SEASON REPORT, 2007 - ku · Jensen Yasmin Abay ~ Danish Jensen Preben ~ Danish Jeppesen-Drusebjerg...

The Danish-Jordanian Islamic Jarash Project

SEASON REPORT, 2007

Edited by Alan Walmsley

Department of Cross Cultural & Regional Studies Carsten Niebuhr Section

University of Copenhagen Snorresgade 17-19

Copenhagen S DK-2300

[email protected]

Contents Project Summary, 2007 .......................................................................................................4

Acknowledgements..........................................................................................................................4 The 2007 Season in Summary .........................................................................................................4

Historical background..................................................................................................................4 Tourism potential .........................................................................................................................4 Area explored this season ............................................................................................................4 Most significant monuments in the area ......................................................................................5 Results..........................................................................................................................................5 Recommendations........................................................................................................................6

Participants of 2007 season.................................................................................................6 Detailed Reports on the Fieldwork.......................................................................................7

1. The Mosque .................................................................................................................................8 Square summary for MO/14 (2007).............................................................................................8 Summary for MO/15, 2007 season (west central area of mosque hall) .....................................26 Square summary, MO/16, 2007 season .....................................................................................34

2. The bathhouse ............................................................................................................................42 Square Summary MO/17 ...........................................................................................................42 Square Summary MO/18 ...........................................................................................................47

3. The shops east of the mosque ....................................................................................................51 Square summary for MO/9 and MO/10, 2007 season (area east of eastern mosque wall containing the east entrance)......................................................................................................51

4. Area GO .....................................................................................................................................62 Square Summary for GO/2, 2007 ..............................................................................................62 Square Summary for GO/4, 2007 ..............................................................................................67 Square Summary for GO/5, 2007 ..............................................................................................72

Publication List on the Islamic Jarash Project (2002-2008) ...............................................80

ISLAMIC JARASH PROJECT 2007 3/80

© 2008, University of Copenhagen and named authors This description of the 2007 season fieldwork is compiled from end of season reports written by Alan Walmsley, Aicha Mellah, Ian Simpson, Ann Andersen, Louise Blanke, Lars Rønje, Zakariya N. Na´imat and Kristoffer Damgaard. Accordingly, some variation in writing style will be noticed, but it was decided to remain faithful, wherever possible, to the original reports so as to present a first-hand record of the progress of excavations in central Jarash. Contact address: Associate Professor Alan Walmsley Director, Danish-Jordanian Islamic Jarash Project Department of Cross Cultural & Regional Studies (Carsten Niebuhr Section) University of Copenhagen Snorresgade 17-19 Copenhagen S DK-2300 Denmark


Project Summary, 2007 Project name: The Danish–Jordanian Islamic Jarash Project District: Jarash Duration: 4–30 August 2007 Departmental Representative: Mr. Musa Melkawi Number of workers: 35 staff, 25 workmen Cost of Project (in-field) JOD 8,250 Director: Professor Alan Walmsley, Department of Cross Cultural and Regional Studies (Carsten Niebuhr section), University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Geographical location: The Congregational Mosque of Jarash and associated structures are located in the southwest quadrant of the south tetrakionia area of the antiquities site.

Acknowledgements The participants and staff of the 2007 season of the Islamic Jarash Project are most grateful to H.E. Dr Fawwaz al-Khraysheh, Director-General of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, for his continued support of the Project, and would furthermore like to express our sincere gratitude to the following individuals and institutions:

• Mr Musa Melkawi, Department of Antiquities’ representative and the DoA staff of the Jarash Office of the Department of Antiquities

• Mr Abdul Majid Mejali, Jarash office of the Department of Antiquities (restoration) • Professor Bill Finlayson, Dr. Jaimie Lovell, and Ms Nadja Qaisi, CBRL Amman • The German Protestant Institute, for equipment loan • HE Mr Tawfiq Kawar, the Danish Honorary Consul General in Amman • Turkish Airways for their valued and professional assistance.

The 2007 Season in Summary

Historical background The major archaeological and tourist site of Jarash is renowned for its Roman-period and early Christian archaeological monuments, including huge temples, theatres, open public spaces and many churches, the latter often decorated with brightly-coloured mosaics. After the Islamic expansion into Bilad al-Sham (635–640 CE), social and economic life continued unabated at Jarash, a highlight of which was the construction of a large mosque in the centre of the city, as first discovered by this project in 2002.

Tourism potential Jarash is a well known tourist site but only recently for the Islamic periods. To help correct this oversight, the Islamic Jarash Project has commenced a program of excavation and restoration of a number of major Islamic monuments, including a large early Islamic mosque centrally positioned at the southern crossroads of the city (the tetrakionia plaza).

Area explored this season The Summer 2007 season of the Danish-Jordanian Islamic Jarash Project had as its primary objective the continued excavation and recording of the mosque, the underlying bathhouse, a line of shops flanking it on the east, and adjacent buildings of still uncertain function to the west.


Most significant monuments in the area In the southwest quadrant of the Tetrakionia plaza stands the main (Friday or Congregational) mosque of Jarash constructed in the Umayyad period (41-132 H/661-750 CE), most probably under Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik (r. 105-125 H/724-43 CE). To the east of the mosque are five shops filling the irregular space between the east wall of the mosque and Roman-period cardo, and to the west is a court and rooms. Predating the mosque was a late Roman-period bathhouse (late third-early fourth century CE), which is also being investigated.

Results Important discoveries of early Islamic inscriptions at Jarash In 2007, the full extent of the mosque was finally exposed, except for the retention of an access point on the west side. Accordingly, the full length of the qiblat (prayer) hall is now uncovered. Notable is the architectural evidence for a central axial transept (nave) in front of the original main mihrab, as evidenced by the higher disposition of the column foundations and the greater space between the column bases. Similarities with the Great Mosque of Damascus are very apparent. Also resolved is the later insertion of two further niches in the qiblat wall and the partial blocking of the original main mihrab. This rather unusual change seems to have resulted from the subdivision of the qiblat hall into two uneven parts: a larger area to the east and a smaller area to the west. A wall was built perpendicular to the qiblat wall to effect this division. The two added mihrab are positioned at equal distance between the original outer walls to the east and west and the dividing wall, indicating that the division of the qiblat hall and the insertion of the new mihrab were related and perhaps simultaneous events. Also possibly dating to this time was the blocking wall construction of the archways between the qiblat hall and the courtyard before it. However, the reasons for these changes are not clear. To the west of the mosque, further investigations were undertaken into the buildings located there and a street that separates the mosque from them. A hard packed yellow clay surface was identified for the street at its north end. At the south end a substantial foundation trench for the west mosque wall was uncovered, indicating that the buildings to the mosque’s west predate it. New areas were opened up over these western structures, with important results. A new alley, heading westwards away from the mosque, separates two major building, one of which had arched rooms and evidence for pottery making. Much further work is required here to illuminate the nature and function of the buildings in this area. Undoubtedly, however, our most exciting find during a season of major discoveries came from the line of shops that lay east of the mosque, butting against it, and which faced out on the old Roman-period cardo. Excavation in 2006 had revealed the back rooms of these shops, each subdivided by low bins. Five whole vessels of the eighth century CE were found late in the 2006 season, but even more exhilarating was the discovery this season of two marble tablets, reused, with Arabic writing in a charcoal pen. Initial reading of the clearer of the two tablets suggests merchants’ records, listing names of customers, perhaps creditors or debtors? These historically important documents reveal not only the sophistication of commerce in the eighth century, but also the common use of Arabic – written in a neat and careful hand – by this time in the market place. Just to reinforce the prominent role of Arabic in the town, an ostracon was found in the northwest corner of the mosque. The text is faint but should be readable in due course.


Recommendations Restoration and presentation of the mosque as a positive visual record of early Islamic settlement at Jarash is essential, and is planned beginning 2008.

Participants of 2007 season Family name: First name: Second name: Nationality: Abbas Zana Bahzad Danish Abbas Noserwan Abdel-Karim Danish Anderson Ann ~ Danish Bessard Fanny Thely French Blanke Anne Louise Danish Bojesen Patricia Kyle American Christensen Erin Eileen USA Damgaard Kristoffer ~ Danish Devald Marie ~ Danish Dollerup Jesse-Lee Costa American Fenchel Marc Adam Danish Hauman Cathleen ~ South African Jensen Yasmin Abay ~ Danish Jensen Preben ~ Danish Jeppesen-Drusebjerg Helle ~ Danish Johansen Kristina Mie Danish Lammers Marco ~ German Lorien Patrick Dan Danish McPhillips Stephen Alexander New Zealand Mellah Aicha ~ Danish Msalm Sa’ad ~ Jordanian Na´imat Zakariya ~ Jordanian Nicholls Bryan Thomas Danish Nielsen Katrine ~ Danish Noerby Madsen Susanne ~ Danish Olsen Morten Gottschalck Danish Petersen Margit ~ Danish Rattenborg Rune ~ Danish Roenje Lars ~ Danish Seye Christina ~ Danish Simpson Ian Roderick British Soehus Ulla ~ Danish Soerensen Rannva ~ Danish Szymanski Victor Julian Danish Villemoes Johan Viktor Danish Walmsley Alan George Australian Westh Marie Kroegh Danish


Detailed Reports on the Fieldwork Excavations in 2007 concentrated on four main areas (Fig. 1):

1. Concluding work on the mosque (Area MO); 2. Continued investigation of the underlying bathhouse (MO); 3. Further work on a line of shops located along the cardo on the east side of the mosque’s east

wall (MO/9 & 10); 4. Area GO, consisting of a number of structures, located to the west of the mosque.

Figure 1: Excavated areas in the mosque area, end of 2007 season


1. The Mosque

Square summary for MO/14 (2007) Square Supervisor: Aicha Mellah Square Summary by: Aicha Mellah MO/14, which lies in the south western part of the Umayyad mosque, consists of a number of features and can be divided into three main areas; these are: the sahn’s west portico, the street and the prayer hall. The latter two are the aim of this year’s excavation.

The goal of this season’s excavation in MO/14 was to excavate, investigate and document the south eastern part of the square, which is the prayer hall as well as investigate the western street that runs between the western wall of the mosque and the wall of GO/2, which might not seem to have any immediate relationship with the mosque. Hence we will be able to investigate and understand the relationship between the western wall of the mosque and the street.

Last, but not least, the aim was to remove the baulks dividing the prayer hall, and thus creating one open space in order to get a better picture of the overall layout of the prayer hall.

PRAYERHALL

STREET

SAHN WEST PORTICO

Fig. 1. Square shot of MO/14 in the beginning of excavation season 2007. The summary is divided into eight sections:

1. The significance of the yellow sub-floor packing 2. The staircase into the prayer hall (within the prayer hall) from the western entrance 3. Part of a fallen column shaft 4. The western part of the prayer hall 5. The sondage in the northern part of the street 6. The western wall of the mosque


7. The wall of GO/2 and the doorway in the northern end 8. Conclusion and future goals

The significance of the sub-floor packing Last year, the tumble (loc 46) inside the prayer hall was removed and partial excavation of the yellowish sub-floor packing was undertaken. Excavating the sub-floor packing revealed a sequence of layering indicating that packing was laid more than once. This was detected when the northern part of the prayer hall was excavated (loc 56) and the southern part was not. In this case, a small section running E-W established that three distinct layers were distinguishable. These layers differed manly in colour.

Light brownish- yellow packing

Fig 2. The stratigraphic profile of thetheir relationship to the steps (locus

This season, excavation was undecontinue excavating where we stoppeddifferences in this part of the square, thclean-up locus number (60). The locus also few ceramic fragments, metal and g

Following last year’s observatiowestern wall of the mosque (loc 44 wsignificantly higher in the western endeast. Logistically this might mean that mcould also be the result of the weight of

Yellowish/reddish packing

Yellow packing

sub-floor packing, showing the different layers and 36 feature 5 and locus 59 feature 8).

rtaken inside the prayer hall in the southern part in order to last season. Since there didn’t seem to be any significant e whole of the southern part of the prayer hall was given a was slightly contaminated by modern deposit, but included lass, but nothing of any significance.

ns, the packing butted up against the eastern face of the .7) as well as the stairs (loc 36 f. 5). The packing was

than the in eastern end and was thus sloping from west to ore packing was laid in the western part of the prayer, but it

the tumble that lay on top of the packing.


After the clean-up, the start of excavation was undertaken in the same area, but now under locus number 61. As already mentioned, the packing in the western end was higher than that of the eastern end and the difference in height ranged from 30cm to 5cm. Excavation in this area was arbitrary, in order to reach the same level as that of the northern part of the prayer hall, and even though, some traces of terra-rossa was visible in the packing butting up against the eastern face of the western wall of mosque (loc 44 w.7), no change in locus took place, since this phenomenon had already been recorded last year and was identified as the fill material used in the wall (loc 44 w.7). The main finds in loc 61 were ceramics, roof tiles and imbrex.

While excavating the sub-floor packing three features were exposed; the final stones of the staircase (loc. 79 f. 10), a pier foundation (loc 80 f. 11) and a fragmented fallen column (loc 78 f. 9), but these will be dealt with, separately, later.

After reaching the same packing level in the southern part of the square as that of the northern part, the goal shifted towards understanding the horizontal extent of the packing, instead of the vertical extent, as well as getting a better picture of the whole prayer hall. This was done after the baulks were drawn and taken down towards the end of the season.

The horizontal extent of the sub-floor packing in MO/14 (as well as MO/15, which will be dealt with, separately, by Ian Simpson) is quite puzzling due to the fact that it seams to have been restricted within the whole of the prayer hall. In MO/14 the E-W extent of the sub-floor packing was visible, butting up against the eastern face of the western mosque wall (loc 44 w.7) and continuing eastwards into MO/15.

The N-S extent was quite different. The packing was excavated from the most northern end of the prayer hall, partly butting up against the blocking wall (loc 7 w.2) between the pier (loc 16 f. 1) and the pier foundation (loc 21 f. 2), but was also laying under the level of these features and continuing trough-out the extent of the prayer hall. But, at the limit of the southern baulk (the baulk dividing MO/14 and MO/13) no packing seams to be visible. This was also observed when the southern baulk drawing was completed, as well as when the southern baulk had been removed and excavation was undertaken (loc 77- it should be stated that after the south baulk was removed, which belongs to MO/13, the 1m strip dividing MO/13 from MO/14 now was registered as belonging to MO/14 for the sake of convenience). The eastern baulk showed that the packing sloped upwards from the northern end of the prayer hall to the southern limit. The southern baulk as well as the corner baulk (between the northern and eastern baulk) showed, on the other hand, no traces of sub-floor packing. This means, that for some reason the packing stopped abruptly, maybe due to a pit.

This phenomenon was already observed under last year’s excavation, where the soil in general was darker and of another composition near the southern baulk (loc 50-2006), than in the case of the yellowish sub-floor packing.

Due to the lack of time, only the eastern end of the southern limit of the packing was excavated (loc 77). Furthermore excavation revealed that a pit of some sort lying underneath the southern corner baulk between MO/14 and MO/15 was dug into what might have been packing, but the latter is not clear. The soil was brown and moist and couldn’t logistically be anything else that a pit. This was further confirmed when a diagnostic fragment (the handle) of a middle Islamic cooking pot was found in the pit. In this sense, later material was found in an early context and this thus verifies the notion of a pit.


Even though the exact horizontal nature of the packing was, unfortunately, not revealed this season it has once more become clear that the northern part of the prayer hall had been in reuse much later than its construction.

The staircase into the prayer hall (within the prayer hall) from the western entrance Last year’s excavation exposed the third and lowermost step into the prayer hall. Furthermore, the relationship between the stairs and the sub-floor packing was discussed (2006). The staircase was not fully revealed until excavation was undertaken this year. After excavating approximately 30cm of the sub-floor packing around the southern limit of the stairs the cornerstones were exposed and the entire staircase was visible. It was now possible to ascribe a new locus and feature number for the whole of the staircase, which then changed from loc. 36 f. 5 (the two upper rows) and loc. 59 f. 8 (the lowermost row) into loc. 79 f. 10.

