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Introduction
The classification of archaeological material culture is subject to numerous considerations, based on the corpus its self and the archaeological context. For the corpus of beads from Urkesh, it was decided to use the comprehensive universal classification of beads by Horace Becks.
Other classifications were considered, such as:
- Bar-Yosef Mayer classification of stone beads of Neolithic southern Levant. This system is based on archaeological assemblages, therefore Useful to check the methodology not they typology itself.
- Baysal’s Barcın Höyük classification which modified on Beck’s work to build a typological classification suitable for an assemblage.
- Woolley’s Ur beads classification as a parallel tradition.
These classification (except for Wolley’s) were adapted using comprehensive classification systems to suit an assemblage from one or more archaeological site. A similar approach can be adopted for the classification of the beads from Urkesh, where Beck’s classification can function as a comparative vocabulary while the actual typology is generated from the archaeological assemblage. For the time being, Beck’s method and typological classification guarantee a level off consistency and coherence for the morphological classification in particular, since Beck standardized morphological terminology without allowing his typological categories to dictate the entire classification.
The standard method of bead classification takes into consideration Shape, Cross section, dimensions (especially length to diameter ratio), perforation (straight, biconical, etc.), Manufacturing technique (molded, carved, etc.), material, Surface treatment (painted, glazed, incised, etc.), color, decoration, and archaeological context.
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Beck’s classification
For the full classification refer to Beck 2006. As for the beads from the JP area, they fall within one of the following categories in Beck’s classification.
Beck divides his classification into divisions, groups, subgroups, families and classes.
The main 4 divisions are:
Division I: regular rounded beads
Division II: regular faceted beads
Division III: special type beads an pendants
Division IV: irregular beads and pendants
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Division I: regular rounded beads
This division is divided into 7 groups according to their transverse section.
- Group I. circular
- Group II. elliptical
- Group III. ovoid
- Group IV. lenticular
- Group V. plano-convex
- Group VI. semi-circular
- Group VII. circle an flat
These 7 groups are further divided into subgroups according to length:
- Disc beads
- Short beads
- Standard beads
- Long beads
These 4 sub-groups are divided into 6 families:
Family 1. beads in which the profile is convex
Family 2. beads in which the profile consists of one or more straight lines
Family 3. beads in which the profile consists of one or more concave lines
Family 4. beads in which the profile consists of a combination of convex and straight lines
Family 5. beads in which the profile consists of a combination of straight and concave lines
Family 6. beads in which the profile consists of a combination of convex and concave lines
These families are further divided into sub families according to shape.
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Division II: regular faceted beads
This division is divided into 9 groups according to their transverse section.
- Group VIII. triangular
- Group IX. square
- Group X. rectangular
- Group XI. diamond
- Group XII. pentagonal
- Group XIII. hexagonal
- Group XIV. octagonal
- Group XV. polygonal
- Group XVI. tabular
These 9 groups are further divided into subgroups according to length:
- Disc beads
- Short beads
- Standard beads
- Long beads
These 4 sub-groups are divided into 6 families:
Family 1. beads in which the profile is convex
Family 2. beads in which the profile consists of one or more straight lines
Family 3. beads in which the profile consists of one or more concave lines
Family 4. beads in which the profile consists of a combination of convex and straight lines
Family 5. beads in which the profile consists of a combination of straight and concave lines
Family 6. beads in which the profile consists of a combination of convex and concave lines
These families are further divided into sub families according to shape.
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Division III: special type beads and pendants
The division is divided into 32 groups.
The beads from JP fall within the following groups of these 32.
Group XII. Multiple beads
Subgroup A. Beads
Family A.2. Multitubular beads
Sub-family a. Beads of faience, glass or metal tubes with the axes in different plane.
