thick and grayer in color compared to the wall, which was red and about 3 cm thick. Beneath this hearth, pottery sherds and pebbles were found.