The staircase consists of three rows of steps, where the lower row is 2,40m in length and 1,22m in width (earlier known as loc.59 f. 5). Five long and flat stones, ranging from 51cm to 73cm

in length and about 45cm in width, are visible and of these four lie in a straight row, with the exception of the most northern step, which slopes a bit as it partly lies on top of the westernmost pier base (loc 16 f. 1). The fifth stone is a cornerstone and lies at an angle to the fourth and most western stone in the row.

Fig 3. The staircase inside the prayer hall (loc79 f.10).

The second row of stones, which make-up the second step into the prayer hall, consists of four long and flat stones, where one also functions as a cornerstone. The stones range from 63cm to 80cm in length, which make them, in average, longer than the lowermost stones of the staircase. Nonetheless, they all (including the lower row) measure, approximately, the same at 45cm in width and 19cm in height.

The two rows of steps just described are made of finely cut stones. Some chisel marks are visible, but they are made, more or less, of the same nice blocks of stones, which tend to be slight pinkish in colour. This is not the case of the uppermost row of the steps. This row, at first hand, does not seam to be made of the same stone as the two lowermost steps. The row consists of four stones ranging from, approximately, 35cm to 50cm in length and 21cm to 26cm in height. These stones are neither of the same colour nor in the same state as the two lower rows are, and this is quite puzzling. Whether any conclusion can be drawn from this observation is not obvious, because it is not clear if this had been an intentional choice made by the builders; if it was a last minute decision, due to miscalculations; or if it was a later addition to the stairs. Nonetheless, it is certainly observable that different stones where used when building the staircase.


Part of a fallen column shaft After removing the tumble (MO/13 loc 49) from the southern baulk, on the 22nd of August, a part of a column shaft was fully revealed. This had partly been visible last year. But due to the fact that the tumble, to some degree, was lying on top of the column it was decided to deal with it when the baulk and the stones were removed. The column shaft was only 40cm in length, had a diameter of 41cm and was given a locus and feature number (loc 78 f. 9). The eastern end of the column shaft was broken off, while on the western end of the column an edge is visible giving it a slightly larger diameter. The broken column shaft could either be from another column shaft than that of last year (loc 51 f. 6), or be the westernmost end of that exact column. It seems as if the latter might be the case, since no column base or foundation was excavated for this specific broken column shaft (loc 78 f. 9) as was the case with last year’s column shaft. Here, in situ mortar (loc 55 f. 7) was excavated right underneath the fallen column shaft (loc 51 f. 6). Fig 4. Part of fallen column (loc 78 f.9)

The exact timeframe for the collapsed column shafts is not possible, but much point toward that the collapse was simultaneous with the tumble removed last year (loc 46). The western part of the prayer hall Last year’s excavation revealed a lot of roof tiles as well as terra-rossa soil, which at some point had fallen unto the packing (loc 47). On the 8th of August this year, this was all removed in the process of excavating the yellowish packing to the same height as in the northern part of the prayer hall. While excavating this small area three features were exposed. Firstly, the rest of the staircase (loc 79 f. 10) was fully excavated giving it a new locus and feature number (loc 79 f. 10). Secondly, a thin layer of plaster on the eastern face of the western mosque wall (loc 44 w.7) was excavated, and finally the pier foundation (loc 80 f.11) underneath the first pillar (loc 31 f.3) at the west end of the north colonnade, butting the western wall of the mosque (loc 44 w.7) was excavated.

While excavating the sub-floor packing (loc 61), which continued about 30cm at this end, the eastern face of the western mosque wall (loc 44 w.7) was exposed down to the foundation stones of this wall. On this eastern face a thin in situ layer of plaster was exposed indicating that the whole of the eastern face of the wall, as some point, was fully plaster coated. The plaster was white and lay on the edge of the foundation stones, which then was covered by the sub-floor packing. It was partly decomposed, but a large part of it was still well preserved. The preservation of the plaster is due to the fact that it was covered and thus not exposed to the surrounding elements. This also gives us an idea to the sequence of construction in this part of the mosque. After the wall was built it was plastered with a white and thin layer of plaster right until the edge of the foundation stones, and finally the sub-floor packing was laid. Furthermore, while excavating in locus 61, a “middle Islamic” pottery sherd (HMGPW) was excavated, which might be to some assistance when considering the reoccupation of the western part of the prayer hall and mosque in general.


Fig 5. Showing the western part of the prayer hall, with the pier foundation (loc 80 f.11), the bottom of the staircase (loc 79 f.10) as well as in-situ plaster The foundation of the south-westernmost pillar of the prayer hall was excavated on the 12th of August this season. It was given a locus a feature number (loc 80 f. 11). The measurement of the foundation was 1,1m in length and 0.75m in width. The foundation was not fully excavated, but nonetheless is exposure is of importance. The sondage in the northern part of the street When observing the street that divides the western wall of the mosque (loc 44 w.7) from the wall of GO/2 (loc 33 w.6) it is obvious that two different colour and composition of soils coexist. A greyish and loose soil dominates in the western part of the street, which butts up against the wall of GO/2 (loc 33 w.6). The eastern part of the street, on the other hand, is reddish and pebbly; furthermore, it runs parallel with the western wall of the mosque (loc 44 w.7). This difference led to the division into separate loci; loci 69, 71, 73 and 75 for the tracing of terra-rossa soil and locus 72 for the loose and greyish soil.

With the different soil running parallel to each other in mind, we decided to make a sondage in the northern part of the street. This sondage could answer some critical questions about the nature of the street and its relationship to the two walls (loc 44w.7 and loc 33w.6). The most critical question is the chronology of the different structures, then the nature of the walls’ construction.

At this point there were two possibilities when dealing with the wall on each side of the street:

1. The walls were built before the street was laid out. In this case, the terra-rossa running parallel with the western mosque wall was nothing else than the result of spill, as seen last year inside the prayer hall (loc 47).


2. The walls were cut into the existing street, indicating that the wall constructions were later than the street itself. If this is the case, a foundation trench must have been dug in order to construct the walls.

p of the two different soils, as well s the southern limit of the sondage (loci 71, 72 nd 44 w.7).

. Showing the northern end of the street and nd the

7) and 1,5m in width,

times, was dif

Fig 7. Close-uaa

Fig 6the clear division between the greyish soil areddish terra-rossa (loci 68, 69,71 and 72).

On the 21st of August a sondage was laid out in the northern end of the street, after a general clean-up of the northern end of the street had been carried out. The sondage measured 1.68m in length, which was the length between the two walls (loc 33 w.6 and loc 44 w.which was chosen arbitrarily in order to better manoeuvre inside the sondage.

Focus was put on the western mosque wall (loc 44 w.7), and therefore excavation started here. Locus 71 was opened in the sondage, this was created in order to distinguish the eastern (terra-rossa) part of the sondage from the western (greyish soil), and the latter was given locus 72. Excavating locus 71 revealed that the reddish and pebbly soil, to begin with, continued vertically, but then sloped more or less to the eastern part of the sondage, while the soil was more greyish and compact in the western part. Though, this was not consistent trough-out the excavation of locus 71. Excavating further down the reddish soil became more difficult to distinguish from the more yellowish-grey/brown soil of the neighbouring locus 72. Also, the reddish soil is by no means homogeneous; in some places it is loose and soft, in other places it is more compact. In addition, there are several types of inclusions, especially large chunks of lime stone and small bits of yellowish-green clay. The soil was all sieved, but nonetheless the finds did not surpass few fragments of ceramics, glass, bone and some tessera and a little black soapstone. About 40 cm of this locus (71) was excavated, but the terra-rossa was still not fully excavated, even though it, at

ficult to trace.

As the terra-rossa was confide to about 15cm along the eastern edge of the sondage (butting loc 44 w.7) and existed as inclusions in the rest of the greyish/brown soil the locus was changed to


73. This locus had a very high concentration of tessera, furthermore, two coins and a pendent was found when sieving the excavated soil.

On the 26th we were able to trace the terra-rossa again, and now it only occurred in the eastern half of what was locus 73, so only this part was excavated in order to trace the terra-rossa. The locus was, thus changed to locus 74 and this continued until we reached the end of what surely was a foundation trench. At this point we had excavated down to small stones lying underneath the foundation stones of the western wall of the mosque. These small stones (fist sized or a bit bigger) had lumps of clayish terra-rossa between them. And after this was excavated no more terra rossa seemed to appear. Nonetheless, excavation continued to make sure that the bottom of the trench was reached. Since the terra-rossa had been fully excavated and a few flat stones started to appear, the locus was changed one final time to locus 75. In order to finish the excavation in this end of the sondage we excavated the last flat stones and closed the locus.

Fig 9. Showing the excavation of the sondage as it was on the 27th of August, looking down from west (loci 74 and 44 w.7.)

Fig 8. (left) Showing the first stages of the excavated sondage on the 25th of August, looking North (loci 73 and 44 w.7) Fig 10. The finished sondage as it was on the 30th of August, seen from above the northern baulk (loci 75 and 44 w.7).


To make sense of the detailed description, it is required to understand how a foundation trench is dug and how walls are built. Only then, will we be able to conclude that what we excavated, in fact, was a foundation trench.

The first hint to that we were dealing with a foundation trench is the different soil colour that ran parallel with the wall at hand (loc 44 w.7). In this case the wall was built by digging a small trench, in which some irregular foundation stones were laid, on top of these small fist-size stones were laid in order to stabilize the proper foundation stones. But to be able to lay these large building stones, the trench had to be enlarged in order for the builders to manoeuvre when working. When the large course of foundation stones were laid, a backfill would have been necessary. This process coincides with the excavated sondage. Here the backfill was mainly terra-rossa, which was found in between the smaller stones, as well as through-out the whole of the sondage. Most importantly, is the sloping nature of the terra-rossa and this is seen in the two section created when excavating the sondage (including the north baulk).

Fig 12. Showing the southern section of the sondage, as it was on the 30th of August. (loci 71,73,74,75 and 44w.7).

Fig 11. Showing the northern section of the sondage, as it was on the 30th of August (loci 71,73,74, 75 and 44 w.7).

Terra-rossa was, although, not the only soil used in the backfill, and that was also observed in the changing nature of the sondage, where the terra-rossa at times was replaced with a more greyish soil with terra-rossa inclusions.

With this in mind, there is no doubt that a foundation trench was dug, in order to build the western wall of the mosque, and from this a timeframe of the construction of the mosque can be established. The mosque was built after the “street” was laid. Unfortunately, the eastern part of the sondage was not fully excavated, and thus the chronological timeframe of the wall of G0/2 (loc 33 w.6) cannot be established.

Nonetheless, as no clear border or change in colour can be observed along the wall, logistically, one could conclude that this wall (loc 33 w.6) was built at the same time as, or before the street. In other words, the wall of GO/2 (loc 33 w.6) was not built simultaneously with the


western wall of the mosque. The difference in architecture could also point towards this. This can, of course, not be validated until excavation in the sondage is fully undertaken. The western wall of the mosque The western wall of the mosque, also known as locus 44 wall 7, runs N-S, and it was further exposed as the sondage was excavated this year. About 1.5 m of the western face in the northern end of the wall was, thus, visible at a height of approximately 1.3m. The exposure was helpful in understanding the wall’s sequence of construction.

This section of the wall was constructed by the use of four irregular stones that measured 22-37cm in length. On top of these four stones lie nine small stones. Fig 13. Showing the construction of the western mosque wall (loc. 44w.7)

A row of three rectangular foundation stones lie upon the levelling stones. The foundation stones have an upper edge to hold the weight of the stones of the wall proper. As they are exposed the foundation stones measured between 40-53cm in length and about 30cm in height. Upon this row of foundation stones lie the first row of stones belonging to the wall proper.

These were also regular and rectangular. The first of the three stones (from the North end) was 60cm in length, while the next two stones measured, respectively, 30cm and 74cm. In height 30-39cm of the stones was visible. Upon this row of building stones lay a single stone, which was the only existing stone at this height. From a plan view it is observable that terra-rossa and small stones were used as fill.

Plaster, on the other hand, was used on the facing of the wall between, as well as below and above the regular foundation stones and the first row of the wall proper in order to hold the stones

together. This plaster covered much of the edges of the stones making it, more or less, difficult to take their right measurements.

As a final finish, a herringbone design had been cut into this plastering. Why a design was used is unknown, because it wouldn’t have been visible as it occurred underneath street level. Furthermore, the wall seams to have had a coating of fine white plaster, as fragments were found in the excavated soil of the sondage and on other parts of the western face of the wall.

Fig 14. Close-up of herringbone design cut into the plastering (loc 44 w.7)


The wall of GO/2 and the doorway in the northern end On the 28th of August, the western baulk (loc 76) in MO/14 was removed. The soil was mostly topsoil and included modern deposits and contamination. When the topsoil was removed the whole of the wall (loc 33 w.6) was exposed and led to the discovery of a doorway (loc 82 f.12) in the northern end of the wall of GO/2.

On the top row and about 50cm from the north baulk lies the second visible stone of the wall. This stone is a door jam and has the shape of a reversed “L”. The next door jam lies about 2.25m to the south and together the two door jams create the limit of the doorway. Between the two door jams lies a row of four uneven stones, three large a one small, which will be discussed later. Underneath the uneven stones lie four long rectangular and flat stones. Three of them range between 65cm-75cm in length, while the last stone is about 20cm. The surrounding stones are the normal building stones used in the wall construction (loc 33 w.6).

The wall of GO/2 extends into MO/13 to the south and was exposed a few years back. Nonetheless, a short description might shed some more light in relation to the neighbouring wall, which is that of the mosque (loc 44 w.7). As the wall of GO/2 (loc 33 w.6) extends into MO/13 it measures 14.5m. Furthermore, it continues into MO/16, which is the northwest corner of the mosque. Fig 15. Showing the street between the western wall of the mosque (loc 44 w.7) and the wall of GO/2 (loc33 w.6) with the doorway (loc 82 f.12).

The wall, in addition to the described doorway, is composed of a number of very irregular stones. At the highest point, the wall stands 1.26m and consists of four vertical rows of stones, where only a small part of the lowest row is visible. The building stones are made of limestone and have a sandy colour, and in between them mortar and fist-sized stones were used.

The masonry of this wall (loc 33 w.6) is different than that of the west wall of the mosque (loc 44 w.7). The masonry seams irregular and not that well done in comparison to the western mosque wall (observation).

This notion might coincide with the idea of the two walls not being built simultaneously. The masonry, on one hand, shows that two different technical skills had been employed. Furthermore, there doesn’t appear to have been dug a foundation trench for the wall of GO/2, but this can, unfortunately, not be confirmed at this point.

Another thing worth mentioning is the fact that the doorway (loc 82 f.12) appear to have been blocked in some way, due to the irregular stones lying between the two door jams. Why the door


entrance should have been blocked, does not seem to make any sense. And hopefully, future excavation might answer this question.

Secondly, the first reaction given when the doorway was discovered was that the doorway is too elevated in comparison to the estimated (and calculated) street level. This means that the level of the street should be reconsidered, in order to make better interpretation of these new discoveries.

In spite of new questions being raised it can now, after some conjectures, be confirmed that there could have been a connection between the two buildings, respectively, the mosque and GO, due to the fact that two entrances have been discovered. The first, is that of the mosque (loc 35 f.4), while the second is that of GO (loc 82 f.12). The chronological framework of these two features is not established, but there is a large probability that they, at some point in time had been in use simultaneously. Conclusion and future goals With the removal of the southern, western and eastern baulk, this year’s excavation opened up the whole area of the prayer hall. Furthermore, some distinct discoveries where made as we reached the goals set this season. The horizontal extent of the sub-floor packing showed that an irregularity existed between MO/14 and MO/13, caused by a pit, which contained a piece of Middle Islamic pottery. The packing continued without any abruption into MO/15.

