Unit Book A9

A9-summary

Processed on 2024-07-27

Date	Author	Record
2001-09-23	jlw	there was a three-day period from 12-15 July when jlw, the unit supervisor, worked primarily at home to assist the other units in using AutoCAD. During that time vp was the principal on-site supervisor. jlw visited often, but for short periods of time. Preparation of daily journals was postponed. However, because we kept detailed notes, the journals that follow for this period reflect accurately what occurred. [Input: L923JW.j]
2002-09-09	jlw	The following deficiencies are evident. First, not all sections were drawn and among those which were, most lack the detail that would relate them to the excavation database. Second, although AutoCAD was used to document the features and to check the numerous relays that were taken, the plots are not well organized to show the phasing of the development of this part of the tell. Third, in MZ14, there were problems obtaining the final photographs. The photographer misprocessed the initial set and the replacements were not integrated into the system before he departed. In addition they were taken with the sun at less than optimum conditions, so some do not show sufficient details to illustrate sections or architectural features. Another group of 26 digital images was made by jlw in late September to supplement what we had to that point. They must be integrated into the photographic database and templates and view descriptions must be prepared for them. [Input: M909JW.j]
2002-09-09	jlw	Fourth, full documentation for the step trench excavations in 1990(MZ4) was not available in MZ14. Since the backfilled step trench was an integral part of the portion of A9 excavated in MZ14, it was most difficult to integrate the exposed architecture with what was being excavated in adjacent squares. This is most evident in the E-W "20" series of loci. Locus k21 is a portion of the previously excavated step trench, while loci k22 to k25 were excavated in MZ14. This is a critical region as it provides evidence of the last continuous occupation across the hill before it was overwhelmed by erosion and abandoned to a gully. [Input: M909JW.j]
2002-09-09	jlw	Fifth, no pottery from the previously unexcavated portions was analyzed. Thus an important tool in the identification of strata was not available. At the moment, continuity of elevation is the best indicator we have of membership in the same stratum. However, there is ample evidence of terracing in the Khabur phases, so one cannot rely totally on elevations for stratum assignments, particularly since we have not broadly exposed any one stratum or dug a deep locus to investigate the stratigraphic sequence in a single place. Sixth, for a variety of reasons there is a noticeable improvement in the quality and quantity of information recorded in successive seasons. Although it is clear that if not properly documented at the moment of excavation, the most valuable information regarding emplacement is irretrievably lost, it may be possible to answer specific questions about gaps in the data if enough of the input files from previous seasons can be processed through the revised "J," "E," and "A" programs. [Input: M909JW.j]