Some of the wall remains in level 6d-b are quite fragmentary, but the structural configuration appears to include at least seven spaces that were assigned separate numbers from 1 through 7 (Figure 5.4). S1 is the external space in the southern part of the trench (S1 and S4 in level 7); S2 is the southwest space northwest of the western part of S1 (S2 in level 7); S3 is the possible courtyard north of S1 (S5 in level 7); S4 is the central space (S6 in level 7); S5 is the space west of S4 (S3 in level 7); S6 is the northwest space (S8 in level 7); and S7 is the northeast space (S7 in level 7). It is unclear if the western part of S1 was originally a
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115 separate space as in level 7 due to the fragmentary nature of the tauf/chineh walls, and the entire area is therefore treated as a contiguous space. S2, S4, S5 and S6 have reed flooring which indicates that they were internal spaces, whereas S1, S3 and S7 had simple earthen floors, fire installations, and accumulations of refuse, which suggests that they were external areas.
Figure 5.4: Plan of level 6b-d with space numbers.
As with the preceding level 7, there are difficulties associated with determining movement between the various spaces due to the fragmentary nature of the walls. The only clear doorway is in the northern part of the wall separating S4 and S5, which indicates that the two spaces may have been functionally linked. It may have been possible to move from S1 into S2 and on into S5, and maybe further into S6; however, due to the fragmentary nature of the walls separating these spaces this is only a suggestion. As only parts of S3 and S7 are located within the trench, it is possible that these spaces were accessed from the east. Access into S6 and S7 may have been from the north, or from the west into S6, in which case it may be that these two spaces were part of a different structural unit (possibly including spaces originally located to the north of the trench) than S1-S5. It may therefore be suggested that the structural remains in this level originally constituted two buildings that shared walls (between S4-S5 and S6, and S3 and S7), and that different (but perhaps closely related) social units resided in each structure.
5.5.2.1: Contextualised maximum capacity
The maximum numbers of Size A and Size B adults that can sit cross-legged and sleep in the various spaces are summarised in Table 5.2 (Figure 5.5). Maximum capacities for sleeping in S1, S3, S6, and S7 have only taken into account the portions of the spaces located within the trench, and should therefore be regarded as minimum numbers.
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Space Sitting cross-legged Sleeping
Size A Size B Size A Size B
S1 10 9 9 7 S2 10 6 5 4 S3 16 12 15 12 S4 4 4 4 3 S5 12 9 7 6 S6 11 10 8 7 S7 6 5 7 5
Table 5.2: Modelled contextualised maximum capacities for level 6d-b.
Since S1, S3 and S7 extended beyond the excavated area, it is not known whether they were fully or partly enclosed courtyards, or open areas, perhaps apart from S3 which was enclosed on at least three sides. As only limited parts of S1 and S7 were located within the trench it was decided to assess the number of adults that could have sat around the hearths as if engaged in activities associated with their use, as well as along the western wall in S1, rather than model maximum capacities in the same manner as has been done for the other spaces. Both spaces were potentially large enough to allow the co-presence of a number of people; S1 could accommodate at least ten Size A or nine Size B adults sitting, whereas there was room for a minimum of six Size A or five Size B adults sitting in S7. It is possible that these spaces may have been used for sleeping during the summer, as S1 could accommodate nine Size A or seven Size B adults sleeping, and S7 had room for seven Size A or five Size B adults sleeping. The possible courtyard S3 may also have served a similar function during the summer as it afforded space for at least fifteen Size A adults or twelve Size B adults sleeping, perhaps more depending on its original size. In S3 the maximum capacities were modelled for the southern part of the space only, as it is assumed that people would avoid sitting or sleeping in the accumulation of refuse outside the oven. The space may still have accommodates at least sixteen Size A or twelve Size B adults sitting cross-legged, which indicates that the space had room for a range of activities to take place, including food-related activities and social gatherings possibly involving different social units (e.g. when holding meetings, or celebrating various festivities).
The remaining four spaces, S2, S4, S5 and S6, appear to have been internal spaces, and S2, S5, and S6 were all large enough to accommodate the co-presence of a number of people. S2 was the smallest of the three with room for ten Size A or six Size B adults sitting cross-legged, and five Size A or four Size B adults sleeping. This indicates that S2, S5, and S6 had the potential to be living spaces for social units consisting of three to eight individuals. The presence of the oven in S4 would have restricted the amount of people that could have been present in the space at any one time. There was enough room for two adults (Size A and Size B) to sit at either side of the oven, or four Size A or three Size B adults to sleep. However, these scenarios depend on whether S4 was used for storage,
117 and/or if the oven was in use and how much heat it radiated into the space, as it might have been uncomfortable to sit or lie down too close to it.
Figure 5.5: Modelled maximum capacities of Size A (top) and Size B (middle) adults sitting cross-legged and sleeping (left and right respectively), and modelled capacity for goats and fodder in S4 (left) in level 6b-d.