; File processed on 2026-02-27 ; A9-daily -inc 1997-06-15_H617JO.j jo The location and elevation of A9 , in relation and comparison to A8 and the eastern portion of A7 , leads us to expect to come cross a 2nd mill. construction and/or post AK scatered occupations in the higher levels of A9 on top of AK building . -inc 1997-06-16_H620JO.j jo Workmen started to remove the sandbag wall that was placed in the southern portion of A9 at the end of last excavation season to protect A6 excavation from any damage that would be caused by water brought down the wadi during the rain season . Workmen were instructed by A6 staff. -inc 1997-06-16_H620JO.j jo The surveyor will start today to lay out the squares in A9 (k1, k2 and k3). -inc 1997-06-17_H620JO-2.j jo We began digging k2 top soil , starting just W of the eastern bulk , we will collect sherds in a zambil to be checked by MKB . -inc 1997-06-17_H620JO.j jo While the surveyor is measuring and laying out the squares, we had the workmen cleaning up and removing the sandbags northern k3. -inc 1997-06-17_H620JO.j jo When the orientation of squares had ben changed from AS to Ak orientation , A9's SW corner (SW k1) had to be shifted a little to inside A6 area. -inc 1997-06-18_H620JO-2.j jm We started cuting the section N A6k217 and we had to stop because of the dust we created for A6 group . Will finish this work when they move their operation to farther away portion of their area . -inc 1997-06-18_H620JO-2.j jm Measured coordinates and elevations of our squares . -inc 1997-06-18_H620JO-3.j jlw MKB examined pottery from f3 , f4 and f5 . No saves as pottery was clearly associated with late occupations that had washed into gully from higherr elevation ( features 3 ,4 and 5 are topsoil and wadi accumulation ) . -inc 1997-06-19_H620JO-3.j jo We dug aproximatly 100cm at the north of k3 and 115cm at the east of k2 . We did not come across 2nd millennium constructions or scatered occupations. Exept for f6 and f7 in k2 there were not any destruption of the accumulations ( f3 ,,f5 ,f8 and f9 ). As we expected the wadi woud have washed out 2nd millennium occupation evidance if there were any . -inc 1999-06-13_J615JLW.j jlw backdirt and plastic sheeting removed by jo in conjunction with other work in A10. Highest level, f74, very well protected. Clean and not eroded. Some algae and silting in pebble floor, f80, as well as f82, 84 and the baulks. -inc 1999-06-15_J615JLW.j jlw dirt removal train installed and successfully tested. In full operation. Requires about 8 people, including the engineer. -inc 1999-06-18_J620JLW.j jlw photographed k4 and k5 during morning of J618,workmen's day off. -inc 1999-06-21_J622JLW2.j jlw have half crews deployed in both k3 and k4. We are excavating the western quadrant of this large locus to level all parts to the same elevation in preparation for a major push to get to the earliest AK level. We are excavating k3, which is presently one meter higher, as quickly as possible to also get to the same level, slowing to explore the few features we are finding in what appears to have been a dumping area for houses to the west and perhaps the east. -inc 1999-07-03_J703JLW.j jlw added 6 new workmen to carry dirt from k7 and k8 upward to re-enforce the berms. Increase in capacity allowed both upper and lower levels to work to maximum efficiency. Lost one hour of dirt removal time on the lower level because the engineer station had to be moved back off a baulk that showed signs of cracking. -inc 1999-07-13_J713JLW.j jlw 7 large picks and 33 in support. -inc 1999-07-14_J714JLW.j jlw loaned 8 removal persons to A12 for one hour to prepare for surveyor work. -inc 1999-09-30_J930JLW.j jlw spent J929 and J930 preparing Schematic Sections for A9 in Freehand drawings, a project that was not completed at the end of the excavation season. Also changed some of the file names for the annotated section drawings to better reflect the contents of the file. (This part of the work was done on the last evening due to some problems with the scanner that converted the inked section drawings into computer format.) Completed the Summary Report, which is filed as a Word document in mz\a\a9\i\j with the file label J809jlw.doc and J809jlw1.txt. -inc 2000-07-24_L620JLW.j jlw work proceeded routinely without incident. All covering and backfill removed. Removed a one cubic meter residual platform from the north edge of the western extension of the major east-west wall, f125, between sectors B and F. It was located 7 meters west of the west face of stub wall, f172. See drawing A9w29. Removed small pillar of residual accumulation from the north side of wall system f125/f172, to expose brickwork. -inc 2000-07-25_K725JLW.j jlw dirt and plastic removed by breakfast. Spent the balance of day cleaning. -inc 2001-06-19_L619JLW.j jlw at least one sketch from MZ12 was not formally numbered and there were several plots that were the basis for pencil drawings of the actual architectural features that were retained in the plot files. Sequential sketch numbers must be assigned before the numbers to begin season MZ14 can be determined. The last numbered sketch from MZ 12 was A9s14. We added one more sketch, 15, that illustrates some aspects of f194. -inc 2001-06-23_L704JLW.j jlw removed all weeds from the area to be excavated this season. -inc 2001-06-28_L712JLW.j jlw spent a busy day uncovering features in k10, k11, and k21 that had been previously discovered in the MZ6 excavations. -inc 2001-07-12_L712VP.j vp Suliman with the bigger part of workers cleaned A7; they started to remove the ground on the plastic sheets. At the same time, Yasser with the Tariq's help cleaned k9. -inc 2001-07-12_L923JW.j jlw deployed half, under the supervision of Anwar and Mizar, to A7 to begin removing the covering from the Phase 4 buildings in preparation for kite photographs of A7, A9 and A11 which we expect will illustrate the links between the settlement sectors that we have found to date. -inc 2001-07-19_L720JLW.j jlw took the opportunity to thoroughly clean the accumulated loose soil from the baulks and surrounding areas. The steep slope makes travel around the unit somewhat hazardous. -inc 2001-07-22_L722JLW1.j jlw gb and jlw inspected the unit to review goals and set priorities for the last days of the excavation in MZ14. We have definitely established that the phase 4 and 5 settlements to the west found in A2 and A7 estend eastward about 5 meters. As one proceeds further to the east he encounters some ill-defined structures that appear to be made of mud plaster. Some have hints of red bricks on top, while others do not. Seen in section, some appear to have the rectangular form of the foundation, f225, while others are very amorphous. This continues for about 15 meters, the approximate width of the modern gully. Then for the next 10 meters, substantial mudbrick walls again appear, which are obviously the northern extension of the settlements of A11 to the southeast. The large wall complex that begins in k21 and extends to the north, through k31, k41, k42, k51 and k52 is interesting and is most likely Phase 5 Khabur. The seal, i138, and the statuette, i149, are tantilizing hints of important settlements after Khabur. -inc 2001-07-23_L723JLW.j jlw began to remove the accumulation, f319, below what we at one time thought was a floor surface, f306, but now appears to be the bottom of a pond that formed in the gully. Although there are a few deeper spots, due to the excavation of pits, there remains about 20 cm to be excavated to attain a uniform surface. We will be careful to watch for bricks along the north and east baulks. The bottom of the brick structure, f315, has been exposed and the mass is almost surely congealed reddish fill that is found in most of the pits in this area. It is possible that we did not see the fill because the pit may have been used for clean material or it may never have been used after being dug. -inc 2001-07-23_L723JLW.j jlw even though we do not have baulks in the northern tier of loci, we are respecting their boundaries by digging each locus fully before proceeding to the next one. -inc 2002-09-12_M912JW.j jw jlw ran a brief test on the new program J46.a, gb rewrote to address several issues in the use of an earlier version, J44.i. jlw seemed to experience problems in processing feature logs with the earlier version of the program. The problem was that it appeared to prepare incomplete entries for each feature, stopping at the first elevation in each case, while also attempting to process any entry beginning with the letter "m" as a marker file. Yesterday, jlw rushed a test on the new program which appeared to exhibit the same