; File processed on 2025-09-09 ; J5-accidents -inc 2008-08-06_S807JW.j jW Removal man Karghraman, while standing on a baulk and leanining on a tent pole, fell into the excavation when the support for the pole gave way. Fortunately, he was not injured. All workmen and staff were warned to be more careful in the future. -inc 2009-08-15_T815JW.j jW Ahmed Hawaz cut his finger while moving a large stone from near the west baulk of k106. -inc 2009-08-16_T816JW.j jW Just after breakfast, Anwar slipped on the stairs of f205 and hurt his wrists. After a consultation with Kamiran, jW dismissed him to seek medical care. ; J5-daily -inc 2008-07-12_S712LH.j lH We took photographs for v1 and v2. v1 shows k23 and k24 before the start of excavation. v2 shows the condition of the northwestern part of J1 that became J5. -inc 2008-07-13_S713LH.j lH we cleaned plants and debris from k22, k21, k12, and k11. Then we took relays for the part of the revetment wall in the mentioned loci. We designated components of the wall as f3, f4, f5, and f6. -inc 2008-07-14_S714LH.j lH We took photographs for v3 and v4. v3 shows k24 with f7, f8 and k23 with f9. v4 shows the revetment wall with the western sharp corner in J5. -inc 2008-07-15_S715LH.j lH We started with taking v5 for f10, f11 in k23. -inc 2008-07-16_S716LH1.j lH We started with taking photos for k24, v8, that shows a row of stones, f14, and its relationship with the temple. For the new squares in our unit, k34, k44, we`ve got photos that show them before excavation, v9. -inc 2008-07-18_S718LH.j lH We started our day with taking photo for k23, v11, that shows the natural accumulation, f16, with many scattered stones among it - f19 for the northeastern stones and f20 for the northwestern stones - with their relationship with the limestone in the SW quadrant, f11 which we removed it after the photo. Then we divided k23 into two parts (southern and northern) using the plumb bob, so that the short border of the southern part was 200cm. Then we made the accumulation in this part a new feature, f23. Under stone, f11, we found powdery soft accumulation, f22, that covered three big limestones, f24. So we took a new photo, v13, before we removed f22, v12, Then we took another photo, v14, that displays the relationship between f16, f19 and f20 with f23 and f24. We cleaned around this three stones and we found a pit around them. The pit, a1, was filled with soft brown soil, f25. The cut of the pit is f26. -inc 2008-07-21_S721JW.j jW At the end of the day, excavation in five loci, k23, k24, k34, k44, and k54 has begun to clarify the stratigraphy associated with the occupation of this part of the -inc 2008-07-23_S724LH.j lH bWP put new markers to the south of k34 and k44, in order to open two new squares, k33 and k43. We photographed those two loci before starting to excavate them, v31. The purpose of digging the new squares is to follow the continuity of the new features in k23 and k44. -inc 2008-07-26_S726LH.j lH Today we excavated in loci k33, k43, k34. Also we started to remove the northern baulk of k22, so we can get a comparative view for the stratigraphical sequence in J1 and J5. In addition we would be able to follow the line of the western part of the revetment wall, f3. -inc 2008-07-27_S727JW1.j jW Today, the unit archaeologists worked in the house rather than in the field. No workmen were present on site. We focused on drawing templates, entering data, processing objects, and stratigraphic analysis. There were several meetings in the house and in the field with gB, fAB, mKB and unit archaeologists to review progress to date and to revise the excavation strategy for the next period. -inc 2008-08-24_S824LH2.j lH We started our excavating day by taking relays, elevations and photos for the new q-lots and features. At about 0630, a strong sandy and rainy storm (see VC1, VC2, and VC8) came and disturbed our work, so we stopped our site-work and came back to the house to have a UGR day. -inc 2008-08-25_S825LH1.j lH Today we labeled the test probes which we opened yesterday as new loci. k101 includes f165 at the top and to the east of the revetment wall, f3, in k22. k102 includes f166 at the top and to the north of the revetment wall in k12. We opened also a new test probe as k103 includes f172 at the top of the staircase, f21, in k24. -inc 2008-08-26_S826JW.j jW gB assigned a project to excavate a walkway along the south face of revetment wall, f3, from J1 into the southeastern corner of J5. Its purpose is to emphasize that the wall spans several excavation units. -inc 2008-08-31_S903LH1.j lH At the first day of the study portion of our excavation season we have described the rest of the features which had no description on the browser. -inc 2008-09-01_S903LH1.j lH We drew the northern section of k44, w22. Then we finished drawing the rest of the templates. -inc 2008-09-02_S903LH1.j lH We drew the eastern section of k14, w23. In the afternoon work period we started entering the specific labels for groups of features. Then we went to the field, and took some final photos. -inc 2008-09-03_S903LH1.j lH We took the rest of the final photos. Then we had a meeting about the phase sequence for the Mittani horizon. After the meeting we went to the field and drew the northern section of k14, w24. In the afternoon we assigned tentative phases to the seven specific labels previously assigned and described. -inc 2008-09-04_S904JW.j jW Today in the field we drew the east section of k14, w26. We recorded data for new features and described them. jW and lH met with gB and fAB to tentatively allocate features to the phases set forth in the Phase Sequence for Mittani Horizon, dated S902. -inc 2009-07-19_T719SE.j sE In the morning the unit archaeologists went to the field to decide the position of the new markers for the upcoming excavations. Then we came back and worked at home at the UGR. Late in the afternoon sE went to the field with jN and dM to take the first pictures of the area, v145 v146 and v147. -inc 2009-07-20_T720JW.j jW At the start of the day, we set all workmen to clean the area of J5, removing trash and green plants. Then, we organized into two groups to begin excavating the surface soil that had accumulated over the winter and covered the last features exposed in MZ21 (2008-S) to the south and west of the revetment wall system that we want to dig this year. To facilitate paperwork we designated this part of the area a separate locus, k104. When the surface soil, f201, was cleared, we began to excavate soil features f74 to the northwest and f158 to the southeast. We plan to leave baulks at the northwest and southeast extremities of this locus. -inc 2009-07-20_T720SE.j sE At the very beginning of the first day of excavation we defined the locus k104 and put the strings that will represent its northern edge. We stretched the rope from the old baulk keeping it as near to the section as possible and we put two nails that have been relayed (r1171, 1172), together with all the other boundaries of the locus. At the beginning of the morning the workmen started cleaning the whole area and after that we begun to remove the dirt in k104 giving it a new feature number f201 as natural accumulation due to the past winter. Near the southern section of k104 an almost complete animal skull was found, so we recorded it as i33. We took photographs of both the areas south and west of f3(v148 and v149) to show k104 before the beginning of the excavation. Then we removed f74 and at its bottom we found a new, sandy feature f202; this brings to the conclusion that f74 is not the equivalent of the Ninevite 5 escarpment of J1, but a part of the sequence of accumulation and sand visible in the western section. Almost at the end of the morning, excavating the south-eastern corner of f74 we noticed that f41 is a multiple-layer stone wall. -inc 2009-07-21_T721SE.j sE At the beginning of the day we removed the western berm of J5 for security reasons and we divided k104 in two new loci, k105 west to the revetment wall and K106 south to it. We fixed the new eastern baulk of k105 about 70 cm wide, that will be also useful in the next days for the shaffat. fAB suggested to excavate also k100 in the two small areas that were not fully excavated the past year, to follow the f239 of J1 that has been interpreted as an escarpment; we asked the surveyor to put some new control points and we took a picture of the locus before the removal of f204, v150. In f74 we found spots of ashes and reddish burnt soil, visible also in the western section; lens of ashy material has been also found in k100. In k106 we went on removing f158 and we also started to remove f203 in the S-W portion of k105. We gave new feature numbers to a big, flat stone west of the wall f41 (f205), and to the sandy soil that runs N-S through f74 (f206). We took a photo of the northern part of k105 to show the relation between f205, f74 and f206: v151. At the end of the morning we concluded that this f206 must be the same as f202, the point of contact has been found beyond the three stones f200. More stones are coming to light south of f205, but we still didn't give them a feature number; we took a picture of this area, v152, after the removal of f206 to show the new situation of k105. -inc 2009-07-22_T722SE.j sE This morning we removed part of the southern berm for security reasons and we put some cement blocks in the western part of the area to form a staircase, in order to protect the stones of f71 and f28. We took relays of f200 that we are going to remove in the next days (r1201 to r1211). In the northern part of k105, we excavated first the western side of f74 and then the eastern side: in this area more stones came to light, forming at least four steps of a staircase that is oriented parallel to f41. At the top and south of the second and of the third step we found four patches of sling balls (i39, i40, i41, i42), 31 of them were complete and there were several more fragments; they were lying horizontally and were surrounded by spots of a clay that seems similar to the material with which they are made of, so we kept a sample (q299.1). We took a photograph of the situation whit some of the sling balls already excavated, v153, and we created a new aggregate, a8, to indicate i39, i40, i41, i42 and q299.1; maybe this aggregate can be connected with the ashy spots, the two pestles and the bronze slags (i34 and i35) that have been found near the western section of f74 and can indicate a kind of factory area. In this feature were also many medium-size and very smooth pebbles. We excavated also f203 from the south-eastern section of k105 toward west and we found a piece of metal, i38. In k106, after jN draw the eastern section (also photographed, v154) we kept on removing f158 that presents the same layers of compact soil and sandy material that are visible in the southern section. -inc 2009-07-23_T723SE.j sE We went on removing f74 in the northern part of k105 along the edge of f41, for a better comprehension of the accumulation above the staircase; in this way we also exposed the intersection between f205 and f41, dated respectively to the Mittani period and to the third millennium. We measured the slope of the first two steps: the first slopes 8 cm toward east, the second 3 cm. The small section of f74 north of f161 shows alternating layers of brownish and greyish soil, but there is no evidence of mudbricks: we took a picture to document it, v155. South of the third step a kind of surface with a patch of medium- and small-size pebbles and a fragment of grinding stone (i45) came to light. In the south-eastern part of k105 an ashy layer begun to appear, so we moved toward north to explore the ash. In k106 we removed more 20 cm of f158, that doesn't show any change. At the end of the morning, we removed f161 and f155, the latest addiction to the Mittani wall f3. -inc 2009-07-25_T725JW.j jW eA and sE drew the section of the east face of k106 in the afternoon so that removal of accumulation, f158, to trace escarpment, f169 to the west could continue. -inc 2009-07-25_T725SE.j sE We started removing f208 in k105 and removing 5 more cm of f158 in k106, looking for a possible layer of ash already visible all along the western side of k105 up to the corner of the Mittani wall. In the north-western corner it begun to appear instead the same kind of silty soil already found inside the channel, f206. We moved eastward and we exposed the reddish escarpment already identified in the past season, f184. We started to remove f209 in k105, the natural accumulation in the western part, to gain more space for a better comprehension of the area and to have a better view of the new staircase from the panorama. At the end of the morning we took a picture of the new situation in k106 with f210 and f211 (v157), and we removed the first one. -inc 2009-07-26_T726SE.j sE Today we went on removing f209, the accumulation in the western part of k105. We took a photograph of the eastern section of k106 nearby the revetment wall, that has been drawn yesterday afternoon. We started excavating f169 looking for the escarpment f184, working carefully with the trowel and the small pick: we could expose f184 in the north-eastern corner of k106, but we couldn't find it in its southern side where evidences of the presence of an old wadi are coming to light (difference of the soil in color, hardness and texture, and presence of lamination). We moved then to k100, where we started to remove f204 as a consequence of the last findings in J1 where a new surface has been found, that should continue below this square. -inc 2009-07-27_T727SE.j sE In k105 we continue to remove f209 with the big pick, while in k100 the goal is to find the continuation of the surface with sherds and bones already uncovered in J1f313. This locus will be also important to understand the relation between this surface and the stone-installation f188. Removing f204 a new layer of a sandy material came to light, similar to the ones visible in sections, that shows the presence of water in antiquity. The staff of the unit had a meeting in the field with gB and fAB about the stratigraphy and the possible strata sequence, especially in the area W of the wall f41 and of the staircase f21. In k105 we assigned new feature numbers