Overview of Built Environment in Unit J5

James L. Walker – May 2011

Structures
Use areas
Installations
Loose materials

Structures

Structures from four periods are present in J5. The earliest is a section of a pre-Early Dynastic wall-top. Next is an extensive, monumental revetment wall and escarpment system built in the EDIII period. The earliest Mittani structure is a stone stairway. The final structure is a Late Mittani period monumental stone staircase used for access to the BA Temple.

Use areas

Four use areas have been identified. The first is the area to the west and south of the stone escarpment associated with the EDIII revetment wall. The second was used for light industry, including the manufacture of sling balls and the processing of bronze, The third was associated with a number of grindstones. The fourth was a small plaza bounded by the late Mittani and a series of low stone walls.

Installations

The many installations are associated with several different functions. There is a water-control dam across a channel to prevent erosion. There was a stone breakwater to divert the channel water away from the revetment wall. There was a late-Mittani bin. There were several lines of stones forming the western boundary of the sacred plaza. There also were a late floor surface and one modern child burial.

Loose materials

The majority of J5 features are loose materials of two types. The first are accumulations, floors, lenses, and fills. The second are displaced (or floating) stones.