.bk A09
.fl J723jlw.j
.fd daily journal
.ei jlw
.ed J723
.rd J720
.ri jlw

-wk 4 large picks, 7 small picks and 32 in support.  Khalf Muhammed again ill and sent home at 9:00

f 163
df pf
ds low, multi-tiered platform made of two colors of baked brick (red and cream).  Probably abuts north face of wall, f1.  So far, north and west faces partially excavated.  Tiers rise from west to east, while north face presents an unfinished appearance.  Not yet clear whether this feature is associated with pebble floor, f80, or baked brick floor, f84.
N1 several bricks were cleaned and inspected by conservation specialists.  They determined that the colors were quite bright and highly contrasting, adding impetus to the theory that this platform served some ceremonial function within the space.

k 3
dy began to draw sections of east baulk using trained workmen under the supervision of JL.

k 4
dy continuing the process of leveling along the eastern perimeter, attempting to get all the locus to the level of the pebble floor, f80.

k 6
dy continuing the process of leveling, working westward toward the outward limits of the south portion of what had belonged to A7.

k 9
dy finished cleaning the stone foundation, f152, and the tannurs, f150 and f161, in preparation for final photographs.
sg We will stop excavating the west half for this season in order to preserve the structure for more extensive analysis in the future and concentrate our attention on the east half where we want to excavate to the level of the pebble floor by J729.

a 20
df r
ds room, contained to the north and west by wall, f152.  Contains a large tannur, f150, and a smaller one, f161.  The ashy accumulation around the tannurs suggests a commercial purpose to the space.  The floor has not yet been reached.

v 32
ph there is evidence in k3 and k4 that massive destruction occurred in this section of the building after the occupation phase associated with the pebble floor, f80, had ended and this portion had been abandoned for a time.  An ashy layer with black streaks, f154, is covered by large chunks of reddish bricks (f87 in k4, f130 in k30.  This photo shows the continuity of the brickfall throughout both locii, perhaps providing evidence of walls nearby to the north and east.

v 34
ph we are stopping excavation and further definition of room, a20.  We intend to resume in following seasons.  This photo shows the final state of this season's work and highlights the position of the two tannurs, f150 and f161 within the area enclosed by wall, f154.  v34a is a tight overhead that shows the interior of the room, while v34b shows the large tannur profiled against a charcoal-like deposit.

.rd J721
.ri jlw

-wk 2 large picks, 8 small picks and 33 in support.

k 6
dy continuing to excavate platforms along western boundary.  Using large picks to remove the top two meters, then small picks to excavate the last 50 cm above the level of the pebble floor, f80.  One large stone, about 110 cm long and 40 cm wide, oriented E-W is abut 4 m north of doorway a17, approximately centered on the opening.  Found a large deposit of broken pottery to the west of doorway, f167, in previously excavated pit, f168.

.rd J722
.ri jlw

-wk 2 large picks, 7 small picks and 32 in support.  Bassam Ali and Maher Hammud will not be returning to work.

k 4
dy drawing section of east baulk in preparation for removal by A12 as part of their excavation to find the north boundary of the plaza.