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Unit Book A12

The ābi (Version 1a)

A12-daily

Processed on 2024-12-08


Date Author Record
2000-06-21 jl Today, gb met with lr and me to discuss the plans for excavating in A12 this season. Our team will consist of myself, lr, okk, and one unknown person from the new expedition members, with jlw supervising as we work. [Input: K624JL.j]
2000-06-22 jl Today, I began my first real work on the excavation. This morning, lr (who worked on A12 last season) and I went down to the site and discussed our excavation goals as gb had related them to us yesterday. Then, with Barbara Pritzkat, I put in the first four marker pegs for relays in loci 21 and 22. Unfortunately, she is limited in the locations which she can measure, due to a lack of surveying points with visibility of A12, but hopefully this will change by the time we begin excavating. Meanwhile, lr prepared (with okk's help) a simplified Harris Matrix of the stratigraphy of upper A12 for mkb. Afterwards, she began checking the written records of the A12 book against the computer files here in Mozan, to see if the files are up-to-date or if any data is missing. [Input: K624JL.j]
2000-06-23 jl Today, okk, lr, and I held a strategy meeting to determine what is necessary to ready last year's A12 data for publication. Hopefully, we will present the results to gb later this afternoon. I also learned that ed, one of the new expedition members this year, will be our fourth team member. However, due to her other commitments to mkb, her role with the team will need to be discussed further with gb and mkb. [Input: K624JL.j]
2000-06-23 jl lr, okk, ed, and I met with gb this afternoon to discuss our strategy for preparing A12 season 12 for publication. lr has also taken on the responsibility of preparing our field box for excavation. We will potentially begin removing the backfill in a21 and a22 tomorrow, but probably the day after. Finally, it seems as if ed will primarily be involved in the excavations, and less so with the data analysis or the work on last season's book, due to her other commitments to mkb. [Input: K624JL.j]
2000-06-24 jl This morning, I took ed down to the site to familiarize her with A12. After breakfast, I supervised the removal of backfill over the whole extent of a22, the apsidal structure. At gb's request, I asked the workmen to take good care of the plastic sheeting, so that we can reuse it at the end of the season. I anticipate that another half-day of work will be needed before excavation can begin. [Input: K624JL.j]
2000-06-25 jl backfill removal continued today. The workers finished the process of removing the backfill and some began cleaning the square; the rest began backfill removal in k13. Also, three workmen (Diadin, Laurence, and Ridah) and I took the relays for two marker points on the south baulk within the apsidal structure a22, sin bp cannot see within it to survey them in. Tomorrow, gb, mkb, lr, okk, ed, and I will meet at A12 at 5AM to discuss the excavation plans and hopefully begin excavating. [Input: K627JL.j]
2000-06-26 jl gb and mkb met us at A12 this morning to discuss our excavation plans. lr had completed the final plots of last season's excavations in a32, and I had plotted in the relay markers, m5018 and m5019, which I had placed. gb and mkb expressed their opinion that a32 was possibly an Indo-European burial, with the unusual nature of a33 being explained by the wooden dome/awning which would have covered the burial and the grave goods and had eventually collapsed. We also clearly observed for the first time f303, the seeming vault evidenced in the baulk. In k24, a blocking stone f302 was in danger of falling into the trench k25, so we decided to photograph it and remove it. Finally, as the workmen had begun carrying dirt through the proposed path of bp's surveying point, we decided to move it to the south-west of the area, from which see could see the ground and the north baulk of a32. [Input: K627JL.j]
2000-06-27 jl This morning, gb taught lr how to draw a section, and okk photographed the south baulk of a22 (v91). gb also investigated the trench k25 slightly, and discovered that the large stone in the east side of the trench did not continue into the baulk, but was oddly stood up vertically over a thick layer of accumulation. It was decided to remove the two small ledges of earth on the east and west baulks in preparation for the picture and let the trench dry (it was still very wet), so that the stratigraphy could be observed. Therefore, lr drew the section of the south baulk of a22, I took more relays, and at gb's instructions, the workmen levelled off the high baulk tops south of a32, so that falling stones would not injure anyone. [Input: K627JL.j]
2000-06-28 jl gb met lr, okk, ed, jlw, and myself in A12 this morning to discuss strategy and begin excavating. After we had strategized, we began excavating in k26, in order to level it with k27, and we leveled the top of the south-west shelf next to the k25 trench, which had been excavated rather deeply before (almost to the level of k26; see g14), but will now be included in the south baulk of the locus. After the baulk top was finished, one of the workers (Abdul Rachman) moved into the trench k25 to clean and straighten the west baulk, f309. I am surprised that we have accumulated a great deal of pottery from both f307 and 308, since I have been told that it was a very clean accumulation. We have also found a possible door sealing and a few clay lumps, which makes me wonder what sort of accumulation it is. [Input: K629JL.j]
