.bk A09
.fl J704jlw.j
.fd daily journal
.ei jlw
.ed J704
.rd J704
.ri jlw

-wk 6 large picks and 33 in support.  Rashat Sheykhmus returned to work after illness yesterday.  Sa'ud el-Bekh returned after two-day absence.  Ibrahim Mahmud ill and sent home.

k 6
dy when excavating the last 25 cm of k128 (the platform in the NE corner) found a hard-packed surface under which was fill, underwhich was a sherd and pebble layer.  Suspended excavation of this to prepare a section for a photograph.  If this is a floor, it would mark the first level of post-AK occupation.  However, it could also be the foundation for an eastern retaining wall to accompany a wall which was part of post-AK houses built above and excavated in A2 in 1997.  This part of A2 was incorporated into A9 for this excavation season in order to have access to what we believe was a major couryard.  Ceased excvating this portion in order to prepare for a photograph of this possibly stratigraphically interesting set of features (floor f132, fill f133, layer f134 and wall f135).

ar it seems to me that the collection of features (f132, f133, f134) is more likely a foundation for a retaining wall to butress wall f135 to the west.  Although we were excavating with large picks, I believe we would have found evidence of a floor and sub-floor further to the east as we approached the west face of wall f135 from that direction.  As there appears to be at least one course of brick in the north baulk atop the proposed floor 132, I believe that the collection was in a trench dug for a wall foundation.

sg as we have begun the major excavation of the patio, beginning in the deep probe k5 and moving layer by layer to the west, north, and south, we must prepare k6 by defining the extent of the line of stones, f117, just to the east of doorway a17.  We will remove accumulation f116 with a small pick to expose the balance of f117 which it appears at least in part to cover.

k 3
dy began excavating accumulation f136, moving north along the west half of the locus.  We are using a large pick, but are approaching f130, which sits in the the north, carefully in case it represents a deteriorated wall top.

k 4
dy began excavating f136 with large picks.  We did not find much artifactual material and are removing this accumulation to get to the ashey layer just below where we expect to find a lot of preserved material.

k 7
dy work still suspended awaiting excavation of adjacent squares to the east in A11.

k 8
dy excavated pot in north baulk, which turned out to be part of a burial.  While looking through sherds found half of a small bowl.  Found associated pieces in last q-lot excavated at that level.  Also noticed another small pot (orange in color) deeper into the baulk.  Did not excavate at this time.  Excavation suspended pending excavation of k9 to the NE, which has a greater prospect of coming down on any wall complex associated with the patio discovered in k5 in the 1997 season.  May resume if extra workmen become available.

f 137
df bu
ds burial in east section of north baulk of k8.  Appears to be that of a young person, based on size of bones recovered.  Some of the remains and one pot were left in place. Recoverd one more or less intact small pot and a broken small bowl.  Do not know if there is a tomb associated with this or not. 

.ri gb
-sg last night we had a brief meeting with mkb, jlw and jal and decided tht we would switch strategy in the Northern expansion of A9.  What triggered the decision is the realization that there is no AK wall in k3.  There is however burnt debris that may come from such wall or walls which would then be to the North and East of k3.  jal observed that the southern boundary of the burnt debris (f130) is in line with the presumed doorway, in which case we would have one further indication that the burnt debris may come indeed from the AK wall.  Accordingly, we decided to stop k7 and k8, and to start k9 instead!  The two locii k7 and k8 had been opened with the express intention of exposing the continuation of the Northern wall of Section F when we thought that such a wall was beginning to appear in k3.  Now that such a wall is shown to be missing in k3, the initial reason for digging k7 and k8 no longer exists, while it applies to the excavation of k9.  the initial stimulus for our strategy cahge came from mkb who suggested ther may still be sufficient time to come down to AK within a single square. Will dig N, W and south starting from k5, excluding the E section of k4.

k 6
ns [sr] the bricks f135 and floor/ac f132 to f134 are, I believe, the lowest levels we have of settled occupation (as distinct from scatterd occupation) above AK.  It is in line with the top of the walls between sectors B and F, and lower tahn the walls in sector D.

sg we decide to leave unexcavated the NW portion of k6 so as to obtain a good photo that will show to its best advantage the full stratigraphic sequence with: AK walls and presumed stone paving; the burnt layer (f116) which is beginning to appear and which may mark the end of the  palace occupation with f132 to f135; the doorway accumulation and the floors of the post-palace AK occupation; and the beginnng of AH occupation with f132 to f135.

ph will take a  picture of the NW corner as it is now to serve as a guide for a good picture when all is clean.

.ri jlw

k 9
dy began excavation this date.  Made several pick runs, using wheelbarrows to transport the dirt uphill.  Removal people suggested that they would rather pass the dirt by buckets, so we will try that tomorrow.  Some pottery and a few basic artifacts.