Clay objects from Unit J3

James L. Walker – March 2021

Introduction
Clay Wheels
Clay Beads
Clay Tokens

Introduction

Numerous clay artifacts (214) were recovered in J3, representing 33% of the total items. Note that seal impressions and figurines are clay, but are counted and described separately. Generally the items are of poor quality and almost all were put into storage without being photographed or drawn. Fifteen clay tokens, two clay beads and two wheels were significant and are shown below.

Clay Wheels

These two exemplars are the only complete wheels excavated. The first, which may be a pendant or a token, is unusual in that it is decorated. The second is a complete example of a wheel commonly found on a toy chariot or animal.

q61.1

q266.1

Clay Beads

These exemplars illustrate the two most common types of beads recovered; the first was probably used in weaving, and the second was probably decorative.

q501.2

q549.3

Clay Tokens

In the course of excavating special locus k110, a collection of 15 clay tokens, i35 et.al., were found south of the temple building, f348. There were three distinct shapes; spheres, cones, and pyramids respectively. Although securely dated to the Late Chalcolithic period, their use is uncertain. Unfortunately due to the conflict they were not photographed well.

i35.3

i35.7