2000-06-28 jl Abdul Rachman, digging in the trench k25, has discovered the second stone of a stairway! What we took previously to be the stone threshold extends into the baulk for about 30 centimeters, after which another stone, approximately 30 centimeters high, sits on top of it, as if the second stone in a narrow stairway. In addition to confirming that the doorway has been blocked, it suggests that maybe what we took to be the stone threshold is just another step, and the actual floor (flagstone floor?) is further below. [Input: K629JL.j]
2000-06-29 jl While digging down in k24, Abdul Rackman discovered the next two stones going down in the stair of the doorway. It appeared more clear, as the last stone became visible, that we did indeed have a stairway, and now the question is, how far down does it go? If what we took to be the bottom threshold is just another step, then the actual floor of a32 might be much further down than we currently believe. Also, the ^ac within the corridor was very clean, had very little pottery, and was very homogenous, reddish and somewhat bricky, the same as the dirt excavated from the trench k25 last season. This is very different from the dirt that we have excavated in f307 and 308, k26, which held a lot of pottery and ash. I wonder, perhaps, if f307 and 308 actually overlay this layer, and it continues underneath all of a22? It is so clean, it appears as if it might be a deliberate fill. But if it is fill, and apparently Sargonic period, by the sherds, then the question becomes, why fill it in? If it is a burial, perhaps the fill was to discourage tomb robbers, or to link it to earlier mound burials, but I do not know enough about burial practices of this era and location to come to a conclusion. [Input: K629JL.j]
2000-07-03 lr I continued to measure the stones of a31 since i was not able to draw the stones that form the antichamber last season. Using the g-plot p3, i measured each stone from the point and found that the plot was off by about 3cm. I remeasured the stairs since they did not plot yesterday using new relay numbers and location. I decided it would be easier to place the points at the center of each edge. I was not able to finish the drawing since a few points were needed to complete it which will be available tomorrow. [Input: K703LR.j]
2000-06-28 lr Okk, jl, ed, and myself are at the site. Elena and I finished drawing the baulk inside a31. The baulk is the south side of the aggregate facing north. We had some difficulties drawing the section on the account that the red and ashy layers in both k27 and k26 appear to be mixed. The vaulted section was also unclear and the section was drawn based on how we saw it. I triangulated the doorway in order to show the width, r415 and r416. [Input: K703LR.j]
2000-07-01 jl Today, gb met us in A12 at 5AM to briefly discuss the stratigraphy of a32. See strata assignment B for the results of this discussion. Then, we continued excavating the S section of A12 until gb returned to take the aerial pictures of a31, and afterwards we returned to work. Later, in another strategy session, we decided to briefly stop digging in k27 in order to focus for a few days on k23 and complete our planned excavation in the S section there. [Input: K704JL.j]
2000-07-02 jl Today, while excavating in k27, the workmen uncovered a brown layer beneath the gray and red layer f259. Until the whole pickrun is completed and the locus is cleared, we will not know its extents, but it does not seem to be the same as the brown fill/accumulation (f309-12) beneath f308 in the W half of the locus. It seems dirtier and less homogenous. Meanwhile, after taking V92 of the S section of k23 where we are excavating, we examined the section with gb. When we had ascertained that it was indeed all gullywash, we continued excavating there as well. Hopefully, we will finish that section today, so that we can concentrate more fully on the inside of a32. [Input: K704JL.j]
2000-07-03 jl Since the raising of the tents prevented us from digging in k23, we started a pickrun across k27 instead. There is some confusion for me about the feature. I am not sure whether we are in f316, the ashy layer, or 317, the brown later (or if f317 even exists). ed practiced digging; she has a very sensitive hand, and noticed some important things. [Input: K705JL.j]
2000-07-04 jl Today we continued excavating in k27. The fissure continued down, and at points even reached 10cm in width. Also, gb spent most of the morning in the square with us, discussing encoding practices and the continuing excavating in k27. We also looked at the recent uncovered brickfall in k23, f319. gb decided that a picture documenting the new observation was needed, so we scraped and cleaned in preparation for it. The rest of the day, we performed most of a second pickrun across k27, with the help of a few extra workmen from A10 (who did not excavate today). Work ended an hour early, since gb decided to speak to the workmen about the project today. Tomorrow, A13 will not be digging, and we will have as many workmen from there as we need. Therefore, once the picture of k23 is taken, we will excavate at both ends of the square, hopefully to get k23 completed so that we can establish this season the S extent of the structure and return to focusing on a22. [Input: K705JL.j]