Group XVIII. Spiral beads and pendants
Subgroup A. Beads
Family A.2. Moulded or painted spiral beads in faience and pottery
Sub-family b. Multiple spirals, RLS. Right and left hand spirals superimposed, 3. Incised
Group XXIII. Notched and gadrooned beads and pendants
Subgroup A. Beads
Family A.3. Gadrooned beads
Sub-family a. Spherical, oblated an ellipsoidal, 1. Straigh gadroons, Melon beads
Group XXVII. Beads and pendants representing or made of complete shells
Subgroup A. Beads
Family A.1. Beads consisting of complete shells
Family A.3. Beads consisting of moulded representations of complete shells
Group XLVII. Zone, stripe, wave and shevron beads
Subgroup A. Beads
Family A.3. Wave beads
Sub-family d. Multiple waves
Sub-family f. Faience beads with moulded or painted waves
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Division IV: irregular beads and pendants
None of the beads from JP fall within the groups of this division
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Typology of JP beads
The typological classification of JP beads is presented below based on division that takes into consideration the material. This is intended to reflect the correlation between the material and the chosen shape that could indicate a preference, both aesthetic and in terms or production technique, where certain materials are more suitable for certain shapes.
This becomes evident below, for example, when the largest number of clay beads are disk shaped, because the used material is very suitable for such shape.
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Examples
The following are some examples on each of the types found in Urkesh.
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Clay
| Bead number | Typological classification code | Typological classification |
| J4q245.1 | Division I-I.A.1.a | Circular- disk bead- convex- oblate disk |
| J2q254.1 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J2q211.1 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J3q549.3 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J5q177.1 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J5q181.1 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J5q314.3 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J3q501.2 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J5q100.1 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J1q507.1 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J2q342.1 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J2q813.1 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J2q391.3 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J2q616.1 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J6q234.2 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J6q192.1 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J7q66.4 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J4q263.3 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J6q342.5 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J1q1275.2 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J1q1298.1 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J1q832.1 | Division I-I.A.1.d | Circular- disk bead- convex- truncated cone disk |
| J5.36 | Division I-I.A.1.d | Circular- disk bead- convex- truncated cone disk |
| J5q267.1 | Division I-I.A.1.d | Circular- disk bead- convex- truncated cone disk |
| J6q44.1 | Division I-I.A.1.d | Circular- disk bead- convex- truncated cone disk |
| J3q533.1 | Division I-I.A.1.e | Circular- disk bead- convex- convex bicone disk |
| J1q852.1 | Division I-I.A.1.e | Circular- disk bead- convex- convex bicone disk (wafer bead) |
| J1q850.1 | Division I-I.A.2.b | Circular- disk bead- straight- cylinder disk |
| J7q68.1 | Division I-I.A.2.b | Circular- disk bead- straight- cylinder disk |
| J6q39.1 | Division I-I.A.2.d | Circular- disk bead- straight- truncated cone disk |
| J1q1171.5 | Division I-I.A.4.d.b | Circular- disk bead- convex and straight- cylinder disk with one convex end |
| J1q1317.2 | Division I-I.A.4.d.b | Circular- disk bead- convex and straight- cylinder disk with one convex end |
| J1q1284.1 | Division I-I.A.4.d.b | Circular- disk bead- convex and straight- cylinder disk with one convex end |
| J1q1273.1 | Division I-I.A.4.d.b | Circular- disk bead- convex and straight- cylinder disk with one convex end |
| J1q451.1 | Division I-I.A.4.d.b | Circular- disk bead- convex and straight- cylinder disk with one convex end |
| J3q543.6 | Division I-I.A.4.d.b | Circular- disk bead- convex and straight- cylinder disk with one convex end |
| J1q754.2 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J2q300.1 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J1q835.1 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J5q80.2 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J6q128.4 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J2q858.1 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J1q972.1 | Division I-I.B.1.b | Circular- short bead- convex- short barrel |