to a silty layer f212 and to a yellowish lens f214 that cover the ashy f215. We also assigned a new feature number to a floor uncovered in k100, f213. -inc 2009-07-28_T728SE.j sE Today we took relays and photograph (v159) and then removed f212, the natural accumulation in the western half of k105, and the two features below: first f214 (the baqaya-like soil) and then f215 (the ashy layer). In this locus we have so exposed the top of f74, that as we expected is sloping down toward south. In f214 we found i48, a bronze pin, that must be in connection with q315.1, another piece of bronze found nearby. In k100 we took relays and photograph (v160) and then removed two big stones, f216 and f217. We removed their pedistal carefully, looking for the same floor already exposed in J1f313, equivalent to f213, but it seems to end, sloping up right below f216 without extending further west. We also removed the last patches of f158 in k106 and f211 (one big stone with several smaller ones underneath), looking for the escarpment f184. At the end of the morning we moved 10 cm north the section in k105, and we uncovered more stones that are at the same level of the higher step of the staircase f205. -inc 2009-07-29_T729JW.j jW High winds and blowing soil made outside work impossible today. -inc 2009-07-30_T731SE.j sE This morning we drew the northern section of k105 and we photographed it (v163); we gave a new feature number to a soft, sandy soil seen in the western part of the section, f222. In the southern half of the same locus we removed the last part of k214, and we uncovered a patch of a very black ash with few sherds: we gave it a new feature number, f220; in the same area we found also evidence of an old channel that runs SE-NW through f218, and we called it f221 (v162). In the southern section near the western corner now are visible two layers of different soils: the first is black, ashy and very soft (f223) and underneath there is a brownish, harder soil (f224). In k106, we photographed the floor surface f213 (J1f313) completely uncovered, with some patches of reddish soil approximately in the area where the big stone f217 was. Then we started to remove the floor collecting all the bones and the sherds: we found also a figurine of a chariot, i49. We gave new feature numbers to the accumulation under the pavement, f226, and to a new stone-installation, f225: this consists in two more rows of flat stones probably connected with f188, sloping down toward south. From the removal of f226 we found i50, a stone tool. -inc 2009-08-01_T801SE.j sE At the beginning of the morning we took pictures of the southern part of k33, to document the area on top of the first step of f205 (v164); we photographed also the western section of k105 (v165) and the two rows of stone f225 now completely uncovered in k100, (v166). In k106 looking for the southern face of the escarpment, we found in the south-western corner of this locus a pit (f228) that cuts f184 with sharp edges: we started removing its fill, that is a soft and brown soil (f227) in which we found i51, a wheel. In k33, beginning from its southern section we removed the soil on top of the staircase f229, and f218 in the western half of the same locus. At the end of the day we took v167 to document the new surface uncovered, a very hard and compact surface (f230), and the continuation of the wall f41 under the stones of f126. -inc 2009-08-02_T802SE1.j sE This morning we cleaned and photographed both k33 to show the new stone-installations (f231, f232 and f233) and their relation with the hard surface f230, and k106 with the pit-cut f228: v168 and v169. Then we finished removing f229 in the northern part of k33, in order to expose f230, and we moved northward to the height of the second stone and a half of f21. In the western half of the same locus, we removed the last patch of the channel f222, that contained many sherds and bones, and f218. We noticed in the northwest corner of this area a harder, brown accumulation, we gave it a new feature number f234 and removed it. We made a probe under the staircase f21 between the first and the second stone, and we collected few sherds that may help to define the stratigraphy of this area; we have also been able to understand the relation between f21, f41 and f230. At the end, we placed two cement blocks to support the stones: we documented all this phases with views v171, v171a and v171b. In k106, we went on looking for the escarpment f184 removing carefully f158: we found a hard layer, reddish-brown but certainly not baqaya, with some charcoals and ashy spots; in both the southern section and the section of the pit doesn't seem to be any evident trace of f184. We found i52, an almost complete cup, lying between the escarpment and the Early-Dynastic wall f189: this maybe will help to date with certainty f184. -inc 2009-08-03_T803SE.j sE This morning we photographed the new area of excavation (v172) and begun to remove the high southern baulk of k100, in the area east to J1k7 .We gave a new feature number to the natural accumulation that was on top of it, f235, and used big picks and a new shafat installed in J1k7 to remove the dirt. In k33, we kept removing f299 from the western half of the locus trying to follow the floor surface f230 already uncovered in its eastern side; we found instead new evidence of a water-course with a softer soil that contains many sherds and small pebbles, f238. It is possible both that f238 cuts f230, or that it covers it: we will investigate this area in the next days. We removed also part of f70 in k34 (a square about 100x100 cm), to have more space to study the relation of the different features in this area and to eliminate a step left from the last year's excavations. -inc 2009-08-05_T805SE.j sE In k100 we keep on removing f235, the natural accumulation on top of the baulk, maintaining the three different levels present in J1k7. We wanted to follow the escarpment f184 from east to west in k106, so we removed 2 cm. of the accumulation on top of it due probably to its exposure on weather in the past years, f236; then it appeared a clear line that divides the reddish material that abuts the wall f189 and a greyish soil south to it, where the escarpment slopes down. In k33 we removed the last part of f229 in its north-eastern corner, to expose the surface f230: it slopes down both toward west and south, and it ends east of f239, while the western half of this square shows clearly the presence of an old channel. We cleaned the probe made in the past days under the staircase f21 and we could see that f230 abuts the wall f41, showing a relation between this two. During the morning the unit staff met with gB and mKB for a stratigraphic review and for the strata assignment. We finished working at 12.00 to let the workmen free to take part in the general explanation of the site made by gB and fAB. -inc 2009-08-06_T808SE.j sE Today we removed the last step of f70 in k34 left from the last year, in order to expose f128 in front of the first step of the staircase f21 (v176). In k33 we removed the two stones f232 and f237 together with its pedestal f240; moving southward, in k105 we removed f200 to gain more space for a better comprehension of the area west to the stone-installation f205. Cleaning the area at the bottom of the third step of the same feature, we uncovered some horizontal bricks (v178). We then started removing the higher part of f74 in the west part of this locus. In k106, removing f226 we found a surface with big sherds and pebbles, f242, in wich i55 was embedded (v 175). To investigate the relation between this new floor and the escarpment f184, we cut a small section in f241: that showed alternating gray and red layers that may indicate different phases of the re-building of the escarpment itself; mKB looked at the pottery coming from this feature and recognized it as phase 3. In k100, we are still removing f235. -inc 2009-08-08_T808SE1.j sE In k105 we removed f74 west to the steps of f205, and under a brownish and softer accumulation f244 we uncovered a pebble-stone pavement that may be connected with the third step (f246, v181). In k106, we cleaned the surface f242 and we gave a new feature number to a soft, brown accumulation at its south, probably due to water: f243. Then we removed f226 starting from its easternmost side, and we found a pavement covered with rather big pebbles and bones, f247, that is equivalent to J1f322: we took a picture (v180) and then started to remove it; from the same f226 came i56, a bronze pin. After a meeting on the field with gB and fAB, we decided to enlarge the section of f241 already cut last Thursday, to understand better the relation between it and the escarpment f184. Cleaning the southern section of the escarpment itself, we saw the same alternating layers of gray and red materials already visible in f241, and in particular two rows of flat sherds that separate the three layers at the bottom. Since this may change our comprehension of f184, we will investigate this area in the next days with a particular attention on the pottery, trying to avoid any contamination between feature 184, 141 and the others around. In k100 we are still removing f235. -inc 2009-08-09_T809SE.j sE This morning we uncovered completely f247 and we photographed it (v183), to show its continuation in J1 and its relation with the stone-escarpment f225. In k106 we also cleaned the southern section of f184 toward east, looking for the two layers of sherds visible in the western section of k241. We found the sherds, but their presence doesn't seem to be regular along all the escarpment. We investigated the material between the two rows of stones of f186 (f248) to look for an eventual presence of an old channel as fAB suggested; we didn't find any trace of water, but a reddish soil and some lower stones. In k105, we removed the features on top of the floor surface f246 (v184), to expose it; accidentally, during the excavation of f244 we removed also part of the pavement itself and exposed a harder, gray and flat surface that will be investigated in the next days. In k100 we are still excavating f235; we removed also the higher baulk between this square, k106 and J1, to open the view from the panorama to J1. -inc 2009-08-10_T810SE.j sE In k106 we excavated a probe in f184 going S-N to the wall f189, to investigate the nature of the escarpment and to verify the presence of baqaya in it, since the small section cut in f241 in the past days doesn't show any pure baqaya. We removed the different red and gray layers one by one, and they all abut the revetment wall without any internal "core" (v189). We removed all the sherds lying on top of the pavement f242, to avoid any contamination of pottery during the excavation of the next days. In k105 we photographed f246 at the beginning of the day, v185, and after we completely uncovered it, v187. Then we started removing it, and we removed also the accumulation under the pavement, f250: this feature was a fill with many sherds and bones, used to bring at the same level the surface that under it was sloping down probably toward west, to build the pavement f246. In k100, we removed the two eastern and northern baulk, opening the view from the panorama to J1. -inc 2009-08-11_T811JW.j jW In k106 we completed the test probe towards the wall by excavating the balance of the f241 layered escarpment toward the revetment wall, f189. There was no evidence of a single, sloping mass of baqaya as the layers each continued northward against the wall face. At the bottom, we noticed that the stone escarpment, ^esc1, had another row of stones to the north which either abutted or bonded with the wall. We removed the remaining Mittani accumulation of f243, south of the Third Millennium sherd layer, f242. Then, we excavated f242 westward, uncovering additional stones of the sloping part of the stone escarpment, ^esc1. Also, we removed an additional layer of Mittani accumulation, f252, from atop the Third Millennium layered escarpment, ^esc2, so that when we excavate it we will minimize any chances of contamination with later material.
In k105 we removed an accumulation, f253, which covered what appears to be a pebble floor, f254, and its retaining wall, f255. We also uncovered a fourth stone, f257, which may be associated with stone stairs, f205. The stone, f257, is perpendiclar to stone wall, f41. -inc 2009-08-11_T811SE.j sE Today we removed f242 from the probe that we already excavated yesterday running N-S through f184, and under it we could see a flat stone, probably part of the stone escarpment composed by both f188 and f225 (v190). We removed f243 south to the floor surface f242, to avoid any contamination of pottery and looking for the relationship between the two; then we removed also f242, going east-west toward the western section created by the step of f252. We investigated also this accumulation, for a better comprehension of its nature and to get some sherds for pottery analysis; our aim was also to find the southern surface of the f241, that is part of the second escarpment together with f184. In k105 we removed the last part of f250 in the north-western corner, and then a brown compact soil f253 that covered a pavement made of many middle-size and big pebbles in the northern area, f254, and on the southern half a reddish soil, f246. From f253 came two items, i57 and i58. f254 and f256 are separated by a mudbrick wall running NW-SE, that is probably the continuation of f235: they have the same elevation, orientation and widht, but they haven't any point of connection because the water probably made the wall collapse, and so the pebbles of f254 continue through the breaking of the wall (v191). At the end of the morning we started to remove f254, that seems to be rather thick and full of stones and sherds. -inc 2009-08-12_T812JW.j jW In k106 we continued to excavate west in f252 and f242 in a strip about one meter wide next to the north baulk of k100. The purpose was to expose the southernmost rows of stones of ^esc1, f225. As we proceeded northward, the lowest row of stones disappeared, and the next highest was covered by a dense layer of sherds. This may indicate that we are reaching the west end of the Third Millennium revetment wall, f189.