2000-07-05 jl Today did not begin as planned. Not only had A13 decided to work and hadn't told me, but our best pickman, Abdul Rackman, was missing. Adnan Omar was promoted from shovel to replace him for the day, since he had impressed me last season as a pickman for jlw and myself in A9. Also, A13's change of plans proved fortuitous, since we soon struck the white pit f325 and had to quit digging in k27, and the extra workforce would have been useless. Before we found the pit, we also traced the red layer f324 in the E half of the locus. After a strategy session with gb, we photographed and covered the pit and switched instead to removing f319 brickfall and leveling f320 in k26. [Input: K705JL.j]
2000-07-06 jl This morning, we finished leveling the surface of k26 (f320) and cleaned in preparation for an aerial photo. Unfortunately, the kite rig would not work, so instead okk took a few photos from the ladder and we continued to excavate in k26. We did get a picture of the face of the fissure before they cut it down. Also, Steph articulated the brickfall and ascertained that it was all broken, then he started working with the small pick. Work has progressed more quickly thanks to a few workers from A13, who did not excavate today. [Input: K706JL.j]
2000-07-06 jl We have come upon a startling discovery that would seem to solve most of our confusion about the nature of a22's stratigraphy: the fissure seems to be the result of a semicircular wall of brick, of which we have only just found a physical trace. Perhaps also this wall is related to the original use of the building; we will know better as we continue down. [Input: K706JL.j]
2000-07-08 jl We spent the morning looking in k26 for traces of the pit f325. When we found nothing, we leveled the locus and instead turned to the possible wall f326. Picking against the W face of f326, we found no brick face, but the possible face of a simple mud wall. The workmen suggested that the room was actually a grain silo, but that would not explain the stone construction. [Input: K708JL.j]
2000-07-09 jl We started this morning cleaning the square for aerial photos. Once gg had completed the, we continued digging down in k26, in what we presumed would be sterile earth. It was, indeed, not sterile, as proved by the contents of the fill, especially two and possibly three seal impressions, one of which is inscribed! The first one caused us to sift the dirt, leading us to the other two fragments. We finished the day digging very slowly, looking for traces of others. [Input: K709JL.j]
2000-07-12 jl Yesterday, we continued excavating down in both loci, k26 and 27. In k26, the level of pottery decreased substantially. Conversely, the pottery in k27 increased dramatically. [Input: K715JL.j]
2000-07-18 jl Today, we removed f342, the ^aa against the wall f326 on the E side. okk photographed it, and gb and rah used the opportunity to shoot a sequence of video clips documenting the face of the mud ledge. In k26, we cleaned the white surfaces f338 and continued exploring them. Just before breakfast, we found a stone under the N end of the mud ledge, which supports the theory of the circular barrier and perhaps will explain how it started. [Input: K718JL.j]
2000-07-19 jl Today, we started in k27 by removing f337, the white floor. Underneath this, we observed a patch of discolored earth, green and yellow, which seemed to be from a tannur or kiln. This only turned out to be about 10cm deep, so we removed it and leveled the ^aa within the locus. Meanwhile, in k26, having decided that the white patches did not signify floors, we leveled to the lowest one visible and switched to the large pick. Since our plan is to publish the data this year, we want to reach the floor in both loci, if possible. [Input: K719JL1.j]
2000-07-20 jl Today, we continued our work pattern from yesterday. In k27, one of our workmen, Massoum, uncovered a small anthropomorphic vessel. In k26, we found another step, and maybe a floor of stone; more digging will be necessary once the dirt is removed. Also, another workman found a ^si in last season's k6 while scraping the baulk. [Input: K720JL.j]
2000-07-22 jl K720 finished slowly. In an effort to use our dirt for backfill, we set up a bucket-toss line to upper A10, but unfortunately, this consumed enough time to effectively paralyze our digging. So, instead, we will now be moving our dirt to a location nearby us, on top of a layer of plastic, so that it can later be moved up. Hopefully, this will be more time efficient. In k26, we are continuing down across the locus, and the same in k27. In k27, we have discovered a large hole next to the mud ledge in the SE corner of the locus, much bigger than the fissure. Probably it is a rodent hole, but we won't know until we clean and dig more. [Input: K722JL.j]
2000-07-22 jl While digging in k26, we found a layer of stone with scattered patches of orange material over them. Also, in the NW corner, the orange seems to curve up the wall and has a definite face. It is possible that we have found a floor, and that the orange is what remains of a plaster that once covered the floor and walls. In the SE corner of k27, against (and mostly in) the baulk, is what appears to be a human burial. If so, then our ideas about the purpose of the structure may need to be reegaluated. [Input: K722JL.j]