| J2q611.1 | Division I-I.B.1.b | Circular- short bead- convex- short barrel |
| J1q826.1 | Division I-I.C.1.a | Circular- standard bead- convex- circular |
| J1q850.4 | Division I-I.C.1.b | Circular- standard bead- convex- standard barrel |
| J1q835.3 | Division I-I.D.1.a | Circular- long bead- convex- ellipsoid |
| J1q869.1 | Division I-I.D.1.d | Circular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex cone |
| J2q188.1 | Division I-I.D.2.b | Circular- long bead- straight- long cylinder |
| J5.19 | Division III-XXIII.A.3.a.1 | Notched and gadrooned beads- melon bead |
| J3q170.4 | Not enough data for classification | Not classified |
| J1q816.1 | No photographic reference | Not classified |
| J1q845.3 | No photographic reference | Not classified |
| J6q164.1 | Not enough data for classification | Not classified |
| J1q864.7 | Not enough data for classification | Not classified |
| J3q330.1 | No photographic reference | Not classified |
| J3q584.1 | No photographic reference | Not classified |
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Lithic
| Bead number | Typological classification code | Typological classification |
| J1q27.1 | Division I-I.A.1.a | Circular- disk bead- convex- oblate disk |
| J2q400.8 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J6q254.3 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J1q1148.2 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J2.15 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J3q15.2 | Division I-I.A.1.d | Circular- disk bead- convex- truncated cone disk |
| J3q16.2 | Division I-I.A.4.d.b | Circular- disk bead- convex and straight- cylinder disk with one convex end |
| J5.43 | Division I-I.B.1.b | Circular- short bead- convex- short barrel |
| J1q1139.2 | Division I-I.B.1.b | Circular- short bead- convex- short barrel |
| J1q1096.1 | Division I-I.B.2.b | Circular- short bead- straight- short cylinder |
| J1q675.3 | Division I-I.C.1.a | Circular- standard bead- convex- circular |
| J5.53 | Division I-I.C.1.a | Circular- standard bead- convex- circular |
| J1q1226.1 | Division I-I.C.1.a | Circular- standard bead- convex- circular |
| J1q1135.2 | Division I-I.C.1.b | Circular- standard bead- convex- standard barrel |
| J3q70.2 | Division I-I.D.1.a | Circular- long bead- convex- ellipsoid |
| J2q294.1 | Division I-I.D.1.b | Circular- long bead- convex- long barrel |
| J6q344.1 | Division I-I.D.1.b | Circular- long bead- convex- long barrel |
| J1q972.2 | Division I-I.D.1.b | Circular- long bead- convex- long barrel |
| J3q73.2 | Division I-I.D.1.d | Circular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex cone |
| J1.20 | Division I-I.D.1.f | Circular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone |
| J1q366.1 | Division I-I.D.1.f | Circular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone |
| J2.7 | Division I-I.D.1.f | Circular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone |
| J6q264.1 | Division I-I.D.1.f | Circular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone |
| J6q238.2 | Division I-I.D.1.f | Circular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone |
| J1q190.1 | Division I-I.D.2.b | Circular- long bead- straight- long cylinder |
| J1q388.1 | Division I-I.D.2.b | Circular- long bead- straight- long cylinder |
| J6q260.2 | Division I-I.D.2.b | Circular- long bead- straight- long cylinder |
| J1q1251.4 | Division II-XVI.C.2.b | Tabular- standard bead- straight- standard square? |
| J5q381.2 | Division II-XI.C.2.b | Diamond- standard bead- straight- standard square? |
| J2q24.2 | Division III-XLVII.A.3.d | wave beads-multiple waves |
| J1q466.1 | Division III-XVIII.A.2.b.RLS.3 | Incised multiple right and let hand spirals superimposed |
| J1q844.2 | No photographic reference | Not classified |
| J1q529.1 | No photographic reference | Not classified |
| J2q616.2 | No photographic reference | Not classified |
| J3.7 | No photographic reference | Not classified |
| J2q346.1 | No photographic reference | Not classified |
| J2q9.3 | No photographic reference | Not classified |
| J5q181.3 | Not enough data for classification | Not classified |
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| Bead number | Typological classification code | Typological classification |
| J3q543.3 | Division I-I.A.1.b | Circular- disk bead- convex- barrel disk |
| J1.59 | Division I-I.B.1.b | Circular- short bead- convex- short barrel |
| J1q139.1 | Division III-XXIII.A.3.a | melon bead | ,
| J1.25 | Division III-XXVII.A.3 | beads consisting of moulded representations of complete shells |
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Shell
| Bead number | Typological classification code | Typological classification |