Furthermore, the sondage revealed that the western wall of the mosque was “fitted” into the street area, due to the fact that a foundation trench had been detected. This gives a chronological framework for the construction of the mosque in comparison to the earlier street. An understanding of the construction of the wall itself was also reached. Additionally, the conjecture that there was direct relationship between the use of the mosque and the structure of GO seemed to be confirmed, as a doorway was exposed in the wall of GO. This means that two doorways faced each other. And even though they weren’t necessarily built simultaneously, they could well have been in use at the same time. This would strengthen the theory of the occupants of GO having direct access to the western part of the mosque. But this theory might be refuted due to the fact that the doorway in GO/2 seems to have been blocked. Nonetheless, the latter could have occurred much later.

For future excavation, the western limit of the packing within the prayer hall must be established. This should then been seen in context of the rest of the prayer hall of the mosque. Furthermore, an idea of how and why there was a reoccupation in the western part of the mosque and how this then changed the layout of the mosque will hopefully be given. Furthermore, the western part of the sondage is to be dug, in order to determine if the wall of GO/2 was dug into the street (as the western wall of the mosque) or whether it already was constructed and thus was earlier than the mosque.


Work progress photographs of MO/15 in 2007 A- 07-08-2007

B-14/08/2007 C- 30/08/2007

D- 30/08/2007


Prayer hall (MO/14-15) at closure of season 2007 E- 30/08/2007

Top plan sketch of MO/14, architectural loci at closure of excavation 2007


List of loci for MO/14 2007

Locus Number and feature number

Description of locus

Locus 60 Clean-up locus in southern part of the prayer hall in the SE corner of the square. Yellowish sub-floor packing.

Locus 61 Start of excavation in southern part of the prayer hall in the SE corner of the square. Yellowish sub-floor packing.

Locus 62 Cutback of the West baulk in the north end.

Locus 63 Clean-up locus in the northern part of the prayer hall in the SE corner of the square. Yellowish sub-floor packing.

Locus 64 Cutback of the South baulk.

Locus 65 Cutback of the East baulk.

Locus 66 Clean-up locus in the southern part of the street between the mosque and locus 33 w.6 (the wall of GO/2).

Locus 67 Cutback of a small strip running E-W in the centre of the street.

Locus 68 Start of excavation in the northern part of the street, which includes the area of the earlier loci 66 and 67.

Locus 69 Strip of terra rossa soil and pebbles, which runs N-S and parallel with locus 44 w.7 (west mosque wall).

Locus 70 Cutback of North baulk.

Locus 71 Eastern part of the sondage, which runs E-W in the northern part of the street. The soil consist of terra rossa and pebbles.

Locus 72 Western part of the sondage, which runs E-W in the northern part of the street. The soil is greyish and loose.

Locus 73 Eastern part of the sondage, which runs E-W in the northern part of the street. The soil consists of terra-rossa inclusions and more greyish-brown soil.

Locus 74 Locus in the most eastern end in the eastern part of the sondage. Change in locus is due to the fact that the soil is more compact and reddish near locus 44 w. 7 and more grey-yellowish as the rest of the sondage.

Locus 75 Locus in the most eastern part of the sondage. No traces of terra-rossa, but change in soil composition and colour.

Locus 76 Removing the West baulk and the topsoil of this in order to reveal the whole of loc. 33 w. 6 (the wall of GO/2).

Locus 77 The most southern end of MO/14, where the baulk used to stand. The area is now registered as MO/14 even though it earlier was registered as MO/13.

Locus 78 feature 9 Part of fallen column lying in the area of the southern baulk.


Locus 79 feature 10 Staircase inside the mosque, which contains three rows of stairs.

Locus 80 feature 11 Foundation pier under loc 31. f.3 (pillar in prayer hall, the first at the west end of the north colonnade, butting the west mosque wall).

Locus 81 Western part of the most southern end of the square (where the southern baulk used to stand).

Locus 82 feature 12 Doorway with two door jams in the north end of loc. 33 w. 6 (the wall of GO/2).

Feature list for MO/14, 2004-2007


Description of locus/feature

Locus 16 feature 1 (2004)

Westernmost pier (one course preserved) and pier base below, belonging to pier entrances to qiblah hall.


2nd pier base (no pier preserved above) from west enclosure wall of the mosque, belonging to pier entrances to qiblah hall.


Pillar in prayer hall, the first at the west end of the north colonnade, butting the west mosque wall.


Step belonging to west entrance to qiblah hall, outside west mosque wall.


Step belonging to west entrance to qiblah hall, inside west mosque wall in northwest corner of prayer hall.


Fallen column shaft in the south eastern corner of the square


A square of mortar underneath the east end of the column shaft (loc. 51 feat. 6).


3rd step into the prayer hall, belonging to the west entrance inside the prayer hall.


Part of fallen column lying in the area of the southern baulk.


Staircase inside the mosque, which contains three rows of stairs.


Foundation pier under loc 31. f.3 (pillar in prayer hall, the first at the west end of the north colonnade, butting the west mosque wall).


Doorway with two door jams in the north end of loc. 33 w. 6 (the wall of GO/2).


Wall list for MO/14, 2004-2005 (no new walls were identified in 2007)


Description of locus/wall

Locus 15 wall 1 (2004), equivalent to Locus 33 wall 6 (2005)

Wall in west baulk, southern half of square, only upper course exposed.

Locus 7 wall 2 (2004) Infilling wall between the two westernmost pier entrances to qiblah hall.

Locus 13 wall 3 (2004) Possibly a modern farming wall, running east-west in the north baulk.

Locus 10 wall 4 (2004) “West enclosure wall of mosque” in the northern half of MO/14 (in fact not the real west enclosure wall but, as it transpired in 2005, a later wall built parallel and against the original west closure).

Locus 29 wall 5 (2005) West wall of mosque running north-south, exposed only in south half of square, i.e. northwest corner of qiblah hall.

Locus 33 wall 6 (2005) equivalent to Locus 15 wall 1 (2004)

East enclosure wall of the GO area building, running north-south in the west baulk of the square (south end), along the west side of the street GO and the mosque.

Locus 44 wall 7 (2005) West enclosure wall of the mosque running the full north-south extent of square, superseding and equivalent to locus 29 wall 5.


MO/14: Harris Matrix

60

64* 79 f10

61

62*

80 f11 69

68

66 67

63

65*

77

74

73

71

72

81 82 f12

75

76* 78 f9

* = Cutback of baulk = Butting


Summary for MO/15, 2007 season (west central area of mosque hall) Supervisor: Ian Simpson Report: Ian Simpson

Scale top plan (9m x 9m) of MO/15 showing architectural loci at closure of excavation in 2007


Final square shot of MO/15 in 2006 (north is down)

Final square shot of MO/15 in 2007 after baulk removal and further excavation (north is down)


The aim of excavation in MO/15 in 2007 was to remove the surrounding baulks and examine the resulting picture of the floor level of the west end of the mosque hall as a coherent area.

Baulk excavation in MO/15 involved recording loci in MO/4, MO/5 and MO/11, so an overview of the loci excavated in 2007 in all of these squares is given for convenience in the lists section at the end of this summary. In the mosque hall area in 2007 baulks were excavated in the following order: MO/4 west baulk, MO/11 north baulk, MO/15 west baulk, MO/5 northwest corner baulk, MO/13 north baulk, MO/11 northwest corner baulk, MO/14 west baulk.

Excavation of the west baulk in MO/4 and the northwest corner baulk of MO/5 found mostly topsoil and mixed deposits in its upper layers then a level with some remains of roof collapse in the form of tile fragments. Removal of the baulk also completed the exposure of two fallen column drums. The columns have been previously registered in MO/4 such that the following loci are equivalent: locus 50 feature 10 in MO/15 is the same as locus 34 feature 19 in MO/4 and locus 53 feature 11 in MO/15 is the same as locus 35 feature 20 in MO/4.

In the process of excavating the baulk stone paving (locus 49 feature 9) associated with the fallen columns was also revealed, a further pier base in the mosque hall entrance foundation, and more of a wall belonging to the older bath house in the north of the square. In fact, the bath house wall (locus 46 wall 6) was incorporated in the pier base (locus 43 feature 8). Thus instead of being demolished, the bath house wall was used as a foundation on which to build the entrance piers to the mosque hall.

Most notably, one of the two fallen column shafts (locus 53 feature 11) was found resting partly on the stone paving slabs (locus 49 feature 9) of the mosque hall floor. Where the column is lying over the corner of this patch of stone paving it sandwiches broken roof tiles between itself and the paving. This situation nicely preserves the state of the mosque hall after it had gone out of use and after salvaging activities had taken place. The column shaft (locus 53 feature 11) is broken at one end and was not found in an in-situ collapse position, probably due to all the building salvage since its initial collapse.

A fallen column shaft (locus 53 feature 11) resting partly on stone paving slabs (locus 49 feature 9) of the mosque hall floor, with roof tile fragments crushed between column and paving


The other column shaft here, locus 53 feature 12, was not found resting on the paving, but on the subfloor level by the paving. This column is an end section, broken at one end but featuring a wider rim at the other end, which is position over the point where a column base is expected according to the floor plan of the hall colonnades. The base of foundation for this column has not yet been exposed, if indeed it remains. The way the column is resting looks very much as if it belonged to this column position in the colonnade.

The patch of preserved stone paving (locus 49 feature 9) exposed after baulk removal consists of fours grey limestone slabs butting together, and is similar to the other isolated patches of mosque hall paving. The four pavers differ in quality; two have very smooth surfaces while the other two have rough, uneven surfaces. This is further evidence of the mix and match method used in laying the hall stone paving. Levels of all the preserved paving in the mosque hall should now be compared, since excavation of the entire hall floor area is complete. This will give an idea of possible differences in floor levels through the hall area.

Another notable point regarding the preserved stone paving (locus 49 feature 9) excavated in 2007 in MO/15 is that a single building stone (locus 48) was found standing on top of the paving slabs, squared up with the orientation of the paving. Initially on exposing this arrangement it looked built deliberately and was thought to be remains of a possible stone feature or wall. However, the single stone (locus 48) is not bonded to the paving and shows no signs of mortar or plaster anywhere on it. It may well have simply collapsed in this position on the paving. Without any other evidence it is difficult to suggest it is part of the built architecture.

Excavation of the north baulk and northwest corner baulk in MO/11 found mostly topsoil, mixed deposits and stony material in the upper layers then a level with some possibly later material comprising the fill of a large pit in the area. There were also roof tile fragments toward the floor level.

Excavation of the west baulk in MO/15 found substantial layers of stone tumble above floor level of the mosque hall, mostly inside the hall (locus 59) but also some (locus 58) in the courtyard area just outside the hall entrances. The tumble consisted of limestone building stones, mostly of good quality which we kept for future consolidation of the mosque. The tumble stone layer inside the hall (locus 59) contained at least one block from a door jamb and also some roof tile fragments. The tumble was drawn in plan and each stone was numbered with black paint. This area of tumble was clearly contiguous with the tumble excavated in MO/14, which together constituted one large area of tumble stone in the northwest division of the mosque hall. In the very south part of locus 59 and in locus 60 we found sherds of Middle Islamic pottery. This makes sense because this southwest part of MO/15 corresponds to a possible later disturbance or activity, possibly a cutting or a pit, which has also yielded Middle Islamic wares in, for instance, the north baulk of MO/13.

The tumble in locus 58 in the courtyard area was not as dense and below it there was no very compact clayey packing found as inside the hall. In the courtyard here no stone or stamped clay floor surface and no evidence of a portico was found.

Excavation work in MO/15 in 2007 continued investigation of the area in the west of the square where a dividing wall (locus 11 wall 2) is located. On the west side of the wall there is a thick layer of compact, mainly very light and yellowish, clayey floor or subfloor packing (locus 52). Most notable is that the packing material is cut clearly by a narrow trench running along the west side of the wall. The trench contains brown soil, much darker then the light yellow packing. After tracing this trench a similar narrow trench was then traced along the east side of the wall, but this one is less clear. On the east side the trench cuts the subfloor soil material (locus 54). The trenches show the foundation coursing of the wall, which visibly continues below the floor level in the


mosque hall, was probably built by cutting a trench through the floor bedding in the mosque hall. The fact the wall has substantial foundation coursing strongly suggests the wall was not simply a retaining strip for a raised area of paving but more likely a dividing wall inside the hall, as discussed in 2006.

Considering that the dividing wall (locus 11 wall 2) appears to cut the subfloor material on either side, it is unclear why the packing material is different on either side of the wall. On the west side it is yellow, more clayey, more compact and lighter, while it is more brown and less compact on the east side. If further excavation is undertaken here a section down through the packing against the foundation coursing of the wall would be revealing of the building sequence.

The west side of the dividing wall (locus 11 wall 2), displaying a dark brown foundation trench that has been cut through the more compact yellowish clayey floor packing.

Still on the matter of the hard yellowish packing material in the northwest hall division, in 2007 excavation made clearer the extent of this packing. Where the west baulk was excavated in MO/15 and the northwest corner baulk of MO/11, it became clearer that the packing has a southern limit which is in line with the north colonnade in the prayer hall. Its southern edge drops down, perhaps as if it has been cut at some point and earlier extended further south, or it might have been built only in a limited area.. More excavation is needed to trace its southern limit westwards over to the west mosque wall. Perhaps the hard, light-yellowish clay packing is limited in area because it was a raised floor area in the hall, or it may have been a later floor added, and is thus different from most of the hall subfloor packing. It is interesting to note that west of locus 11 wall 2 in MO/15 there is no preserved floor paving, whereas east of the wall there is a total of six patches of preserved stone paving in the rest of the hall area. Furthermore, the area west of the dividing wall is relatively less disturbed than the rest of the hall – notably with layers of tumble collapsed on the floor level – yet contains no floor paving. This could be an indication that there was no stone paving in the occupation phase corresponding to the use of the raised area of hard yellowish packing, and the packing itself was a hard stamped clay floor.


Where baulk removal of the west baulk in MO/15 had been expected to expose a foundation bracing wall between pier bases of the entrances to the mosque hall, only soil was found. A shallow sondage was therefore dug to establish the relationship between the pier bases but 10 cm of digging below foundation level still did not reveal any foundation wall. This needs resolving in future excavation.

The short wall (locus 10 wall 3) excavated in 2006 which runs between two pier foundation bases (locus 32 feature 3 and locus 42 feature 7), after re-examining it, could be the remains of a standard retaining wall step built in the entrances to the mosque hall, rather than the remains of a later blocking wall, as suggested previously. A very low wall step in each entrance, just slightly higher than the level of the paved floor inside the hall, would serve to help keep material and water in the courtyard outside the hall. Neither explanation for the wall is conclusive based on the evidence. List of loci assigned in 2007 in MO/15 Locus (inc. feature/wall number where assigned)

Description of locus

Locus 47 Clean-up locus of washed-in and wind-blown deposits

Locus 48 Single building stone standing ‘squared-up’ on floor paving in mosque hall, possibly lying coincidentally or part of a built structure

Locus 49 feature 9 Isolated patch of paved floor preserved in mosque hall associated with two fallen column drums (locus 50 feature 10 and locus 53 feature 11), the former resting over the paving.