2000-07-23 ed In the morning, we found a series of very large bones in k27, to the point that there are more bones than pottery. Hopefully, the bone specialists will come and will be able to tell us more about them, possibly giving us more insight into the use of the building. Also, the hole found in the fissure seems actually to be one in a series of holes, not a rodent hole, but suggesting a strong stone substructure underneath. The successive course of stone in the mud ledge indeed seems to stick out more than the previous one. [Input: K723JL.j]
2000-07-26 jl Yesterday, we photographed and dug through f348, after deciding that f348 was indeed not a plaster floor. It seemed to be a compact layer of ^aa over f349, a sherd floor/layer. This new sherd floor is very important, since (as a deliberate surface) it chronologically seals this part of the structure. Also, the incredible quantity of sherds (it is almost as if they were stacked on top of each other) will hopefully give us an accurate date. Working on the possibility that the sherd floor was the first floor (although gb commented how a sherd floor would be very incongruous in the stone structure), we dug only in the N half, looking for a subfloor or maybe a stone floor beneath. To our surprise, in the NE corner, we found an odd apron of smaller stones and the tops of possibly cut bricks, and a line of stones curving in line with the mud ledge, but about 10cm away. This is very confusing, since the curving line of stones affirms our interpretation of the mud ledge (and our leaving it intact), but the cut bricks suggest that we have possibly found something previous to the stone structure, into which it cut. Unfortunately, it is unclear whether the wall stones continue down. This gives us two possible interpretations: one, the sherd floor was the first floor, and we have found the bricks of a previous structure which was cut by the apsidal structure, or two, the sherd floor is later, and the first floor covers the curved stone wall, which was obviously placed deliberately, and the latter is unprovable until we see if the wall continues down. In k27, the layer of large bones suddenly disappeared and the ^aa became sterile, to the point that we are now using the large pick. [Input: K726JL.j]
2000-07-27 jl Today, in order to take relays within k27 (we are too far down to see over the mud ledge and to use the second marker), we created two new markers, mA and mB. For mA, we dropped a plumb bob from m5063 on the stones above and placed a marker peg at the bottom. For mB, we lowered the plumb bob from m2338. The elevation of mA is m5063-421cm, the elevation for mB is m2338-203cm. For relays from mA, I will use the coordinates of m5063, and for marker B I will continue using m2338, but with that elevation difference figured in. [Input: K727JL.j]
2000-08-06 jl A few days ago, a trench was dug W of the AP complex to accomodate a very high pole, to be used to take photographs of the site. Surprisingly, a floor was discovered, the plan was abandoned, and the square was made k28. [Input: K806JL1.j]
2001-06-23 jl Today is the first day of excavation in A12. Work got off to a slow start, since many new workmen needed to be assigned to their areas. We first cleaned the underground structure, and now are carefully digging through the muck to the floor beneath. Until I can get last season's A12 numbers from gb or fab, I am using temporary numbers (temp-1, temp-2). I will correct them this afternoon. [Input: L625JL.j]
2001-06-23 jl As we cleared the muck (f361 and f362) that formerly was f326, we discovered a semicircle of bricky material where the mud ledge had once been. This reaffirms the existence of f326, which had been at times last year in doubt. We will approach it from the east, to test whether or not there is a step down, i.e. whether or not the edge shows a deliberate, smooth curve over. Also, gb informed me that Dr. Valentini from Tell Baari will be visiting Wednesday afternoon, in five days, to discuss the presumed vault which once covered the underground building. [Input: L625JL.j]
2001-06-24 jl Today, we excavated the mud in the k27 test trench (f364). However, we finished this soon after breakfast, so we will temporarily stop work here and begin on A14 instead. The mud is currently too wet to excavate effectively. [Input: L625JL.j]
2001-07-10 ed Meeting con il professore Castelletti a proposito delle concrezioni concentrate lungo i filari centrali della parete E della struttura absidale. Queste concrezioni sono la conseguenza di un'infiltrazione d'acqua alla sommita' della parete in pietra e del suo lento e continuo scorrimento verso il basso, ma una condizione indispensabile perche' si verifichi questo tipo di fenomeno e' che l'ambiente sia aperto o almeno che davanti alle pietre ci sia uno spazio sufficientemente ampio affinche' l'anidride carbonica possa liberarsi. Da questo si puo' dedurre che l'intonaco notato contro le pietre durante la scorsa campagna di scavo doveva esser stato messo in un momento successivo la formazione delle concrezioni. Inoltre, alcune concrezioni granulari che sembrano essersi appoggiate a strati orizzontali potrebbero testimoniare altrettanti momenti della stratificazione e quindi suggerire che l'intonaco sia cresciuto in altezza poco per volta. Dato che questo intonaco era collegato alla "mud edge" che separava l'ambiente circolare da quello quadrato, si puo' concludere che anche quest'ultima non fosse stata realizzata in un unico momento. Allo stesso modo, laddove le concrezioni sono sovrapposte alla terra che colma i giunti fra le pietre, si puo' dedurre che fosse proprio quella posta in opera al momento della costruzione dell'edificio. Normalmente, e' sufficiente un lasso di tempo abbastanza breve (5-15 anni) perche' si manifesti questo tipo di concrezioni, ma in questo caso il fatto che l'acqua della zona sia molto calcarea potrebbe averne ulteriormente velocizzato il processo di formazione. [Input: L714ED.j]