| J3q162.1 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J1q390.4 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J1q420.1 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J1q513.3 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J1q767.2 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J3q70.4 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J3q76.1 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J3q76.2 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J3q109.1 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J3q124.1 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J1q786.1 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J1q357.1 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J1q830.4 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J2q675.1 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J3q78.2 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J6q389.10 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J1q1230.2 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J1q1281.1 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J4q998.1 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
| J5q353.2 | Division III-XXVII.A.1 | beads consisting of complete shells |
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Frit
| Bead number | Typological classification code |
| J3q153.2 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J1q468.2 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J1q456.1 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J5.47 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J1q673.1 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J1q835.2 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J1q840.1 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J1q844.1 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J1q845.1 | Division I-I.B.1.a | Circular- short bead- convex- oblate |
| J6q333.1 | Division I-I.B.1.b | Circular- short bead- convex- short barrel |
| J6q346.1 | Division I-I.B.1.b | Circular- short bead- convex- short barrel |
| J1q468.4 | Division I-I.B.1.b | Circular- short bead- convex- short barrel |
| J1q471.3 | Division I-I.B.1.b | Circular- short bead- convex- short barrel |
| J1.19 | Division I-I.B.1.b | Circular- short bead- convex- short barrel |
| J1q28.2 | Division I-I.B.1.b | Circular- short bead- convex- short barrel |
| J1q856.1 | Division I-I.B.1.b | Circular- short bead- convex- short barrel |
| J1q677.1 | Division I-I.B.3.f | Circular- short bead- concave- short concave truncatedd bicone |
| J1q351.1 | Division I-I.D.1.a | Circular- long bead- convex- ellipsoid |
| J3.22 | Division I-I.D.1.b | Circular- long bead- convex- long barrel |
| J3.20.3 | Division I-I.D.1.d | Circular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex cone |
| J5q162.2 | Division I-I.D.1.f | Circular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone |
| J3.21 | Division I-I.D.1.f | Circular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone |
| J3.24 | Division I-I.D.1.f | Circular- long bead- convex- long truncated convex bicone |
| J1q447.1 | Division I-I.D.2.b | Circular- long bead- straight- long cylinder |
| J3q374.2 | Division I-I.D.2.b | Circular- long bead- straight- long cylinder |
| J6q260.1 | Division I-I.D.2.b | Circular- long bead- straight- long cylinder |
| J6q260.5 | Division I-I.D.2.b | Circular- long bead- straight- long cylinder |
| J6.15 | Division I-I.D.2.b | Circular- long bead- straight- long cylinder |
| J6q258.2 | Division I-I.D.2.b | Circular- long bead- straight- long cylinder |
| J3.25 | Division I-I.D.2.b.d | Circular- long bead- straight- long chamfered cylinder |
| J1q375.1 | Division III-XVII.A.2.a | Multitubular bead |
| J1q816.2 | Division III-XVII.A.2.a | Multitubular bead |
| J1q681.1 | Division III-XVII.A.2.a | Multitubular bead |
| J1q367.2 | Division III-XVIII.A.2.b.RLS.3 | Incised multiple right and let hand spirals superimposed |
| J1q362.1 | Division III-XXIII.A.3.a | Notched and gadrooned beads- melon bead |
| J3.20.5 | Division III-XXIII.A.3.a | Notched and gadrooned bead- melon bead |
| J3.26 | Division III-XLVII.A.3.d | Wave bead-multiple waves |
| J3.23 | Division III-XLVII.A.3.f | Wave bead-faience bead with moulded or painted waves |
| J3q379.1 | Division III-XLVII.A.3.f | Wave bead-faience bead with moulded or painted waves |
| J3.20.2 | Division III-XLVII.A.3.f | Wave bead-faience bead with moulded or painted waves |
| J3.20.4 | Division III-XLVII.A.3.f | Wave bead-faience bead with moulded or painted waves |
| J3q371.2 | No photographic reference | Not classified |
| J1q839.1 | No photographic reference | Not classified |
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Bone
| Bead number | Typological classification code | Typological classification |
| J7q63.2 | Division I-I.B.1.c | Circular- short bead- convex- short convex cone |
| J6q158.1 | Division I-I.D.2.b | Circular- long bead- straight-long cylinder |
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