problems. However, when he ran it this morning under more controlled conditions, it proceseed a very large feature log file perfectly. So, the initial conclusion is that the program is working as it should. jlw will attempt to run another set of files using J44.i to see if the problem was "operator error" all along. -inc 2002-09-13_M914JW.j jlw jlw took Munsell color readings for new features in the north baulk of k41 that were identified on the basis of analysis of photographs used in preparing templates. Weathering has blurred some of the distinctions, but all were identified with selective picking. -inc 2002-09-14_M914JW.j jlw jlw took Munsell color readings for new features in k11, k21 and k24 that were identified by analyzing photographs used in preparing templates. Weathering in k11 has revealed an even more complex pattern of brick work in the east and west baulks than previously observed. We will reexamine the templates to see if the new features are visible. In k24, jlw observed that a large animal had dug a burrow in the NE corner of the locus. We had hypthesized that this region was a small section of the SW corner of a room formed by pise walls f325 and f348. The fact that the burrow was dug in a place expected to contain softer accumulation/fill than the pise, adds credence to the hypthesis. -inc 2002-09-14_M914JW.j jlw Overall, jlw identified four new features: f373, a thin layer of granular brownish clay-like material above the pise floor (f354) in k21; f374, several courses of bricks seen in section above bricks (f359) in the north part of the east baulk of k11; f375, several courses of bricks seen in section in the north part of the west baulk of k11 (probably associated with f374); and f376, a layer of soil above the topsoil in the north baulks of k23 and k24 resulting from the weathering of the berms. -inc 2002-10-07_MX07JW.j jw in a continuing review of the documentation available at Tell Mozan that may assist in the compilation of the A9 global record, jlw found discrepancies in the way sketches were numbered through the years. Forty-eight sketches from MZ10, MZ12, and MZ14 were assembled, uniformly numbered, and scanned into the record (W15a). -inc 2002-10-08_MX08JW.j jw measured the resistance to crushing of unconfined samples of pise walls, bricks, fill and pit refuse with a pocket penetrometer. The pise walls had resistance readings far in excess of 4.5 kilograms per square centimeter, the maximum reading on this particular instrument(Soil Test, Inc. model CL-700). Bricks also had resistance readings in excess of the maximum, but broke at considerably less pressure. Regular fill had resistance readings of from 1.5 to 4.0. Fill of an ashy pit had a resistance reading of 0.75. -inc 2004-08-18_O818JW1.j jw Visiting paleozoologist H-P Uerpmann, in the process of analyzing the animal bones from present and past excavations, attempted to find the time of the first appearance of the horse at Tell Mozan. To assist in this effort, we provided bone lots from selected features assigned to Phase 4 in MZ12 and MZ14. (He already has identified horse bones from Phase 5.) As a part of this effort, mkb examined the pottery from f144, f162, f218, f241, and f249. The results are positive assignments to Ph 4a for all but f162, which had few sherds and none of those were diagnostic. ; A9-equipment -inc 2001-06-26_L706JLW.j jlw today was the first day for using the dirt removal train which has been located just north of the north baulk of A7. -inc 2001-07-07_L707JLW1.j jlw first day for pipe to bottom of k9 for dirt removal. Bottom half of pipe not installed. System was usable but dirty. Rotated 3 removal persons per half day to carry excavated material to dump in wheelbarrows. -inc 2001-07-07_L707JLW1.j jlw first day for tent suspended from overhead wires. It worked well, shielding k23 and k24 where the heavy picking was being done. -inc 2001-07-10_L710JLW.j jlw this morning, we were short of equipment. Neither buckets nor wheelbarrows were issued. Forty five minutes later, after jlw returned to the house to see Diadin, we received 3 wheelbarrows and 17 buckets, about half the number that are needed to move dirt efficiently. -inc 2001-07-11_L711JLW.j jlw there was a timely distribution of buckets and wheelbarrows this morning. -inc 2001-07-21_L721JLW.j jlw gb and jlw agreed that we no longer needed the train and it will be moved to A15. -inc 2001-07-21_L721JLW.j jlw no tents were put up today. Their absence noticably slowed the pace of work after breakfast. -inc 2001-07-23_L723JLW.j jlw removed the pipe for transporting dirt to the bottom of the MZ12 excavation. ; A9-introduction -inc 1999-06-13_J613JL.j jw The primary goal of excavations in a9 this year is to establish the perimeter and extent of the baked brick floor (f 84) originally discovered by Jamal Omar two years ago in k 5 during Season H. Although the western edge to the floor was found in Season H, the area uncovered was very small and its purpose could not be ascertained. It has been hypothesized that the floor is part of a central patio in the AK building, allowing access to the kitchen and storerooms on the south and other sections, perhaps even a ceremonial area and residential area, on the other sides. -inc 2002-09-08_M909JW.j jlw the primary goal of last year's excavation was to determine the links, if any, between A9 and the settlements recently excavated in A7 to the immediate west and All to the immediate southeast. We found ample evidence that the first settlements to be build over the remains of the palace did indeed extend across the entire breadth of the mound. At first, there were a variety of materials used for construction, including mudbrick and stone. Later, there was a noticeable shift to pise for walls and floors. The settlement continued across the entire mound. About the time that Khabur painted pottery came into use, the center section was abandoned, although there was a transverse stone and sherd path that linked the houses on the western edge with those in A11 and A16 to the south. By the end of the third week in July 2001, we had clearly answered the research question in the affirmative and excavation work was halted. The entire group of excavators was shifted to the main palace complex to assist in maintaining the scheduled pace of excavation in the southern part of A15. As a result, the normal time that would have been devoted to such tasks such as drawing sections, preparing drawings of the architecture, analyzing pottery and other small finds was lost, although all the important data was entered into the global record. Over the winter, jlw, the area supervisor, conducted some preliminary stratigraphic analysis and continued to process data. -inc 2002-09-09_M909JW.j jlw this is probably the final season of excavations for A9 as such. There is important evidence of a substantial late Khabur building and at the highest elevations, a Mitanni settlement. These may be explored in future seasons by way of a new area designation. Thus, the primary goal of the work this year is to prepare the data from seasons MZ10 through MZ15 for publication. To this end, jlw spent the first few days of this season reviewing the database to organize the display portion of the global record. -inc 2002-09-30_M930JW1.j jw a step trench was dug (through what now is an expanded A9) in MZ6(1990). A full report was not prepared at that time; however, there are documents in the files at Tell Mozan that can contribute to the understanding of the overall stratigraphy of A9 as revealed in excavations in MZ10(1997), MZ12(1999) and MZ14(2001). The first problem was to identify the MZ6 loci. By comparing the features from MZ6 whose photographs are in the file with those found immediately under the backfill in MZ14, it is possible to say with some confidence that: A4k110 is roughly equivalent to A9k51/k52, A3k111 is roughly equivalent to A9k41, A3k112 is roughly equivalent to A9k31, A3k113 is roughly equivalent to A9k21, A2k114 is roughly equivalent to A9k11, and A2k115 is roughly equivalent to A9k10. It is not exact because the grid used to lay out As was re-oriented to match the palace after it came to be revealed at the bottom of the step trench. MZ6 was divided into two phases. In the first, every other locus from 105 at the top of the mound, to 121 at the bottom was excavated. Then, in the second phase, AS was divided into four areas, A1 through A4, and selected even numbered squares were excavated along with the odd numbered squares to study the various phases of occupation of this part of the tell, from Akkadian to Nuzi. ; A9-log -inc 1999-06-13_J613JL.j jw Due to the unavailability of