In k105 we cleared the last of the sloping surface, f251 from atop the brick wall, a11. -inc 2009-08-12_T812SE.j sE In k106 today we kept on investigating the first and the second escarpment, removing the softer f241 south of the revetment wall. We uncovered part of the higher row of stone of ^esc1, f255, and we found the end of the lower stone; since in the eastern side of this installation the stones are organized in a similar way, we will concentrate on this area in the next days trying to find the point of contact between the first revetment wall f189 and its the Mittani extension, f3. We also recognized an unusual concentration of sherds in the portion of f242 that was right on the west of the flat stone uncovered today, q407 and q409. In k105 we excavated the area south to a11 removing f251 and a dark brown soil f258. We then removed f256, looking for the southern face of the mudbrick wall f245 and f255; we measured the bricks and they are 40 cm wide as we expected, for a total width of 102 cm (two rows and a half of bricks). We uncovered some stones in the southern corner of the locus that seem to be organized in a kind of installation, f261: we'll try to verify if they are part of the structure of one of the two escarpments. At the end of the morning, removing f256 we reached what seems to be the bottom of the wall f41: we gave a new feature number to the yellowish-brown soil that abuts some smaller stones right under the last big row of stone of f41, f259. -inc 2009-08-13_T813JW.j jW In k105, we concentrated our attention in three areas, north and south of the brick wall, f255; and in the southeastern corner, near the baulk separating k105 from k106 to the east. In the southeast corner of pebble fill, f254, adjacent to f255, we exposed a fifth "step" of the stepped stone structure, f205. It was below and south of the fourth "step" f257. To the south of the southeast corner of wall, a11, we made a small test probe to find the bottom of wall, f41. The accumulation just above what we believe to be the bottom was very clean and had few sherds. However, mKB and hQ evaluated them as from Phase 3 (JPB sequence). This is the earliest material found so far in k105. At this level, we also discovered a large, flat stone oriented, southeast to northwest, f265, about 50cm west of wall, f41. Between this stone and the wall was a surface of broken stones, f267. In the southeast corner we continued to remove accumulations above what we hypothesize is the stone escarpment to the revetment wall, f189, assuming that it continues to the west from k106 into k105.In k106 we continued to excavate to the west, following the southernmost line of stones of ^esc1. We also began to excavate a two-meter wide sounding next to the entire extent of the west baulk of k106. After one pick run we encountered a hard, reddish mass of soil, f268, which may have served as part of ^esc2 during one of the use phases of the revetment wall, f189. -inc 2009-08-13_T814SE.j sE We keep investigating the two escarpments south of the revetment wall f189: today we removed first a new feature, f264, and then we opened a new probe that runs NE-SW following the western baulk of k106, going against the wall. We stopped as we saw the same red soil of the layered escarpment f241, and we moved east to uncover it. In k105, we excavated the last patch of f254 uncovering f266, a fifth "step" connected to the stone-installation f205 that seems quite different from the others, since it is made of one big stone and some smaller ones. We investigate the area between the brickwall f245 and the corner of the stone-wall f3, to see if we can find the bottom of the wall f41: we removed f259 and we collected some sherds that mKB looked in the field and recognized as phase 3. Then we excavated the feature below, f264: from this q-lot q416 didn't come any sherd, but we uncovered more stones: one big and flat, f265, and some smaller and more irregular, f267. -inc 2009-08-15_T815SE.j sE Today we excavated the area east and west to the eastern baulk of k105, to clarify the relationship between the features of the two loci and trying to find the continuation of the stone escarpment. In k106 we excavated the probe that we opened yesterday (v195) removing the stone f273 and the soil f268, and we uncovered two rows of big and flat stones that we think are the continuation of f188 and f225 and that seem to make a corner going north-west (v197). Since we still don't have any point of connection between the two, we decided to enlarge east the probe to find it, but first we removed the part of 242 that was exposed, to avoid contamination of pottery. In k105, we removed some floating stones that sit on f271 (f261 and f269, v196) and a big stone in the baulk (f272) and we removed also f271, from wich came i60. Then we removed f259 below it, looking for some connection between this area and the western portion of k106. In k105 we also removed the last part of f254, in the north-western corner, and we cleaned this area from some pebbles left from the past days. -inc 2009-08-16_T816JW.j jW In the northern sector of k105 we removed the last of the river pebbles, f254, revealing a surface of greenish yellow soil, f279. On the south this surface was bounded by a line of cut stones, f277. On the east this surface was bounded by another line of stones, f276. The stones did not abut in a SE corner. Immediately to the south of a11, we uncovered two additional lines of stones to the west of f265. We continued to excavate accumulation, f259, in anticipation of reaching companion stones to f265, which are expected to continue to the southeast. In k106 we continued to expose stones which are a part of the first escarpment, ^esc1. -inc 2009-08-16_T816SE.j sE In k106 we removed the last portion of f268 in the probe running NE-SW near the section, uncovering the connection between the stones of ^esc1 and the two rows that we begun to see yesterday. These big, flat stones make clearly a corner that goes toward north-west, following the direction of the revetment wall and going under the western baulk of this locus. Then south to this newly uncovered stones we removed f274, that contained many sherds and bones. In the northern area of k105 we removed more pebbles still part of f254, and at the bottom of this feature we found a natural accumulation and two rows of stones: f276 that runs N-S west to the stairs f205, and f277 that runs E-W under the bricks of f255. The two don't have any point of connection or clear corner. South of the brickwall of a11 we removed f259 and we uncovered two more rows of flat and big stones going SE-NW, very similar and possibly still part of f265. South-west of this stones, at the beginning of the morning we begun to find a surface covered with small pebbles, f278, that will be investigated tomorrow. During the day we also draw the western section of k106 (v199), and we removed the two stones of f270 (v198). -inc 2009-08-17_T817JW.j jW In k105 we removed the balance of accumulation, f280, from atop the pebble natural floor, f278. Pickman Su'ar noticed that there was an ashy accumulation, f282, to the southwest of the stones of ^esc1 under the natural floor, f278. In k106, we removed the baulk between k105 and k106 in two parts: first the volumetric material above the red "escarpment," then f268 itself. Further east we removed the layered escarpment, f241, from the west baulk to the exploratory cut to the east. -inc 2009-08-18_T818JW.j jW Removed the remaining soil and stones from the afternoon excavations of T817. Removed the remaining portion of the red soil, f268 from the bottom of the north part of the east baulk of k106. Excavated the sherd layer, f242, a part of the layered second escarpment, ^esc2. Cleaned the natural floor, f278, atop the stones of the first escarpment, f265, then began to remove it to expose the stones and the ashy accumulation to the southwest, f282. In the afternoon session we finished removing f278 and f242. Then we cleaned thoroughly the numerous exposed stones of ^esc1, which stretch from the east end to almost the northern end of the unit. In the north sector, we removed the bricks of f245, the east end of a11, in order to determine if the stone first escarpment, ^esc1, rose to the north at that point to the level of the f266 "step." We found another large, high-founded flat stone at the same elevation to the south of f266, but not the rise in the first escarpment that we hypothesized. If ^esc1 does rise, it must occur further to the north. However, it is possible that the two stones of f255 are part of a stone second escarpment, installed after the first escarpment was covered in that region. -inc 2009-08-18_T819SE.j sE In this last day of the excavation period, we focused our attention on two areas of the unit: in k106 we removed the very last part of f242, including a big stone that was covered by the ^esc2 (f283), while in k105 we wanted to understand the relation between the fifth step of f205 and the ^esc1 that seem to continue going north-west. We collected great quantities of sherds coming from f242, together with many bones, as we expected, and we exposed completely the stone escarpment; between the first line of big flat stones of f188 and the revetment wall f189 we uncovered a line of smaller stones. In the same locus we also finished to remove the western baulk. In k105 we took a photo to document the relation between the surface of f278 and the stone escarpment that is underneath (v204), and then we removed f278. After a meeting in the field with gB and fAB, we decided to excavate also in the afternoon with a smaller number of workmen. We removed part of the brick wall f245, looking for the connection between the steps of f205 and the ^esc1: we found a big, flat stone south of f266 that seem to be still part of the fifth step and that is not-founded or high-founded: the two stone-installations don't seem to be directly connected with each other. -inc 2009-08-24_T824SE.j sE Today the unit staff went to the field to excavate some areas that may give a better understanding of the stratigraphy, in particular of the ^esc1. In k106, we gave a new feature number (f287) and excavated the natural accumulation between the stone escarpment f188 and the line of smaller stones f284. We found some deeper small stones, and we collected few sherds that will be analyzed by mKB. In the western portion of the same locus we removed 10 cm of f274 to expose completely the third row of stones of f255, and we uncovered a fourth line of big, flat stones. In k105 we finished to remove all a11: under f255 we exposed the stones of f277, while under f260 and f245 we went down at the same level of the ^esc1, that seems to continue with a surface paved by flat stones and that goes on north-west. We removed f231 on top of f205, and in k33 we made a small trench following the line of the stairs of f205 moving north, to investigate the relationship between the steps and the southern stones of f239 and to understand the nature of f205. We removed the shaffat and took relays with the surveyor of all the area excavated during MZ22 and of the stones of f205, f257,f266 and f275. -inc 2009-08-25_T825SE1.j sE Today in k106 we removed more of f287 to comprehend the nature of f284: we found that the stones are quite big and deep, and have a southern face that may suggest that it is a wall. Between the stones of f284 and the ones of f188 we uncovered three more flat blocks, that seem to be allineated but with a different orientation than the other two installations. In k105 we documented with photos the situation in the northern portion of the locus (v208, v209) and then we removed the last part of a11, f255, and the stones of f277 that appeared to be very big (v210). Then we excavated the accumulation under the bricks and the stones, f285, and we uncovered one more flat limestone block. South of this area we excavated f282 and we found one big stone that can be the continuation of the fourth line of ^esc1, but that slopes down toward west. -inc 2009-08-26_T826JW.j jW In k105 we removed the pedestal of accumulation, f289, under the shaffatshaffat. We learned little new about the deposition process beneath the f3 Mittani revetment wall in the process. -inc 2009-08-26_T826SE2.j sE In k106 we removed more of f287, to get some more sherds that will be analyzed for a better understanding of the chronology of this area and to understand the nature of f284, that seem to be a wall with a southern face quite smooth and regular (v211). In k105 we first removed the final western part of the accumulation f285 and then f282 that was covered by it. We uncovered another line of flat stones running SE-NW, still part of the ^esc1, together with a floor surface with small- and medium-size pebbles (f288), that abuts this last row of limestone blocks. In the afternoon we photographed it (v212) and we collected the sherds on the surface, to have them analyzed and to avoid any contamination from the excavation of tomorrow. In this same locus we also removed f289, the volumetric material that was under the stone f275. -inc 2009-08-27_T827JW.j jW Removed the northeast corner of the high baulk in k100 to improve sight-lines down and to the north so that the first escarpment, ^esc1 could be seen in conjunction with the revetment wall, f189. Backfilled the previously excavated exploratory trench, f286, in k33. Straightened sections along the north baulk of k100 and the west baulk of k105. Finished drawing the southern half of the southwest section of k106. -inc 2009-09-01_T901JW1.j jW We are nearing the end of the First Study Period, having already finished the Second UGR period. Except for a brief time when we performed additional field work, the staff has worked in the house to prepare the first draft of the final UGR. It includes entering and checking all logs, checking relays and making plots, finishing templates, processing objects, drawing sections, and stratigraphic analysis. So far, there have been no significant problems. In the next study period we will cross-check entries and correct discrepancies. jW will prepare the discursive side for publication. ; J5-data processing -inc 2009-09-26_T927JW.j cJC The following problems are known to exist:
(1) If one lists a component of a feature in the "constituent label (cl)" column, the R program creates a "new" feature (ex: f349.1) instead of putting the output data into the home feature (ex: f349).
(2) The JD program does not accept the view log (drawing log and plot log also) entry "gn#" for views containing negatives.
(3) The code "P1" does not work as a separate entry to supplement the feature log. Instead of whatever I write after P1, I get the previous line from the UGR repeated (e.g. J2q896.1). I also tried P01 and that did not work either.
(4) If I use the roster code "nc" to enter notes on contact, it goes into the UGR as "north coordinate." -inc 2009-09-27_T927JW.j jW The following problems are known to exist:
(1)The JD program does not process view, drawing, and plot logs entries for specific labels (i.e. g^wall1).

(2) Although they run as separate files, the JD program does not process the following types of J files in the batch mode:
(a) Best photo containing view numbers for specific labels (i.e.. J5 T915jW.-j)
(b) Strata Log (i.e. J5 T902jW.-j).
(c) Strata Rationale entries (i.e. J5 T903jW.j).

(3) Text entries do not process properly (i.e. J3 R824jW1.j-, J3 R824jW2.j, J3 R726jW.j-)

(4) When the "S" program output file is processed by the JD program, its output (strata and phase) for q-p is placed in the QI folder not the QP folder (i.e. J5 S-CUMUL.-J-).

(5) The JD program does not process nested specific labels.

(6) The JD program does not process assemblage files (i.e. J5 T405jW.j-).

(7) The JD program has a limit of 400 input files. J5 already has more than that.

(8) In her .J files mKB uses several pottery codes from a new list provided to her by gB (e.g. K81) that are not recognized by the current JD program. We have had to change the codes to existing ones (e.g. K91) to get the data into the UGR (i.e. J5 T914aC.-j).

(9) Text links between books does not work (e.g. J1f296 in a J5 entry).

(10) A link within text to a specific label does not work (e.g. ^wall1).

