Stage 2: Palace

James L. Walker – September 2024

Palace as a palace

We assume that the formal wing of the palace (flagstone courtyard and reception area) were constructed in the reign of King Tupkish. It was immediately used as intended and the effect was that the horizontal surfaces had to be kept free of accumulated soul and ather material. The courtyard was completely exposed to the elements while the reception area nearest to the courtyard to the north had a plaster floor and a mudbrick floor to the south. The mudbrick floor was renewed at least once. Phase 4j covers this period although we do not know its length.

Palace as a work space

After this indeterminable period of formal use, the reception area began to function as an ordinary working space. Suddenly, there were living accumulations on the floors and accumulations above them. Whether the space was roofed or not cannot be determined. We do not know the point in time when this occurred, but there is a clear trinsisiton between phases. Phase 4l covers this period.