complete excavation records from A9 two seasons ago, we have been forced to estimate our starting numbers for all data. Therefore, we shall use the following starting numbers: v 25, i 50, a 25, k 7, f 100, q 200. Any gap in the sequence directly preceding these numbers can be attributed to this factor, since we are trying to create a clear safety margin to avoid duplication. ; A9-marker -inc 2001-06-24_L706JLW.j jlw m2560 accidentally loosened and removed. -inc 2001-06-27_L712JLW.j jlw discovered an error in the elevation coordinate of m2590 while trying to measure the elevation of the stone and brick pavements in k21. Surveyor recalculated correct elevation which is 9033. -inc 2001-07-02_L702JLW.j jlw markers m2557, m2559 and m2101 loosened and removed. -inc 2001-07-08_L708JLW.j jlw m2619 loosened and removed. ; A9-next year -inc 2001-07-01_L701JLW.j jlw jlw discovered a small scaled ruler, that allows measured sketches to be made upon scaled AutoCAD plots in the field. gb mentioned that the expedition will purchase several for use by units next year. The model is ALVIN 47MTS Metric. ; A9-notes on time sequencing -inc 2001-07-08_L708JLW.j jlw gb and mkb visited to discuss some preliminary ideas on stratigraphy, particularly as pertains to the Khabur period we expect to see in the upper strata. Based on the various building phases and cuts of earlier architecture by later structures they believe that the walls and floors, for example f230, in k10, the lowest level excavated this season could be assigned to Phase 4a. The k11 architecture, including walls, platforms and floor, f247, are probably Phase 4b. The large pit, a29, in the north baulk of k11 and the south part of k21, where we found the first Khabur sherd this season, is probably Phase 5a. The platform a25, the stone pavement f205 in k21, and the wall foundation f225 in k11 and k21 are most likely Phase 5b. To clarify the nature and extent of the platform, gb suggested that we clean k31 to the north of a25, where it may be better preserved. ; A9-phase -inc 2001-07-01_L701JLW.j jlw gb mentioned that as a general rule, early Khabur bricks were 8cm thick, while later Khabur bricks were 10cm thick. ; A9-procedures -inc 1997-06-17_H620JLW1.j jlw Areas A6 and A9, immediately to the north share a common boundary. Previous excavations in A6, which was aligned to the AS trench used for early excavations, had found a major E-W wall along the northern boundary, a doorway in that wall, and a small portion of a N-S wall originating just to the east of the doorway and extending to the north. This year, when the grid was reoriented to the alignment of building AK, these features were incorporated into the southern boundary of A9 and became the points of departure for exploration of the more northerly parts of AK. Three squares were laid out, two along the southern border and one immediately to the north. The southern boundary of A9K1, to the far southeast, was shortened to four meters to assure it fell completely within the portion we wished to excavate, while A9K2 to the east was full-sized. The full southern boundary of A9 was delineated by a pin placed on the first available unexcavated surface to the west. Square A9K3, to the north, was offset two meters to the west of the eastern edge of A9 to explore for the prevoiusly mention N-S wall, while at the same time also avoiding the worst effects of a deep wadi which extends NE from the doorway in the middle of the southern border. Adequate space was left to the west for Area 2 to excavate two full-sized squares. -inc 2000-07-30_K730JLW3.j jlw While processing the journal files for MZ10A9, several problems involving the "J" and "E" programs were discoved. Among others were that a file that satisfatorily passed the "J" program's requirements would not run on the "E" program. Most of the problems were those of formatting. For example, the J program accepted a typical entry of "ei jo" vice ".ei jo", while the "E" program rejected "ei jo". Since the "E" program does not precisely specify the nature of the errors it finds, it is much harder to identify and correct them at that stage. There are two systematic problems in the "E" program. First, some files with no apparent defects, are rejected when run the first time. If immediatedly run again, they will be accepted. Second, in the rare event that the first feature and the first aggregate are documented in the same file, data for both a1 and f1 will be entered in the "A" file and there will be no data for f1 in the "F" file. A simple experiment that split the original journal file into two journal files that separated the data for a1 and f1, proved that the problem could be worked around and that once the output files were properly established, the "E" program distributed subsiquent data to the proper place. Specifically for A9 file H620jo.j will be split into two files, K730jlw1 containing data for f1, and K730jlw2 containing the data for a1 and incidental entries. -inc 2001-06-17_L617JLW2.j jlw jlw reviewed files from MZ12 (1999-J) to determine the last numbers assigned to the various entries into the data system. They are as follows: relays-r406, features-f194, qlot-q645, item-i97, aggregate-a22, loci-k9, plots-p21, views-v55, strata-s14, drawings-w27, and sketches-s15. -inc 2001-06-17_L617JLW2.j jlw the following are the starting numbers for the excavations in A9 during the MZ14(2001-L) season: aggregates-a23, drawings-w28, features-f195, items-i98, loci-k10, plots-A9g0001, qlots-q646, relays-r407, scripts-A9q0001, sketches-16, views-v56, scans w1. -inc 2001-06-19_L619JLW.j jlw In reviewing the plot files it appears as if certain of them should really be drawings. In MZ12(1999-J) we ran an experiment whereby a final plot would be developed in stages that involved relays, AutoCAD and detailed pencil and pen renderings of what would eventually be incorporated into the next set of plots. Each stage was assigned a separate plot number, whereas the ones partially drawn by hand should have been assigned drawing numbers. To bring the experiment into agreement with the master file system, the pencil renderings will be designated as drawings, whereas the plot numbers will refer to the underlying AutoCAD output that serves as their reference. The following are the new drawing numbers: A9p2 becomes A9w18, A9p4 becomes A9w19, A9p6 becomes A9w20, A9p8 becomes A9w21, A9p9 becomes A9w22, A9p14 becomes A9w23, A9p16 becomes A9w24, A9p19 becomes A9w25, A9p20 becomes A9w26, and A9p21 becomes A9w27. -inc 2001-06-19_L619JLW.j jlw correcting the MZ14(2001-L) list of starting numbers developed on L617, the first drawing this year should be A9w28 in lieu of A9w27. ; A9-section -inc 1997-06-22_H627JO-3.j jo GB suggested that we stop working in cutin/ screaping the A6k217 northern section inorder to preserve what the section had uncoverd olready (f15, f17 and f26) and to take the option of waiting until we reach them from top , from A9k2 and A6k30 , that is to better interpret the relationb and function of these features -inc 1997-06-22_H706JO.j jo A6k217 northern baulk has ben reassined to A9, it will be incloded in A9k2 locus, and will be dug as partt of k2. As it is highly erroded it will not be enugh to just screab it and also it nedded to be lined up with Ak orintation, therfor; it had to be cut about 20cm at the western end up to about 45cm at the eastern end ; A9-site overall -inc 1997-06-17_H620JO-2.j jo The waterbed of the waddy croses A9 at the middle of the area . flowing E to W at the northern bulk of k2 , turning to the S at the eastern bulk of k1 . ; A9-special project -inc 2002-09-30_M930JW1.j jw MZ14 excavations of k10, k11, k21, k31, and k51/k52 revealed a number of important structures, many of which had already been partially excavated in MZ6. For these the context was unclear. Fortunately there is some documentation for A3 available at Tell Mozan. For example, there are copies of feature, q-lot and item logs, the journal and a partial relay log. In addition there are copies of some photographs and some drawings and sketches of varying quality. There is a poorer record of the work in A2, which consists of poor copies of hand-written notes. There is a partial record of the work in A4, but it appears portions (including the work on A4k110(A9k51/52) were taken home by the excavator, presumably for post-season analysis. (There are other indications that the originals for all records were taken to Los Angeles.) For the initial work in AS, there is a list of features by locus, so one can presume that within each locus the list reflects the proper stratigraphic relationship. In summation, although no more work is possible