Locus 50 feature 10 Fallen column drum in mosque hall, lying on broken roof tiles and paving stones of hall floor (locus 49 feature 9)

Locus 51 Subfloor packing and mixed deposit with some broken roof tile, located in mosque hall behind entrance foundation wall

Locus 52

Compact yellowish subfloor packing material containing (i.e. cut by) a very narrow foundation trench along the east side of dividing wall (locus 11 wall 2), located in northwest of mosque hall, a later architectural modification of the building plan

Locus 53 feature 11 Fallen column drum in mosque hall located over presumed position of central northwest column base midway along the hall colonnades

Locus 54 Fairly compact light brown subfloor packing material containing (i.e. cut by) a very narrow foundation trench along the west side of dividing wall (locus 11 wall 2) in the west part of the mosque hall

Locus 55 Topsoil layers of baulk wall between MO/14 and MO/15

Locus 56 Loose earth and some loose building stones in baulk wall, below topsoil levels


Locus 57 Medium density of stone tumble probably resulting from collapse of the mosque hall walls, spread either side of hall entrances, and much soil over and between the top of the tumble

Locus 58 A small area of tumble stone outside west entrances to the mosque hall in the southwest area of the courtyard, associated with loose brown earth at floor level

Locus 59 High density of tumble stone from collapse of mosque walls inside the northwest part of the mosque hall

Locus 60 A later pit fill or another deposit cutting the hard yellow clay packing to its north in the very west of MO/15

Locus 61 Mixed deposits, including some floor packing clayey material over the line of the mosque hall entrance foundations, toward their west end

Locus 62 Relatively compact clayey soil, yellowish brown in colour, comprising floor material or subfloor packing material, located inside west end of mosque hall

Locus 63 Mixed deposits of floor packing and stony material over and in front of mosque hall entrance foundations, west end, where a foundation bracing wall would normally be expected

Feature list for MO/15

Locus Description of locus

Locus 49 feature 9 Isolated patch of paved floor preserved in mosque hall associated with two fallen column drums, one resting over the paving.

Locus 50 feature 10 Fallen column drum in mosque hall, lying on broken roof tiles and paving stones of hall floor (locus 49 feature 9)

Locus 53 feature 11 Fallen column drum in mosque hall located over presumed position of central northwest column base midway along the hall colonnades

List of stones assigned to a stone number sequence in MO/15 in 2007

Locus Stone no.

58 and 59 11 to 37 List of loci assigned in 2007 in MO/4 Locus Description of locus

Locus 79 Top soil and mixed deposits with contaminated material, all comprising the north baulk wall.

Locus 80 Layer associated with roof collapse, but quite a mixed deposit, over floor level remains.


List of loci assigned in 2007 in MO/5 Locus Description of locus

Locus 46 Topsoil, mixed deposits and some roof collapse material comprising a 1m by 1m northwest corner baulk

List of loci assigned in 2007 in MO/11 Locus Description of locus

Locus 40 Top soil, mixed deposits and stony material comprising upper parts of north baulk.

Locus 41 Mixed deposits and some late pit fill, comprising baulk wall.

Locus 42 Topsoil and mixed deposits comprising a 1m by 1m northwest corner baulk

Harris Matrix for MO/15, 2007


Square summary, MO/16, 2007 season Supervisor: Ann Andersson Summary: Ann Andersson MO/16 covers an area inside the mosque (Fig. 1), i.e. the north-western corner of the mosque, and an area outside the mosque, interpreted as a laneway running alongside (North-South) the western mosque wall (wall 3, loc. 9) and delimited further west by wall 2, loc. 2. The full extend of MO/16 is 10x11.50 m. (North-South, East-West, respectively), which differs from the usual IJP grid of 10x10 m. This is due to the incorporation of all of the width of the laneway into MO/16. The continuation of the laneway is found in MO/14. The objectives for the 2007 season of excavation in MO/16 were to remove tumble from the square in order to reach a possible floor-level inside the mosque area and to locate stone piers, if present. Furthermore it was the aim to remove tumble to reach a possible street-level in the laneway area. Tumble was removed according to a grid system laid out over the square and was marked accordingly, i.e. MO/16, area A-I. Mosque area When excavation was begun the western half inside of the mosque area was at a higher elevation, sloping down towards the east. This was due to the amount of tumble and Terra Rossa located against the western mosque wall (loc.18). Furthermore the area towards north against the northern mosque wall was also at a higher elevation, due to the concentration of Terra Rossa and tumble.

The season was begun by concentrating on the eastern area inside the mosque, because the deposits of soil in this area would be of an earlier date, than the tumble and terra Rossa lying in proximity of the mosque walls. The eastern half of MO/16, inside the mosque area, was characterized by greyish brown soil (loc. 19). Excavation of the locus soon demonstrated that the area was contaminated by an electric cable running from the south east corner of MO/16 towards north, turning west running along wall 1, loc. 1, and extending through MO/16. Loc. 19 was excavated down until a level, which was interpreted as uncontaminated, was encountered. The locus was changed to loc. 21.

It was decided to continue excavation by concentrating on the tumble and Terra Rossa loci, because it was deemed that an uncontaminated layer had been reached when changing loc. 19 to 21, hence when clearing the collapse originating from the walls and excavating down this would leave a level inside the mosque area that was deposited around the same time.

Loc. 20 consisted of some tumble and Terra Rossa from the collapse of wall 1, loc. 1, but otherwise the locus did not contain many finds. The loc. was excavated down to level of loc. 21.

Loc. 23 was made up of tumble and Terra Rossa, still a bit elevated from the rest of the area inside the mosque sloping downwards towards the east. The earth was reddish with small white pieces of limestone inclusions. This was determined to be a layer from the collapse of wall 3, loc. 9.

Architectural elements (door features) located at approximately same place (at different levels) were found inside the mosque area (F.O. no. 9 and 13 found in loc. 18 and 23, respectively). Possibly these features could have been part of a door, which would be consistent with mirroring a door structure located in the eastern mosque wall, but as re-use of such kind of stones in the construction of the walls are not uncommon, this can not be determined with certainty, as the architectural elements were found as tumble. Loc. 24 was made up of Terra Rossa, probably from the wall collapse from wall 1, loc. 1 and wall 3, loc. 9. In this loc. a ceramic piece with charcoal


writing was found (F.O. no. 10). Additionally two architectural elements were removed from this locus (F.O. no. 11 and 12). The elements were similar in appearance and located in close proximity of each other, but the function of these are not determined. Loc. 25 consisted of a layer of whitish/yellowish clayish soil with a high quantity of limestone inclusions. Loc. 26 located against wall 1, loc. 1, was defined due to the colour of the soil, which was reddish with white patches, which probably indicate the last traces of the above lying Terra Rossa.

Two stone piers were identified inside the mosque area of MO/16. One rectangular pier situated against the western mosque wall and a T-shaped pier located in the approximate centre of the mosque area (loc. 30, feature 2. and loc. 38, feature 3, respectively). These piers would have helped support the portico of the mosque. It appears that the T-shaped stone pier of MO/16 is further from the west wall, than the counterpart in MO/2 is from the east wall of the mosque. This would explain how there was compensated for the uneven lengths of the north and south walls of the mosque.

Figure 1: Pier in MO/16

Following the discovery of the stone piers in MO/16, it was decided to investigate relationships and stratigraphy between mosque walls and stone piers, by concentrating only on part of the area inside the mosque. Initially two arbitrary loci were laid out with this objective in mind (loc. 27 and 28), but these were subsequently changed to the arbitrary locus of 29, which was later divided up into the following loci: 31, 33, 34, 35 and 36, due to marked differences in soil colour and composition (the extend of this area is also referred to as the ‘sondage’ in locus sheets, etc.). Loc. 31 was characterized by very loose earth, which has a dark greyish colour, in sharp contrast with the surrounding loci (33, 34, 35 and 36). Loc. 33 was a layer of yellow clayish soil, which yielded a great quantity of tegulae and imbrex. Loc. 34 was estimated to be the same type of earth as found in loc. 33, but somewhat influenced by the Terra Rossa, which had been present at a higher level. The colour was reddish with some white patches. Towards the west stones of small size appeared, but otherwise the earth seemed to reflect that of loc. 33. Loc. 35 was of a very dark brown colour and contained stones. These stones were associated with the stones in loc. 36. Loc. 36 consisted of yellowish white silty sand and a great quantity of medium sized stones. Initially stones


were removed from loc. 36, but when it became apparent that a pattern of stones were present between the stone pier located against the western mosque wall and the T-shaped stone pier, the stones were left in place. The stones appear to be concentrated in a ‘line’ between the two piers, which could be a deliberate positioning (see interpretation below). Locus 37 consisted in the appearance of a thin layer of greyish black (ashy) soil in locus 33. The layer was traced and seemed to connect to loc. 31.

Initially the loci described above were interpreted as the evidence of a surface (floor-level). Loc. 33 was believed to be an earthen surface, due to the relative compactness of the soil. In relation to this interpretation loc. 31 was believed to indicate an area, where there had been dug through the yellow clay surface and that loc. 31 represented filling from underneath the floor-surface. Loc. 36 was interpreted as a deliberate positioning of these stones to create some type of support to strengthen the construction associated with the two piers.

Alternatively the finds of tegulae and imbrex in the loc. does not support the interpretation of loc. 33 as a floor-level and furthermore a locus of very compact earth was encountered inside the mosque area at a slightly lower level than loc. 33. This locus (loc. 39) was not traced very far, due to lack of time, as it was recognized at the end of the excavation season, but it was of a very compact nature and seemed level, so this could be proposed as a floor-level. Further excavation will help clarify this. A stronger indication of locus 33 not being a floor-level is the few tumble-stones situated in this locus. The stones must rest on a surface, which could be the same level as the surface mentioned above, but they have not been excavated down to base yet. It remains to be investigated if loc. 31 can be interpreted as filling from underneath a floor-surface, but the earth seemed to be very ashy, mixed with many gravel sized stones, and possibly the layer indicated use of fire at some point (stones found in the earth seemed charred). In some of the above lying loci small quantities of what appeared to be burned limestone was found (locus 27, 29).

Figure 2: MO/16 at end of excavations in 2007


Laneway area Locus 22 was opened in the laneway area of MO/16. This locus was characterized as consisting of tumble and greyish brown earth. The tumble is interpreted as coming from wall 2, loc. 2, because there is no trace of Terra Rossa between the tumble. Upon straightening the baulk in the southern part of the laneway area a ceramic vessel (partly broken) was found (F.O. no. 8). Generally this locus was characterized by a higher amount of ceramic sherds, than found inside the mosque area. Likewise glass and bone were much higher in quantity. Great quantities of plaster mixed with small pebbles were found. Some of this plaster had evidently been attached to a wall or in another structural context. Only one layer of tumble was present and subsequent to the removal of this, the locus was changed to locus 32. It was decided to concentrate excavation in the southern part of the laneway area (locus 32), in order to trace the street-level, which was discovered to be situated at a higher level in the southern part of the laneway area and seem to slope downwards towards north. Locus 32 consisted of yellow clayish sand. The street-level was traced and was identified as a very compact surface of yellow earth. On top of this surface numerous tegulae and imbrex were present, but gutters were also identified. Towards south a concentration of tegulae and imbrex were located which was identified as lying directly on the street surface. From this area a number of small finds were recovered (F.O. no. 15, 16 and 17). During excavation of locus 32 a crack in the street surface was noticed. This crack was situated underneath a stone elevated some height above street-level and protruding from wall 2, loc. 2. The crack is located approximately 3 m. to the north of the south baulk of MO/16. The stone protruding from wall 2, loc. 2 has a cut, which is interpreted as having been used for water drainage, i.e. the crack in the ground is thought to stem from water run off.

Figure 3. Southern section of the laneway


Concluding the 2007 season of excavation for MO/16, the objective of reaching street-level in part of the laneway was completed, but whether or not floor-level was reached inside the mosque area will be better clarified by further excavation. Objectives for the next season of excavation in MO/16 should aim at investigating the northern half of the laneway in order to reach street-level and aim at determining the actual floor-level of the mosque. Running numbers used in 2007

Loci: 18-39. Walls: 1-3. Features: 2-3. Field objects: 8-18. Drawings: 7-17. List of loci: 18-39

Number: Description:

18. Locus consisting of limestone tumble. Covering western half of the mosque area of MO/16.

19. Layer of greyish brown topsoil (contaminated by electric cable).

20. Locus consisting of limestone tumble and Terra Rossa. Located just south of wall 1, loc.1.

21. Cleaning locus located in the eastern half of the mosque area of MO/16.

22. Locus consisting of limestone tumble. The locus covers the laneway area to the west of the western mosque wall.

23. Locus consisting of limestone tumble and Terra Rossa. Located in the south-western corner of the mosque area.

24. Locus consisting of Terra Rossa. Located towards north along the western wall of the mosque.

25. Cleaning locus located centrally in the mosque area of MO/16.

26. Cleaning locus located just south of wall 1, loc. 1.

27. Arbitrarily defined locus situated in the north-western corner of the mosque area.

28. Arbitrarily defined locus situated in central west half of the mosque area, just north of the rectangular pier located at the mosque west wall (wall 3, loc. 9).

29. Arbitrarily defined locus situated at the north-western corner of the mosque area.

30 (feature 2). Rectangular stone feature (pier) extending from the west mosque wall (wall 3, loc. 9) towards east.


31. Locus consisting of greyish black sandy/ashy soil situated towards the north-western mosque corner.

32. Locus consisting of yellow clayey sand covering the southern half of the laneway area of MO/16.

33. Locus consisting of yellowish clayey sand located towards the north-western corner of the mosque area.

34. Locus consisting of reddish clayey sand with white patches, situated against the northern mosque wall (wall 1, loc. 1).

35. Locus consisting of dark brown sandy soil, located central in the mosque area of MO/16 (just north of T-shaped pier).

36. Locus consisting of yellowish white silty sand with numerous stone inclusions (small sized tumble). Situated just north-east of the pier stones located against the western mosque wall.

37. Locus consisting of dark greyish black ashy soil, located towards the north-western corner of the mosque.

38 (feature 3). Stone feature (T-shaped pier) located 3,90 m. from the west wall (wall 3, loc. 9) of the mosque and 4,20 m. from the north wall (wall 1, loc. 1) of the mosque.

39. Locus of yellow compact clay situated in the central part of the mosque area in MO/16, just northwest of the T-shaped pier.

Feature list

Feature no. Locus. Description.

2. 30. Rectangular stone pier extending from the west mosque wall towards east 1,30 m. 0,58 m. in width. Consisting of four stones. One parallel to the western mosque wall, then two running perpendicular and then one stone running parallel again.

3. 38. T-shaped stone pier located 3,90 m. from the west wall of the mosque (wall 3, loc. 9) and 4,20 m. from the north wall (wall1, loc. 1) of the mosque (inside the mosque area). 1,55 m. in length and 1,20 m. in width. Consist of six stones (Some of the stones seem broken and it is assumed that they would have been complete originally). The stones are similar in colour, dressing and size (30-35 cm. in width and 53-57 in length).

Field object list

Field obj. no. Locus. Description.

8. 22. Ceramic vessel (partly broken).

9. 18. Architectural element (part of door structure)

10. 24. Ceramic piece (ostraca) with writing on both sides (charcoal).


11. 24. Architectural element (rectangular stone with depression, possibly after post).

12. 24. Architectural element (rectangular stone with depression, possibly after post).

13. 23. Architectural element (Door threshold).

14. 21. Coin (approx. 1 cm. in diameter).

15. 32. Copper ring in flat metal (with a break).

16. 32. Bead (pink/ orange glass).

17. 32. Coin (broken in half).

18. 21. Coin.

List of drawings: numbered 7-17

Number: Description:

Scale:

7. Architectural element (rectangular stone with depression, possibly after post).

1:10.

8. Architectural element (possibly originally part of door-structure) 1:10.

9. Architectural element. Door threshold. 1:10.

10. Architectural element (rectangular stone with depression, possibly after post).

1:10.

11. T-shaped stone pier (loc. 38, feature 3). 1:20.

12. Rectangular stone (loc. 30, feature 2). 1:20.

13. Wall 3, loc. 9. Elevation drawing of east face. 1:20.

14. East baulk, west face. 1:20.

15. Eastern sondage baulk (western face). 1:20.

16. Southern sondage baulk (northern face). 1:20.

17. South baulk, north face. 1:20.


Harris matrix - MO/16, 2007

32

W. 3. loc. 9.

W. 2. loc. 2.

W. 1. loc. 1.

18 19

21

20

26

23

24

25

27

22

28

29

30 feat.2

36 31

38 feat.3

35 34

33

37

39


2. The bathhouse Excavator: Louise Blanke Report: Louise Blanke

Square Summary MO/17 The primary objective for this season was to conclude the excavation of MO/17. The exploration of the square was begun in 2006 with a 3 meter wide trench running east-west in the centre of MO/17, dug in order to establish the extent of the bathhouse towards the east. As is often the case the results from the trench raised just as many questions as it provided answers. Therefore I decided to expand the trench to include the entire square of MO/17 during this season of excavation. The northern and southern third of the square was dug simultaneously, but for the ease of describing the process of work they will be referred to as individual areas of work starting with the northern third.