2001-07-19 jl For the past few days, we have been excavating in both the north half of k27 and cutting away half of the southern baulk, saving samples of soil from every layer for analysis by Professor Castelleti and revealing a fresh baulk face. The new face is actually quite beautiful, and contains many details previously unobserved, such as the white area at the top of f259. [Input: L822JL.j]
2001-07-29 jl Could the circle be an original well with the square added on later? [Input: L822JL.j]
2001-07-22 jl Today, we removed the bones in f369 and continued excavating down. Yesterday, we switched from the east side of the baulk (k27) to the west (k26), to prevent the height differential between the two halves from becoming too great, leading to a collapse. [Input: L822JL.j]
2002-09-09 ms gb has decided that we should stop excavating in f384 for the time being and concentrate on f369/f371 in the trench in the northern half of k27. This decision was made as a result of our discovering f387 both in section and in excavation in f384. Since it has not been properly drawn, he and mkb think that it would be wise to maintain the section and use our excavations in the northern half of the locus as a guide for our later excavations in the southern half. Furthermore, since time is running short, a limited excavation in the circle is more likely to reveal to us the bottom of the structure. [Input: M909JL.j]
2002-09-05 jl This morning, gb decided to transfer ap to A16, because there was a greater need for her there. Later, while studying the excavated portion of the baulk, I noticed more clearly the curvature of the fissure, f303, visible on the top surface of the excavated area (see v185 and 185a). Previously, it had been too high up to see clearly, and much of the area around it had been washed away by rainwater. At this lower, better preserved level, it is very clear and must be taken into account during excavation. [Input: M914JL.j]
2002-09-13 ms k27: evened out f392. The fill seems to be less dirty at this elevation (7070) so created f395 to differentiate. We are above the laminations in the north half of the circle and I have told the workmen to be aware. We will watch closely to see where we meet them on this side. Later: did not create f395 after all. However, leaving a small baulk on the eastern side of the feature (against the eastern wall of a32) because the fill seems to be different and we are unclear about the relationship between the different soils. k26: are following the white floor, f394. It goes under f393, bricky mass in south baulk. We are removing f393 to follow the floor. [Input: M914JL.j]
2002-09-19 ms Finished removing the S baulk in K27. The removal started on M918. Excavated feature by feature, going especially carefully when reaching f371. All the features (f382,f384,f392,f371,f372,f395,f396 and f397) continue into the baulk. The laminations (f372) continue. The only difference is that f395, ashy material, follows around the circle and still remains about 40cm thick from the walls of k27. It seems to be thinning at this final elevation (7941), but it may go further. JL left this morning. [Input: M920MS.j]
2002-09-22 ms We opened k29 today. Technically this is in E, but we are digging a one meter by one meter trench for another tower. It is near other burials and we thought we might hit a modern burial, but intead have found a wall. It may be Khabur based on initial pottery analysis. It is also the same elevation as other Khabur walls. We enlarged the size of the pit so the wall would not be disturbed by the tower. gb decided it would be better not to do a trench in k27 to see how far the circle goes down. Excavation has ceased for this season. [Input: M923MS.j]
2003-08-02 jl Today, we uncovered the black seed layer f417/f419 in the north half of A12. The layer is extremely interesting because it seems to slope up against a small mud ledge, as if the ledge was in existence when the black seeds were dropped into the circle (see v236). This raises again the question of the "mud ledge" or lack thereof. gb and I both agree that the "ledge" around the black area could be the result of one of two processes: first, the pouring of mud and other foreign material into the fissure around the accumulation within k27, or second, the edge of a shallow pit dug across the entire circle in order to perform a ritual associated with the api. In the latter case, it means that the whole circle was used for the ritual at this time, not simply a small area in the middle. It is also possible that the later use alternated between small pits and large pits (for example, the ashy layer f333/f334). However, f387, which was a black layer in the southeastern portion of the locus, seemed last season to be linked to the black line in the southeast which first indicated the edge of f417/419. If that is the case, then the pit was at least half of a meter deep, since that is the approximate height of f387 above our current level. [Input: N802JL.j]
