Unit Book A15

Horizontal Surfaces

James L. Walker – August 2023

Summary
Reception area
Surfaces defined by discrete components (pavements)
Surfaces defined by soil compaction (floors)

Summary

In the Main Lexicon there are 11 defined horizontal surfaces reflecting alignment in a single plane. There are 5 pavement types, defined by their composition, and 6 floor types, generally defined by the degree of compaction.

There were a relatively large number surface features, most of which were small and isolated from maor structures. The definitions sometimes were at varience with the descriptions in the record. This can be attributed to a failure to follow the grammar standards and the lack of immediate review by supervisors to correct errors. Some floors had no elevation measurements. Nevertheless, analysis has not been impeded. The major stationary elements are obvious and the sketches can be used to verify strata assignments.

Reception area

    The most significant surfaces were found in two rooms of the Tupkish palace just to the south of the formal flagstone courtyard. It comprised two elements: a floor paved with unbaked mud bricks f558 and a mud plaster pavement f554 containing a drain to the exterior, f584.
    The unbaked brick surface to the south was bounded by structural walls on the east, south, and west sides. It was likely roofed. The room formed likely functioned as a reception area, evidenced by a well along the western edge f145. The north side of the floor may have been screened from the weather. Mudbruck floor overlaid an earlier floor of the same type, f585
    The plaster surface to the north was part of an anteroom to the formal courtyard. There is no extant structural wall on the west side, so how or if the pavement may have been protected from the weather is not clear. However, the plaster surface was drained and could have been easily repaired if damaged.

Surfaces defined by discrete components (pavements)

Another pavement, f246, was associated with the early Mittani staircase, ^strc1 that provided access to the revetment wall top. One other Mittani pavement f247, directly covered Early Dynastic pavement f249 (described above) with no evidence of intermediate occupation.
These five pavements excavated were classified as pavement type C. A brick surface, f196 is problematical. It may be a pavement type B, or the top of a substantial wall. Unfortuantely excavation was paused before the true nature of this feature could be determined.

The most significant pavement, f288, was located to the southwest of the revetment wall and its protective escarpment. Further to the east there was a similar pavement , f249 at a similar, but slightly higher elevation. There was insufficient exposure of either to determine what purpose they may have served or how they may have been related.

Surfaces defined by soil compaction (floors)

Most of the floors were associated with the west monumental staircase ^strc1, which was built late in the Mittani period to provide an alternate access to the BA temple when the primary entrance to the east was covered with soil. Compacted floor f45, which extended west of the lowest step of the staircase is the best example. It provided a court that may have served as a gathering place for sacred and secular activities. Another is f70. Smaller and less distinct floors , f53 and f54, may have been part of a sacred path associated with reminants of Mittani occupation or a very localized Middle Assyrian occupation There were 9 highly compacted floors type B, three mediumly compacted floors type C, and one naturally compacted floor type D.