https://urkesh.org/MZ/A/J05/D/I/0001.htm

Unit Book J5

The Mittani Staircase - Version 1a

J5.1

Processed on 2024-11-03

1. OVERVIEW

Roster Date Author Record
Category 2008-07-13 sNP clay artifact [Input: S714DL7.j]
Best definition 2008-07-13 !! figurine [Input: S714DL7.j]
Best image 2009-10-01 jW [Input: TX01JW.j]

2. IDENTIFICATION

Designation

Roster Date Author Record
Definition 2008-07-13 sNP figurine [Input: S714DL7.j]
Description (summary) 2008-07-13 sNP body of a small animal figurine, possibly a sheep (ovis type II). The four feet (hooves?) and the head are lost. [Input: S714DL7.j]

3. STRATIGRAPHY

Volumetric Localization

Roster Date Author Record
Locus 2008-07-13 lH k24 [Input: T323JW.j]
Relays (applicable to elements) 2008-07-13 lH r51 (##### ##### - ##### / Relay location: center) [Input: S714DL4.R]

Contact Association

Roster Date Author Record
Type of contact: contemporary events/movable items 2008-07-13 lH i1 (figurine) sits in f7 (accumulation D) [Input: T323JW.j]

Spatial Aggregation

Roster Date Author Record
q-lot with which item is associated 2008-07-13 lH q3 (bones, pottery) [Input: T323JW.j]

Time Sequencing

Roster Date Author Record
Stratum (to which element belongs) 2012-10-16 !! s30J5B [Input: WX16JW.j]
Phase (to which element belongs) 2012-10-16 !! h9mJ5B [Input: WX16JW.j]

4. TYPOLOGY

Measurements

Roster Date Author Record
Height 2008-07-13 sNP 2.85 [Input: S714DL7.j]
Length 2008-07-13 sNP 4.24 [Input: S714DL7.j]
Width 2 or diameter of body 2008-07-13 sNP 2.19 [Input: S714DL7.j]

Items Field Record

Roster Date Author Record
Field definition 2008-07-13 lH figurine [Input: T323JW.j]
Field height 2008-07-13 lH 3 [Input: T323JW.j]
Field length 2008-07-13 lH 4 [Input: T323JW.j]
Field width 2 2008-07-13 lH 2 [Input: T323JW.j]
Field ware or material 2008-07-13 lH cl [Input: T323JW.j]
Notes on field record 2008-07-13 lH body of an animal [Input: T323JW.j]

Morphology

Roster Date Author Record
Ware or Material, species 2008-07-13 sNP clay [Input: S714DL7.j]
Color 2008-07-13 sNP very pale brown [Input: S714DL7.j]
Color number (Munsell) 2008-07-13 sNP 10YR 7/4 [Input: S714DL7.j]
Condition 2008-07-13 sNP broken (just the body is preserved) [Input: S714DL7.j]
Notes on items 2014-03-30 rAH    The fact that this figurine was found in K24, as I understand, near the monumental staircase to the temple, is provocative. Could the bearer have been bringing wool to the temple as an offering? Ordinarily, I do not indulge in such speculation. This artifact, however, mutilated or broken as it may be, bears comparison with the representations recovered in the Royal Storehouse; that it was recovered in this particular place does prompt the question. If it were within the closed context of AK, we would read this exemplar differently.
   It would be important to correlate this stratum with strata in the Royal Storehouse. Is the artifact coeval with artifacts there? Or, if not, should we begin to think about the persistence of a representational tradition? That is, Ovis must have been represented in the same manner over generations. The same question may be posed for other representations found in this unit.
   The measurements of this figure correspond roughly to those expected for Ovis I. Naturally, measuring from illustrations that may foreshorten and sometimes falsify the view is problematic. However, here follow approximate measurements for this figurine that can be determined from the photographs.
   Forequarters (w1) 1.6. Torso (w2) 1.5 hindquarters (w3) 2.2 tail .8 neck 1.2 length 3.6. Thus, the ratio of tail to hindquarters is slightly greater than 1: 3. The width at the neck is approximately three quarters of the width of the forequarters (w1@neck >/= 3/4w1). The fore quarters are greater in width than the torso and the torso is not quite as wide as the hindquarters (w1 >/= 4/5w1 </= w3). The length is a little less than twice the width of the forequarters (lg </= 2w1). [Input: Y401JW.j]
2014-03-30 rAH    This figurine, one of two found in unit K24, is a nice example of Ovis TYPE I; that is to say, a sheep raised for its wool. The excavator has correctly determined the species. However, the body type says that this animal was more likely raised for its wool, than for its meat or for its milk (Thus, TYPE I and not TYPE II). The caudal view (V21d4614) clearly shows a tail, which is almost exactly one-third the width of the hindquarters; this is a diagnostic feature of Ovis I. Compare, in the AK figurine volume, Ovis 9 A6q19.1 caudal view. Also see Ovis 3 A1q474.1. Luckily, the illustrations collected here do show the caudal view; there is no dorsal view, which would have provided more diagnostic detail and certainty regarding this identification.
   In some cases, measurements given are not diagnostic. It is useless to provide a measurement of an element that is broken; or, rather, terminates in a break; clearly such a measurement could not be diagnostic for it does not conform to the original extension of the element. Invariably, the "height" of a figurine is not determinant, for the head and/or feet are often missing. [Input: Y401JW.j]

6. REFERENCE

Analogical Record

Roster Date Author Record
Photo of individual elements (studio)

2008-07-23 dM [Input: J05_VWX.j]

2008-07-23 dM [Input: J05_VWX.j]

2008-07-23 dM [Input: J05_VWX.j]

2008-07-23 dM [Input: J05_VWX.j]

2008-07-23 dM [Input: J05_VWX.j]

2008-07-23 dM [Input: J05_VWX.j]
View/drawing of item

p2
2009-03-23 jW [Input: T323JW1.j]

Disposition

Roster Date Author Record
Storage 2008-08-28 sNP ZSB 2-20 [Input: S828SNP.j]