2003-07-22 jl Today, we removed the red, bricky layer f406 on the north-west of k27. It lay directly on top of the laminations f405 over most of the area. gb unveiled the latest version of his hypothesis for the existence of the laminations, divided into five phases: first, deposition of material in the circle; second, light rain creates laminations; third, small pit dug into laminations for performance of ritual; fourth, dirt of different colors is put over the whole area to cover up the evidence of the ritual; and fifth, heavy rain melts the covering dirt, which mixes (explaining the merging red and brown boundary) and falls into the fissure created by the shrinkage of the accumulation within the circle. [Input: N805JL.j]
2003-07-23 jl As we removed the brown layer f407, we discoverd that it didn't cover the laminations, but instead f408, a layer of charred black seeds sloping down sharply to the north. We uncovered the layer up to the laminations, and discovered that it was the cause of the black line which we had observed in f405 (v226b) in the south-eastern part of the circle. [Input: N805JL.j]
2003-07-24 jl We did little digging today, since fab and jjj wanted to film a series of short movies of the laminations being excavated. However, the layers which they chose were too wet to really provide the evidence which they wanted. What excavation we did focused on defining the boundary and relationship between f409 and f410, the laminations and the brown. [Input: N805JL.j]
2003-07-26 jl We did little digging today, since fab, jjj and gb wanted to continue filming, in hopes of getting a better movie of the laminations being excavated. I also contributed some filming, as did rah with his video camera. What little actual excavation we did focused on exploring the boundaries of the laminations. [Input: N805JL.j]
2003-07-27 jl We did little digging today, since we were waiting to finish the sequence of movies made by fab and jjj of the workmen digging the laminations. What excavation we did focused on exploring the boundaries of the laminations. [Input: N805JL.j]
2003-07-28 jl Today, we dug the last remaining area of laminations f405 and found an unlaminated material, f412, underneath them, separating them from the next apparent laminations. We also found a possible distinction between the outer ring of brown soil f410 and the inner brown f411 underneath the laminations, which has a lot of small rocks. In the afternoon, mkb called a team meeting to show us many Phase 3 sherds in our q-lots, possibly contamination through the fissure. [Input: N805JL.j]
2003-08-03 jl We focused on digging in the western half of k30 today, trying to see if the "ledge" f423 continued around the whole circle, or just the eastern half. Ultimately, it is still inconclusive, because we did not clearly find the black seed layer sloping up against any ledge. After breakfast, I felt very ill, so I returned to the house to rest, and let rd2 run things in the excavation. [Input: N805JL.j]
2003-08-04 jl Because of my illness, we did not excavate today. Instead, we stayed at the house and worked on data entry and object descriptions. [Input: N805JL.j]
2003-08-05 jl Today, we tried to clear the question of the mud ledge in the west half of the circle by following the black seed layer in the south-east f424 along the western wall, through f422. The results are still inconclusive. Also, we excavated all of k29 together, trying to reach through the accumulation f421 to the black seeds below. [Input: N805JL.j]
2003-08-06 jl Today, we concentrated on the last remaining sections of the circle in which we had layers with scattered black seeds rather than the very strong black seed layers, specifically the southwest and northeast quadrants. We are trying to settle the question of whether all of the black seeds are one layer, or multiple layers and therefore multiple applications. Todays excavations were not completely conclusive, but suggest multiple layers. After breakfast, I was not feeling well again, so I spent much of the time working with dc at the house. [Input: N807JL.j]
2003-08-07 jl Today, we finished excavating the last small areas of the circle with scattered black seeds, the northwest and a small area in the south. It revealed conclusively that the black seeds are multiple layers, scattered around the square. There are, in some cases, gaps with little or no seed material, and then another layer of strong black color starting at a different elevation. In one case, a layer continues directly underneath another, separated by about three centimeters of brown soil. We removed the chicken wire from the roof and took an overhead photograph, and afterwards removed the first sighted layer of black seeds, the strong patch f424 in the southeast quadrant. We also investigated the "ledge" f423 against which it had leaned, which has a clear face. We are reconsidering the idea of a mud plaster, but gb still considers the most likely explanation to be that the ledge is the result of a shallow pit cut into the soil within the circle in order to perform a ritual associated with the structure. [Input: N807JL.j]
2003-08-09 jl Having uncovered what appeared to be a continuous black layer (f426/427) last week, we began to excavate it today. Underneath the black seed layer, which appears to only be about 2cm deep, we found mostly brown soil, but in one location in the north-east quadrant of k30, we found a small area of white laminations (f429), gb and fab came down and we discussed the possibility of limiting our excavations to a trench in the south half of the locus. We decided to bring the entire dig staff down to A12 for a discussion of the subject in the afternoon, at which time it was decided that we would make a trench, for three reasons: first, it would give us a physical section, rather than the "virtual" section which we have been trying to keep up until this point; second, we would be able to excavate much deeper in the remaining two weeks, hopefully gaining better insight into the structure's use or construction; third, the excavations within the trench would guide us in excavating the layers in the circle, improving our understanding of them. [Input: N811jl.j]