(11) When a view is open and one clicks on a thumbnail for other related views (photos), nothing is linked to it. The thumbnails are linked to a file in the unit book which does not exist. (The photos are in V22/G/LoRes, while the views are in J05/D/V.) ; J5-equipment -inc 2008-08-17_S817JW.j jW A shafat to remove the dirt from baulk removal was installed along the north baulk of k34. -inc 2008-08-19_S819JW.j jW For much of the day, the shafat was operating at less than full capacity because no trailer was available to carry away the dirt. Less efficient wheelbarrows were used instead. -inc 2008-08-21_S821JW.j jW Moved the shafat to locus k32 to assist in removing the north and east baulks. -inc 2009-07-21_T721JW.j jW All four pickmen complained that the trowels issued to them were ineffective for the work we were asking of them. Also, the bristles on the brushes are too worn to pick up the dirt. sE, tool co-ordinator, was notified. -inc 2009-07-23_T723JW.j jW jW and fAB spoke about the sub-standard trowels. Some new ones will be issued. -inc 2009-07-23_T723JW.j jW Upon inspection of the unit, we determined that a four-meter shafat would not be long enough to lift the excavated dirt to the surface. The six-meter unit was not ready to be installed. -inc 2009-07-25_T725JW.j jW The long shafat was installed and began operating late in the day. It will ease the removal problem developing as we excavate far below the surface. After the shafat was installed we installed a safety fence around a previously excavated deep sounding to the south of k100. -inc 2009-07-25_T725SE.j sE A shafat to remove the dirt from k105 and k106 was installed along the eastern baulk of k105. -inc 2009-07-26_T726JW.j jW Distributed two new trowels to Ibrahim and Anwar. -inc 2009-08-16_T816JW.j jW Shifted shafat from the baulk between k105 and k106 to a point about two meters to the west to facilitate removal of soil from the southeast corner of k105 where most of the heavy excavation was taking place. -inc 2009-08-18_T818JW.j jW We suspended the use of the shafat because it was unstable on its perch when a workman sat on it to clear stones from the input tray. We then carried the rocky soil up to the surface using previously excavated "steps" and a ladder. ; J5-introduction -inc 2008-07-09_S709JW1.j jW On the basis of our initial excavations on the temple complex, it was assumed that its general form was symmetrical and that it formed an oval, walled in stone and sitting above an open plaza, with the temple at the center and possibly with several points of access. Based on the excavations of the last two seasons and on an extensive geophysical survey, we have modified our hypothesis. Among other things, the formal boundary of the temple complex now seems to be confined to the southwest. The eastern part may well end at the staircase. Excavations in unit J1 in the MZ19 season (2006-Q) revealed that, at its western extremity, the revetment wall made a sharp turn to the north. Furhermore the wall in that vicinity seemed to comprise a double line of stones, separated by about 5 meters with possibly a paving of large flat stones between them. This season, we wish to follow this wall to the north, to determine the nature of the relationship of the components of that part of the wall system, and to determine the physical links, if any, between the temple complex and the Tupkish palace. The geomagnetic survey data show there may be a northern boundary to the plaza in this general location, possibly through a link with a substantial building, which may be associated with the palace. Sharing importance with excavation will be the production of a completed field portion of the global record by the close of the study season in late September. -inc 2008-09-20_S920JW.j jW The ending numbers for selected constituents are as follows: aggregates = a2; features = f200; items = i31; q-lots = q284; relays = r1164; views = v144; drawings = w25; plots = p63; sketches = sk44. -inc 2009-07-19_T719JW.j jW At the end of the MZ21 excavation season, we had exposed at least the first meter of the southern face of the revetment wall of the BA Temple mound. In addition, we excavated additional monumental stonework, including a staircase of five steps, at the western end of the revetment wall. This staircase is considerably higher than the monumental staircase at the eastern end of the revetment wall excavated as part of J2 in prior seasons. We tentatively dated this stonework to the late Mittani period by analysis of the ceramics which were layered against the staircase and associated wall extension, as well as in shallow probes behind those features. The revetment wall has been securely dated to the Early Dynastic period and the excavations in J1 and J3 immediately to the east of J5 show that the revetment wall was built atop structures that are dated to the Late Chalcolithic period. The research question to be addressed this season is to verify the date of the western extension without destroying it. If the western structures (higher than their counterparts to the east) are Early Dynastic, then they must have been built atop Late Chalcolithic structures which rose in elevation west of J1. If the western structures are Mittani, then they could have been built atop Early Dynastic structures at the same elevation as the revetment wall. To test the hypothesis, we intend to expose the south face of the eastern part of the revetment wall and the west face of the western wall system until we reach the escarpments of each. The area that will be excavated is bounded by the walls to the east and north and the baulks of loci k32 and k100 to the south and west. -inc 2009-07-19_T719JW.j jW Two new loci will be designated: k105 is to the north and west and ranges in width from one to two meters. k106 is to the south and east and ranges in width from one to two meters. They about each other at the buttresses, f155 and f161. The escarpment has already been exposed in J1. Although ideally one could follow it to the west along the revetment wall face, there are two layers of cut stone blocks which seem to abut the revetment wall, atop the escarpment's path. As a result, we will first dig down at the western end and follow to the southeast any revetment wall and any escarpment. If the escarpment slopes severely down it indicates that the tell was mounded in that region in Late Chalcolithic times. A severe slope also means that the staircase was probably part of the Third Millennium temple mound and plaza. If the escarment is relatively level and uniformly deep, it means that the staircase was built late atop Third Millennium structures, most likely in the Mittani period. ; J5-methods and techniques -inc 2009-07-24_T924JW.j hQ There are considerable differences among the tallies of sherds for J5. hQ added the entries on the pottery analysis spreadsheets for a total of 11,480. These data are directly formatted by a special program for entry into the unit books. After processing by the J5 JD programs, the total under Ware in the Frequencies section of the UGR is 11,251, while the total under Ceramic Lots in the J5 Log section of the UGR is 20,546. gB will look at the family of UGR programs to reconcile the differences. ; J5-phase -inc 2009-07-31_T731MKB1.j mKB mKB looked at the sherds in 92 q lots from s2, s4, s5, s10 totaling 8742 sherds. The vast majority of the sherds were from the Mittani period with some dating to the Middle Assyrian. ; J5-public works -inc 2008-08-03_S803JW.j jW Ibrahim, Daoud, and Kaghran worked with mOmo to begin to construct a new observation platform south of the unit. ; J5-staff -inc 2008-07-26_S726JW.j jW mO departed the unit and Tell Mozan to prepare for graduate studies in Tunisia. His contributions are greatly appreciated. -inc 2008-08-14_S814JW.j jW lH is still in Damascus arranging her course of study for next year. sNP worked in the house after breakfast preparing plots. -inc 2008-08-16_S816JW.j jW lH still in Damascus registering for a post-graduate program in archaeology. sNP worked in the house after breakfast processing objects. -inc 2008-08-17_S817JW.j jW dL and sNP drew the north baulks of k13 (w15), k43 (w16), and the lower part of k33 (w17). lH remained in Damascus to register for post-graduate study. -inc 2008-08-19_S819JW.j jW lH still in Damascus preparing for post-graduate study. sNP spent most of the morning in the house processing objects and plots. -inc 2008-08-21_S821JW.j jW lH still in Damascus for Masters Degree examinations. sNP worked on the objects in the house after breakfast. -inc 2008-08-24_S824LH2.j lH After a meeting with gB, jW and lH completed the view log, sNP finished processing objects and dL finished the templates and drawings. All members will review the Harris Matrices and strata assignments in the afternoon. -inc 2008-08-26_S826JW.j jW dL sick in bed at home. -inc 2008-08-27_S827LH.j lH dL worked at home due to illness. -inc 2009-07-19_T719JW.j jW The staff assignments are: jW #1, sE #2, and jN and eA #3's. -inc 2009-07-20_T720JW.j jW All staff members spent the first day of excavtions in the field to become familiar with data collection and recording, the location and appearance of features, and the names of the workmen. -inc 2009-07-21_T721JW.j jW jN worked in the house after breakfast to process objects from previous seasons. Her work on that project continued into the afternoon. -inc 2009-07-22_T722JW.j jW jN worked in the house after breakfast to process objects from previous seasons. Her work on that project continued into the afternoon. -inc 2009-07-25_T725JW.j jW jW working on the URG at home before and after breakfast. After breakfast, jN cntinued working on the site-wide item processing system. sE spent time after breakfast at home identifying photos for views. -inc 2009-07-26_T726JW.j jW jW worked at home for parts of the time before and after breakfast preparing the UGR. jN worked at home refining the object processing system for all units. -inc 2009-07-29_T729JW.j jW All staff members worked in the house. jW worked on updating the UGR; sE prepared logs and templates for views; eA processed objects for J5 and J2; jN worked on site-wide object processing. -inc 2009-07-30_T730JW.j jW jN worked at home after breakfast on the site-wide item processing and storage system. eA departed early to prepare lunch. -inc 2009-08-01_T801JW.j jW jW worked at home on the UGR before breakfast. sE worked on the UGR at home after breakfast. -inc 2009-08-02_T802JW.j jW sE worked at home after breakfast entering data and preparing templates. -inc 2009-08-03_T803JW.j jW jW worked at home for substantial periods before and after breakfast peparing the UGR for a stratigraphic review by the staff tomorrow. -inc 2009-08-04_T804JW.j jW This was a scheduled UGR preparation day for all of the staff, who worked at home. eA continued to process objects. sE completed templates and prepared Harris Matrices for all new features. jN worked on accouting for all items site-wide. jW pepared a stratigraphic analysis and worked on resolving surveying issues with Adib. The staff met with gB, mKB, and fAB to develop a new stratigraphic sequence, J5A, based on the site-wide sequence, MZA, and the MZ21 sequence, JPC. The focus of this initial session was on the early periods (pre-Mittani) since the work of last season established a good sequence for the Mittani period and thereafter. After a field review tomorrow we will assign strata to features f201 to f240 and to review types of contact. -inc 2009-08-05_T805JW.j jW gB and mKB met with the staff in the field to examine and discuss the proposed stratigraphic sequence, J5A. -inc 2009-08-18_T818JW.j jW Due to illness, jW worked at home some of the day preparing the UGR. -inc 2009-08-26_T826JW.j jW eA worked at home on the UGR before breakfast. jW worked on the UGR at home after breakfast. -inc 2009-08-27_T827JW.j jW jN worked at home before breakfast processing objects. After breakfast, jW and sE worked at home for one-hour periods on the UGR. ; J5-strategy -inc 2008-07-09_S709JW1.j jW To accomplish these goals we will incorporate and build upon that portion of unit J1 that contains the double wall. First, we will clean and document the previously excavated portion of the revetment wall. Next, we will open two new loci, k23 and k24, north of the west face of the outer of the two lines of stone. There, at a depth of about 150cm below the surface we expect to be able to follow this face which runs roughly north northwest. The geophysical survey indicates the prescence of a structure to the west within the range of the new loci. If we find the turn we will follow it to the west with additional loci in that direction. In order to define the nature of the wall system as it turns north we will remove some isolated pillars of soil which partially cover it in the portion previously exposed as a part of the J1 excavation. If necessary to further explore the construction, we will open a second line of loci running north and located to the east of k23 and k24. In order to accomplish the publishing goal, we will station an experienced assistant in the house on a rotating basis to process objects and enter and process data and photographs as they are recorded in the field. -inc 2008-07-19_S719LH.j lH We will photograph the westen stone floor in k44 and stop digging in it; to move to a new locus, k54. In k34 we will continue digging untill we reach to 2900 elevation, then we will digging only the northern half of it. We will remove the pit, a1, and the natural accumulation in the southern part of k23. -inc 2008-07-20_S720LH.j lH We need to remove the rest of f35 in the northern third of k54, then we will photographed the crust, f36, before we remove it. We will look for a continuation of the stone pavement, f28, in k44, into the east half of k54. In k34 we will continue to excavate the northern half. In k23 we will photograph the stones in the southwest quadrant, then we will continue to dig down along the southern baulk to find the revetment wall, f3. -inc 2008-07-25_S725JW2.j jW Based on the assumption that we need to excavate the staircase in the least destructive way possible, jW, the J5 archaeologists, gB, mKB, and fAB met on site to determine how. We decided to excavate locus k33 to understand what may be the southern boundary of the staircase. We will excavate the south half of locus k34, which has throughout, a hard, naturally compacted floor, f45. By doing so, we expect to find lower steps of the staircase. We will keep f45 as a stratigraphic reference because it in all likelihood is the transition layer between Mittani and Middle Assyrian phases. -inc 2008-07-27_S727JW1.j jW We began excavating staircase f21 from top to bottom and from east to west. After locating all of the steps (3) in k24 (the third ended in the west baulk), we moved to k34 to begin searching along the east baulk for a continuation. We wanted to preserve the Middle Assyrian to Mittani transitional floor surface, f45, in the north half of the locus while excavating it and laminations, f63 in the south. mKB posed the question of what happens if the staircase, f21, does not contine through the baulk. If not, there would be a distinct possibility that we would dig through several strata and learn little. As a result, we decided to excavate the east baulk of k34, then follow the staircase down and to the west. As to the western loci, k34 and k44, we