General view of MO/17 at end of the 2007 season of excavations. For numbers, see the text that follows.

The excavation of both thirds was based on the stratigraphy visible in the section, which was created in the excavation of the trench in 2006, as well as the results of this work. From these data it was known that the topmost layer derived from modern use of the area i.e. Jarash festival and other activities (locus 21) easily recognised from the inclusions of plastic, Sweilah sand and other modern contaminators. This was followed by a Circassian agricultural strata (locus 23) primarily made up from thick brown agricultural soil, which again was deposited directly on the mosque courtyard floor (locus 25), which consisting of hard packed clay. Below the mosque courtyard floor was a strata of deliberate packing (locus 26) deposited in order to level the area and fill up the bathhouse in the process of redeveloping the area for the use of the mosque. This layer was again deposited on two layers of fill (locus 36 and 37) that visually were quite different, but appears to have been


deposited with the same purpose of locus 26, namely to level out the area to redeveloping the area to the use of a mosque.

The two loci were markedly different as locus 36 consisted of dark grey ashy soil and locus 37 consisted of large building stones and silty soil. The reason for this difference doesn’t seem to have any other explanation than deposits from different areas were used in the process of filling the area to the desired level. Locus 36 was deposited directly on top of the wall locus 27, the mosaic floor locus 35, and the thick layer of cement locus 50. Locus 50 served as the foundation for the mosaic floor 35, which had clearly been cut away, as quite a large area of cement was preserved bearing cut marks where the mosaic would have been positioned. Locus 35 was preserved in an area stretching app. 75 cm from the wall locus 27 and running parallel into the north western baulk. There doesn’t seem to be any obvious reason for cutting the mosaic in this particular line as the area seems to have been filled up immediately after this action. The most plausible suggestion does therefore appear to be that the mosaic floor was cut in order to use the tesserae elsewhere, and when the required amount had been collected the cutting was stopped. The removal of locus 37 revealed another fill layer (locus 49) the only difference between the two being that locus 37 contained large building stones, which were not included in locus 49. Included among the large stones that were uncovered during the process of excavating locus 37 was a large stone slab originating from the top of the sewer. The stone contained half a manhole of the type that is seem scattered across the cardo, decumanus and the oval piazza at regular intervals. Apparently this stone had been lifted off in order to be used elsewhere, but perhaps due to the odd shape of the stone it was decided to include it in the fill on top of the bathhouse.

The removal of 49 uncovered three different loci: 51 which seems to be a wall foundation; 52, a layer that consists of fist sized stones and soil and appears to serve as a foundation for the cement locus 50, and locus 53 that is very similar to locus 52, but is separated from the other by the wall locus 51 so therefore it is not possible to establish any direct connection between the cement locus 50 and locus 53. Left: half of a “manhole” from the sewer covering by the bathhouse

The topmost strata that were uncovered in the excavation of the southern third of MO/17 contained the same stratigraphic sequence as the northern third. Firstly Jarash festival and other modern deposits (locus 20) followed by agricultural layers (locus 22), mosque courtyard (locus 24) but hereafter the similarities stopped as several walls and architectural features appeared dividing the area in to several smaller bits. The major north-south running wall locus 27 appeared in the western part and the wall locus 28, with the niche locus 29 and its blocking locus 30 made further divisions in the eastern part of the southern third. The area west of wall locus 27 was defined as locus 31, the area between the wall (locus 27) and the niche and wall (29 and 28) was defined as locus 32, the soil in the niche as locus 34, and finally the soil furthest to the east as locus 33. The removal of the latter uncovered a substantial part of the paving defined as locus 40, which was partly uncovered during the 2006 season of excavation, then defined as locus 7. Locus 31 was


excavated to the same level as the adjacent soil excavated in 2006. As an alternative to excavating the entire area west of wall locus 27, a trench that stretched 1.3 metres from the south baulk towards north, was opened. The soil in the trench was defined as locus 45. This excavation revealed a wall (locus 42), which is bonded to wall 27 and expanded towards south-west. Furthermore, the soil contained several large tumble stones, which either served as a foundation or derived from the wall locus 42. The trench was only dug app. 70 cm down from the level of locus 31 and it was therefore not possible to establish the function of these large stones.

The removal of locus 32 resulted in a division of the area into two different loci, locus 38 being a clayish terra rossa fill and locus 39 a yellowish clay packing with a substantial amount of ceramic sherds. Both deposits were used to fill the bathhouse and level the area before the construction of the mosque. They were situated on a stone construction (locus 41) which seemed to have functioned as a foundation for a paving of which only one paving stone remains.

The most interesting part of the excavation in the southern third of the square took place inside the niche locus 29. The first layer to be excavated was the soil layer (locus 34) which based on its content was deposited at the same time as the remaining fill layers as part of the process of constructing the mosque. During the excavation of this locus plaster was found on the walls of the niche. As the removal of the stratum progressed it became clear that the plaster continued behind the blocking of the niche locus 30. Furthermore locus 30 consisted of only 2 courses of unevenly laid stones. A very thin layer of plaster separated locus 34 from the next layer of fill locus 44. This layer continued below the blocking locus 30 but appears to be part of the same process of remodelling the area as the blocking. Included in locus 44 were large quantities of ceramic sherds, among these 2 almost intact small closed vessels. Locus 44 was deposited on a thin black ashy layer (locus 46) which again was situated upon the plaster floor in the niche (locus 48). The black layer at the bottom of the structure was quite puzzling as this resembled the deposits found at the bottom of the hypocaust and not what one would expect to find at the bottom of a basin, as this structure was assumed to be. At the same time no drain was found leading to the sewer running below, but this can be explained by the existence of an unexcavated drain on the other side of the blocking.

A sondage was dug into the plaster floor in order to examine the foundation of the niche as well as the thickness of the plaster and thereby determine whether it would be possible for the structure to hold water. The plaster proved to be approximately 30 centimetres thick, which supports the theory of the structure serving as a basin and not as part of the hypocaust system. The basin would then have stretched from the niche locus 29 to include the area which is now covered by the stone paving locus 40. The black ash must therefore have been deposited as part of the process of filling up the basin. However, in order to confirm this theory I recommend that a sondage is dug through the southern part of the paving locus 40 as this would make it possible to determine the connection to the remaining hypocaust system, if any. The plaster was situated on a solid stone foundation, made from building stones defined as locus 47, which based on their physical position also served to separate the structure from the sewer.


Harris Matrix MO/17 Please note that the numbers that mark contemporary relationships are completely arbitrary and do not relate to the sequence of use of the area.

Locus description list MO/17

Locus Description 20 Layer of topsoil in southern third of MO/17. Jarash festival and modern

use. 21 Layer of topsoil in northern third of MO/17. Jarash festival and modern

use. 22 Brown agricultural layer in southern third of MO/17. Deposited while

the area was in use for Circassian farming. 23 Brown agricultural layer in northern third of MO/17. Deposited while

the area was in use for Circassian farming. 24 Mosque courtyard in southern third of MO/17.

25 Mosque courtyard in northern third of MO/17.


26 Fill on top of demolished bathhouse in northern third of MO/17.

27 = W7 Major wall running app north-south through western part of MO/17. Possible western outer wall of bathhouse.

28 = W8 Wall running from niche in eastern part of MO/27 towards south. Part of enclosure around paving locus 40.

29 = F3 Niche. Part of enclosure around paving locus 40.

30 = F4 Stone blocking in front of entrance to niche locus 29. Constructed in the same event as paving locus 40.

31 Soil layer in westernmost part of MO/17. West of locus 27. Fill deliberately deposited as part of constructing the mosque.

32 Soil layer in central south part of MO/17. Situated between wall locus 27 and niche locus 29. It is fill that was deliberately deposited in relation to the construction of the mosque.

33 Soil layer in the easternmost part of southern MO/17. Fill deposited in connection with the construction of the mosque.

34 Soil inside niche locus 29. Deposited in connection with the construction of the mosque.

35 = F7 Mosaic floor butting locus 27 in northern part of square.

36 Soil layer containing high quantities of ash in western half of the northern 1/3 of MO/17. Deposited as fill in connection with the construction of the mosque.

37 Soil layer east of locus 36 containing a large quantity of building stones. Deposited as fill in connection with the construction of the mosque.

38 Soil layer, which primarily consists of terra rossa between wall locus 27 and niche locus 29. Deposited as fill.

39 Clayish soil with a high proportion of ceramics. Situated between wall locus 27 and niche locus 29. Deposited as fill.

40 = F5 Stone paving butting locus 30. Consisting of fist sized stones laid out in three layers in enclosure. Deposited when original function of enclosure was altered.

41 = F6 Subfloor stone construction between niche locus 29 and wall locus 27.

42 = W9 Small wall, which is bonded to wall locus 27, running towards SW in SW corner of square.

43 This locus does not exist – it is the same as locus 48

44 Soil inside niche locus 29. Below locus 34.

45 Soil layer in trench running from wall locus 27 along south baulk towards the west. Below locus 31.

46 Ashy soil in niche basin.

47 = F9 Plaster floor in bottom of niche locus 29.

48 = F8 Stone foundation below niche locus 29.

49 Soil layer with some stones below locus 37.

50 = F10 Cement foundation for mosaic floor locus 35. Visible where mosaic floor has been cut away.


51 = W10 Small wall foundation running from sewer towards north.

52 Subfloor stone packing. Possible foundation for cement, which again served as foundation for mosaic.

53 Stone packing with soil in North eastern part of MO/17. Possible foundation for a paving, of which nothing remains.

List of Drawings MO/17 Drawing # Description

6 FO#50 Stone originating from top of sewer with half a manhole. Found in locus 37. Scale 1:10.

7 FO#63 Stone originating from niche locus 29. Found in locus 34. Scale 1:10.

8 FO#64 Architectural element found in locus 37. Origin is unknown. Scale 1:10.

9 FO#65 Architectural element found in locus 36. Origin is unknown. Scale 1:10.

10 South baulk. Scale 1:20

11 North baulk. Scale 1.20.

12 West baulk – southern third. Scale 1:20.

13 West baulk – northern third. Scale 1:20.

14 Plan drawing of enclosure consisting of niche locus 29, wall locus 28, blocking locus 30, paving locus 40 and several other loci. Scale 1:20.

15 Plan drawing containing most of MO/17 except enclosure and small area in the North-eastern end, namely loci: 27, 41, 45, 42, 35, 50, 51, 52. Scale 1:20.

16 Plan drawing containing remaining part of MO/17, namely loci: 53, 51, and 52. Scale 1.20.

Used numbers in MO/17 Loci numbers: 20-53.

Feature numbers: 3-10.

Wall numbers: 7-10.

Drawing numbers: 6-16.

Field object numbers: 14-70

Square Summary MO/18 Halfway through the 2007 season, MO/18 was opened as a trench continuing the trench that was excavated in MO/3 towards the south in 2004 and 2005. The trench measure 5.34 in length and app. 4.5 meter in width. The purpose of the trench was to establish a connection between the bathhouse in MO/1 and its contemporary surroundings, in this case the roman period shops. App. The first meter of soil was deposited in most recent times as it contained plastic and other modern artifacts.


This was known from excavating MO/1 where the north baulk showed clear evidence of modern contamination. Whether this originated from the Yale excavation and the area served as a dump or from later modern use i.e. Jarash festival etc is unknown. Due to the extensive contamination this soil was removed without receiving a locus number and without collecting any material. The first layer to be defined was a brown layer covering the entire trench. The removal of this revealed all the features described in the list below.

General view of MO/18 at end of 2007 season, showing the mosaic (3) and stone base (6)

Establishing the relationships among the features as well as their relationship to the shop and the bathhouse appeared to be more challenging than firstly assumed. Mostly because large areas of paving had been removed and most likely reused elsewhere. This event should have taken place in the process of redeveloping the area for the use of a mosque. The process included the demolishing of the bathhouse and the harvesting of good quality building material to be used in the mosque and possible also in other buildings. Therefore it was difficult to establish the exact relationship between the bathhouse and the adjacent shop. The excavated features included a cement foundation with remains of stone paving on top which clearly relates to the bathhouse as it butts the northern bench in the frigidarium basin, which was uncovered during the 2006 season. The paving must therefore have been the paving in the frigidarium. More puzzling is a relatively large mosaic floor in the northernmost end of MO/17. It looks as though it joins up with the back wall in the shop, joining the angle of the bathhouse with the angle of the shop. As noted in previous reports on the bathhouse the building is not oriented on the central north-south, east-west grid as defined by the streets, but clearly belongs to another, perhaps older, grid in the city, which might origin from the Hellenistic period of use of the area. MO/18 and MO/3 appears to contain one of these areas where the different grids in the city must have met. Unfortunately it was not clear how the joining of these two angles correlates with the general bathhouse layout, and further excavation is required before any conclusive remarks can be made.


Harris Matrix MO/18

Locus description list MO/18 Locus Description

1 Soil layer covering entire square. First layer to be excavated below the Yale dump.

2 Soil layer stretching across the south western excavated area.

3 = F1 Mosaic floor.

4 = F2 Stone slabs used to repair the mosaic floor.

5 = F3 Stone feature in north-western corner of MO/18. Butted by mosaic floor.

6 = F4 Stone feature consisting of 4 stones. The feature is aligned with the mosque and not with the bathhouse. It floats on earth and can therefore not be a foundation for a heavy structure. Purpose of structure is currently unknown.

7 = F5 Layer of cement below paving slabs, which butts the bathhouse bench in the frigidarium basin.

8 = F6 Remains of stone paving on cement locus 7.

List of Drawings MO/18

Drawing # Description

1 East baulk. Scale 1:20

2 West baulk. Scale 1:20

3 Plan drawing. Scale 1:20


Used numbers in MO/17 Loci numbers: 1-8.

Feature numbers: 1-6.

Wall numbers: None

Drawing numbers: 1-3.

Field object numbers: 1-6.

Recommendations for further excavation in the Bathhouse Hitherto the excavation of the bathhouse has resulted in a good understanding of the general layout of the building. The hypocaust and the furnace have been completely excavated. The layout of the service area with its separate entrance is relatively good understood. The frigidarium has been located as well as the extent of the bathhouse to the west, and the joining of the bathhouse with northern lying buildings is known.

In excavating a building the size of this central bathhouse there will always be further excavation to be done, questions to be solved or new issues to be raised, but one must also at a certain point determine what is the range of the questions that will be attempted answered in relation the building. In this case many questions could be raised in relation to the service area, the extension of the building to the east and its relation to adjacent buildings, but these questions are not urgent in a way that they might alter the general perception of the bathhouse.

The only truly urgent questions that remains relates to the entrance of the bathhouse and its further connection with the area to the north between the bathhouse and the south decumanus. Therefore I recommend that two 10x10 metre squares are excavated directly west of MO/18. This will provide the continuation of wall locus 27 from MO/17 and stone feature locus 5 from MO/18, which might both be the outer boundaries of the bathhouse. Lastly a sondage should be dug into the paving locus 40 in order to establish the original function of this room before it was filled up and the paving was constructed. Both these areas should be excavated during the 2008 season, which again should be the last season of excavation in the bathhouse.


3. The shops east of the mosque

Square summary for MO/9 and MO/10, 2007 season (area east of eastern mosque wall containing the east entrance) Report: Lars Roenje. Square Supervisor: Lars Roenje. The aim of the 2007 season was to finish the excavation of the shops, situated inside MO/9 and the last, most northern part, of MO/10.