during this short study season, we are optimistic that we can reconstuct an adequate record of the MZ6 excavations over the winter, particulary when we can view the original records, including photographs, which are available at IIMAS in Los Angeles. -inc 2002-10-06_MX07JW.j jw in study season MZ13(2000-K), jlw undertook several small projects involving the southern border of A9, which is formed by a major E-W wall that forms the north face of the AK building. The first task was to remove a pillar of accumulation from the NW corner of N-S stub wall, f176, which marks the western boundary of A9. The accumulation was of uniform texture and color, 10YR6/2, light brownish gray. There were no artifacts. The second task was to remove a one cubic meter platform of accumulation at the far western end of the same E-W wall, that was technically a part of A7 because it was about 7 meters west of the west face of f176. Sketch A9sk20 describes the situation. There were a few artifacts, consisting of non-diagnostic body sherds of common wares, none of which were kept. The third task involved preparing a sketch of the south, unexcavated, face of doorway, A9a17, which was never excavated. It is important because the doorway remained in use after the main palace was closed. The material in the doorway is about 2m high and consists of a series of alternating thresholds and accumulations, indicating that building AK was accessed by that doorway for an extended period of time after the reign of Tupkish. A layer of brown bricks atop the palace redbrick walls on either side of the doorway is further evidence of the continued occupation of AK. Sketch A9sk19 is the result. ; A9-strata description -inc 1999-06-16_J620JLW.j gb what is exposed in quadrant 1 of k4 is important because it marks for the first time in A9 a transition from indistinct eroded collapse which in its higher portions became congealed as a result of stagnant water within a bowl-like depression. The presence of apparently burnt bricks and ash layers may suggest destruction. If so, we may head for a richer accumulation underneath it. -inc 1999-06-21_J622JLW2.j jlw identical to f 76 -inc 1999-06-21_J622JLW2.j jlw possibly linked to f99, which can be seen in the section of the east baulk of k5. -inc 1999-06-21_J622JLW2.j jlw some 1997 records are not available on site. We believe that this is probably f1, but we can't be absolutely certain. -inc 1999-06-29_J703JLW.j gb what appeared to be a wall in k3 has disappeared again. We have now still many red patches, but masking a fine and rather greasy deposit, with many black chunks and patches of ash. In terms of absolute elevation, we are within the AK walls, but it hardly looks like palace accumulation. If the burnt bricks that appear in k5 and the eastern end of k4 reflect a burning of palace walls, we may be on the top of collapsed AK walls, hence in post palace accumulaton. In other words, it is possible that the service part of the palace did not burn and its walls were preserved to a greater height, but that in the Northern and Eastern portion there was a destruction which caused walls to be preserved to a lower elevation. -inc 1999-06-30_J630JLW1.j gb See note on M2 for a17. The general implication is that we may distinguish a palace occupation of AK (first floors) from a non-palace AK occupation (mid to high floors), when the building existed as a roofed building, but may possibly no longer have functioned as a palace. This might perhaps be explained if the main part of the building (to the N and E) had burnt down, and only the storehouse was spared and continued in use, but not as a portion of the palace. ; A9-strategy -inc 1997-06-15_H617JO.j jo A9 was chosen to be excaveted in MZ10 for the information that is expectedd to be provided in regard to sectors F and G of the building AK . In term of general construction of AK , we will be looking for the lemetation of the expansion of the building toward the east , that what we will be looking to know about from sector G , where we will be trying to determin whether all or part of sector G is an internal or an external part of the AK building , that mainly will be determined by determining the function of the wall f1 by analyzing the nature of occupation to the east and to the west of the wall f1. In relation to A7 ( sector E ) , A9 ( sector G ) will give us information on the nature , function and type of construction of the far end area accessed through the presumed gate A7 via/behined A2 area ( sector F ) (to be excavated MZ10). In relation to A6 ( sector D ) , A9 ( sector G ) is the accesed area through the doorway a1 , therfor the excavation will allaw us to know the relationship between A6 ( sector D ) and the area to the north of it ,to clarify the function of the long room A6a22 ( sector D ) which is the mirror image of A1f113 ( sector B ), tahat is by determining the nature of the relationsip between sectores D and G , which are opened to each other through doorway a1. Also we will follow the northern expansion of the wall f1 that bonds with the wall A6f78. In term of Tell formation we will be looking to determine whether or not the flow line of the gully ( wadi ) follows an underneath building construction especially since the southern turn of the gully came directly on top of the doorway a1 . If that is the case , we would expect a doorway some 3-4m to the north in the wall f1 , underneath the western turn of the gully ( the gully flaws E-W and turns to N-S ; a1 is a doorway in the E-W wall A6f78 , and the expected doorway would be in the S-N wall f1 ( see sketch 1 ) . -inc 1997-06-15_H617JO.j jo at first we are going to cut into the N section of A6k217 to clean it so it becomes readable , and also to inline it with the new adupted orineation ( AK orintaion insted of the previous AS orintation ) . The section will allaw us to look at the stratigraphy of A9 , so that would give us an idea about what to expect during our excavation of A9. -inc 1997-06-15_H617JO.j jo We will have three squares in A9 to be dug in MZ10, two southern squares ( k1 and k2 ) along side to the north of A6k217 , a third square ( k3 ) will be to the north of k1 and k2 , but it will not be inlined with neather one of k1 or k2 , insted it will be in the midele between them forming an inverted T shape with k1 and k2 ( see sketch 2 ) ; that is because of limited excavation time we won't be abl to dig a 4th square, so by choosing the k3 in this location in top of the projected contenuation of f1 will allow us the chanse to examen the nature of the deposites east and west of f1(wall) presomed extention. -inc 1997-06-17_H620JO.j jo We decided to place the northern square k3 in the middle in between k1 and k2, 3m N of k2, 2m N of k1 (See sketch 2). By doing that we expect the projected extension of the wall (f1) would be expanded to the north at the middle of k3. -inc 1997-06-18_H620JO-2.j jo We will continue working in k2 , and will start excavating k3 . If we will have sufficient number of workmen we will also start in k1 . -inc 1997-06-19_H620JO-3.j jo We will contenu the same patern of excavations and the same features as of H618 in bouth k2 and k3 . -inc 1997-06-21_H627JO.j jm Plan to photograph k2 before removing features 6, 7 and 11. They dont seem to have signifigance or relationships -inc 1997-06-23_H706JO.j jm Plan to remove packed accumulation surrounding tannur a3 and dig to expose bricks that seames to be a N-S wall to the west of a3 -inc 1997-06-23_H707JO.j jo Due of the large amount of dirt removing from the excavations because of the type of accumulation dug out of k1,2,3 (mostelly wadi accumulation), therefore k1 will not be dug and work will slow doun in k3 untill we get more dirtremoving workmen or get the started -inc 1997-06-29_H708JO.j jo Assigning and digging new feature (f45) below f41 in k3, digginig with big pick. In k2 continuing the excavation inside the burial a5, cleaning the brick fall and f36 underneath and around the bricks -inc 1997-06-30_H728JO.j jo continue the removal of f48 and then f49 in k3. will continue excavating f45 in the northernhalf of locus k2 to leave the southernhalf around a5 until a5 is fully excavated, documented and removed. will start again digging in k1, f21 will be dug. -inc 1997-07-06_H728JO-2.j jo will contenu excavating k3 f49, k2 f45 and out line northern face of f15 -inc 1997-07-06_O119JW.j jw based on analysis of accumulations in Area 2 to the west and the limited amount of remaining excavation time we are going to focus our attnention in the last three weeks on A9k1 and A9k2 as well as the region to the immediate south that was partially excavated as part of A6. Working