Overview

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Introduction

The portion of Tell Mozan excavated as A15 was continuously occupied from the construction of the Tupkish palace, through its major remodel, and then to the Khabur town several centuries later. These marked the most culturally significant periods; however, structures were built and used throughout. Three major gullies running est to west cut through this part of the tell from the UrIII period to modern times. They both destroyed cultural remains and severely limited activities in their path.

Four types of clustered elements were present:

1. Structures The three most significant ones are the reception area for the Tupkish palace formal courtyard (a59), the south Tar’am Agade ceremonial area (a56) and the industrial courtyard serving the Khabur town (a52).

2. Use areas The four most significant ones are the open area west of the Khabur industrial courtyard containing pit kilns, the street f71 running north to south along the entire east edge of the Khabur town , the pebble pathway, f574, that may lead from the Tupkish palace reception area, a59, eastward to the residential area of the palace now hidden behind the east baulk and yet to be excavated, and the area under the industrial courtyard containing the majority of the burials.

3. Installations The three most significant installations are the well (f145) serving both the Tupkish palace and the later Tar’am Agade ceremonial area, the two-room building (a48) that may have served as a shop, and wall f387 which may have blocked a doorway that penetrated the south exterior wall of the Tupkish palace. In addition, several tannurs were foci of various activities.

4. Loose materials Three major gullys running from east to west over most of the surface of the unit either eroded exsisting structures of discouraged the construction of new ones. There was one example of buildup within a confined space that illustrated the changes in use over time. There were two types of brickfall, one natural and one intentional associated with remodeling. There was a minimal amount of topsoil in the unit.

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Type assignments

With more than 60 aggregates and almost 600 features it will not be possible to address each one in the following sections. We have chosen the most significant and illustrative for detailed analysis and we hope that this facilitates independent determination as the need may arise. The following table lists the most likely type assignments for all clustered elements (aggregates). For continuity, several features that function as aggregates are also included.