.bk A14
.fl O624jw2.j
.fd daily journal O623, descriptions f178-181, a14, q428
.ei jw
.ed O624
.rd O623
.ri jw

-wk 7 picks and 12 in support reported for work.  Occasionally supplied workmen to assist in moving the spoils train for A17/A18 to the north to avoid interference with our ongoing excavation work.

-sy surveyor established markers in preparation for excavating k24 and k25, both new.

-eq poles to support the tents have been erected but the covers have not yet been installed.

-dy concentrated on finishing the excavation of k14, continuing the excavation of k13, trimming and re-cutting the outside edges of the north baulks on the "1" line of squares and on general cleaning of the loci excavated in previous seasons.

-sy gb suggested that we measure the elevations of key points in the unit to keep as a ready reference and guide to excavation strategy.  The following were determined: top step of abi=8315, bottom of abi rectangular floor=8059, top of brick platform to N of k1=8241, top of stone platform to N of k2=8190, Ph 2 palace floor(F1 courtyard)=8309, present depth of lowest excavated point so far this season (k15)=8169.

k 14
dy while cleaning, noticed a small, shallow circular pit, a14.

k 13
dy began to retrieve a large quantity of large, goose-egg size objects with a triangular cross-section. Almost all were from the NE quadrant, which was designated f181.

a 14
df pt
ds shallow pit consisting of cut, f180, and fill, f179.  Its shallowness (less than 10cm) and its location close to the topsoil indicate that either the area was built up in antiquity and was washed away and covered by gully debris from higher on the tell or that it was dug in modern times through the deep topsoil, for which there was no indication.

f 178
df a
ds a combination of topsoil and subsurface accumulation marking the transition from A14 to previously excavated parts of the AK wing of the palace to the north of the south face of the N baulks of k4 and k5.  Probably sherds and artifacts from this feature have little to contribute to stratigraphic analysis.

f 179
df fi
ds fill from a small, shallow pit, a14, in the NW quadrant of k14.

f 180
df cut
ds cut for a small shallow pit, a14, in the NW quadrant of k14.

f 181
df a
ds distinct region of moist, fine-grained, reddish brown soil in the NE quadrant of k13.  Also delimits the place where we found a large number of identical clay objects.

q 428
nr first lot containing goose-egg sized clay objects with triangular cross-section.  They are made of coarse clay, contain inclusions and are not fired.  In general form they resemble the smaller egg-shaped clay objects with a circular cross-section that we believe to have been sling balls.