with A2 we hope to find the reception areas associated with the fomal entrance to the far west being excavated by A7. As a result, we will level A9k3 to an elevation of about 8537, then suspend work there in favor of concentrating on full excavation of A9k1 and A9k2. -inc 1997-07-20_H728JO-3.j jo will remove the eastern extention of A6k217 northern baulk to inline it with k4 eastern baulk -inc 1997-07-20_H728JO-3.j jo A E-W tranch will be dug along the northern edge of k4, that is to inspect the existanc of N-S walls of AK such as f1 and/or A6f16, another tranch may also be dug N-S starting from doorway a1 to detict E-W walls. the non existenc of walls will confarm the posibelty of a large cortyard -inc 1997-07-21_H728JO-3.j jo will stop digging in k4 at the buttom of f73 elevation 8565, will dig only the trench along side the north baulk, starting with f74, 120cm wide N-S, 800cm long E-W,the western end will encloud part of A2. the trench is to detect the presence of Ak wall(s) in A9 area -inc 1997-07-23_H728JO-2.j jo contenu diging k5, assigning new feature below f74 and leveling k4 f73 as final stage fir this season -inc 1999-06-13_J613JL.j jw Therefore, our first step will be to follow the western limit of the floor south through k 4, to the doorway from A6, excavating the accumulation (f 74) on top of f 84. Once that is complete, we will work east, in order to find the floor's eastern limit. We will also immediately begin to remove the baulk between k 5 and k 3, since we will excavate k 3 down to the same level as k 4 and k 5. Finally, there is a possibility that we will begin excavating the square west of k 3 and north of k 5, depending on our results in the other loci. -inc 1999-06-13_J613JL.j jw It is important to understand the purpose of this floor surface since, if our understanding of the AK building's construction is accurate, it lies approximately in the center of the building and could be the central courtyard around which building activity and palace functions revolved. In that case, it would almost certainly have access to the ceremonial section of the palace, as well as the residential areas. Therefore, it will help us direct future excavations of the building and ascertain the building's actual purpose more accurately. -inc 1999-06-13_J615JLW.j jlw when excavation of A9 was suspended at the end of the 1997 season, a test trench, k5, exposed a section of baked brick floor, f84, that was bounded on the west by a packed earth floor, f82. These two surfaces may well be associated with the earliest phases of the building. It is possible that the brick floor was part of an open courtyard that connected major sections of the building. We know that the kitchen was immediately to the south and connected to A7 by a large doorway. We postulate that there may have been a similar connection towards a ceremonial area to the west and possibly a residential area to the north or to the east. k5 probed the middle section of the northern edge of k4, which was formed by combining k1 and k2, two of the three squares originally excavated. We now need to follow f84 and f82 south to the kitchen doorway, then east and west to the limits of k4. Later, we will excavate k3 to follow the floor to the north. -inc 1999-06-16_J620JLW.j gb we will stop excavations to lower levels for now. Instead, we will:(1) dig through the doorway to A6, (2) clean the pavement locus (k5), and straighten sections, (3) remove the wall stump (f15) and baulk between A6 and A9, (4) scrape and study well the sections leading to brickfall, f89, (5) if we need to put workmen to work elsewhere, we can start cleaning k3. -inc 1999-06-19_J620JLW.j jlw the excavated surface in k3 (1997) is now 1.91 m higher than k4. We need to more uniformly excavate in A9, so we will shift attention to k3 for a few days. Our focus will be to look for a doorway/wall which we expect will mirror the walls f1/f97 along the southern edge of k4. The two sets of walls would hopefully be linked by the paved floor f84. -inc 1999-06-22_J622JLW2.j jlw today we will continue to excavate k3 as quickly as possible. We will explore the brick/gypsum-like materiel (f105), then remove it. Also, to employ the workforce more efficiently, we will continue to excavate the west quadrant of k4 to level the locus. -inc 1999-06-24_J625JLW3.j jlw today we are making a major effort to clear all unexcavated portions of what was A2, now A9k6, to the level already excavated in k4. Having received extra workmen, we will deploy 2 picks on each of the two "platforms." The purposes are both practical and esthetic. We expect that the entire area encompassing k4, k6 and perhhaps k3 was an open courtyard, so it is best excavated as it was built and used. Second, mounds interfere with the surveyor's sightlines and prevent quick, accurate installation of markers. -inc 1999-06-24_J625JLW3.j gb maingoal remains exposing the presumed "patio" at the eastern end of the room F1. In the meantime, we have started removing the midfloors that remained in the western end of the room (we only pedestal the train platform, to be removed at the end); here, A9 will encroach on A2 and A7. Since we know the mid floors to be rather sterile, we can proceed with speed. Once a uniform level is reached through room F1, we will proceed with successive passes down to the brickfall in room G1, and thn the patio pavement. In the meantime, we are continuing to look for top of northern walls of room F1 in k3. If and when such search is successful, we will consider widening A9 in one of two directions. Either EW to expose the full courtyard(assuming we find in k3 the EW wall); or by opening a new square to the E of k3, going toward A11 and sector G. Such expansion is warranted by nature of deposit (quite sterile, allowing for faster excavation) and large avilability of workmen. -inc 1999-06-28_J628JLW.j jlw we will continue the 3 phases of work begun yesterday. In k3 we seek the bottom of the large pit, f114, as well as to make progress in preparing to excavate the entire locus from So to No. In k8 we will move quickly to lower the locus to the current level of f74 in k4. Based on the results in k3, we do not expect to encounter significant architecture until at least three meters are excavated. However, because of the adjacency and height differential, we must be safety conscious and must limit the number of workmen that are active at any one time. In k6 we are carefully excavating what was formerly A2 and A7 in the vicinity of the No wall of Sector B. -inc 1999-06-29_J703JLW.j gb We can proceed with the big pick in k3 because the finds are minimal. -inc 1999-07-03_J703JLW.j jlw leveling in k3, k4 and k6 has proceeded to the point where we can begin to excavate the entire patio to the level of the bricks, f84, in f5. We must remove the part of the k6 platform to the east of N-S stones, which should be accomplished soon after breakfast using 3 large picks and 3 shovels. (No artifactual material of significance has been found in the portion just excavated to the east.) Also, we must remove the SE baulk of k4. Then we can begin to dig from the stones, moving east. -inc 1999-07-04_J704JLW.j gb 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. -inc 1999-07-27_J729JLW.j gb work in k9 has fit red throughout, but we assume that it is not a wall. Our projections presume that we should have a wall corner in the NE corner of k9; there is no visible articulation of brick material into recognizable brick faces; the color is not the bright red of AK not the gray of the AK rebuilding. We will monitor the NE corner of k9 for changes in surface appearance. Since we had the same red before in k3 and it turned out not to be brick, we assume that here too we have a laminated brick collapse. -inc 1999-07-28_J728JLW.j jlw the following items need to be accomplished by workmen over the next few days to complete the excavation: 1) cut the south baulk of k9 to make it level with the excavated south half. 2) vertically straighten the east baulk of k3 (finish job already begun). 3) draw the east and west baulks of k9 and the long north baulk of k4/k5/k6. 4) after final relays are taken, cut out the pylon along the south edge of k4. 5) cut an exploratory trench at the low spot of pebble floor, f80, to see if there is a drain associated with baked brick floor, f84. 6) after A12 is done excavating the square east of k4, finish excavating the far southwestern corner of k6, which is the wheelbarrow path for their dirt removal. 