.bk J03
.fl Q821jW1.j
.fd Daily journal for Q821
.fn depositonal comment on pit, a5; -wk, -sn, k22
.ei jW
.ed Q821
.rd Q821
.ri jW

a 5
H99 The stratigraphy associated with a pit which has been partially excavated in the NW corner of k13 and which can be clearly analyzed by examining the west baulk.  The pit was cut directly into the baqaya glacis of the temple mound, f109.  There is no evidence of a cut in the ashy accumulation, f111, (later determined to be part of a packed mud glacis above f109) which covered the baqaya in the entire exposed portion of the locus.  In other words, the pit was cut and filled while the glacis was still visible. Afterwards, the entire glacis was covered with the mud packing.

.ri gB
H99 We have no apparent cases of intrusion in the glacis or in the natural accumulations above the Plaza until the latest, post-sacral phase (h7-JPA). Accordingly, a5 requires special attention. During excavation, the top of the pit was noticed just above the level of the glacis. Since the pit is in the section of k13, it could be determined that indeed it was not cut from above the glacis surface, and that the grey, ashy accumulation found elsewhere directly above the glacis covers it imemdaitely (see v81). There are two possible scenarios to explain this pattern of deposition. (1) It may have been cut in the final era of the Mittani period when natural accumulation had covered the monumental  structures (wall, f11; apron, f10; J2 staircase) along the periphery of the temple mound. The location of the pit could have marked the outer limit of the sacral area, which now consisted of the baqaya surface from the pit up to the BA temple.  The pit possibly would then have been cut for ceremonial purposes, as a poor memory of earlier cultic activities at the foot of the Temple Terrace. This would date the pit to the very end of phase h6B-JPA. (2) Alternatively, the pit could have been dug by Assyrians who displaced the Mittani at Urkesh.  To them, the still extant mound would have had no sacred meaning and they could have dug the pit where it was most convenient to them for any one of a variety of purposes. This would date the pit to the very beginning of phase h7-JPA.

.ri jW

-wk All assigned workmen reported for duty including Ahmed al Wahid and Swar, the removal men, who were absent yesterday.  Khalid replaced A'del, who was promoted to pick in J4.

-sn aA and iI, re-drew the east section of locus k13, with string elevation of 9335.  iI and aA drew the north section of locus k108 with string elevation of 9208.

k 22
dy Continued to excavate below the topsoil in the north half of the locus, preserving a 40cm-wide baulk along the south edge to protect the north section of k108, immediately to the south.    There are two distinct features visible: to the east is an accumulation with a hard surface, f166; to the west is an accumulation with areas of laminations, f165.  Both were removed, leaving a uniform, softer brown accumulation, f167, throughout the locus.  At the end of the day, we exposed another soft and more red accumulation, f168.