will stop in k44 and excavate k34 to see if stone installations f28 and f49 continue to the south through the baulk which separates these loci. The geosurvey plot shows that a large structure makes a turn to the east in that general area. Our working hypothesis is that stone installation f49 is the source of the trace on the plot and that it turns west in k34. In k23, when the k22 north baulk removal is complete, we will excavate down to find the northern extension of revetment wall, f3, which penetrates the baulk from the south. -inc 2008-07-28_S728LH.j lH Tomorrow we will continue removing the eastern baulk of k34. When we finish we will begin to remove the accumulation which covers the next lower steps of the stone staircase in the southern half of k34. In k23, after photographing the floor, f39, against the eastern section of J1, we will continue to excavate to find the northern part of wall, f3. We will also continue excavating in k43 to find if the stone installation, f49, continues to the south. -inc 2008-07-30_S730JW.j jW This morning, gB, fAB, jW and the unit archaeologists met on site to discuss how best to define and understand the relationship between the staircase, f21, the revetment wall, f3, and the dressed stones, f41, to the southwest of f3. We decided to finish excavating the redefined north section of k22, down to the level where excations in previous seasons were halted. Then, after we draw and photograph the baulk, we will excavate by following the features seen in section to the north. As to the staircase, we will excavate k34 to the level where soil feature, f70, meets the top of the bottom step of staircase, f12. We will score and photograph the combined south baulks of k34 and k24 so that we can see where the various accumulations and floor surfaces abut or cover the staircase. As to the baulk separating k34 and k44, we will score and draw and photograph it as the west baulk of k34, then remove it to develop a clear sightline to the Middle Assyrian structures, f28 and f49 to the west. In k43, we will contine to excavate with the prospects of finding the source of the bright lines on the geomagnetic survey done several years ago. It is most likely that they are from stone installation, f49. We will also continue, as resources permit to excavate locus k33. We expect that architecture in it will be a key in understanding the relationships among stones f41, its glacis, f74, and the staircase, f21. -inc 2008-08-02_S802JW.j jW gB, fAB and jW met on site to discuss the apparent conflict between the layers of Middle Assyrian pottery found in this locus, (and in k23, and in k44) and the strong Mittani identity with nearby features such as the houses in A19 and A20. gB suggested that it would be useful to our overall understanding of unit J05 to first remove the east baulks of k34 and k44 to evaluate the relalationship between the rows of stones in k44 and k43 and the staircase, f21, to the east. However, we must still remove, at a later date, the north baulk of k43 to understand the relationships among the stone structures in k43 and k44. -inc 2008-08-04_S804LH.j lH Tomorrow, we are going to start excavation in the new locus, k14. In k33, we will remove the western and the eastern baulks, starting with the western tomorrow, in order to have a wide view that links the stone installations in k43, f71, f73, f91, with the revetment wall, the other stone installations in k23; f20, f73, f99, f41; and the glacis, f74. -inc 2008-08-04_S805JW1.j jW gB, fAB, and jW met with the J5 staff to discuss an excavation strategy for the next week in light of the extensive stone work found in k23 and k24. Excavation in k33 has indicated that it is free of structures to a depth of 170cm from the surface. Identical conditions were found in k34. The last feature in both was a dense, highly compacted, clean accumulation composed of fine-grained silt. We are reluctant to continue excavating here until we understand better the relationship between the stonework (f3, f41, f99) and glacis (f74) of k22 and k23 and the stone staircase (f21) found in k24. The east baulk of k33 should reveal the connection and it will be removed after the baulks are drawn and photographed and the west baulks of k23 and k22 are photographed. The transition from the clean, flat surface in k33 to the stonework in k34 is similar to that now seen in k34 an k44. We will remove the east baulk of k44 (after drawing and photographing its reverse, the west baulk of k34) to better interpret the stratigraphy. An examination of the extensive stonework (f3, f4, f5) found in k22, k21, k12, and k11 (excavated in previous seasons as a part of J1) shows that it may be a result of late (Mittani) modifications to earlier (Akkadian or Early Dynastic structures. Several lines of this stonework extend north to the east of k23 and k24. In addition, the line of stones, f14, in k24, which border the staircase, f21, extend to the east. To explore these relationships, if any, we will excavate loci k3, k4, k13, and k14. -inc 2008-08-05_S805JW1.j jW Removing the east baulks of k43 and k33 were scheduled as high priority tasks for today. However, due to delays associated with photography and baulk drawing, we moved all three crews to the new loci k13 and k14 and excavated there for the day. Tomorrow we will excavate each baulk and k14 with one crew each. Excavation of k13 will be temporarily suspended until the baulks are fully removed. -inc 2008-08-05_S805LH.j lH Tomorrow we will remove the eastern and the western baulks of k33. So we will have a wide view that links the stone installations in k43, the highly compacted accumulation, f102, in k33 and the stone installations with the glacis of k23 and k22. We will continue excavating k14, while we will not excavate k13 tomorrow. -inc 2008-08-06_S806JW.j jW gB and fAB reviewed with jW and lH the need to remove the south parts of the remaining baulks in k21, k22, k11, and k12 to improve sightlines from the new observation platform being built to the south of the unit. The surveyor, bKP will create relays for the outline of material to be excavated, k100. The entire crew from J1 will report tomorrow to begin work. J5 crews will continue to remove the baulks in k43 and k33 and to excavate k14. -inc 2008-08-10_S810JW.j jW In several meetings over the last two days, gB, fAB, jW, and the J5 staff have discussed excavation plans for the last two-week period. There are several conflicting strategies that needed to be resolved. The highest priority will be to excavate k33 down to the glacis, f74, and its associated wall systems, including f41, by carefully removing the horizontally layered and laminated accumulations above it. Loci k13 and k14 have yielded a number of interesting stone installations and bricky residues. However, we have not been able to fit them together with stonework in loci k22, k23, and k24. To clarify this area of "four corners," we had scheduled removing the baulk that extends from k43 on the west to k13 on the east starting on Wednesday, S813. In today's discussions, we decided that it would be more effective and illustrative to remove the shorter N-S baulks between k24, and k14 and k23 and k13 respectively after they are drawn and photographed. This work can be accomplished by the crews who are already excavating in k13 and k4 without disturbing the work on the wall systems in k33. As the E-W baulk has been documented, we can remove it at anytime resources are available. As to work in the soutern part of the unit, we need to excavate k32 to trace the glacis we have found in k22 to the west. We also need to finish excavating k100. We do not expect to find significant architecture or artifacts in either k32 or k100. We believe that there are adequate resources and enough time to complete this work. In summation, considering the progress made to date, we can execute the plan if our assumptions are correct. -inc 2008-08-13_S813JW.j jW On S814, we will finish excavating accumulation, f135, in locus k33, then clean and photograph it. Then we will begin removing floor accumulation, f137, from the southeast corner, then west and north. We expect to find the northern extension of wall, f41, and the follow the escarpment, f74, seen in the northwest corner of k22. In locus k24, we will clean it well, along with k14, k34 and k44, for a major photograph. In locus k13, we will remove the south safety baulk to trace featues found in the north part of the locus. For locus k22, we will follow the escarpment, f74, into the southwest corner. -inc 2008-08-14_S814JW.j jW On S816 we will continue to excavate the accumulations in k32 with two large picks. In k33, we will contine to excavate, with a small pick, floor accumulation, f137, which covers escarpment, f74. In k22, we will excavate, with a small pick, the five accumulations (f86, f87, f88, f89, and f90) seen in section to the east of revetment wall, f3. In k13 and k14, we will clean, photograph, and measure several features not yet documented. -inc 2008-08-16_S816JW.j jW In a meeting between gB, fAB, and jW it was decided to focus the work in the last days on presentation of what has already been found rather than additional exploration. Therefore, we will assign two pickmen to excavate k100 and two pickmen to excavate k32 so that the sightlines to major features such as the revement walls f3 and f41, the escarpment, f74, the staircase, f21, and the stone installations in k43 and k44 can be seen from the new viewing platform being constructed south of k32. As soon as possible, two pickmen will follow the escarpment east to see if it links with the one in unit J1. After the north sections of k13, k23, k33, and k43 are drawn we will remove the long north baulk that links them. -inc 2008-08-17_S817JW.j jW We will draw and photgraph the north and east baulks before removing them. -inc 2008-08-21_S821JW.j jW In a meeting with jW and dL, gB suggested that the only way we might possibly determine whether wall f3 and its associated pavement was built during Phase 6 and whether wall 41 was built in Phase 1 was to sink a 50cm square probe behind each and then examine the ceramics. (There is a recognizable change in the stones used to construct f3 to the east and to the west so it will be possible to chose an appropriate location even though we will not be able to trace f41. -inc 2008-08-24_S824LH2.j lH gB and jW met on site after work was stopped to make final plans for the excavation. We will excavate k100 as planned using sloping sides on the southern edge. We will excavate two triangular sections on the northeastern corners of k31 and k32 to improve sightlines from the panorama. We will complete the mini-section in k34 to see how previously excavated soil features contact the bottom step of the staircase, f21. Finally we will excavate in a 50cm wide strip with abuts revetment wall, f3, moving from J1 to the west. The purpose will be to expose and trace the escarpment which can be seen clearly in the east baulk of k11. -inc 2008-08-25_S825JW.j jW gB and jW met to discuss the strategy to complete the assigned work in the last two field days, which begin tomorrow. First we will improve the sightline from the new panorama by expanding the trianular cut, f167, in k32 by an additional meter. Ali, Ramadan, Mizer and the crew from A20 will accomplish this task. Second, we will continue to excavate loci k101, k102, and k103 to obtain additional ceramic material that will help us to date when revetment wall, f3 and staricase, f21, were built. Abd'l Rahman will do this. Third, we will complete the excavation of the sloping section, f159, east to the boundary of J1. Masood and Majid will accomplish this task. Fourth, we will follow the escarpment, f167, to the west from the western border of J1. Huessein will do this. Fifth, we will cut a ramp to prepare a staircase that will lead visitors from J1 upward into J5. Amer and Kamiran will accomplish this task. -inc 2008-08-26_S826JW.j jW As tomorrow is the last day of excavation, the following projects must be completed. First, mKB must analyze today's ceramic finds from k101, k102, and k103 to assure that we have sufficent data from them to determe the phase when parts of revetment wall, f3, and staircase, f21 were built. Then, we will cover and backfill these loci. Second, we must complete excavating the access stairway from J1 to J5 along the south face of revetment wall, f3. Third, we must complete the removal of volumetric material, f159, in k100 to enhance the sightline from the panorama into J1. Fourth we must complete excavation of volumetric material, f167, in k32 to enhance the sightline from the panorama into k22 so that wall, f41, can be seen. Fifth, we will continue to explore for the escarpment that should continue west from excavation unit J1 into J5 along the bottom stones which form the south face of revetment wall, f3. -inc 2008-09-13_S913JW2.j jW Over the next two days we will complete the types of contact and Harris matrices in preparation for assigning each feature to a stratum and phase. These assignments must also be justified. After this work we must also review the objects to assure that they have been measured, photographed, and perhaps drawn. -inc 2009-07-19_T719JW.j jW After organizing the teams we will spend much of the time before breakfast cleaning the entire J5 area that was excavated last season. Then, we will remove the winter accumulation from both loci and clean the exposed surface thoroughly to determine the nature of the accumulation below. After that we will begin excavating those accumulations in earnest. -inc 2009-07-21_T721JW.j jW Excavation director fAB met with jW, sE, eA, and jN on site to discuss strategy for the next several days. Originally, we planned only one locus for the excavations in J5 this season, and it was designated k104. However, due to its length, fAB suggested that we split it into two parts - k105 to the north and west and k106 to the south and east. A baulk (east baulk of k105) would separate the two. A north baulk would be also maintained in k105. The shafat for dirt removal will sit on the new east baulk of k105. The two easternmost north projections (sawteeth) of k100 should be removed to facilitate excavations along the south face of the revetment wall. These excavations will proceed from east to west, starting near unit J1 where we have already exposed a baqaya escarpment, f184, which is covered by what we called a floor accumulation, f169. We will use small picks throughout the unit from now on as the subtle differences between accumulations and the escarpments we are looking for can be easily obscured by the use of heavier tools. We will draw the east face of a N-S oriented baulk on the eastern side of k105. This will be removed as a part of the search for the escarpment, but provides a good section reference point. -inc 2009-07-21_T721JW.j jW Director gB, fAB, jW, sE, eA, and jN met to review excavation progress and strategy. A large cut stone, f205, adjacent to wall, f41, and under escarpment, f74, had just been exposed. There were an adequate number of sherds for mKB to identify as coming from the Mittani period. gB used the opportunity to stress the need to proceed carefully and be evermindful of the research question being addressed. The strategy developed earlier in the day was seen to be appropriate. -inc 2009-07-23_T723JW.j jW An on-site meeting was held with gB, fAB, jW, sE, eA