https://urkesh.org/MZ/A/J05/D/QI/039803.htm

Unit Book J5

The Mittani Staircase - Version 1a

J5q398.3

Processed on 2024-11-03

1. OVERVIEW

Roster Date Author Record
Category !! !! clay artifact
Best definition 2009-08-15 !! figurine [Input: T830EA7.j]
Best image 2009-08-16 !! [Input: J05_VWX.j]

2. IDENTIFICATION

Labeling

Roster Date Author Record
Reference to q-lot !! !! q398 (bones, pottery)

Designation

Roster Date Author Record
Definition 2009-08-15 eA figurine [Input: T830EA7.j]
Description (summary) 2009-08-15 eA It is a body an animal figurine. There are also the partial four legs. Is evident the male member with an small hole and the tail is incised with a line. The body is hollowed out inside, perhaps for one ritual use. [Input: T830EA7.j]

3. STRATIGRAPHY

Contact Association

Roster Date Author Record
Type of contact: contemporary events/movable items 2009-08-11 !! q398.3 (figurine) sits in f254 (stone installation) [Input: T813JN.j]

Time Sequencing

Roster Date Author Record
Stratum (to which element belongs) 2012-10-16 !! s180aJ5B [Input: WX16JW.j]
Phase (to which element belongs) 2012-10-16 !! h7fJ5B [Input: WX16JW.j]

4. TYPOLOGY

Measurements

Roster Date Author Record
Height 2009-08-15 eA 3.6 [Input: T830EA7.j]
Length 2009-08-15 eA 8.8 [Input: T830EA7.j]
Width 2 or diameter of body 2009-08-15 eA 4.2 [Input: T830EA7.j]

Items Field Record

Roster Date Author Record
Field definition 2009-08-11 jN figurine [Input: T820SE1.j]
Field height 2009-08-11 jN 4.3 [Input: T820SE1.j]
Field length 2009-08-11 jN 9 [Input: T820SE1.j]
Field width 2 2009-08-11 jN 3.4 [Input: T820SE1.j]
Field ware or material 2009-08-11 jN clay [Input: T820SE1.j]
Field color 2009-08-11 jN tan [Input: T820SE1.j]
Notes on field record 2009-08-11 jN headless animal figurine hollowed out in center [Input: T820SE1.j]

Morphology

Roster Date Author Record
Ware or Material, species 2009-08-15 eA clay [Input: T830EA7.j]
Color 2009-08-15 eA It is broken. [Input: T830EA7.j]
2009-08-15 eA pale yellow [Input: T830EA7.j]
Color number (Munsell) 2009-08-15 eA 2.5Y 8/3 [Input: T830EA7.j]
Notes on items 2014-03-30 rAH    The pattern of breakage on this artifact is most interesting; it provides clues to the identification. Note particularly the dorsal section (V22d3738). In order to view the illustration properly it is necessary to rotate it 90 degrees to the left. The upper part of the dorsal section appears to be shattered, broken away.
   I do not follow the excavator when s/he says that "the tail is incised with a line." S/He has accurately identified the male member in the ventral section; it is carried rather far forward in the belly. There may be some indication of the penile strap.
   The excavator says that the figurine has been "hollowed out." Actually, the figurine is built on a core; inadequate firing or differential firing caused the figurine to separate, the core detaching from the surrounding body that enfolded it something like a sausage. This core is visible in photograph V22d3738.
   Final identification will have to wait upon physical examination of the object.
   One provocative detail to note is the almond-shaped form in the shallow declivity that may indicate the hind legs -- this may (with great caution, and provisionally) be an indication of the animal's vulva; that is, the animal is actually a female of the species Equus in oestrus. The top of the dorsal section would have been broken away, because it was weakened by the insertion of a deep hole to hold the tail. A comparative example is found in Figure 21, Equus A7.320. [Input: Y401JW1.j]

6. REFERENCE

Analogical Record

Roster Date Author Record
Photo of individual elements (studio)

2009-08-16 dM [Input: J05_VWX.j]

2009-08-16 dM [Input: J05_VWX.j]

2009-08-16 dM [Input: J05_VWX.j]

Disposition

Roster Date Author Record
Notes on disposition 2009-08-15 eA No storge data. [Input: T830EA7.j]