2003-08-10 jl We finished excavating the f426/427 black seed layer today. We also laid out the new trench in the southern half of the locus (see v247, v247a). Along its south edge, the trench follows the line of the previous A12 south baulk, namely the baulk after it had been cut back two years ago to reveal a fresh face and as it was continued during last season's excavations. The trench has a width of 75cm, and a length of 343cm along its longer side, the north side. It is divided up into three loci: k31 is the easternmost, k32 the central locus, and k33 in the west. k31 stretches 1 meter from the eastern stone wall along its south side, and k33 stretches 1 meter from the western stone wall along its south side, in order to preserve the distinction between material next to the walls which is in danger of being contaminated and material in the center, which we presume is uncontaminated. [Input: N811jl.j]
2003-08-11 jl We excavated within the trench today, k31, k32, and k33. There were a few isolated patches of apparent laminations and black seeds, but we did not find a solid layer until the end of the day, in the western half (k32 and k33), where we have what appears to be the next layer of black seeds. We found an unusually large number of q-objects today, given the small area which we excavated; could the nature of the accumulation be changing? It is also interesting that we have not found a clear lamination layer, given our hypothesis that the structure was originally uncovered. Could it be that the structure was only uncovered during the reconstruction phase, when the circle was raised and the square was added, and that prior to this period, it had a roof of some sort, perhaps even a trap-door type cover? [Input: N811jl.j]
2003-08-12 jl Today, we isolated the new black seed layer within the trench (k32 and k33) and, after determining that it did not continue across the locus, we removed it. Then, we excavated another layer of the accumulation underneath. We also investigated the nature of the mud ledge, f423. gb and fab came down, and we decided to stop after every 50cm and dig the northern half of the circle, to keep the levels even. [Input: N812jl.j]
2003-07-21 jl Today, following gb's instructions of the day before, we began to follow the red layer f406 more closely, to see of the laminations f405 lay underneath it. In fact, the whole area underneath was laminated; the red lay on top of a brown layer, which lay on top of a smooth lamination. We borrowed three diggers from A14 today, since one of our diggers left to join the German team at Tell Badr, and two were helping to dig J1. [Input: N812jl.j]
2003-08-13 jl Today, we continued excavating in the trench. Most of the accumulation was the same brown soil with inclusions which we have seen up until this point; in k31, however, we have begun to expose a large white layer, which seems to slope downwards to the southwest. [Input: N813jl.j]
2003-08-17 jl Today, we continued to uncover the black seed layer f441/f442 (equal to f433/435) in k29 and k30. Once we had completely uncovered it, we photographed it and began to remove it. [Input: N817jl.j]
2003-08-16 jl We did not dig today, in order to get caught up on templates and feature descriptions before making our final push in both A12 and A14. [Input: N817jl.j]
2003-08-14 jl We continued exposing the white layer f440 in k31 and digging downwards in the other loci, but stopped after we had reached 50cm depth in the trench. gb suggested that f440 would be a good layer to see completely and, given our depth in the trench, we began to excavate the accumulation north of the trench. Specifically, we began to remove f439 in k29, uncovering the black layer f441, which equals f434/f435, although we did not complete the entire locus. [Input: N817jl.j]
2003-08-18 jl We finished excavating f442 in k30 today. Afterwards, in addition to a small sliver of f441 which we had missed along the western edge of k29, we excavated f443 and a small sample in the southeast corner of f444. These two features consisted of a series of poor, dirty laminations, filled with stones and pottery lying flat, which could only be properly observed and excavated when the layer was very dry, as was the case only in the corner of f444. So, we were forced to excavate f443 as a block of soil, rather than a series of layers, because it was too wet to distinguish between the laminations, and we have neither the time nor the resources to fully dry out each layer before we excavate it. Within f443, we found the sloping face, f445, and the white layer f446 connecting with f440 in k31. [Input: N818jl.j]
2003-08-19 jl Today, we continued digging in k29, exploring the area of f445, the sloping face/cut, and f446, the white layer. We also began digging in k30, but stopped short when we found the edge of another sloping mud face, f447, which turned out to be the top of a shallow pit. Because we mistook it for a slope, like f445, rather than a full pit, we originally mixed the fill of the pit with the surrounding accumulation, f444. Once we realized our mistake, we separated out the pit fill as f448. [Input: N819jl.j]