and jN to deal with the problem of how to excavate in the vicinity of stair, f205, so as to preserve and study the stratigraphic relationships between the early wall, f41; stair, f205, floor accumulation, f74, and late wall, f3. One problem is the restricted working space in the north part of locus k105. To solve this problem we will remove the late buttresses, f155 and f161, and the floating stone, f207. Also we will cut back the NE face of locus k32. Finally we will remove the stones of f200, which appear to block the water channel, f205 and f202. fAB pointed out that as seen in the NE section of k32, a distinct ash layer (not yet designated a feature) separates the laminar accumulations above from the dense packed soil of f74 below. As we cut back the section of k32, we will carefully trace this layer for clues as to the shape of the temple mound in this area. For the moment we will not expose more of the stair steps, until we know more about the likely shape of the temple mound at the time they were built. However, we do know that the ceramics above the highest step and the ceramics above the lower steps northeast of the revetment wall, f3, are both from the Mittani period. -inc 2009-07-26_T726JW.j jW Held an on-site meeting with gB, fAB, jW, sE, eA, jN and the staff of J1 (lC, mM, aA) to discuss the impact of J1's discovery of a floor surface directly adjacent to the portion of stone installation, f188, that is in J1. The surface, J1f313, contains many pebbles and sherds pressed horizontally. It was agreed that we should excavate f204 in k100 down to the level of this surface, then try and follow the sherd floor to the west. Since the escarpment that we are looking for appears to overlay part of the stones of f188, it will help locate the escarpment and clarify the stratigraphy. There are two large stones just below the extant surface of f204 that may be associated with similar stones at the same elevation located just to the east in J1. -inc 2009-07-26_T726JW.j jW During the staff progress review on T724, jW noticed that stair, f21, was built on the line of what we believe is the Third Millennium revetment wall, f41. The stones of the bottom step of f21 appear to be laid atop f41. However, the Mittani revetment wall extension, f3, follows a different course and its north end stops short of the platform to the east of the top step of f21. This raises the possibility that stair, f21, was built in the Third Millennium. One way to test this hypothesis is to follow the top step of stair, f205, to the north to see if it links to staircase, f21. Then we could excavate to the west of the link to collect sherds associated with its construction. Another way is to excavate along the north edge of f21 to collect sherds associated with its construction. The problem with either approach is that it destroys the monument that we want to preserve. gB encouraged the J5 staff to develop other alternatives. -inc 2009-07-27_T727JW.j jW We will excavate laminar soil, f209, in k105, down to the ash layer, then follow it carefully, as it seals the soil layer covering the steps (possibly Third Millenium) upon which the late Mitanni revetment wall, f3 was built. We will excavate f204 in k100 down to the floor J1f313 just to the east. -inc 2009-07-27_T727JW.j jW On T728 we have to resolve two issues. The easy one is how to excavate the ashy soil, f214, and the hard lens, f213, which it surrounds. As the soft ash was most likely deposited after the hard lens, we will remove it first, down to the level of floor accumulation, f74 which it covers. The more difficult issue is in k100. We removed accumulation, f204 and, at the eastern edge of the locus, found the continuation of the J1f313 floor under f204. However, about one meter to the west of the J1 and J5 boundary we found plastic, presumably marking the bottom of backfill from a previous season's excavation. In the vicinity of the westernmost excavated stone of installation, f184, there is a hard, dense soil layer. This may be silt acted upon by water just atop the plastic. Or, it could be an accumlation from the time that f184 was in use. To resolve the issue, we must dig a narrow, N-S strip of the soil layer to see if there is plastic underneath. -inc 2009-07-27_T727JW.j jW gB and fAB met with the unit staff to discuss the stratigraphic relationship among the monumental staircase, f21; early revetment wall, f41, the stairs which abut that wall, f205, (including their possible continuation to the north); and the area immediately west of these components. The first step in resolving these issues is to follow the top step of f205 to the north to see its relationship with f21 and f41. -inc 2009-07-28_T728JW.j jW The unit staff met with fAB to discuss the strategy for excavating a complex intersection of soil features along the northwest baulk of k104. We wanted to know their relationship since all covered an important feature, the f74 floor which covers the f205 stairs and which abuts the early revetment wall, f41. We had a choice of excavating the hard one first, the soft one first, or cutting an exploratory trench perpendicular to the baulk. Since time was limited and the features themselves were not individually important, we decided to excavate the smaller feature of harder soil first. -inc 2009-07-28_T728JW.j jW The unit staff met with fAB and gB to review the strategy for gathering evidence that would help identify when the components of the monumental western staircase, f21; early revetment wall, f41; stairway, f205; and late revetment wall, f3 were built. The basic strategy is to follow the top step of f205 north. We expect it to intercept the staircase, f21. We will then clear the accumulation from an exploratory trench to the west of wall, f41, down to the level of the top step to stairs, f205, and extend it north to the middle of f21. Then, one will be able to see the wall and stair system as it existed at its construction as well as its later phases of use. -inc 2009-07-30_T730JW.j jW After drawing the section of the north baulk of k105 we plan to excavate north to the bottom steps of the monumental staircase, f21. First we will follow floor accumulation, f74 (here an exposed strip about 150 cm wide) to the north. It covers not only the steps of stairs, f205, but also what appears to be a stone pavement north of the top step. Adjacent to the west we will first excavate accumulation f218 which covers f74, then excavate f74 itself to expose more of the material (expected to be stone pavement) to the west of wall f41 as it continues north to f21. In k106 the gigantic stone, f216, was broken up by sledge. After removing it we will excavate floor f213, then, the accumulation below and to the south of stone installation, f188. -inc 2009-08-01_T801JW.j jW The staff met with fAB to discuss strategy for the next several days. The proximity of the high north baulk of k100 makes it impractical to excavate in k106 the limited area south of the southernmost row of the stones of stone installation, f225. The possibility of contamination by late material dictates that the second escarpment be fully exposed and the surrounding Mittani gully wash soil be removed before excavating to the west the floor accumulation, f226, covering f225. Since the shafat is even farther to the west, contamination of f226 should be minimized. As to excavating in k105 and k33 to its north, we will follow the top stone of stairs, f205 to the north until it intersects with the bottom steps of staircase, f21. We will also excavate a parallel strip immediately to the west to this level. -inc 2009-08-01_T801JW.j jW The staff met with gB and fAB to discuss the longer-term strategy for the last two weeks of excavation. We need to determine the relationship between the monumental stairway, f21, and wall, f41, which we believe to be older. gB suggested excavating in k33 farther north to the middle of the third stone from the south. Then we would excavate below the first stone from the south, to see exactly how it interfaces with f41, on which the east end of the first row of the steps of f21 appear to rest. We will prop up the stone of f21 below which we excavate with cement blocks to prevent collapse. fAB suggested that we excavate a test trench on the east side of wall, f41, to determine when it was built. This would require the removal of some of the stones of f99, many of which seem to be displaced from their original position. Finally, gB and fAB suggested the possibility of removing a major portion of the southeastern part of k100, under which is what we believe to be major components (f184, f188, f225) of the first and second escarpments to revetment wall, f189. A pickman and a few extra removal crew as well as an additional shafat would be added to the crew and equipment. Three pickmen would be devoted to the k100 project while two would continue to work in k105, k33, and k106. -inc 2009-08-02_T802JW.j jW In several meetings among gB, fAB, and the unit staff, several pending issues were resolved. First, we decided to begin the excavation of the high bulks to the south by removing the part of k100 to the east of what was formerly J1k7. Then, if time permits, we will remove the part k100 that was to the north of J1k7. This will allow us to take maximum advatage of the typology of J1k7, which was excavated in three steps, descending from south to north. Since the bottom step is about at the elevation of the second escarpment, f184, we will get much more exposure and working room to trace the escarpment and underlying stone work, f225 and f188, south and west. With respect to tracing the second escarpment from J1 to the west, we have been hindered by the fact that it is covered by a thin crust, f236, which matches the color of accumulations nearby. jW decided to cut a thin section (5cm) running N-S across the escarpment, then follow it east and west. At the bottom, the soil was considerably more red, and the pottery was exclusively from ED III or before. -inc 2009-08-02_T802JW.j jW Comparing this result with that obtained in J1, we are confident we are at the top of the same escarpment which rises in elevation as one moves from west to east. In k33 we have positively identified an early floor, f230, that goes with wall k41 and extends to the west from the northern part that we see. (It is possible that f41 extends even farther north beyond the staircase, f21, but we will not be able to determine that this season.) We will trace this floor surface north to the middle step of f21 and west to the west baulk of k33. If time permits, we should also trace the floor farther west to determine its relationship with brick wall, f196, whose top was exposed at the end of MZ21. Finally, we need to determing the relationship between the staircase, f21, and wall, f41, which appears to run beneath it. A small block of soil will be removed from accumlation, f128, to the east, undercutting bottom stones of f21 at a gap between them. If we encounter the stones of f41, then we know that f21 rests on f41 and is therefore later. How much later can not be determined. -inc 2009-08-03_T803JW.j jW As we excavate the portion of k100 to the east of J1k7, we will extend the "steps down" to the east to reduce the amount of excavation required this season and provide a sufficient sight line to the northeast from the viewing platform. In k33, we will clear enough accumulation to follow floor surface, f230, to the north and west. There will be no excavations in k105 or k106 today. -inc 2009-08-05_T805JW.j jW In several meetings among gB, fAB and the staffs of J1 and J5 we decided to excavate the accumulation, f226, which covered f225, further westward. If f225 continues to the west, then we would surmise that stone installation, f188, also does. (We expect it to be hidden by the second escarpment, which we will not excavate.) gB believes that, although lower in elevation, f226 was deposited after f241, perhaps as a result of erosion effects of water scouring out higher levels during the Mittani period. Therefore we will excavate f226 before 241. In k33 we will follow floor, f230, to its maxmimum extents to the north and west. We will also remove a small section of floor, f70, to match the deeper excavation of f230. In k100, we continue to excavate the high baulks east and north of J1k7, matching the steps down to the north previously excavated. In k106 we will continue to excavate to find the western extent of the second escarpment. In k105, we will shift attention back to excavating the stairs, f205 to the south. To facilitate this, we will remove the stones of k200. -inc 2009-08-10_T810JW.j jW As a result of several meetings throughout the day among gB, fAB, mKB, and jW the strategy over the last week was altered to assure that we could meet the major goal of the excavation; namely to clarify the nature of the Late Chalcolithic mound upon which the Early Dynastic revetment wall, f189, and accompanying structures were built. As a result of the discovery of the stone first escarpment (f188 and f225) and the clarification of the nature of the layered second escarpment above it (f184, f241, and f242) in locus k106, we can now follow the first escarpment west to the west section of k106. We will carefully remove the Mittani accumulations above and abutting the second escarpment (f243 and f252) then excavate as much of this Early Dynastic layered escarpment, ^esc2, as necessary to expose the stones of the first escarpment, ^esc1. The situation farther to the west and north in locus k105 is more problematical. Here there are a multitude of accumulations, floors, and structures above the Third Millennium levels. The key to our understanding of the shape of the Late Chalcolithic mound in this locus is to fully expose a portion of the southwest face of wall, f41, which we hypothesize was built in the Third Millennium atop the Late Chalcolithic mound as an adjunct or continuation of the revetment wall. Hopefully, we can date f41 and expose the first escarpment, esc1, which we expect rests directly on the LC mound based on the findings in J1. We will need all our resources to accomplish this and we will have to work with large picks when we are removing accumulations and structures we understand and have documented. To accomplish this we will cease excavations in k100. We will also closely monitor the ceramics to detect the transitions between constuction phases. gB suggested that when we use the big pick to excavate a feature, we note this under the procedures code. He also suggested that we discuss our two strategic options for excavating in k106. -inc 2009-08-11_T811JW.j jW In k106, first we will verify that we have removed all of the Mittani accumlations atop of, and to the south of, the layered escarpment, ^esc2, in locus k106. When we are certain that this has been accomplished, we will begin to excavate the southern part of the escarpment, f241, following it to the west to expose the southern lines stones of ^esc1, f225. We expect that they will continue to the western end of the revetment wall, f189, which they protect. If we need to clarify the situation at the western edge of f189, we can excavate as much of the remaining part of ^esc2 as necessary, perhaps exposing all of ^esc1 in the process. We will preserve about one meter of ^esc2 in the east near J1 to illustrate its layered construction, and construction directly atop the stone escarpment, ^esc1.
