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Introduction
J4, located east of J2, where the excavation revealed a portion of a wall (J2f129) flanking the staircase to the east. When the German team exposed in T14 trench, a stone structure close to f129, i was assumed that it could be a western Apron, therefore, it was decided to excavate J4.
J4 does not present any evidence from the pre Akkadian periods, due to the fact that the excavations did not go beyond the Imperial Akkadian level, found in k100 sounding.
However, it would be reasonable to assume that there would be a lot of similarities with J6 in terms o the function of the area.
The following is a recap of the depositional history in J4 and the stratigraphical and spatial relationships between the components, as understood from the excavation.
Back to top: Depositional history for Unit J4
Stage 4 Natural buildup (Late Mittani)
During this phase the area stopped being used and the gradual build up of natural wind and water born accumulations began. The accumulations of these last stages were divided between the late Mittani and later accumulation that formed the surface of the Tell belonging to the Middle Assyrian and modern period.
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Stage 3 Re-building (Middle Mittani)
The rebuilding phase represented by some stone and mudbrick structures in J4. This followed the gradual buildup of the natural acumulations followed by their erosion before the rebuilding activities started to take place. The majority of structures in J4 belong to this phase (bin f93, ftone installation f156, wall f159, Tannur f112). These structure remain in use for a while with no building of new structures. What followed was the brickall bf^2 that coered the entire area of J6 and extended to the southern parts of J4. From this period and onward, this part of the temple terrace was abandoned and no longer used for its original purpose.
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Stage 2 Re-organaization of space (Early Mittani)
The sanctity of the area related to its proximity to the sacral area, kept the area clean. Therefore, the Early Mittani layers are directly deposited on top the 3rd millennium layers. Some glacis layers were laid to the east of J2f129 as part of the re-organization of the space. The lower part of f121 belongs to this layer of glacis. Where as the top constitutes a part of the later brickfall that occurred in the Middle Mittani period. Not many human acrtiities took place in J4 towards the end of the Early Mittani period. A gradual buildup of natural accumulation began to rise.
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Stage 1 (Imperial Akkadian)
identiefied as a building phase witnessed the building of wall f10, as part of the builing actiitites. F10 most probably constitutes the extension of the revetment wall to the east.
During this period, a glacis was laid with a sharp slop to the south, to protect the stone wall J2f129 western eastern side. Part of the glacis in J4 is the lower portion of f121 (along with f150, 158 and f160 all similar to J6f164).
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