Explorations in Bible lands during the 19th century - H. V. Hilprecht

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EXPLORATIONS IN BIBLE LANDS
crude bricks" (on an average 16 inches square and 3^2
inches thick), made of " tenacious clay thoroughly mixed
with finely cut straw and well kneaded." They are "of
good mould, and in proportions, size, and texture closely
resemble the stamped crude bricks of Naram-Sin." Though
Haynes devoted much time to their identification, he could
determine neither the design of the building nor " the era
of its construction." Yet he felt sure that it was " the lowest
and most ancient edifice "
thus far discovered in the temple
enclosure of Nippur, and that its bricks are "the prototype
of those of Naram-Sin, which they doubtless preceded by at
least several centuries." To my regret, I must differ again
with these conclusions after having studied the history of
the ziggurrat in connection with a second personal visit to
the ruins in 1900.
While examining the surroundings of this interesting edifice,
Haynes came first upon the same gray or black ashes
as are found everywhere in the court of the ziggurrat immediately
below Naram-Sin's pavement, next upon " lumps of
kneaded clay," then upon several stray bits
of lime mortar.
All these traces of human activity were imbedded in the
debris characteristic of the lower strata, which largely consist
of earth, ashes, and innumerable potsherds. When he
"""j
had reached a depth of nine feet from the
top
of the solid structure, — in other words,
*** had descended about four feet below the
bottom of the ancient curb on the southeast
side of the stage-tower, — he found a large
quantitv 1 of fragments of terra-cotta water
T-Pipe joint
pipes of the form here shown. Though
the reports before me offer no satisfactory
clue as to their precise use, there can be little doubt that
they belong to the real pre-Sargonic period. I will try to
1
" Several hundred of these objects were found within a radius of five
feet."