Excavation commenced on 06.08.2007 by establishing the new loci for the shop situated to the south of the east entrance, between wall 2, loc 10 and wall 3, loc.36. All the shops in the area, butting the eastern mosque wall, had in previous seasons been assigned by letters to differentiate them from each other. These letters ranged from A to H and gave the impression that there were 8 shops in total, butting the Mosque wall. At the beginning of this season it was clear that this number was wrong. There can not have been more than 6 shops (as can be seen from the overview photos). I therefore decided to assign the numbers 1-5, beginning with the northern most shop, closest to the eastern entrance.

The shops located to the south of MO/9 were all deemed fully excavated by previous excavators, and this level was already reached by us in the 2006 season, but for several reasons I assessed this to be a premature conclusion. First of all: The ceramic vessels, excavated by my team (from a storage bin in what is now Shop 1) at the end of the 2006 season (FO# 23-27) were found at a level at least 25 cm below the level of excavation in any of the shops excavated in MO/9.

Secondly: The fire install-ation (Feature no. 9, loc. 46 and FO# 22) found in the SW corner of Shop1, was initially thought by me to be a feature dug in to the ground and then used as a hearth. But since last year I’ve been observing the way my family and me behaved when dealing with our fire places. Admittedly all these fire installations are modern in their manufacture and construction, but they all still have to have the ashes removed by hand. FO# 23-27 as found in situ in 2006.

None of us have ever been able to do this without spilling a little of the ashes on the floor, and even if sweeping afterwards the floor will still be left with a fine light grayish layer around the fire place. In modern times we of cause have the option to wash or vacuum the floor, but for a early Islamic shop-keeper, with a floor made out of hard packed earth, sweeping seemed to be the most reasonably way of cleaning. And as stated before: Sweeping always leaves a little ash behind.


Therefore I reasoned that any floor-level, contemporary with the use of the heart, most show traces of ash around it. This was not the case at the current level of excavation.

Thirdly: The central walkway (of Shop 1) between the storage bins didn’t “behave” the way one would expect, it being a path made for people to move back and forth in the shop. Again, from observing the behaviour of modern people, I found out that humans (when moving along a predetermined path, walkway, driveway, road or the like), tend to stay at the centre of the path they are moving along Right: The Fire installation at the end

of 2006

This was especially clear when observing the walkways of our own compound. These are made of large iron plates, and all of them are worn almost shiny in the middle, but are very dusty at the sides, closest to the walls. I thus concluded that an earthenware walkway, like the one in Shop 1, should be determined by a surface that is very compact in the center but a little less hard at the sides. This couldn’t necessary be seen with the naked eye, but the right use of the trowel should make the excavator able to pick up on these differences in soil texture. For these reasons I decided that the shops weren’t fully excavated and we needed to go 20-30 cm further down in order to reach the Umayyad occupation level.

We started out by assigning new loci for Shop 1. This was easily done as all the separation walls for the rooms and the storage bins were found and recorded last year. We just needed to excavate within them. In order to get as close to 100% information as possible, we decided to sieve all the soil excavated from both MO/9 and MO/10. Needless to say, this would decrease our work pace, as everyone had to sieve their own soil in order to keep the finds of the individual loci strictly separated, but in light of the relative small amount of earth needed to be removed this year, I decided to choose information over pace.

Our hope was that the remaining storage bins would contain more ceramic vessels, as the ones excavated in 2006. In that sense our effort showed to be fruitless. As the excavation of the four remaining storage bins (loci 48, 49, 52 and 53) progressed, no vessels of any kind were found. We only managed to unearth small pieces of ceramics, glass, bone and the odd piece of corroded metal mostly nails. One rather large chunk of melted lead was found in locus 48, but we were unable to determine wetter it was placed there as part of the subsurface packing, or kept in the bin for later use. In locus 52 we found our first (of several) piece of a fragmented Byzantine mosaic floor (Feature no. 10, loc.55). Fragment of mosaic floor in loc. 52


We hoped to find a similar piece of mosaic in locus 53 (as this was placed right to the north of locus 52, only separated by the central walkway), but any mosaic that might have been there was destroyed by the construction of Shop 1 and wall 2, loc. 10. What we did find in locus 53 was what seemed to be the remains of a small semi-circular separation wall within the storage bin.

It seemed to be constructed of hard packed earth and fist size stones, but there was no clear way of telling if this feature was created by the excavator or in fact was a real feature from when the shop was in use. Today I lean mostly towards the feature was created by the excavator, but just to be on the safe side, the feature was recorded, photographed and given a feature number (11, loc. 57). Possible semi circular structure in loc. 53

In locus 51 (which is the locus containing the fire installation) our excavation did in fact show that we didn’t have a dug in hearth. When we removed the layers, that we previous thought was the floor level; we encountered deposits of ash on the outside of the hearth. We were able to trace these deposits all the way down to the bottom of the hearth (still on the outside) where they continued horizontally on a hard packed floor level of reddish soil. When this level was reached, we stopped the excavation, finding nothing else but the usual small pieces of ceramics, glass and bone. So the hearth showed to be an installation constructed on a floor surface, and not dug in. The hearth itself was made of a of mud and terra rossa clay, strengthened by applying large shreds of ceramics, tiles and pavers to the outside.

The rim of the hearth was rounded of by applying the shreds of the broken storage jar that we excavated in 2006. This hearth was found in the SW corner of locus 51 but the faint trace charred soil in the NW corner leads me to believe that the fire installation was moved from this location at some point in time. The fire installation after excavation


To the north (and sharing the same separation wall) of locus 51, we knew we had another room, of just about the same size and layout. This room was excavated in the same manner as the rest of the loci, horizontally, 2-3 cm at the time. Except from signs of rodent activity the room didn’t yield any interesting finds to begin with. In the SW corner we did encounter the top of a marble slab that seemed to be standing almost upright, tilting slightly to the west. Due to my choice of excavation method we slowly worked our way down, revealing only a small part of the slab during the course of a working day. At the 13th of August 2007 the locus was excavated to a point where the slab projected 16cm of the ground and Rune Rattenborg (who excavated the locus) was able to see clear black writing in Arabic on the light grey marble slab. We immediately assigned a FO number (FO# 34, loc. 54), triangulated and took levels.

Due to the time of the day and the size of locus 54 (the locus covering the whole of the room where the slab was found) we decided to make a cross section, dividing the locus in half, and creating a new locus (loc. 61). We excavated ca 5 cm further down and made a new cross section, now working on only ¼ of the initial surface area. We now had a small easily manageable locus (62) only containing the marble slab

The marble slab, showing Arabic writing From this locus the slab was lifted at the end of the day and brought to the registration office,

where the work of cleaning and translating the text could begin. From our preliminary and rather superficial translation it seems to be a list of debtors, containing the names and the amount they owe to the shopkeeper. But further research is being done at the moment.

The next area excavated within Shop 1 was the central walkway between the storage bins. As stated above, I was looking for a surface that would be rather uniform in appearance but more compact in the centre than the area butting the separation walls of the storage bins. I gave these instructions to Patrick Lorien and after excavating ca. 15 cm, he was able (trough good trowel work on his part) to determine a level that contained the exact soil features we were looking for. This level was, as we expected, at the bottom of the separation walls of the storage bins. I therefore concluded that the occupation level of the walkway was reached and the locus (72) was closed. Overview of Shop 1 with central walkway


To get an idea of the level of disturbance of the area between the shops and the stylobate, we made a sondage (loc. 78) running from the eastern border of locus 72 and eastwards towards the stylobate. This locus showed quickly to be contaminated by modern activity, as we found candy wrappings, rubber foot soles, modern glass etc. We had hoped to find traces of the shops but the area has apparently been cleared out by someone in modern times (there exists no record of this though).

When excavating what is now termed Shop 2, we were challenged by the fact that the arbitrary baulk separating MO/9 from MO/10 was running right down the middle, dividing the shop in two. We therefore had to be very careful not to mix the locus numbers as well as the finds of these two squares. So even if there was no natural division between the southern part of MO/9 and the northern part of MO/10, we still had to “pretend” to be working in different areas. I achieved this by applying an extensive use of nails and string.

At the end of the 2006 season this shop was left with a rather large quantity of tumble stones still in it. These stones obscured the extend of wall 4, as we couldn’t determine with any certainty if the wall was running all the way to the front of the shop, thus dividing it into two quite narrow rooms. Shop 2 at the end of the 2006 season

During the winter of 2006 I spend several hours studying the photos from the excavation and it made me pretty sure that what could look like the eastern part of wall 4, was in fact tumble fallen from the higher placed coursings and not the in situ lower coursing of wall 4. Our work in 2007 showed this to be true, as we quickly realized that wall 4 didn’t extend further than to the Greek column bases (Feature no. 7, loc. 123), previously thought to be in the middle of the wall. As wall 4 had now changed considerably, we defined a new wall (Wall 5, loc. 64). We now had one shop with two backrooms (divided by Wall 5) and a larger front area with one storage bin and what might have been the remains of another one. The two “back rooms” and wall 5 in Shop 2


In order to find out if the Byzantine mosaic floor into Shop 2 we established a locus (56) in the NE corner, butting Wall 3, loc. 36. As we suspected might be the case a nice piece of mosaic came to light in this locus. The floor extended beyond the boundaries of locus 56 so we made a new locus (74) butting locus 56 from the south. This locus yielded the remaining part of the mosaic and was thus recorded as Feature 13, loc.66. Right: The Mosaic (F. 9) in loc. 118

The storage bin in Shop 2 (locus 118) was situated to the south of locus 74 (in what was the northern part of MO/10), but on the same North/south longitude as Feature 13 and Feature 10. I therefore decided to excavate the bin to the level where we would encounter either another piece of mosaic or the hard packed foundation (found earlier in loc. 52) upon which we knew it was laid. After only a short while of excavating we found what turned out to be the largest and most complete piece of mosaic of the season. We recorded it as Feature 9, loc.125 and made a 1/1 drawing.

In the northern backroom of the shop, situated between Wall 3 and Wall 5 (hence the SW part of MO/9) we found a dark reddish brown floor layer, made out of terra rossa clay packed between closely placed stones of just about fist size. The floor didn’t extend the full range of the shop but stopped at 2.56m from Wall 1, loc. 4 (the eastern wall of the Mosque) which it was butting. We tried to trace the floor on the southern side of Wall 5 but locus 115 and 116 (we are now in MO/10) didn’t show the same kind of floor packing even though we went below the lowest coursing of Wall 5.

We now went on to excavate the area just to the east of locus 116 and established locus 117. This locus had the dimensions of 100 by 140 cm. and was placed between loc. 116 (to the west), locus 118 (to the east), wall 5, loc. 64 (to the north) and Wall 8, loc. 74 (to the south). We couldn’t say for sure if this locus contained a room or just an open area between the backroom (loc. 116) and the storage bin (loc. 118). In order to establish the western extend of the mosaic floor in loc. 118, we excavated to the depth of 23 cm (the construction level of the separation wall, containing loc. 118), but didn’t find any evidence of the mosaic floor beyond the western boundaries of the storage bin.

The second marble slab, found in situ in Shop 2


The interesting find of this locus occurred in the NW corner, right next to (on the south side) of the Greek column bases (Feature no. 7, loc. 123), where Bryan Nichols found the second marble slab of the season. The slab was situated horizontally on the floor level as opposed to the first one; which was found standing more upright in an almost 45 degree angle. The writing on this second slab was considerably more indistinct than the one from Shop 1 and the fine layer of dirt and mud covering it, made it very hard for us to be sure if the slab actually had any writing on it.

Later cleaning has made the letters more visible but at the time of excavation we weren’t completely convinced that we had another inscribed slab. Never the less we decided to treat any marble slab as a possible inscription and thus triangulated, took levels, photographed and assigned a field object number (FO# 41, loc. 117). We preferred to wrongly bag and tag an uninteresting piece of marble as a field object than running the risk of sending an inscribed slab to the ceramic wash to be washed and cleaned as a fine stone.

So to sum up the season; we finished the excavation of the two remaining shops and established their layout. We found evidence of the use of writing in each of the shops. We uncovered and recorded several pieces of Byzantine mosaic floor and proved (trough the final excavation of Wall 5) that what was before known as shop G and F was in fact one shop (Shop 2) in stead of two very narrow shops. We still don’t know for sure what kind of activity went on in all of the shops. I’m convinced that the pottery found in Shop 1 should be seen as representatives of the commodities sold there, but as regard to Shop 2, nothing of the kind was found. The last marble slab might help to shed some light on this question, but as of now we haven’t been able to read the writing.

In regard to next season, it seems reasonable to me to take another look at the shops situated to the south of shop 1 and 2. As the excavation here was stopped prematurely at a level higher than the levels of Umayyad-occupation in shop 1 and 2, there might still be a chance of finding additional inscribed marble slabs. The argument must be that if the shopkeepers of the two northernmost shops kept records on marble slabs, then their colleagues and neighbours might have done the same.

That is no guarantee, of course, but it would be imprudent not to check, especially if one takes into consideration the relatively limited amount of soil that has to be moved. In my estimate; no more that ca. 20cm in most of the loci needs to be excavated. List of loci assigned in MO/9 Locus 48: Storage bin bonded to Wall 3, loc.36, situated in Shop 1. Locus 49: Storage bin bonded to Wall 3, loc.36, situated in Shop 1. Locus 50: Situated south of wall 2, loc. 10 and east of wall 1, loc. 4. The soil is reddish brown with possible contamination (rusty paper clip). Locus 51: The room which contains the fire installation. Soil colour is reddish brown. Locus 52: Storage bin bonded to Wall 3, loc.36, situated in Shop 1. This locus contained Feature 10, loc. 55 (Byzantine mosaic floor). Locus 53: Storage bin butting wall 2, loc. 10, situated in Shop 1. This locus contained Feature 11, loc. 57 (remains of semicircular separation wall within the bin). Locus 54: Situated south of wall 2, loc. 10 and east of wall 1, loc. 4. Soil colour is yellowish grey. The locus is disturbed by rodent activity. This is where the top of the marble slab (FO# 34) first appeared. Locus 55: Byzantine mosaic floor (feature no. 10). Found within locus 52.


Locus 56: This locus is situated on the south side of wall 3, loc. 36 and contains Feature no. 13, loc. 66 (Byzantine mosaic floor). Soil colour is reddish brown. Locus 57: Small semi circular separation wall (feature no. 11) found in loc. 53. Locus 58: Separation wall (Feature no. 12) that encloses loc. 53. Locus 59: Locus that shows the packing of wall 2, loc. 10. Locus 60: Butting the south side of wall 3, loc. 36 and situated to the west of loc. 56. Soil colour is reddish brown. Locus 61: This locus was established during the excavation of FO# 34. A coin (FO# 35) was found here. The colour of the soil is yellowish grey. Locus 62: The last cross section that was made during the excavation of FO# 34. The marble slab was lifted from this locus. Locus 63: This locus contained wall 4, loc. 47 and was made to establish the true length of said wall. Soil colour is reddish brown. Locus 64: Wall number 5, which replaces wall 4. Locus 65: Situated to the east of wall 5 and extends towards the cardo. Soil colour is reddish brown and contains the last of the tumble from wall 4. Locus 66: Feature no. 13 (Byzantine mosaic floor) found in the eastern part of loc. 56. Locus 67: Situated at the central walkway between the storage bins in Shop 1. Soil colour is yellowish grey. Locus 68: Established in the western part of the central walkway in Shop 1. Some large rim-pieces of ceramic were found here and we thought we might have a complete vessel. We were wrong. Soil colour is yellowish grey. Locus 69: Eastern half of the previous loc. 67. Made in order to bring the excavation surface down to the same level as loc. 68. Locus 70: Situated at the central walkway between the storage bins in Shop 1. Soil colour is yellowish grey. A broken ring was found in this locus. Locus 71: Situated between wall 3, loc. 36 and wall 5, loc. 64. Soil colour is reddish brown. Locus 72: Situated at the central walkway between the storage bins in Shop 1. Soil colour is light yellowish grey. This is the locus that yielded the occupation level of the central walkway. Locus 73: A cleaning locus made for the cleaning of Shop 1. Locus 74: Placed at the SE corner of MO/9, butting the “baulk” of MO/10. In this locus we traced the continuation of Feature 13, found in locus 56. Soil colour is reddish brown. Locus 75: Situated between wall 3, loc. 36 and wall 5, loc. 64. Soil colour is dark reddish brown. This seems to be a floor level in the back of Shop 2. Locus 76: Established to the west of loc. 56 and 74 in order to further trace the mosaic floor. Soil colour is lighter brown and contaminated by modern glass. Locus 77: The remains of a storage bin at the SE corner of Shop 1, situated next to loc. 52 and containing another part of Feature 10. The soil is grayish brown and heavily contaminated by silver foil, candy wrapping and plastic. Locus 78: Sondage that runs eastwards from loc. 72 and towards the cardo. The soil is grayish brown and heavily contaminated by silver foil, candy wrapping and plastic. Locus 79: Locus established in order to remove the northern baulk of MO/9. List of loci assigned in MO/10 Locus 115: Situated between wall 5, loc. 64 and wall 8, loc. 74. The soil is reddish brown in colour and covers the SW backroom in Shop 2. Locus 116: Situated between wall 5, loc. 64 and wall 8, loc. 74. The soil is yellowish brown in colour and covers the SW backroom in Shop 2.