7) if resources permit, remove the platform in the north half of k9 to level the entire excavated part of the locus. -inc 1999-07-29_J729JLW.j jlw the following items need to be accomplished by workmen over the next few days to complete the excavation: 1) cut the south baulk of k9 to make it level with the excavated south half. 2) vertically straighten the east baulk of k3 (finish job already begun). 3) draw the east and west baulks of k9 and the long north baulk of k4/k5/k6. 4) after final relays are taken, cut out the pylon along the south edge of k4. 5) cut an exploratory trench at the low spot of pebble floor, f80, to see if there is a drain associated with baked brick floor, f84. 6) after A12 is done excavating the square east of k4, finish excavating the far southwestern corner of k6, which is the wheelbarrow path for their dirt removal. 7) if resources permit, remove the platform in the north half of k9 to level the entire excavated part of the locus. -inc 2000-07-24_L620JLW.j jlw we want to remove the backfill and covering from the open portions of the palace courtyard (k3, k4, k5 and k6) to facilitate the palace survey project and to prepare the entire excavated portion of the palace for aerial photography, which could not be accomplished at the end of MZ12. -inc 2000-07-24_L620JLW.j jlw we also need a good drawing of the entire A9 excavated area. This was not accomplished in MZ12 either. It should identify all features. We could also use a good drawing of the major features and aggregates, for example both doorways. -inc 2000-07-25_K725JLW.j jlw plan to make a floor plan sketch of the entire excavated parts of A9 -inc 2001-06-18_L618JLW1.j jlw in discussing overall strategy for the season's excavations with gb, he pointed out that our end goal is to obtain a better sense of the southern rim of the late settlements that have been uncovered to the west and east of A9 in A2, A7 and A11 that frame the accumulations atop the AK courtyard. To achieve that, we will lay out an array of squares oriented to the present grid which will extend the north limit line of the A7 late settlement excavations approximately 25 meters to the east to meet the northern extension of the east limit line of the A 11 excavations. In addition we will superimpose the present grid system on earlier excavations in A2 and the step trench to give an overall sense to the organization of the settlement as seen from above. To assist in the visual interpretation we have removed the backfill from A11, and we will remove the backfill from the settlement portions of A7, clean up the A2 excavation and remove all the weeds. We plan to excavate horizontally to expose the first settlement and stop for this season, even though completed excavations in A7, A9 and A11 have also exposed part of the earlier, penultimate settlements. -inc 2001-06-23_L704JLW.j jlw after cleaning the site, we will begin excavation in k22, which is immediately to the north of the deep excavation, k9, where we found two levels of post-palace buildings during MZ12, and immediately to the east of the step-trench excavations in A2 of 1990. -inc 2001-06-24_L706JLW.j jlw today we will devote our resources to k21, which had been excavated as part of the step trench in 1990. We will remove the backfill and reorient the locus to the new grid. -inc 2001-07-02_L702JLW.j jlw at the end of the workday, gb visited the unit to see the progress in k14. We had just uncoved the brickwork in the SE corner. He suggested that we dig a few more pick runs to clarify what we have found, then move up the hill to excavate k24, at least to the eastern limits of the MZ12 A11 excavations, where we should expect to find walls much closer to the surface than in k14. -inc 2001-07-05_L705JLW.j jlw in touring the site with gb, he stressed that it was most important to complete the frame to the east and to the north to link the A7, A9 and A11 excavations. We had planned to dig east of k14 to the limits of A11 and to the north of k21 to follow the platform, a25, which is the latest structure we have discovered. Instead we will now dig k24 to the north of k14 and k23 to the east of k22 to complete the inner arc. -inc 2001-07-10_L710JLW.j jlw reviewed with gb the general plans for excavation in A9 for the balance of MZ14. First, we must complete the frame of A7 to A9 to A11. We will stop excavating in k23 and k24 when we encounter architecture in either one. Next, we will extend k16 and k26 only as far east as the east excavation limit of A11, about half the normal locus. We will continue to trace the brick platform, f290, north and west of the old excavation lines for the 1990 A3 excavations. -inc 2001-07-12_L712VP.j vp we will start again to dig in k22 the a f198, the ly f196, the w f197, trying to understand possible links between that locus k22 and k23 to the east and between they both and A7 on the west and A11 on the SE, where were dug some houses contemporaneous of them. Thus, we will clean all A7 and A9k9. -inc 2001-07-16_L716JLW.j jlw reviewed the strategy for the last two weeks or so of excavation with gb. We are well on our way to accomplishing our goal of investigating the links between the A7 southwestern settlement and the A11 southeastern settlement on the hills above the previously excavated southern part of A9. We have found substantial architecture in the northwestern and north eastern corners, but only a few tantalizing hints of whatever settlements there may have been in the central portion, which appears to have been a gully, even in ancient times. We will finish excavating in the northeastern corner by opening locus k25. We will also work in k22 a bit longer to try to understand the mass of mud or brickmelt that appears there. Finally we will explore locus k41 in the vicinity of the large N-S wall, a25, to see if there is a companion cross-wall. gb recalls that the MZ 6 excavations found that there was substantial brickwork in one of the A3/A4 locii in the step trench to the north of k31, where a large tomb was discovered. -inc 2001-07-21_L721JLW.j jlw in a meeting on L720 with gb, vp and jlw, we decided to stop digging in the easternmost loci, k15 and k25 in order to better preserve for future excavation the very large walls that appear in the SE corners of each near the surface. We will continue to dig in k24 to find the first level of major architecture, which may now be appearing along the southern edge of the north baulk in the NE quadrant. We will concentrate our attention, instead, on the major walls and floors now appearing near the surface in the northernmost loci, k41, k51, k42, k52, k43, and k53. The basic idea will be to trace the major walls, which are up to 4 meters thick, to help define the structures to which they belong. -inc 2001-07-22_L722JLW1.j jlw in the few days that remain, we will explore the northern wall complex within the confines of the squares already established. Today we added another tier to the east, k43 and k53. We will not exent the "X1 tier to the west this season, even though the northern extension of wall complex, a25, most likely will be found there. We will level k24 and stop excavating in the lower tier for this season. -inc 2001-07-24_L724JLW.j jlw in a meeting between gb and jlw, it was decided that since we have reached the objectives of the MZ14 excavation season in A9, the unit will be closed tomorrow. We will deploy to a southern extension of A15 where, for the next two weeks, we will assist in searching for the entrance to the AK palace. -inc 2002-09-09_M909JW.j jlw In the approximately five weeks of MZ15, the following can be done to address the deficiencies. First, the best photographs and extant drawings of the baulks should be examined to identify features and assure that they are reflected in the database. Then, if clarification is needed, selected baulks can be recleaned, redrawn, and labeled. It may not be practicable to draw every baulk, and the south baulks of many loci are either nonexistent or consist of little other than topsoil and abandonment accumulation because of the steep slope of A9 from north to south down the hill. -inc 2002-09-09_M909JW.j jlw Second, AutoCAD drawings of the significant architectural features and aggregates by strata should be prepared. Many of the bricks and stones were sketched atop the individual plots of features, so plans can be drawn for many of the structures from what we have. In some cases, particularly with the pise walls, it may be necessary to either rescrape the lowest excavated level from MZ14 or continue the excavations a bit further in selected loci, -inc 2002-09-09_M909JW.j jlw Third, although the templates must be prepared, it is task that could be accomplished off-site and should be accorded a lower priority. However, the final photos and their templates should be examined to see if they provide