.bk A15
.fl L811jlw.j
.fd daily journal for A9 assistance to A15 on L725
.ei jlw
.ed L811
.rd L725
.ri jlw

-sg we will assist the A15 excavation by working on the tier of loci that are south of the presently excavated set.  This may include k95, k5, k15, and k25. The purpose of our work is to explore the possibility of a southern component of the palace that would occupy the south side of a modern gully whose north side has cut and covered portions already excavated. We will only have a little over a week to work, so we must proceed quickly but carefully. In each of the loci there are more than two meters of material that would be covering any palace components. In addition, we expect to find Phase 5 Khabur material not far under the surface if this part of the tell mirrors that to the north. We must also be alert for Phase 4 and Phase 3 components.

-wk 6 picks and 18 in support reported for work. In addition, Abd'el Rahman was added from A10, which had finished excavating. Deployed all but 5 to clear the backfill from k5, the most likely place to begin work. The others, under the supervision of Anwar, returned to A9 to finish excavating the floor of k24, which was discovered at the end of the day yesterday, L724.

k 5
dy cleared the overburden from the locus, consisting mainly of backdirt that had been temporarily placed along the edge of the active excavation. After breakfast began excavating a thin layer of topsoil, f300, and the underlying gully wash, f301, which could be seen in section in the already excavated north side of the north baulk. Approximately 25cm under the surface, found a relatively crude pebble and sherd surface, f302, in the SW corner, under which was another accumulation, f305. Began to encounter a more dense accumulation, f303, under f301, in the eastern half of the locus.

-sy bwp installed and surveyed four new specially designed metal posts at the corners of the four meter square portion of k5 that would be normally excavated when N and E baulks are maintained. They are designed to replace both the metal stakes usually placed at the corners and the wooden stakes usually placed in the middle of the N and E baulks that are used for relays within the locus. jlw believes that they are a major improvement. First, since they are in each of the four corners, they give more flexibility in maintaining good geometry for measurements in any part of the locus. Second, since the posts are considerably longer and are offset from the corner, they will stay in place as the excavation proceeds. Third, they do not sit in the middle of the baulk like the wooden stakes do and are thus not nearly so liable to be accidentally dislodged by people or equipment. The only aspect that is of limited utility is the pole with the meter scale scotch-taped to it, that is placed on a post at the back of the stake for elevation measurements.  The pole is inviting to lean on and is a hazard to the tents. jlw has a portable surveyor tape with a much larger scale which is easier to read at a distance in varying light conditions that seems more effective.

f 300
df ts
ds thin layer of topsoil overlying gullywash throughout k5. Most parts 5cm thick and full of small, lacy, interwoven roots.
tc co f301

f 301
df a
ds accumlation under topsoil throughout k5. Primarily material deposited by water flowing through gully that formed between higher points on the tell to the north. south and east.
tc co f302
tc co f303
tc co f304

f 302
df pc
ds surface of small stones and sherds in southwest quarter of k5. Two patches about 1 meter in diameter, one in the far SW corner, the other toward the middle of the southern edge.
tc si f303

f 303
df a
ds accumulation under accumulation, f301, in the east half in the NW quadrant in k5.
tc co f315
tc co f304
tc co f313