Back to top: Horizons
Introduction
Phase and strata assignments are unique to the excavation unit and more generally, to Urkesh. However, these fit into a regional, Mesopitamian framework, namely horizons. Horizons are organized according to cultural and political similarities, most often associated with a particular political power center. For example, the mid-Akkadian horizon is associated with the regional power based in the city of Akkad and its king Sargon. There are 4 major horizons represented in unit A15, The details are introduced in the chart immediately below.
| Horizon | Date (B.C.) | Urkesh ruler | MZA phase | MZA stratum |
| 4-Early Akkadian | 2400-2250 | Unknown | 4f | 570 |
| 4-Mid-Akkadian | 2250-2200 | Tupkish | 4j,4l | 560,540,520 |
| 4-Late Akkadian | 2200-2000 |
Tar'am Agade Ishar Kinum |
4m,4r | 480,420 |
|
5-Ur III 5-Isin Larsa |
2000-1900 | Ann-atal | 5i,5h,5m | 380,350,320 |
| 6-Old Babylonian | 1800-1600 | Terru Haziran | 6c,6h,6s,6v | 290,270,250,240,230 |
| 6-Mittani | 1600-1335 | Not known | 7m,7z | 150,100 |
Back to top: Horizons
Akkadian horizon
The Tupkish palace and its various functions over time comprise the Akkadian horizon. The palace was built against and into the western slope of the central mound formed by the ruins of previous Urkesh settlements. Major portions were excavated as part of A15, including the reception area for the formal ceremonial courtyard. This formal function continued for the reign of King Tupkish. Then, non-royal functions occupied the area, during the reigns of Queen Tar’am Agade and King Ishar Kinum. During this later period the bilding was remodeled to accomodate a shrine, perhaps dedicted to horses, then abandoned to the elements. At first, the conical cup was a principle element in the ceramics corpus. Later, the Bitumen Use Tradition developed and dominated.
Back to top: Horizons
Ur III and Isin Larsa horizon
During this period the palace building was only a shell, any roof having been removed or collapsed. Natural accumulations built up and began to fill the space. The settlemant was small at that time and the residents made limited use of this area. A limited corpus of diagnostic ceramics came from small accumulations and structures.
Back to top: Horizons
Old Babylonian (Khabur) horizon
A substantial settlement had grown during this horizon. In A15 an industrial area devoted to ceramics production was built and operated. Due to the slope of the tell and the aformentioned effects of erosion, only the northeast quarter of the unit could be devoted to structures, the rest being open. Kilns and pits dominated the southestern third. The ceramic corpus featured painted, banded bowls and necked jars.
Back to top: Horizons
Mittani horizon
The Mittani occupation was extensive and was originally focused at the top of the tell. As the important landscape features were obliterated with silt, activities began to shift to the west. New houses and other structures were built and began to enfringe on the Khabur structures along the east baulk of A15. A few of these structures, a wall and a room intruded along the east baulk and particulalrly in the southeast corner where the room was located. There were relatively few Mittani sherds in A15, but generally in other units a large ceramics corpus featured footed goblets and whole mouth jars.
Back to top: Horizons