sufficient information about stratigraphy and architecture that will remain. If additional photos are needed they must be taken this season. Fourth, provided that time permits, in the case of loci k22 and k23, we should excavate the less than a meter each to bring them to the same elevation as k24 where architectural elements reflecting the latest continuity between A7 and A11 are clearly evident. -inc 2002-09-09_M909JW.j jlw Hopefully, then we could have full horizontal exposure of the highest linking stratum, which is also expected to be reflected in pise construction throughout. Hopefully, we could analyze the uses of the buildings with this type of wall. Fifth, a few lots of pottery should be selected for analysis. Q-lots coming from the previously unexcavated portions of k11 and k21 as well as those at the lower excavated level of k24 would be the most informative. Also those coming from the western edge of k41 would be useful to assist in understanding the transition between late Khabur and Mitanni settlements. Whether or not the pottery is analyzed, completion of a stratigraphic analysis is of the highest priority for MZ15. Sixth, as soon as some minor problems are resolved with the processing programs, a complete global record using the existing database must be prepared. This is of the highest priority, because to a great extent it will tell us what absolutely must be done to prepare a sufficient final report. -inc 2002-09-14_M914JW.j jlw the above illustrates the dichotomy associated with additional observation. Certainly, we learn more individual facts about what was built there, but on the other hand, more excavation as proposed in M909jw.j may interfere with the timely reporting of the considerable information we have obtained in the excavations to date. It now appears to jlw that the wiser approach is to forsake any additional excavations so that full attention can be devoted to publishing the global record in a timely fashion. The penalty will be that we will not be able to absolutely verify the strong hypthesis that the time that the pise walls and pebble floor in k24 were in use was the last phase in which there was continuity in settlements across the entire face of that portion of the tell. (There is already strong evidence to that effect provided by the pise construction and continuity in elevations in structures separated by less than 10 meters.) In later phases, buildings to the west and to the east were clearly separated by a gully, which was spanned by a stone and sherd path. -inc 2002-10-07_MX07JW.j jw in order to evaluate the pise wall and foundation construction used in several loci of A9, jw will take hardness measurements of various walls and accumulations with a soil penetrometer, which measures the resistance to crushing of an unconfined sample of soil. In addition, we suspect that ash from the kiln was added to the soil mixture to additionally strengthen it. yt, the ceramic manufacturing specialist stated that when alkali from kiln ash deposits (we have found kilns nearby in A7 and A15) is mixed with loess, the result is a very hard dense volume of material that explodes to powder when crushed, the act of which takes a hard push to accomplish. On a microscopic level, individual ash particles and the fine grains of loess are indistinguishable. -inc 2002-10-08_MX08JW.j jw jw and gb discussed actions that could be taken in the final week to maximally advance the progress toward preparing the global record for A9. Two major tasks should be accomplished. First, the sections of the west baulk and north (west end) of k9 must be drawn, as they document the beginning of the use of terracing on this part of the tell. Second, we must attempt to assemble the stratigraphic record from the first season of A9(MZ10). Although some of the records are not here (final days of q logs, relay logs and stratigraphic log) we should be able to reconstruct the record from the feature log and some sketches left by jo, the supervisor that year. ; A9-summary -inc 2001-09-23_L923JW.j 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. -inc 2002-09-09_M909JW.j 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. -inc 2002-09-09_M909JW.j 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. -inc 2002-09-09_M909JW.j 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. ; A9-surveying -inc 1997-07-02_H714JLW1.j jlw marker m1689 loosened by workmen and removed. BWP notified. -inc 1997-07-05_H716JLW2.j jlw marker m1641 loosened and removed. -inc 1999-06-28_J628JLW.j jlw marker m2014 was loosened and removed to permit the south baulk of k3 to be removed. -inc 1999-07-10_J710JLW1.j jlw markers m2030, m2080 and m2081 loosened and removed. -inc 1999-08-07_J807JL2.j jl This past season has been an incredibly exciting and rewarding experience for me, in terms of both archaeological discoveries and personal accomplishment. A9 has proved a remarkably rich and varied excavation area, furnishing all of the hope, all of the discovery, and certainly all of the disappointments that an archaeologist must be prepared to face in his effort to understand the world that he is uncovering. My understanding of archaeological methods and theory has increased dramatically, and my experience this season has helped cement my goals for my studies in the short term and my life in the long term. Much of this growth I owe directly to my area director, Jim Walker, to whom I am indebted for his guidance and friendship this past season. Rather than relegating my to a minor role in excavation functioning, he expected me to take nearly as full a part as he did in the direction and understanding of the square, resulting in a much broader perspective for me of the needs and rewards of archaeology. A great deal of thanks is also due to Professors Giorgio and Marilyn Buccellati, for giving me the opportunity to join their team at Tell Mozan for the third consecutive season, and for continually challenging me to acquire new skills and accept greater responsibilities. These changes would not have occurred without their influence. -inc 1999-08-07_J807JL2.j jl As regards A9 itself, this was a productive and informative year. We confirmed some of our original hypotheses about the courtyard, for instance that the brick pavement does extend all of the way underneath the pebble floor, or that the much sought-after east wall of the courtyard does indeed exist. On the other had, we were also presented with many new problems to consider. Although the east wall of the courtyard has been found, the north and west walls are still missing, raising questions about the boundaries of the courtyard and its actual size. Also, we uncovered a beautiful baked brick platform with bi-colored bricks, but its purpose is still a mystery. Other important finds included a small lead charm in the shape of a woman (perhaps the same goddess as the A12 statuette), and a bronze axe-head that is almost perfectly intact. Finally, many seal impressions were uncovered at or near the courtyard level, which, when studied fully, will provide a great deal of important historical information for that level. -inc 1999-08-07_J807JL2.j jl These discoveries, and even some of the problems, have assisted us in understanding the stratigraphy of A9. First of all, the two distinct pavements in the courtyard, the baked brick floor and the pebble floor on top of it, establish for us two seperate phases of palace use and occupation. Beyond that, there is significant evidence of the reuse of palace architecture, including stones which could have possibly come from the foundations of the western wall, for new and sometimes inexplicable living arrangements. It seems from the many floors which we discovered that life did continue inside the courtyard for many years, although it was probably not a palace at that time. Afterwards, there is a period of scattered occupation, the first to not use the courtyard walls (which had since been buried or collapsed in the eastern part of the courtyard) and the only inhabitants until the much later Khabur period. Since much of A9 was dug two years ago, most of our evidence of Khabur occupation comes from our upper loci and occasional pits reaching down into lower strata. Finally, there is a period of very scattered occupation before the modern era and the bare accumulation on top of the tell. -inc 1999-08-07_J807JL2.j jl A9 was truly blessed with a wonderful excavating season. We had a number of highly skilled workers, both in picking and in other fields, such as relaying or drawing sections, that allowed us to function more as archaeologists and less as lot-making machines. Our discoveries, although