2003-08-20 jl Today in k30, we finished removing the fill f447 from pit a38 and we excavated in f444 on either side of a38. In k29, although there was stil some f443 on top of the white layer f446, gb decided that we should quit digging it so that a little could be left to show the NG photographer when he came, if he was interested. Instead, we photographed and measured f445 and then began to remove f445 and the platform of f443 against which it rested. [Input: N820jl.j]
2003-08-21 jl Today, our last day of work, we continued excavating the platform of f443 which lay behind f445. We actually discovered another small section of f445, which was at a different angle from the main slope, and which we apparently cut while excavating the trench. We photographed and removed it, bringing the platform to the level of the trench. We also removed the f444 band along the west side of the circle up to the edge of a38, and then removed the mud ledge f423 along it, revealing a very wide and long section of fissure. Finally, we excavated the last portion of f444 in the east, on top of f449, the white layer, up to the eastern edge of a38. At this point, we quit excavating, saving all a38, the f440/f446/f449 white layer, the southern baulk, a large section of f423, and a small area of f443 bordering on f446 as witnesses of this season, for further photography and possibly excavation. [Input: N821jl.j]
2003-08-20 jl Today, we removed the rest of f448, the fill in a38, exposing the mud ledge f423 behind the pit and the edge of the presumed cut f447 itself. We excavated f444 both in the east, over f449, and in the west, trying to bring it to the level of the trench. We brought the area of f443 in between f445, the sloping face, and f446, the white layer, down to the level of the trench, and, even though f445 did not end, we photographed it and began excavating the platform of f443 against which it lay, since we did not want to leave too many platforms in between seasons. Finally, we did some exploratory digging in the mud ledge along the western wall, in an effort to explain the difference between f423 and f450, which actually appears on the face of the mud ledge in the north. [Input: N821jl.j]
1999-06-26 jo our MZ12 A10 excavation k13 to k19 will be added to the new book of area A12, features, loci, aggregates, items and relays from A10 (k13-k19) will be given an A12 corresponding numbers. [Input: ZG127ms.j]
1999-06-27 jo ab will be checking the pottery from the top soil f75 in the field, no bones will be collected. [Input: ZG127ms.j]
1999-06-30 jo top soil sherds will be collected to be checked in the field by ab. [Input: ZG127ms.j]
1999-06-30 jo chunks of red bricks are found scattered throughout f103. They might have been fallen from a nearby brickwall (f12 and/or f45). [Input: ZG127ms.j]
1999-06-30 jo even though f103 is not highly compacted, there are only few sherds find in the accumulation despite the large excavated volume of the feature. [Input: ZG127ms.j]
1999-06-30 jo after the removal of accumulation f103, the surface of the bricks f96 is uncovered and it turned to be a brick paved floor. Brick size 35 x 35 cm. [Input: ZG127ms.j]
1999-07-31 okk we excavated the remainder of this feature, and carefully took off the rest of the mudbrick until the vertical red accumulation which separated the two features, f249 and f198 (what I called previously a "mortar line"). gB suggest that this is the face of the wall f198. After peeling off the layer of mudbrick we noticed fissures that appear to have been created by roots, as well as phytolith impressions which also look like tree roots. This lends credence to the idea that the red accumulation is bonded to f198 and not f249, as one would expect tree roots to come on the outside face of a wall, and not between the wall and the "plaster". This accumulation does not look like regular mud plaster - it is very red in color and only about 2 cm thick. There also appeared bricks within f249 that are different from most of the bricks in this feature. They are smaller, red, rectangualr bricks, two rows and 8 courses deep which are found about a meter to the east of the face of the "cube", and at the dividing line between f73 and f249. [Input: ZG525ms.j]
1999-07-22 okk It appears that the corner of W Wall f12 and NS Wall F--- is cut by a pit a6. In the W most end of f12 the stones and the mudbrick of the superstructure f81 (stones) are missing, and there are laminations of fine clay layers near the bottom. In the N part of wall f--- the stones of the superstructure f--- are also missing and the bricks are found in an oblique position as if fallen in a pit. The southern most end of wall f--- shows the stone foundation, one large stone of the superstructure. There is also a ground stone stuck in the surface of the corner of the walls. The pit seems to have been dug from above, but stops at the stone foundations. [Input: ZG525ms.j]
1999-07-22 okk The remainder of f193 was excavated today. [Input: ZG525ms.j]
0000-00-00 gb Fan-Xi and Carol both sick today. I spend the whole day with lr. Concentrated on k15,k16,k17,k19. [Input: ZG531ms.j]
0000-00-00 gb Fan-Xi and Carol both sick today. I spend the whole day with lr. Concentrated on k15,k16,k17,k19. [Input: ZG617em.j]
1999-07-22 gb Fxx & AN at home. I confirmed with LR. Disturbed by various visitors who came to plead for relative caught as they broke in our home in the middle of the night. [Input: ZG617em.j]