In k105, we will continue to clarify the relationship between the pebble pavement, f254 and bricks, f255, to the south. Together, they seem to form a floor and its retaining wall, inhibiting erosion to the south. In the process, we will remove sloping surface, f251 which covers part of f255. Then we expect to see a link between brick segments f255 and f245 to the west. Further to the south we will continue to remove accumlations in front of the late Mittani period revetment wall, f3, in the hope of establishing a link between stone wall, f41 and the revetment wall, f189. -inc 2009-08-12_T812JW.j jW On T813, we will concentrate our resources near the baulk which separates k105 from k106. In k105, we will excavate accumlation, f259, just south of brick wall, a11. It is probable that we are near the bottom of stone wall, f41. If so, we may be able to date the approximate time of its construction by analyzing the sherds from f259, which abuts f41. Just to the south, we will continue to excavate accumlation, f258, which is a part of the east baulk of k106 and extents north and west from it to accumlation, f259. Thus, we will fully expose the installation of large cut stone blocks, f261, and can then determine the form and function of them. At the northeast corner of wall, a11, there is a small patch of the pebble pavement, f254, which when excavated, will tell us whether or not there is a fifth "step" of the stone structure, f205. We will also revmove the rest of the f254 pebbles north of the a11 brick wall.
In k106, we will concentrate all of our resources toward excavating westward the 100cm wide strip of soil features, f252 and f242, which either abut or are a part of ^esc2. When we reach the west baulk of k106, we will turn to the north and excavate along the baulk to the revetment wall, f189. Since the stones of ^esc1 are retreating toward f189, it may mean that we are nearing the west end of f189. If ^esc1 is not found, it means that the wall end is farther to the east. If so, we will excavate ^esc2 to the east until the western end is found. -inc 2009-08-15_T815JW.j jW In the northern sector of k105 we will continue to excavate the pebbles of fill, f254, hoping to locate the surface upon which they rest. In the southeastern sector, we will continue to remove f271, excavating to the level of flat stones, f265 to the north, hoping to follow them east to the expected stones of ^esc1, through the baulk separating k105 and k106.In k106, we will excavate a two-meter wide strip along the face of the west baulk of the locus, removing the reddish mass of soil, f268. -inc 2009-08-16_T816JW.j jW fAB, gB, and the J5 staff met several times during the day to discuss strategy for the next two days, when excavation will cease. In k106, we decided to finish exposing the stones of the first escarpment, ^esc1, to the baulk separating k106 from k105. After photographing the stones against the baulk to document the extent of the red material, f268 which covers them, we will excavate the baulk down to the level of ^esc1. The afternoon work crew may assist us by removing the soil from the excavated baulk. To more fully expose the extent of ^esc1 to the east, we will remove the layered escarpment, ^esc2, from the small exploratory cut in the east to its western end. In k105 we will excavate the southeastern sector down to the level of the stones of f265, following them to the southeast, hopefully to their juncture with the stones of ^esc1 in k106. -inc 2009-08-17_T817JW.j jW For the last day's excavation we will clean and photograph the natural floor surface, f278, then we will remove it to expose the stones of the stone escarpment, ^esc1. In k106 we will excavate the sherd layer, f242, to fully expose the stones of ^esc1. When most of the soil is removed, we will remove the shafat and trim the high dirt foundations of the Mittani revetment wall, f3. -inc 2009-08-18_T818JW.j jW In a meeting with the unit staff, gB and fAB discussed the possibility of removing the east half ,f245, of wall, a11, to see if there is a connection between the stones of the first escarpment, f265, and the "bottom step" of the f205 staircase, f266. This step has a different orientation and composition and seems to be associated with the stones of installation, f276. Initially, we will make a one-meter probe parallel to wall, f41, to resolve this issue, so that we can still finish today. Similar to yesterday, we will need an eight-man afternoon crew to finish the work and clean properly. -inc 2009-08-24_T824JW.j jW Two additional tasks were added to the four specific investigations (f265, f284, f287, f286) proposed by gB, fAB and the unit staff. First, we need to remove stone, f275, upon which the shafat sits. then excavate the accumulation below, f289.
Second, we need to remove a small baulk on the west end of the north face of k100 to improve the sightlines into the excavation so that ^esc1 can be safely viewed from above. ; J5-summary -inc 2008-08-30_S831JW.j jW Before the start of the excavation season, we had hoped to explore two aspects of the northwestern section of the temple complex. First, we wanted to investigate what the geophysical survey indicated was the northern limit of the revetment wall. This would be accomplished as excavation unit J5. Second we wanted to investigate what the survey indicated might be a substantial building at the northwestern edge of the plaza. This would be accomplished as excavation unit A21. -inc 2008-08-30_S831JW.j jW Time and resources were not available bo open excavation unit A21; however, the following questions were to be investigated by J5: 1) The first question was to explain the presence of two revetment walls at the point where the wall turned from an E-W orientation to a N-S one. 2) The second question was to brobe the height of the wall in relation to the plaza. The mehtodology was to follow the southern an western faces of the revetment wall. Excavation to the north would expose the terminus. Excavations along the faces would expose the height of various segments. Excavations to the north of the south face would tell us more about the glacis associated with this part of the revetment wall. 3) We needed to be aware of the presentation aspects of the temple complex so that visitors could see the monumental architecture from the same perspective as the ancients. 5) All units were to write and process the data portions of the Urkesh Global Record during the excavation season. -inc 2008-08-30_S831JW.j jW The results for unit J5 were as follows: 1) excavtion at the northern limits of the revetment wall revealed a monumental, unfounded staircase made of large, dressed, limestone blocks. The staircase was bordered on the north by large, uncut, limestone boulders. It ran E-W, rising to the east in five steps to a platform roughly defined by flat stones and, in some places, a pavement made of reddish, bricky material. -inc 2008-08-30_S831JW.j jW A probe directly to the east of a stone of the top step yielded ceramics securely dated to Phase 6 (Mittani). 2) The situation along the southern edge of the staricase was not as clear. This ecge had been damaged and may have been subjected to rebuilding at the end of the Mittani occupation. In this area we did find the top of another wall of dressed stones rising from the southeast to the northwest which was under the northern extension of the revetment wall. It was abutted by an escarpment which fell from the northeast to the soughwest. At this point the excarpment was 2.2 meters higher than the latest one in J1, 20 meters to the east. Although we have yet to positively link the two escarpments, the evidence strongly suggests tht the western end of the plaza as defined by the revetment wall is higher than the eastern end. This means that the wall was not founded as deeply here. 3) We did not have time to fully explore the apparent phenomenon of two separate revetment walls turning north at the northwest corner. There are several large blocks of of late accumulation which cover much of this area. A probe directly to the north of each wall section showed that the western section yielded ceramics securely dated to Phase 6. The eastern probe yielded ceramics dated to much earlier phases. This suggests that the western section was a late additon to an earlier revetment wall that included the lower wall of well-dressed stones and the excarpment. 3) The pillars of accumulation also prevented us from fully investigating the glacis of the temple mound. We did make a small probe along the east side of the northern part of the revetment wall, stopping when we reached baqaya-like material at the base of the lowest stone. -inc 2008-08-30_S831JW.j jW There is also a line of baqaya-like material which can be seen in section of a baulk that runs perpendicular to the face of the east section of the revetment wall. This indiates that the glacis in this part of the temple mound is similar to that which was found in the previous excavations in J3. 4) Approximately one week of the six allotted was spent on presentation. A new observation platform was built and sightlines were opened from it by trimming and removing baulks and protrusions. It is now possible to see along the length of the revetment wall from the west staircase, east though the plaza excavation, to the eastern staircase and apron. 5) As of the end of the excavation season we have entered and run most of the systematic portion of the J5 UGR. Major things yet to be completed are the graphics and stratigraphic analysis, assignments, and rationale. -inc 2008-09-13_S913JW2.j jW The focus of the first two weeks of the study period, S831 to S911, has been to complete feature descriptions, complete and edit the feature log, measure coordinates of features that were not clearly understood at the time of excavation, group feaures for specific labels, finish final photographs, prepare templates, and make preliminary assessments of strata and phases represented in this unit. We have also reviewed template and plot entries that will appear in the global record, along the way consolidating files that appear in several places in the computer systems we are using. -inc 2009-07-19_T719JW.j jW The starting numbers for season MZ22 (2009-T) for various components of the UGR are: feature 201; q-lot 285; item 33; view 145; plot 8; aggregate 8; composite 2; relay 1171; drawing 22 and 122; sketch 46; and off-grid loci 104. -inc 2009-08-01_T801JW.j jW jW does not believe that in two weeks we can remove the amount of k100 required to significantly excavate south and west of the parts of f188 and f225 we have already exposed. Granted the accumulations are not expected to yield culturally significant material, but the high baulk that would remain to the south in the west part of k106 would still impede progress to understanding the stratigraphy in the region immediately south of the south face of revetment wall, f189. jW believes that if we are to remove parts of k100 this season, we should begin to excavate more of k100 in preparation for significant excavations in that part of k106 next season. That way, if time runs out before we finish in MZ22, we can easily complete the work in the first week of MZ23. This approach has the added advantage of providing better sight lines from the observation platform over the winter to the revetment wall, the glacis, and into J1. -inc 2009-08-04_T804JW.j jW Throughout season 21 and into season 22 we have observed the deleterious effects of running water on the surfaces immediately outside of the revetmment wall systems. The erosion problem has occasioned the construction of stone structures to channel water and to stabilize horizontal surfaces. From the late Mittani period to at least the Early Dynastic II period we have observed the erosion effects and what remains of the stabilization structures. One of the goals of the season was to determine the shape of the temple mound in the Late Chalcolithic period. The constant erosion problem is strong circumstantial evidence that the Early Dynastic revetment wall system was built on earlier period remains which included a rise to the north and west. -inc 2009-09-29_T929JW.j jW gB, fAB, pC, jG, rE, and jW met at the site to discuss several stratigraphic issues in J1 and J5 which have arisen during the study periods and in the preparation of the analytical sections of the UGR. The results with respect to J1 will be discussed in that book. The results for the affected J5 features will be discussed in the specific labels which incorporate them. ; J5-surveying -inc 2008-07-12_S712LH.j lH bKP couldn`t install the southeastern point of excavation limit of k23 because it was obscured by the berm. So we removed part of the berm; then we installed the missing point using other survey markers. Then we relayed the point so that it could be used in plotting features that we excavated. -inc 2008-07-16_S716LH1.j lH bWP removed the SE point of the southern bulk of k23, m4673. -inc 2008-07-28_S728LH.j lH During the removal of the eastern baulk of k34, we removed the marker in the middle of its western section, m4790. -inc 2008-07-29_S729LH.j lH bWP re-established the southern line of the north baulk of k22, so it conforms with the co-ordinate system we are using to excavate. Also she put three new markers in the southern and western sections of k34, and in the northern section of its eastern baulk. -inc 2008-08-03_S803LH.j lH bWP installed three new markers in the north, east and south sections of k33. She didn`t put a marker at the western baulk because we will remove it soon. -inc 