modest, complemented the discoveries in the rest of the palace building very well, offering another look at the picture of Urkesh, but from a different angle. More importantly, in fact, we have not only acquired new historical problems to solve, but we have also been given tantalizing hints of rewards to come in future excavating seasons. It seems, therefore, that this is the greatest reward that an archaeologist could hope for. -inc 2001-07-19_L720JLW.j jlw marker m2632 loosened and removed. -inc 2001-07-19_L720JLW.j jlw upon plotting the corner markers for k41, k42, k51 and k52 we noticed that they were slightly out of alignment with the other markers in the A9 grid. They were undoubtedly difficult to survey because the central N-S tier was in a previously excavated step trench and the western N-S tier was placed over berms installed to protect A7 and A9 from water damage over the winter. ; A9-weather -inc 2000-07-25_K725JLW.j jlw The pebble floor and brick platform are in excellent condition as is the east doorway. There were a few places in the vicinity of the walls where where the excavated surface was very wet, probably due to pooling of runoff from the new canvas wall covers. ; A9-work activities -inc 2000-07-24_K725JLW.j jlw Suliman and two in support began to clear the backdirt and plastic sheeting which covered the excavation over the winter. The purpose was to prepare for aerial photography of the entire palace complex. ; A9-workmen -inc 1999-06-14_J615JLW.j jlw two large picks and 8 others in support. -inc 1999-06-15_J615JLW.j jlw 4 large picks and 14 in support -inc 1999-06-16_J625JLW3.j jlw 3 large picks and 11 in support -inc 1999-06-19_J620JLW.j jlw three large picks and 15 in support. -inc 1999-06-20_J620JLW.j jlw 3 large picks and 15 in support. -inc 1999-06-21_J622JLW2.j jlw 4 large picks and 14 in support. -inc 1999-06-22_J622JLW2.j jlw 5 large picks and 14 in support -inc 1999-06-24_J625JLW3.j jlw 6 large picks with 19 in support -inc 1999-06-24_J625JLW3.j gb we have practically an inexhaustible supply of workmen this year, which makes it possible for us to hire as many as needed. This is fortunate for both the workmen and us, and it fosters their personal relationship to us and their professional development (we have a wider pool from which to select potential new pickmen.) -inc 1999-06-28_J628JLW.j jlw 6 large picks and 30 in support. Received 7 extra workmen for 1 hour from A7 and used them to level k3. Loaned one pickman to A7 after breakfast. -inc 1999-06-28_J628JLW.j jlw Ju'an Hassan taken ill and sent home. -inc 1999-06-30_J630JLW1.j jlw 6 large picks and 34 in support, including dirt train. -inc 1999-07-02_J702JLW.j jlw 6 large picks and 27 in support -inc 1999-07-02_J702JLW.j jlw train does not have enough capacity to carry dirt from three squares that are being excavated with big picks. Requested 6 additional workmen to carry dirt up the hill from k7 and k8 to free the train to handle the dirt from k3 and k6. -inc 1999-07-03_J703JLW.j jlw 6 large picks and 33 in support. -inc 1999-07-03_J703JLW.j jlw Rashat Sheykhmus suffered an eye injury and was sent home for the rest of the day. -inc 1999-07-04_J704JLW.j jlw 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. -inc 1999-07-05_J705JLW.j jlw 6 large picks and 33 in support. -inc 1999-07-07_J707JLW.j jlw 6 large picks and 33 in support. Khalid Ali Shellal returned to work. -inc 1999-07-08_J709JLW1.j jlw 6 large picks and 33 in support. Khaled Ali Shellal and ???? both from the tents departed at the end of the work day. Need replacements. -inc 1999-07-10_J710JLW1.j jlw 6 large picks and 33 in support. Asmad Hassan and Hamid Sherif assigned as replacements for departed tent workers. -inc 1999-07-11_J711JLW1.j jlw 6 large picks and 34 in support. Faisal Ibrahim reported as a new member of the team. -inc 1999-07-12_J712JLW1.j jlw 6 large picks and 34 in support -inc 1999-07-14_J714JLW.j jlw 7 large picks and 34 in support. Muhammad Kher reported as a new workman. -inc 1999-07-15_J716JLW.j jlw 6 large picks and 35 in support. -inc 1999-07-17_J717JLW.j jlw 8 large picks and 35 in support. Kawa Omo and Nasr al-Hammud released. Akmed Hassan, Kastro Isa and Kamal Omo added from A12. -inc 1999-07-19_J719JLW4.j jlw 2 large picks, 8 small picks and 33 in support. Rashat Sheykhmus ill and sent home at 8:00. Khlaf Muhammad ill and sent home at 9:00. -inc 1999-07-20_J723JLW.j jlw 4 large picks, 7 small picks and 32 in support. Khalf Muhammed again ill and sent home at 9:00 -inc 1999-07-21_J723JLW.j jlw 2 large picks, 8 small picks and 33 in support. -inc 1999-07-22_J723JLW.j jlw 2 large picks, 7 small picks and 32 in support. Bassam Ali and Maher Hammud will not be returning to work. -inc 1999-07-25_J725JLW1.j jlw 6 large picks, 4 small picks and 31 in support. Began to loan Kastro Isa and Aymad Muhammad to other units to assist them in drawing sections. 10 workmen under the leadership of Ramadan Khalil worked overtime to excavate k 9. -inc 1999-07-28_J728JLW.j jlw 10 large and small picks with 29 in support. Last day of full work crews. -inc 1999-07-29_J729JLW.j jlw 10 large and small picks with 29 in support. Last day of full work crews. -inc 2000-07-24_K725JLW.j jlw 11 other workmen joined in the project after breakfast. -inc 2000-07-24_L620JLW.j jlw Suliman and 2 others in support began on K723. Later joined by Faris and 7 others for the rest of that day through K724. -inc 2001-06-23_L704JLW.j jlw 4 picks and 7 in support reported for work. -inc 2001-06-24_L706JLW.j jlw 4 picks and 9 in support. -inc 2001-06-25_L706JLW.j jlw 4 picks and 12 in suport -inc 2001-06-26_L706JLW.j jlw 4 picks and 12 in support -inc 2001-06-27_L712JLW.j jlw 4 picks and 12 in support. -inc 2001-06-28_L712JLW.j jlw 4 picks and 12 in support reported for work. -inc 2001-07-01_L701JLW.j jlw 5 picks and 18 in support -inc 2001-07-01_L701JLW.j jlw Muhammud Juma departed at 1030 for dentist (severe toothache). -inc 2001-07-02_L702JLW.j jlw 5 picks and 18 in support. -inc 2001-07-03_L703JLW.j jlw 5 picks and 17 in support working in k10, k11 and k14. -inc 2001-07-03_L703JLW.j jlw added two workmen, Kamiran Hammud and Kawa Omo. -inc 2001-07-04_L704JLW.j jlw 6 picks and 19 in support. Reviewed the procedure for picking up and returning tools at the beginning and the end of the work day. -inc 2001-07-05_L705JLW.j jlw 6 picks and 19 in support -inc 2001-07-07_L707JLW1.j jlw 5 picks and 17 in support appeared for work. Anwar, Hussein Sadiq and Ismail Ramadan absent. -inc 2001-07-08_L708JLW.j jlw 6 picks and 17 in support reported for work -inc 2001-07-09_L709JLW.j jlw 6 picks and 17 in support reported for work. Excused Yassir Hasu for 3 hours so that he could register for the army/police in Kamishli. -inc 2001-07-10_L710JLW.j jlw 6 picks and 17 in support reported for work -inc 2001-07-10_L710JLW.j jlw after breakfast, excused Ghassan Hussein, who was nauseous and dizzy and Muhammud Mahmud, who had a family emergency at home. -inc 2001-07-11_L711JLW.j jlw 6 picks and 18 in support. Ahmed Faris was a new addition. -inc 2001-07-12_L923JW.j jlw 6 picks and 18 in support reported for work. -inc 2001-07-14_L923JW1.j jlw 6 picks and 18 in support reported for work. All will be excavating in A9 today. -inc 2001-07-15_L923JW2.j jlw 6 picks and 18 in support reported for work. -inc 2001-07-16_L716JLW.j jlw 6 picks and 18 in support reported for work -inc 2001-07-17_L717JLW.j jlw 6 picks and 18 in support reported for work. -inc 2001-07-17_L717JLW.j jlw 20 extra workmen reported from A15, which had a stop day. They completed removing the cover and backfill from A7 and cleaned the portions of k41, k42, k51 and k52 that were partially excavated as part of the step trench in MZ6 in 1990. Their efforts were very much appreciated. -inc 2001-07-18_L727JLW.j jlw 6 picks and 18 in support reported for work. Salaam Hessu absent. -inc 2001-07-19_L720JLW.j jlw 6 picks and 18 in support. We assume that Salaam Hessu has resigned from the workforce. Ghassan Hussein departed at the end of the day to enter military service. -inc 2001-07-21_L721JLW.j jlw 6 picks and 17 in support reported for work. A'lan Hessu and Yassir Hessu were late. Loaned A'lan Hessu to A10 for dirt removal. -inc 2001-07-21_L721JLW.j jlw gb asked if we needed more workmen for the final 2 weeks of excavation. jlw and vp agreed that the present workforce is adequate to complete our work. -inc 2001-07-22_L722JLW1.j jlw 6 picks and 16 in support reported for work. Muhammud Juma was absent. -inc 2001-07-23_L723JLW.j jlw 6 picks and 17 in support reported for work. -inc 2001-07-24_L724JLW.j jlw 7 picks and 16 in support reported for work. Abdel Rahman transferred to A9 from A10.