Unit Book A15

The Reception Area - Version 1a

A15 Synthetic View / Introduction

Conclusion

James L. Walker – September 2024

Back to top: Conclusion

Goals

The initial goals of the A15 excavations over two seasons were to:

a. Explore the southern extent of the formal wing of the Tupkish palace first discovered in unit A13 and expanded by unit A16.

b. Explore the southern extent of the Khabur town first discovered in unit A13.

Back to top: Conclusion

Goal Results

The results of the excavations were far more complex and interesting:

a. A large reception area was located directly to the south of the formal flagstone couryard. It was delimited on the south and west by large interior walls and on the east by the west faces of what may be large structural walls. The north side was apparently open to the elements.

b. There was a stone path leading from the reception room east into the baulk which may have led to the palace residential area.

c. The part of the Tupkish palace to the south of the interior walls was not excavated.

d, The only pre-palace feature excavated was a section of a floor made of cut stones.

e. The excavated section of the Khabur town revealed an industrial area focused on ceramic production, including extant kilns. There were also a significant number of burials in this area.

Back to top: Conclusion

Unanticipated Results

The excavations revealed the following results not anticipated at the start:

a. This area was used minimally during the occupation in the Ur III and Isin Larsa periods. Some dumping and minor walls and surfaces were all that were found.

b. The formal functions of this part of the palace ceased some time after construction and the reception room reverted to a living space.

c. A radical rennovation of the southern part of the unit occurred during the reign of Queen Tar’am Agade. The interior palace walls were removed to the foundations and the entire space was filled. A shrine complex was built atop this. Elements included use of a well, an altar structure, a room with storage jars, and connecting paths. A wall along the southern baulk may have blocked a former doorway to the exterior.

d. The westward extent of the large Mittani presence at the top of the tell was located along the east baulk. It consisted of a low wall which terminated in a room built on top of a palace wall in the southeastern corner. One wall was plastered indicating the room had a significant function, as yet unknown.

Back to top: Conclusion

Significant Small Finds

There were several significant small finds excavated:

a. Numerous Khabur ceramic vessels were located at the bottom of two kilns.

b. Several important seal impressions of Queen Uqnitum were found in floor accumulations of the former reception room.

c. A small architect’s tablet depicting a section of the palace was found next to one of the depicted walls.

d. Horse bones were found in the Tar’am Agade altar indicating the possible exhaulted status of the animal.

Back to top: Conclusion

Issues

There were several issues that impacted the complete understanding of the results:

a. A massive gully ran downhill from eas to west cutting the unit into two pieces. Its influence was felt from the Ur III period to modern times. It both cut away portions of the architecture and confused features and items among occupation periods.

b. Unanticipated hostilities in Syria began in 2011. Excavtion records kept on site were inaccessible. In addition it was impossible to site-check results to resolve discrepancies.

Back to top: Conclusion

Future Actions

Several pending issues could be resolved by future excvations:

a. Indications are that the western edge of the residential wing lies below the Khabur industrial area. This should be investigated by removing the Khabur material.

b. We do not know the functions along southern edge of the unit during the use of the palace during the reign of King Tupkish. This should be investigated by removing the shrine complex.

c. Probes should be made below the level of the Tupkish palace to identify earlier artichecture.

Back to top: Conclusion