https://urkesh.org/MZ/A/J05/D/I/0009.htm

Unit Book J5

The Mittani Staircase - Version 1a

J5.9

Processed on 2024-11-03

1. OVERVIEW

Roster Date Author Record
Category 2008-07-19 sNP clay artifact [Input: S720SNP.j]
Best definition 2008-07-19 !! figurine [Input: S720SNP.j]
Best image 2009-10-01 jW [Input: TX01JW.j]

2. IDENTIFICATION

Designation

Roster Date Author Record
Definition 2008-07-19 sNP figurine [Input: S720SNP.j]
Description (summary) 2008-07-19 sNP figurine of the anterior part of the body of an animal, perhaps an ox; just the part between the neck and the legs remains. Decorative strokes on the front. The throat juts out significantly, suggesting an identification with an ox. See also item Z1.589. [Input: S720SNP.j]

3. STRATIGRAPHY

Volumetric Localization

Roster Date Author Record
Locus 2008-07-17 sNP k44 [Input: T323JW.j]
Relays (applicable to elements) 2008-07-17 dl r115 (##### ##### - ##### / Relay location: center) [Input: S719MO3.R]

Contact Association

Roster Date Author Record
Type of contact: contemporary events/movable items 2008-07-17 sNP i9 (figurine) sits in f18 (topsoil) [Input: T323JW.j]

Spatial Aggregation

Roster Date Author Record
q-lot with which item is associated 2008-07-17 sNP q26 (pottery) [Input: T323JW.j]

Time Sequencing

Roster Date Author Record
Stratum (to which element belongs) 2012-10-16 !! s20J5B [Input: WX16JW.j]
Phase (to which element belongs) 2012-10-16 !! h9mJ5B [Input: WX16JW.j]

4. TYPOLOGY

Measurements

Roster Date Author Record
Height 2008-07-19 sNP 4.99 [Input: S720SNP.j]
Length 2008-07-19 sNP 4.89 [Input: S720SNP.j]
Width 2 or diameter of body 2008-07-19 sNP 4.48 [Input: S720SNP.j]

Items Field Record

Roster Date Author Record
Field definition 2008-07-17 sNP figurine [Input: T323JW.j]
Field height 2008-07-17 sNP 4.9 [Input: T323JW.j]
Field length 2008-07-17 sNP 3.8 [Input: T323JW.j]
Field width 2 2008-07-17 sNP 3.6 [Input: T323JW.j]
Field ware or material 2008-07-17 sNP st [Input: T323JW.j]
Field color 2008-07-17 sNP brownish grey [Input: T323JW.j]
Notes on field record 2008-07-17 sNP possibly a figurine fragment [Input: T323JW.j]

Morphology

Roster Date Author Record
Ware or Material, species 2008-07-19 sNP clay [Input: S720SNP.j]
Color 2008-07-19 sNP very pale brown [Input: S720SNP.j]
Color number (Munsell) 2008-07-19 sNP 10YR 7/4 [Input: S720SNP.j]
Condition 2008-07-19 sNP fragmented [Input: S720SNP.j]
Notes on items 2014-03-30 rAH    The orientation of this object is completely problematic. It is not possible to reconstruct a viable orientation and analysis without having the actual object in front of one. There is no basis for considering the object to be an "ox," as the excavator surmises. There is no decoration at all on this object. Certain anatomical details have been delineated by deep incisions. That the "throat juts out significantly" is not a basis for considering the object as Bos. Any number of species can display a prominent breast ridge, not just cattle.
   This object, as well as several others, raises the question: "Why are the figurines recovered in J5 so fragmented?" It is true that depositional action takes its toll. These representations, however, are so damaged as to obscure all but one or two diagnostic details. As a first observation, we might note that the function -- or the life history of these objects -- is different than the function of the figurines found in the royal storehouse. This is not to say that function is equivalent to life history; but rather that the function of these objects dictates a different path of action and results in their fragmentary recovery. [Input: Y401JW.j]

6. REFERENCE

Analogical Record

Roster Date Author Record
Photo of individual elements (studio)

2008-07-21 dM [Input: J05_VWX.j]

2008-07-21 dM [Input: J05_VWX.j]

2008-07-21 dM [Input: J05_VWX.j]

2008-07-21 dM [Input: J05_VWX.j]
View/drawing of item

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

Disposition

Roster Date Author Record
Notes on disposition 2008-08-28 sNP status of drawing not verified as of U216 [Input: S828SNP.j]
2009-10-17 jW Sighted by jW in Special Objects Room on Tx03 [Input: TX17JW.j]