Locus 117: Locus is situated east of locus 116 and is butting wall 8, loc. 74. Soil colour is yellowish brown. This where the second marble slab (FO# 41) was found. Locus 118: The only intact storage bin found in Shop 2, containing the best preserved piece of mosaic floor (Feature 9). Soil colour is light grayish yellow. Locus 119: Situated to the north of loc. 118 and to the south of loc. 74 (MO/9). A small piece of Feature 9 was found here. Soil colour is yellowish grey. Locus 120: Placed east of loc. 118 in order to trace the mosaic floor. Soil colour is light yellowish grey. Locus 121: Located to the north of loc. 120 and to the east of loc. 119. Soil colour is yellowish brown. Locus 122: This locus constitutes the “baulk” between MO/9 and MO/10 and was created for the removal of said baulk. Soil colour is yellowish brown. Locus 123: Feature no. 7. Two column bases placed on top of each other as a part of wall 5, loc.64. There are inscriptions on both bases, which have been recorded trough photos and drawings. Locus 124: Feature no. 8. The separation walls containing locus 118. Locus 125: Feature no. 9. Our best preserved mosaic floor situated mainly within loc. 118, but was also traced in loc. 119 and 120.

List of drawings Drawing no. 16: Showing the Greek inscription on column base. Feature no. 7, loc. 123. Scale 1/1. Drawing no. 17: Showing the Greek inscription on column base. Feature no. 7, loc. 123. Scale 1/1. Drawing no. 18: Showing both the column bases of feature no. 7, loc. 123. Scale 1/10. Drawing no. 19: Showing fragmented mosaic floor (Feature no. 10, loc. 55). Scale 1/1. Drawing no. 20: Showing the northern part of mosaic floor in Shop 2 (Feature no. 9, loc. 125) Scale

1/1. Drawing no. 21: Showing feature no. 13, loc. 66. Mosaic floor found in loc. 56. Scale 1/1. Drawing no. 22: Showing feature no. 9, loc. 125. Scale 1/1. Drawing no. 23: Showing the southern side of wall 3, loc. 36. Scale 1/20. Drawing no. 24: Showing the northern side wall 5, loc. 64. Scale 1/20. Drawing no. 25: Showing section of wall 1, loc. 4, between wall2, loc. 10 and wall 3, loc. 36. Scale

1/20. Drawing no. 26: Ground plan showing Shop 1 and Shop 2, as well as the stairs leading up to the

eastern entrance of the Mosque.


Harris Matrix, MO/9 shop 1, 2007

Harris Matrix, MO/9, shop 2, 2007


MO/9, Harris Matrix of loci, 2007

MO/9-10, Harris Matrix of loci, 2007


4. Area GO

Square Summary for GO/2, 2007 Supervisor: Kristina Johansen Report: Kristina Johansen The goals for this years excavation work in GO/2 was focused on getting the level in the northern half of GO/2 to match that reached in the southern half of GO/2 in 2005 (Fig. 1, p. 7). Furthermore the plan was to reopen the trench inside the small enclosure placed centrally in the southern half of GO/2 and to open the sondage running from the eastern wall of the small enclosure and into the eastern baulk.

Work started with laying out the baulks for the northern half of GO/2 and then the greyish topsoil was removed (Locus 42). An older topsoil layer (Locus 43) was identified through organic plant remains and the presence of a thin sand blown red Sweileh sand layer visible in most of the northern half of GO/2 and marking the difference between the newest topsoil and the old topsoil layer. In locus 43 a dark burnt black patch was identified and given its own locus number (Locus 44) it was traced and only had a diameter of 0.52 metres so it is likely to have been the place for a small fire. Along the eastern baulk a concentration of tumble appeared shortly after the topsoil removal started and this area was given a new locus number (Locus 45). The tumble appears to be connected to the wall between MO/14 and GO/2. Many of the tumble stones were in good condition and were kept for later reconstruction work. A doorstep was also identified (F.O. # 019). Next to this tumble area a wide strip showed a high concentration of tegula and imbrex tiles and this area was given its own locus number (Locus 46). In the western side of the excavation area another tumble area was identified and given a separate locus (Locus 47). This seems to be connected to the westernmost wall (wall no.4) visible in the southern part of GO/2 and serving as the western wall of the small enclosure.

During excavation work in the western part of GO/2’s northern half two column bases appeared. One is completely visible (Locus 48) and the other one is mostly hidden in the northern baulk (Locus 53). Both appear to be roughly aligned with the northern most corner of the small enclosure and running on a North-West/ South-East axis they also seem to run parallel to wall no. 4 indicating that they lead to something North-West of GO/2. The desired level in GO/2’s northern half was reached and the outlay indicated that a courtyard like area was present in front of the small enclosure. As the baulk between GO/2 and MO/14 was excavated the wall visible in MO/14 became visible in GO/2 as well only the northern part was still visible and standing to a height of 2-3 courses (Locus 62, wall no. 5). It became clear that a doorway had once been used to get access to the GO area from the alley running between the mosque and GO. An uneven line of fist-sized rocks are visible in the GO/2 surface just in front of the southern end of the doorway, this line of rocks continue well into the GO/2 area. The doorway was quite wide and was set high into the wall both compared to the street level in the alley and the courtyard area in GO/2 and it was later blocked.

The trench inside the enclosure (locus 49) was cleaned and a little scraping was carried out to find the foundation trench. None was identified but another course of stone appeared in wall no. 4 but only the very top of the stones became visible. Wall no. 3 does not seem to have another course but no foundation trench was identified either. Excavation in this area was very brief. The same was excavation in the sondage on the eastern side of the small enclosure (Locus 52, 54, 55, 56, 57). The sondage was cleaned and prepared for excavation but little emerged. A ceramic vessel of some kind with a burnt outside and discolouration in the soil immediately surrounding it was found in the


North eastern part. No separate locus was needed as the soil was discoloured due to our ministrations with the burnt ceramic vessel and not actually a change in the soil itself. However a hard yellow clay layer became visible immediately underneath the looser red-brown soil of locus 54, so a new locus was opened in this area (Locus 55). Excavation of locus 56, right next to locus 55 showed that the same yellow clay was present here only a bit further down so the two loci were closed and a new joint one opened (Locus 57). After this excavation had to be stopped as the baulk had to be removed and made work in the sondage too difficult and dangerous.

Inside the small enclosure between locus 49, wall no. 4 and the northern entrance/exit a small locus was opened as the bottom of a ceramic vessel of some kind was visible in the top layer. Excavation of this locus produced a whole ceramic jar, broken but with all the shards. Containing fine glass pieces and some shell, possibly egg, inside it.

Brushing of the final cleaning locus for the northern half of GO/2 (Locus 61) produced a very fine piece of glazed ceramics that has only ever been found in elite contexts.

The excavation carried out in the 2007 season in GO/2 produced some new information regarding the architecture of this area. A courtyard-like area has been identified together with two column bases running parallel to a wall and going off into a north-western direction. The baulk removal revealed an impressive sized entrance way from the alley into GO/2 that was later blocked.

General view of GO/2 with GO/1 in background, at end of 2007 season; note the blocked doorway to the far lower left


Locus list

Locus Open & closing date Description

42 7/8 2007 Topsoil. Light brownish-red.

43 12/8 2007 Topsoil. Light brownish-yellow with reddish tinge.

44 12/8 2007 Burnt patch. Greyish-black.

45 12/8 2007 Tumble layer. Dark brown with yellow tinge.

46 21/8 2007–22/8 2007 Layer with many Tegulae and Imbrex tiles. Light brownish-yellow.

47 21/8 2007-27/8 2007 Tumble layer. Dark brown.

48 23/8 2007-26/8 2007 Column base.

49 23/8 2007-28/8 2007 Packing layer. Yellow.

50 23/8 2007-28/8 2007 Layer underneath tumble. Reddish brown.

51 25/8 2007-27/8 2007 Levelling layer. Light brown with yellow tinge.

52 26/8 2007-27/8 2007 Cleaning layer in sondage. Light grey.

53 26/8 2007-27/8 -07 Column base.

54 27/8 2007-27/8 2007 Reddish brown.

55 27/8 2007-28/8 2007 Light yellow

56 27/8 2007-27/8 2007 Reddish- brown

57 28/8 2007-28/8 2007 Hard Clay. Yellow.

58 28/8 2007-28/8 2007 Soil platform visible after tumble removal. Brownish red.

59 28/8 2007-28/8 2007 Soil platform visible after tumble removal. Brownish red

60 28/8 2007-28/8 2007 Raised level of soil visible after tumble removal. Reddish -brown.

61 28/8 2007-31/8 2007 Cleaning Locus. Reddish-brown.

62 29/8 2007-31/8 2007 Wall.

63 1/9 2007-1/9 2007 Small square with ceramic jar inside small enclosure


Field object list

Field Object no. Locus no. Artefact # 015 42 Modern coin # 016 42 Modern coin # 017 43 Coin # 018 45 Coin # 019 45 Doorstep w. posthole # 020 61 Coin # 021 63 Ceramic Vessel Feature list

Feature no. Locus Description # 4 48 Limestone Column base # 5 53 Limestone Column base Wall list

Wall no. Locus # 5 62 Drawing list

Drawing description Locus Two layers of tumble. 45 Tumble layer. 47 Doorstep 45 East baulk West baulk North baulk Wall no. 3 Wall no. 4 Wall no. 5 62


42

45 43 44

50

46

58

59 47 51 48

53 60

61

61 52

54

55

56

57

49

63

Harris Matrix for sondage outside small enclosure

Single locus in trench inside small enclosure

Stand alone locus inside small enclosure

62 W5

64

Harris Matrix GO/2, 2007

Harris Matrix for northern half of GO/2


Square Summary for GO/4, 2007 Supervisor: Zakariya N. Na´imat Report: Zakariya N. Na´imat Position of GO/4, former activities, and condition Square GO/4 is located to the north west of the Congregational Mosque Complex discovered in the course of this project. It is separated from the mosque by a north-south street, of which part has been uncovered in the western part of MO/16 to the west. A limited cleaning activities conducted to the west of MO/16 during the 2006 season exposed the top and eastern face of a wall. According to the grid of the site the wall lays within Square GO/4. In consequence, the wall has been affiliated within this current square and was labelled Locus 2 (Wall 1).

Before excavation, the spot which contains Square GO/4 was covered with stone tumble and mixture of brown-to-reddish silty earth and Swailih sand. It seems that the area was a dumping spot for previous “old” excavations in the nearby part of Jarash. This is particularly indicated by the high concentration of pottery sherds that is out of context. Also, preparations for the Jerash festival are represented by Swailih sand that is used for levelling. The surface of Square GO/4 slopes gently towards the east and south east.

Objectives Excavations in this part of the site aimed at establishing the functional-temporal-spatial relationships between the Mosque Complex uncovered to the east and any Early Islamic buildings that might have existed here. Traditionally, in Islamic urbanism, mosque is the religious and social focal point of the settlement and the society. It is therefore likely that the GO area has a particular importance during this time and maybe some economic and social activities were conducted here. Excavation here should provide more insight and would help putting the mosque in a wider on-site context. Loci Identified Locus 1. Top soil, a modern dump of brownish dirt and medium-to-large boulders caused by old excavations and activities associated with the Jerash Cultural Festival. Locus 2. A wall, running north-south, nearly along the eastern baulk. This wall was uncovered during a former season of excavation and has been affiliated within Square GO/4 and it represents the eastern baulk of the square.(Wall 1) Locus 3. A stone circular in the middle of western third of the square. (Feature 1). Locus 4. A modern dump of Swailih sand in the southern third of the square. Locus 5. Top of a column drum in the south-western corner. (Feature 2) Locus 6. lower part of a column drum laying in the north-western corner of the square. (Feature 3) Locus 7. A wall running east west in the northern quarter of the square (Wall 2) Locus 8. A debris layer of brownish earth between Locus 7 (Wall 2 ) and the northern baulk. Locus 9. Brown, loose fill in Locus 3. Locus 10. North baulk removal (assigned but not excavated, indeed not touched). Locus 11. A springer, a well-cut, evenly laid, rectangular hard limestone boulder in the nearly the middle of the northern third of the square. (Feature 4)


Locus 12. A springer, a well-cut, evenly laid, rectangular hard limestone boulder in the nearly the middle of the northern third of the square. (Feature 5). Locus 13. A wall running east-west across the southern third of the square. (Wall3) Locus 14. A wall running east-west. A few stones in the eastern part are within the square before it gradually goes in side the northern baulk of GO 3. (Wall4). Locus 15. A debris layer of brown earth and small-sized boulders between Locus 13 and Locus 14. This locus was uncovered below Locus 4, justifying the emergence of Swailih sand pockets within it. Locus 16. A wall ??, Stones seemingly aligned between Locus 11 and Locus 12. (Wall 5). Locus 17.A Wall. A seemingly double-rowed wall, running north-south along the western baulk. Few stones were uncovered within the square. This wall stretches in the western baulk. (Wall6) Walls Identified Wall 1, Locus 2. A wall, running north-south, nearly along the eastern baulk. This wall was uncovered during a former season of excavation and has been affiliated within Square GO/4 and it represents the eastern baulk of the square. Wall 2, Locus 7. A wall running east west in the northern quarter of the square. Wall 3, Locus 13. A wall running east-west across the southern third of the square. Wall 4, Locus 14. A wall running east-west. A few stones in the eastern part are within the square before it gradually goes inside the northern baulk of GO 3. Wall 5. Locus16. A wall ??, Stones seemingly aligned between Locus 11 and Locus 12. Wall 6. Locus 17 A seemingly double-rowed wall, running north-south along the western baulk . Few stones were uncovered within the square. This wall stretches in the western baulk. Features Identified Feature 1. Locus 3. A stone circular in the middle of western third of the square. Feature 2. Locus 5. Top of a column drum in the south-western corner. Feature 3. Locus 6. lower part of a column drum laying in the north-western corner of the square. Feature 4. Locus 11. An arch springer, a well-cut, evenly laid, rectangular hard limestone boulder in the nearly the middle of the northern third of the square. Feature 5. Locus 12. An arch springer, a well-cut, evenly laid, rectangular hard limestone boulder in the nearly the middle of the northern third of the square. Loci closed Of the above-listed loci only Locus 1 and Locus 4, both debris layers, were fully excavated during this season. Loci under excavation Of the above-listed loci, loci 2-3, 5-17 have not been fully excavated. They have been sketched, levels were taken and work progress shots and end season shots were taken. Atop plan of architectural loci (i.e. walls) have been drawn at a 1:50 scale. Walls and features are to be fully exposed so that they can be fully described and meaningfully interpreted.