2008-08-04_S804LH.j lH bWP installed the markers for the four new loci(k13, k14, k3, k4) to the west of k24 and k23. In k22, while we were removing the rest of the northern baulk, we removed the northwesterm marker of it, m4881. In the western section of k34, we removed m4879 while we were removing the eastern baulk of k44. -inc 2008-08-10_S810JW.j jW Corner stakes m4667 and m4749 removed because they were loose and a tripping hazard to workmen who had to use that baulk to remove backdirt from eastern loci. -inc 2008-08-13_S813JW.j jW Markers m4972, m4673, m4903, and m4771 loosened and removed. Surveyor hB extended the south boundary of k100 westward to its intersection with the southern boundary of k32. Surveyor hB measured the distance between the first escarpment J1f189, and the escarpment, f74, in J5. The horizontal distance is 18.9 meters and f74 is 2.2 meters above J1f189. -inc 2008-08-14_S814JW.j jW Markers m4674, m4716, and m4828 loosened and removed. -inc 2008-08-18_S818JW.j jW Markers m4991 and m4927 loosened and removed. Relayed excavation limits for expansion of f100. Installed control points for excavation of escarpment. -inc 2008-08-19_S819JW.j jW Markers m4805, m4741, m4752, m4825, and m4827 removed during baulk clearance. Markers m6014, m6015, m6016, and m6017 installed to facilitate geo-referencing of photographs v96 and v97 prior to drawing multiple stone features. -inc 2008-08-20_S820JW.j jW Markers m4904, m4855, m4961, and m6016 were loosened and removed. -inc 2008-08-21_S821JW.j jW Removed markers m4968, m4829, m4425, m4906, m4959, and m4960 because of baulk removals. -inc 2008-08-23_S824JW.j jW Markers m4969, m4424, and m4426 loosened amd removed. -inc 2008-08-26_S826JW.j jW Markers m4322 and m4886 loosened and removed. hB took and processed relays for k101 that we were unable to measure. -inc 2009-07-19_T719JW.j jW The surveyor established and measured a number of new control points so that we could relay along the corridors of loci k104 and k105. -inc 2009-07-21_T721JW.j jW Surveyor Adib installed new markers along the east end of the north face of k100. fAB, gB, and jW discussed putting markers on the south side of the revetment wall to measure objects close to k100. fAB authorized the use of dirt-filled chawals into which is inserted a wooden stake. -inc 2009-07-26_T726JW.j jW dM took a photo of a corner stake to show the advantage of the two-prong design. The soil surrounding the front prong had been excavated but the stake was still held securely in place by the back prong. -inc 2009-08-11_T811JW.j jW We removed the following markers from J5 because we excavated the features in which they were installed: m6112, m6113, m6114, m6137, and m6175. -inc 2009-08-15_T815JW.j jW Since the production of surveyed points has been delayed this season, the surveyor measured, with the level, the elevation of a number of key features in the unit, including parts of wall, f41; revetment wall, f189; and escarpments ^esc1 and ^esc2. -inc 2009-08-24_T824JW.j jW On T823, aAJ took 17 relays and 24 elevations on various features and loci. -inc 2009-08-25_T825JW.j jW jAA measured 50 relays. -inc 2009-08-26_T826JW.j jW aAJ took 50 additional relays of the important stonework in the unit. ; J5-workmen -inc 2008-07-13_S713LH.j lH We have thirteen workmen assigned: for picking - Majid, Hussein, Kamiran, Mizer, Ali Helal, Masood and Hassan (who was absent); for shovel - Ahmed Muhammad, Ghandi, Muhammad, and Osmat; for removal - Ali and Ibrahim. Muhammad and Osmat will bring the desk to the site and return it at the close of work each day. -inc 2008-07-14_S714LH.j lH all assigned workmen reported -inc 2008-07-15_S715LH.j lH Eleven assigned workmen reported (Ghandi was working at the house). -inc 2008-07-16_S716LH1.j lH Fifteen assigned workmen reported,the four new workmen were: Abdi, Ahmed hassan, Alan Muhammad, Sherhad. -inc 2008-07-18_S718LH.j lH Fifteen assigned workmen reported -inc 2008-07-19_S719LH.j lH fourteen assigned workmen, because Mizar was assigned to A20. -inc 2008-07-20_S720LH.j lH Fourteen assigned workmen reported. -inc 2008-07-21_S721LH.j lH Fourteen assigned workmen reported. We received a tent for k54 allowing work to go faster. -inc 2008-07-22_S722LH1.j lH Fourteen assigned workmen reported. -inc 2008-07-23_S724LH.j lH Fourteen assigned workmen reported. -inc 2008-07-24_S724LH1.j lH Fourteen assigned workmen reported. -inc 2008-07-26_S726LH.j lH fourteen assigned workmen reported. -inc 2008-07-28_S728LH.j lH Fourteen assigned workmen reported. -inc 2008-07-29_S729LH.j lH Fourteen assigned workmen reported. -inc 2008-07-31_S731JW.j jW Eighteen assigned workmen reported. In addition, pickman Ahmer was assigned, bringing the total to six. -inc 2008-08-02_S802JW.j jW Two new workmen (Sherwan and M'hd Fareed) assigned bringing the total to twenty. The work crews are distributed as follows: Crew 1 - Ali Halal and Majid pick, Abdi and Sherhad shovel, and Kaghraman removal; Crew 2 - Hussein and Masaud pick, Mahmood, Osmat and Muhammad Fareed shovel, and Ali Halal removal; Crew 3 - Kamiran and Amer pick, Sherwan, Ahmed Muhammad, and Ahmed shovel, and Daoud, Imrahim Juma and Ibrahim Heshu removal. Majid ill and excused to return home by fAB at 0700. Ibrahim Juma will go to Hassake tomorrow to prepare for study at university. -inc 2008-08-03_S803LH.j lH eighteen assigned workmen reported. Majed, the pick man, was absent because he is sick. Ebraheem, the shoveler, was absent too because he had to register for university in Al-hasaka. -inc 2008-08-04_S804JW.j jW Nineteen assigned workmen reported. Majid still absent. -inc 2008-08-05_S806JW.j jW Twenty assigned workmen reported. -inc 2008-08-06_S806JW.j jW Twenty assigned workmen reported. Sherhad excused for medical consultation for a sore throat before breakfast. Returned after breakfast. -inc 2008-08-06_S807JW.j jW All workmen from J1 were detailed to us to begin removing the stepped baulk system, f110, in k100. Masoom excused at 0800 to take ill daughter to doctor. -inc 2008-08-06_S807JW.j jW All twenty assigned workmen in J5 reported. Daoud excused at 0600 on account of illness. -inc 2008-08-09_S809JW.j jW Twenty workmen assigned to J5 reported. Abdi excused one hour early for personal business. Eleven workmen from J1 assigned to J5 temporarily before breakfast to excavate in locus k100. -inc 2008-08-10_S810JW.j jW Twenty assigned workmen reported. -inc 2008-08-13_S813JW.j jW Twenty assigned workmen reported. Sixteen workmen from A20 detailed to J05 for the day. They excavated in k32 and k100. -inc 2008-08-14_S814JW.j jW Twenty assigned workmen reported. Re-distributed pickmen and removal personnel to focus on fine work and to complete the major remaining locus excavations. Hussein will work alone in k22, Kamiran will work alone in k33, Masaud and Majid will work in k32, and Ali and Amer will work in k13. -inc 2008-08-16_S816JW.j jW Nineteen of twenty assigned workmen reported. Sherwan arrived late, saying that he had been excused by a doctor due to stomach problems. Magid excused by fAB and departed at 0830 for a medical appointment. He said that he would likely be absent on S817. -inc 2008-08-17_S817JW.j jW Sixteen of twenty assigned workmen reported on time. Majid previously excused to take sick baby to doctor. Sherwan previously excused for illness. Ibrahim Hessu reported one half hour late. Muhammad Fereed reported one hour late. -inc 2008-08-18_S818JW.j jW Twenty assigned workmen reported. -inc 2008-08-19_S819JW.j jW Twenty assigned workmen reported. -inc 2008-08-20_S820JW.j jW Eighteen workmen reported. Sherhad has permanently departed for Damascus. Ibrahim Hessu missing. Eight workmen from A20 reported after breakfast. -inc 2008-08-21_S821JW.j jW All nineteen workmen currently assigned reported. Ibrahim Hessu excused at breakfast for possible injury. Eight workmen from A20 assigned to this unit for the rest of the season reeported. -inc 2008-08-23_S824JW.j jW Nineteen assigned workmen reported. Eight workmen detailed from A20 reported. Abdel Rahman from J1 will work with us to help trace the escarpment, feature 239, discovered in J1, west along the south face of revetment wall, f3. -inc 2008-08-24_S824LH2.j lH Nineteen assigned workmen reported. Eight workmen detailed from A20 reported. -inc 2008-08-25_S825JW.j jW Nineteen assigned workmen reported. Eight workmen detailed from A20 reported. One workman detailed from J1 reported. -inc 2008-08-26_S826JW.j jW Eighteen assigned workmen reported. Eight detailed workmen from A20 reported. One workman (Abd'l Rahman) from J1 detailed. One workman (Thayer) from J6 detailed. Pickman Kamiran out sick. Kagharan excused at 0600 for illness. Majid excused at 0700 to attend to sick child. Reported back at 1000. -inc 2008-08-27_S827LH.j lH 17 assigned workmen reported. Kamiran was ill, Ali Khalaf was late. Seven workmen who were detailed from A20 reported. Alan was absent. One workman was detailed from J6. -inc 2009-07-19_T719JW.j jW We have been assigned four pickmen (Anwar, Mizar, Su'ar, and Ibrahim). We have been assigned six shovelmen (Fahed, Muhammad, Omo, Safwan, Ahmed, and Juma). We have been assigned three wheelbarrow men (Sipan, Akram, and Juan). They will be distributed initally into two teams, one for each locus. -inc 2009-07-20_T720JW.j jW Twelve of thirteen assigned workmen reported. Pickman Anwar was absent. -inc 2009-07-21_T721JW.j jW All thirteen assigned workmen reported. -inc 2009-07-22_T722JW.j jW All thirteen assigned workmen reported. -inc 2009-07-23_T723JW.j jW All thirteen assigned workmen reported. Juan moved by fAB to J2 and promoted to shovelman. Hassan is his replacement. -inc 2009-07-25_T725JW.j jW All assigned workmen reported. -inc 2009-07-26_T726JW.j jW All assigned workmen reported. -inc 2009-07-27_T727JW.j jW All assigned workmen reported. Three removal personnel detailed for one hour from J1 to assist in removing excavated soil from k100. Jamal complained of back soreness. Shifted him to a job that did not require lifting. -inc 2009-07-28_T728JW.j jW All assigned workmen reported. After breakfast, Anwar said he was ill. Detailed him for one half hour to gW for some light work, then gave him permission to go home. -inc 2009-07-29_T729JW.j jW All assigned workmen sent home for the day at O500. -inc 2009-07-30_T730JW.j jW Twelve of thirteen workmen reported. Sipan absent. Anwar detailed to work with conservation project after breakfast. -inc 2009-08-01_T801JW.j jW All thirteen assigned workmen reported. After informing Muhammad Omo, Juma was excused at 1100 to attend to business at home. -inc 2009-08-02_T802JW.j jW All thirteen assigned workmen reported. fAB added Ahmed Hawaz and Salah Muhammad Kher to unit. -inc 2009-08-03_T803JW.j jW All fifteen assigned workmen reported. After informing Muhammad Omo, jW allowed Anwar to depart after breakfast to attend to family business (mother was ill). -inc 2009-08-04_T804JW.j jW No field workmen reported today. -inc 2009-08-05_T805JW.j jW All fifteen assigned workmen reported. -inc 2009-08-06_T806JW.j jW All fifteen assigned workmen reported. Sipan excused after breakfast for dental appointment. -inc 2009-08-07_T807JW.j jW All assigned workmen reported. Ibrahim excused at noon to attend to personal business. -inc 2009-08-08_T808JW.j jW Fourteen assigned workmen reported. Omo absent to attend to official business in Qamishlie. From today, the workday will start 15 minutes later and will end 15 minutes later because the sunlight at 0500 is insufficient to work properly and safely. -inc 2009-08-10_T810JW.j jW Twelve of fifteen assigned workmen reported. Omo in Hassake for baculauriate exam administration. Sipan's absence unexplained. -inc 2009-08-11_T811JW.j jW Fourteen of fifteen assigned workmen reported. Sipan again absent. -inc 2009-08-12_T812JW.j jW Fourteen of fifteen assigned workmen reported. Sipan again absent. Omo became ill and was sent home at breakfast. -inc 2009-08-13_T813JW.j jW Fourteen of fifteen workmen reported. Sipan again absent. jW and fAB discussed the need for a replacement. -inc 2009-08-15_T815JW.j jW Fifteen assigned workmen reported. Mudir replaced Sipan. -inc 2009-08-16_T816JW.j jW Fifteen assigned workmen reported. -inc 2009-08-17_T817JW.j jW Thirteen of fifteen assigned workmen reported. Anwar and Omo absent. Muhammad temporarily assigned to us from conservation project. A crew of 8 (2 pickmen, four shovelmen, and 2 wheelbarrowmen) worked in the afternoon to assure that we could finish on schedule T818. -inc 2009-08-18_T818JW.j jW Fourteen of sixteen assigned workmen reported. Anwar and Omo absent. We worked in the afternoon with a crew of nine. -inc 2009-08-24_T824JW.j jW A crew of nine (four picks and five removal) reported. -inc 2009-08-25_T825JW.j jW All nine assigned workmen reported. -inc 2009-08-25_T825JW.j jW While excavating accumulation, f282, to the south of the last row of flat stones in f225 in k105 we discovered another row of large stones which run east to west. To the south of these was a high quality pebble floor, f288. While removing the bricks atop wall f255, we discoved that the bricks were founded on a base of large stones, f277. The width of the base was 1m, and was formed by two parallel rows at the north and south outside edges which extended into the west baulk. -inc 2009-08-26_T826JW.j jW Nine assigned workmen reported. Faji injured his shoulder while shoveling and was sent home for treatment by jW after consultation with Muhammad Omo and the pharmacist, Kamiron. -inc 2009-08-27_T827JW.j jW All nine assigned workmen reported. Detailed pickman Juan and one removalman to J1.