Preliminary interpretation The architecture, in fact mostly tops of walls, exposed in GO/4 might be interpreted as to have belonged to two main structural units.

Square GO/4 at the end of excavation, 2007 Unit 1 Wall 1, 2, 3 and 6 might have represented a chamber. This chamber seems to have had an arch-supported ceiling. Feature 4 and Feature 5 can be considered the springers that were supporting an arch that once carried the ceiling. This initial conclusion is based on the fact that the two springs (i.e. Features 4 and 5) are set opposite to each other nearly in the middle of walls 2 and 3 successively. Whether Wall 5 represents a latter addition, to modify the chamber, or the arch collapse is to be investigated in future season. Noteworthy is that arch-carried ceilings is an architectural element that can still be seen in some traditional rural villages in Jordan. The function of this compound is still vague, as it has not been fully excavated Unit 2 Restricted between Wall 3 and Wall 4 is a 2.70 m wide, 10 m long east-west space. At present there are no indications of walls partitioning this area to have existed there. Clearly it opens directly to the north-south street. This unit is probable to have represented an ally. Further field work is needed to uncover the full extension of this alley and whether if it leads to more building to the west as well as its relation to the aforementioned chamber (Unit 1).


It would be premature to talk about the chronology of the excavated remains. They have not been fully exposed and no surfaces associated with clear pottery horizon were identified. Feature 1, a stone circle that has been exposed at a high level within the square, might represent a recent use of this spot. Pottery sherds found in is feature, including two early Islamic lamps, might came about here because of dumping activities. Recommendations Square GO/4 seems to be promising and preliminary indications demonstrate that architecture partially uncovered here belongs to an important building that might be contemporaneous to the mosque complex. Future filed work must continue here. Illumination of walls defined during this season should be a priority for a coming season. I suggest that a forthcoming season in this square should start with assigning 3 new loci: A new locus should be started in the area between Loci 7, 13 and 16. This area has some yellowish clay and some stone boulders and cobbles. Be careful, as you should always be in the excavation, some worked stones, probably representing a feature are emerging here. Another locus should be given to the brown debris in the eastern part of the square between Loci 2, 7, and 16. A column base has been exposed during the sweeping activities that were conducted to prepare the square for an end season picture. This is to take a locus number as well as a feature number (feature 6). Acknowledgments I would like to thank Dr. Alan Walmsley for giving me the chance to join the Islamic Jarash Project and for the several discussions on a variety of topics, Mr. Kristoffer Damgaard and Mr Ian Sampson for their friendship and help in the field.


Harris Matrix – IJP GO/4 (2007)

1

4

15

10

14 W4

17 W6

512

16 W5 11

7 W2

2 W1

6 89 3

13 W3


Square Summary for GO/5, 2007 Report: Kristoffer Damgaard Excavators: Kristoffer Damgaard (University of Copenhagen) and Ibrahim Sa’ad Msalm (Mutah University) Work progress The GO/5 unit is located immediately west of the southwest corner of the mosque (i.e. MO/16), and is currently the southernmost excavation unit in the GO area. It was laid out in line with the GO units from 2005 (i.e. GO/1 & GO/2) in an area that is elevated from the general MO area. The eastern edge of the unit is demarcated by a substantial wall belonging to the presumed GO complex (loc.2/wall 1). This wall was originally identified in 2004. The accommodation of the excavation unit to the architectural features visible prior to excavation means that even though it is in accordance with the overall grid, this actual unit has been slightly reduced in size compared to the standard 10x10 meter squares. The area was surveyed and preliminarily cleared in 2004, but no actual excavation has been conducted here prior to this season.

As excavation commenced, it was evident that although the area had been cleared of some topsoil in 2004 (including a significant modern deposit of red Sweilah sand), there was still a high degree of contamination in the uppermost strata. Opening the unit, the whole square was therefore excavated as a single locus (#1). Nevertheless, it only required the removal of a roughly 30 cm spit before the first individually identifiable loci began appearing. Most important was a substantial constructed feature, which we termed a platform in lack of a better characteristic (loc.3/feat.1).

Figure 1: Platform or paving (loc. 3/feature 1). Also visible is the perimeter wall (loc. 2/wall 1) left of the platform and the modern cable trench (loc.10/feature 2).


In spite of the complete excavation of this feature, it remains unclear exactly what it originally was intended or used for. The installation consisted of approximately 45 large limestone ashlars of varying dimensions placed against each other in a rectangular shape, as if constructed to constitute a small paved area (Fig.1). Both the eastern and southern edges of the platform were defined by stone blocks that were raised between 10 and 30 cm from the general level of the platform, indicating that at least these edges were undisturbed. The western and northern edges of the feature did not have similar demarcations, yet there was no evidence to indicate that the platform had been cut back here either

The platform had been set in a whitish clay packing (loc.6) that contained an extremely high density of ceramic sherds, most of which appeared to be 6th to 8th century material. The deposit surrounding the platform and its clay packing was similarly crammed with these types of ceramic sherds (loc.5). At first, this led us to consider the area as an ancient ceramic dump, but upon closer inspection of the material, it became clear that in spite of the high density and chronological limitations of this sherding, practically no examples of wasters or other purposefully discarded materials were retrieved. Once the general square had been taken down to the packing level, and the platform had been planned and photographed, it was removed. The white packing level immediately below the platform (loc.11) was also removed in this process due to lack of supervision, and revealed a more substantial yellowish clay packing (still full of ceramic sherds) under and around the platform (loc.5). The packing/dumping level is thus currently considered a single leveling deposit – i.e. the yellow clay packing – but because no further excavation was conducted here, it was not allocated a new locus number.

The strip between the platform (feat. 1) and the eastern wall (wall 1) was excavated as a sondage in order to investigate the depth of the packing and high density of ceramic material (loc. 9). Beneath the white clay packing, which the platform was set into, a thicker and more yellowish clay deposit was identified (loc. 11). This was only excavated superficially, but from the initial scrapes into it, it appeared to be as packed with ceramic material as the rest of the square. Running along the perimeter wall a modern cable trench was identified (loc. 10/ feat. 2). The trench had been filled with fine red sand and topped with small slabs of concrete. This modern feature was left in place for now.

In the south-eastern corner of the unit, a dark discolouration of the soil prompted the definition of an independent locus here (#7). The presence of what at first seemed to be a large ceramic sherd was soon redefined as a tabun fragment that had been left in this dark and ashy deposit. Further fragments were retrieved, and although a locus was defined for the presumed content of the tabun (#8), none of the fragments were in situ and appeared to have been dumped here as part of the fill. There was no firebox and the ash of the deposit could well have originated from other types of burning on this surface (e.g. a fireplace). Following a partial excavation of this area to identify the possible tabun fill, the darker strata of the south eastern corner was levelled and extended to constitute an arbitrarily defined 3x3 meter sondage in the south-eastern corner of the square (loc. 12). Although more sandy, locus 12 had a yellowish colour similar to the clay packing under the platform. Furthermore, it contained the same high density of ceramic sherding as seen throughout most of the square.

The locus in the corner sondage was closed when the density of ceramics diminished drastically and the soil colour changed from yellow to a darkish brown (nearing black). That these changes constituted the appearance of an actual surface (upon which the ceramics had been dumped) was confirmed by the discovery of an in situ tabun (loc.13 / feat.3) cut into this surface. More than half of the tabun was missing, and the remaining wall was in an extremely porous state


(crumbling after a light brushing). The tabun wall was roughly 3 cm thick and packed on the outside with coarse clay. The same clay appears to have been used for its foundation. After the kiln’s original identification, its fill was ascribed a separate locus number (#14) and subsequently removed. The tabun content yielded very little material: a few ceramic sherds, some bone and fragments of the tabun wall. The deposit was a dark grey colour and contained carbonized remains, none of which were properly collected.

Figure 2: Vertical shot of kiln foundation (loc.17/feature 5) and in situ tabun (loc.13, feature 3).

Once the fill was removed, a series of ashlars appeared which the tabun appears to have been partially built on top of (loc.17/feat.5). The blocks were laid down in a semi-circular shape and contained remains of what once was a brick superstructure (loc.16/feat.4). Further clearing of the associated surface around the tabun (loc. 15) revealed that the semi-circular limestone feature constituted the foundation of a substantial ceramic kiln; and the brick superstructure the remains of the actual kiln wall. Although smaller than many of its presumed contemporary counterparts, this installation appears to be quite similar to many of the Byzantine and Early Islamic kilns identified throughout the site (e.g. the Artemis Temple and North Theatre). It had a diameter of just less than two meters (198 cm) and the coursing consisted of a double row of substantial dressed limestone blocks. Approximately half of this feature remains covered by the southern baulk. Very little of the brick superstructure remains in situ and that which remains is extremely porous and susceptible to considerable damage due to exposure. Because of this, the feature was carefully photographed and drawn (Fig. 2). A number of kiln wall fragments were discovered in the kiln fill (loc.18), which consisted of a loose brown soil. Unfortunately all of these fragments were discarded without sampling or photography. Bones and ceramic fragments were also common in this deposit.

In the south-western quadrant of the square, the general level was taken down to the presumed surface identified in the south-eastern quadrant. This area (loc.19) included an oddly shaped


depression (loc.20) that contained much looser soil than the surrounding loci. This depression was characterized as a pit, which was subsequently sectioned and partially excavated (loc.22). Nevertheless, the combination of a loose soil fill, a rather arbitrary boundary and time constraints prevented a thorough examination of this feature this season.

The kiln and its contents, as well as the pit, were not fully excavated this season due to time constraints. Following final photography (Fig. 3), both features were therefore covered with plastic and backfilled to protect them from the dangers of exposure. Further excavation of these features and the GO/5 excavation unit will be continued next season.

Figure 3: Final square shot of GO/5


Harris Matrix, GO/5, 2007


List of Loci No. Description 1 Topsoil of entire excavation unit 2 Perimeter wall (#1) defining the easternmost border of the unit and spanning its

entire length. 3 Feature (#1) constructed of dressed limestone blocks and appearing to be a

platform or paved area. 4 Row of stone extending from the southern edge of the unit and into the square. 5 Western half of square in a band around the clay packing (loc.6) under the stone

platform (loc.3). 6 Clay packing surrounding the platform (loc.3). 7 Patch of dark ashy soil in the south-eastern corner of square. 8 Presumed content of smashed tabun discovered in locus 7. 9 Sondage in strip between locus 2 (wall 1) and 3 (feat.1) 10 Modern cable trench (feat.2) running parallel to both wall 1 and the northern

baulk. 11 Clay packing with high density of ceramic sherding. 12 3x3 meter sondage in south east corner of excavation unit. 13 Part of standing tabun wall (feat.3). 14 Fill of tabun. 15 Sondage in south-eastern corner surrounding the tabun installation. 16 Fragments of in situ brick wall – remains of kiln superstructure (feat.4). 17 Kiln foundation. Semi-circular installation of dressed limestone blocks (feat.5). 18 Fill inside kiln. 19 Southwest corner of excavation unit. 20 Delineated pit. 21 Surface associated with the pit (i.e. surface the pit appears to have been dug into). 22 Sectioned pit (same as loc.20). List of Features No. Description Locus 1 Platform or paved area constructed of dressed limestone blocks. 3 2 Modern cable trench. 10 3 Tabun wall. 13 4 Remains of kiln wall 16 5 Kiln foundation 17 List of Walls No. Description Locus 1 Perimeter wall defining the easternmost border of the unit and spanning

its entire length. 2


List of Samples No. Description Reason for sampling Locus 1 Burned olive pits Dating 6 2 Burned seed Analysis and dating 22 List of Field Objects No. Description Locus 001 Coin 1 002 Coin 1 003 Coin 1 004 Gaming piece 1 005 Coin 1 006 Coin 1 007 Coin 1 008 Worked bone 1 009 Ceramic vessel 1 010 Glass bead 6 011 Coin 6 012 Coin 6 013 Coin 6 014 Coin 6 015 Coin 6 016 Coin 6 017 Coin 6 018 Coin 6 019 Coin 6 020 Coin 6 021 Coin 6 022 Coin 6 023 Spindle whorl 6 024 Ceramic oil lamp 11 025 Ceramic find 12 026 Coin 12 027 Worked bone 15 028 Lamp fragment 19 029 Lamp fragment 19 030 Coin 19 031 Coin 21 032 Bead 20 033 Coin 20 034 Coin 20 035 Coin 20 036 Coin 20 037 Bead 20


038 Coin 20 039 Coin 20 040 Coin 20 041 Coin 20 042 Coin 22 043 Coin 22 044 Coin 22 045 Coin 22 046 Coin 22 047 Coin 22 048 Coin 22 049 Coin 22 050 Coin 22 051 Coin 22 052 Coin fragment 22 List of Drawings No. Description Reg. No. 001 Plan drawing of platform/paving (Locus 3/Feature 1) 341 002 South baulk 342 003 West baulk 371 004 Plan of kiln and tabun (Loci 13, 16, 17/Features 3, 4, 5) 356 005 Profile drawing wall 1 (Loc. 3) 335


Publication List on the Islamic Jarash Project (2002-2008) Barnes, H., Blanke, L., Damgaard, K., Simpson, I., Sorensen, M.L. & Walmsley, A., 2006. From 'Guard House' to Congregational Mosque: recent discoveries on the urban history of Islamic Jarash. Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan 50: 285-314.

Bessard, F., 2007. Arabic Shopkeepers’ Accounts from Early Islamic Jarash, Unpublished report, Paris.

Blanke, L. & Damgaard, K., 2005. Moskéen i Jarash. Sfinx 28(3): 134-38.

Blanke, L., Damgaard, K., Simpson, I. & Walmsley, A., 2007. From Bathhouse to Congregational Mosque: further discoveries on the urban history of Islamic Jarash. Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan 51: 177-97.

Damgaard, K. & Blanke, L., 2004. The Islamic Jarash Project: A Preliminary Report on the First Two Seasons of Fieldwork. Assemblage: the Sheffield Graduate Journal of Archaeology (8).

Walmsley, A., 2003. The Friday Mosque of Early Islamic Jarash in Jordan: The 2002 field season of the Danish-Jordanian Islamic Jarash Project. Journal of the C. L. David Collection 1: 110-31.

——, 2003. Islamic Jarash / Jarash. Munjazat 4: 11-12.

——, 2003. The Newly Discovered Congregational Mosque of Jarash in Jordan. Al-'Usur al-Wusta 15(2): 17-24.

——, 2004/5. Excavations of Islamic Jarash, 2002-2005. Majlat Athar 7: 1-9.

——, f.c. [2008]. Pella, Jarash and `Amman: Old and new in the crossing to Arabia, ca. 550-750 CE. In Shaping the Middle East: Cities in Transition, eds K.G. Holum & H. Lapin. Bethesda, MD: University Press of Maryland.

Walmsley, A. & Damgaard, K., 2005. The Umayyad Congregational Mosque of Jarash in Jordan and its relationship to early Mosques. Antiquity 79: 362-78.

Reports Damgaard, K ——, 2007. Field Report – Islamic Jarash Project, 2007 Season (3 pp.).

Walmsley, A ——, 2006. Islamic Jarash Project, Season Report, 2006 (57 pp.)

——, 2006. The Danish-Jordanian Islamic Jarash Project, Press Release – 2006 (2 pp.)

——, 2005. Islamic Jarash Project, Season Report, 2056 (92 pp.)

——, 2005. Islamic Jarash Project. Preliminary Field Report 2005 (4 pp.)


——, 2004. New Discoveries at Islamic Jarash: the mosque, sûq and related buildings. A short report on the 2004 season of the Danish-Jordanian Islamic Jarash Project (5 pp.)



——, 2002. Islamic Jarash within a Roman shell. A discussion paper (7 pp.).

SEASON REPORT, 2007 - ku · Jensen Yasmin Abay ~ Danish Jensen Preben ~ Danish Jeppesen-Drusebjerg...

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