Nisa
OLD NISA - EXCAVATIONS IN THE SOUTH AREA OF THE CITADEL (2007-2010)
South East Area, Sectors A, B, C, D, E
In 2007 the Italian-Turkmen Expedition focused its attention onto the south-east and south-west sectors of Mitrhidatkert. Two old JuTAKE trial trenches close to the eastern city walls have been reopened and cleaned (B, C) and a new trench immediately to the north was dug (D, approximately 8,5x9,5 m). Excavations here reached the sediment layers to a depth of about 160-180 cm: there are no substantial structures in the soundings but some remains of Parthian masonry still preserved to a height of 30-40 cm probably belong to a series of structures leaning against the fortification walls. More to the west, an area of approximately 42x25 meters has been investigated. This area, close to the fortification walls, overlooks the central depression of the site, and is characterized by an archaeological deposit only 50-60 cm thick: the excavations have revealed an artificial levelling made by pebbles, stones and mud (thick up to 1 meter) resting on the natural soil. About 20 big jars for storage (khums), all of them unfortunately in fragments, were found in situ. It is clear that in Parthian times this area was not characterized by monumental structures but likely appointed to functional purposes, perhaps for storage of food commodities. Sector E is located more to the south/south-west (10x10 m). The earth filling here was approximately 50-70 cm only and didn’t hide any trace of walls or masonry but again was characterized by an irregular series of khums, directly sunken into the virgin soil. The pottery coming from this sector belongs both to the Arsacid and Islamic periods.
South Western Area, Sector I
Approximately 30 meters south of the Round Hall, in the SW corner of the citadel, a large building has been found, reaching a total extension of about 60 x 65 meters so far. The building has a central square court, delimited by 4 thick walls that are flanked by rooms of different shape and size. The Northern and Eastern sides of the building are badly preserved, ancient masonries having been cut by medieval walls in pakhsà and by old trenches. These sides of the Parthian building seem to be composed by two main parallel rows of rooms of different size, whose ancient floors lie at different levels, following the natural sloping down of the terrain towards the North. Four rooms in the Western wing, and three in the Southern one, were probably used for storage, as witnessed by several khums and clay sealings found there; moreover, six ostraka have been found in a room in the Western wing. Two corridors separate these wings of the building from the fortified walls of the citadel. They are impressively large walls, composed of three main steps preserved at a total height of 6 meters. Their core was made of pakhsa, while their exterior part was of mud bricks; above them, a thick layer of plaster was spread several times.
They are connected by crossing walls that create rooms for functional use. Courtyards and open areas probably opened to the east and west. Though the building materials and technique are here poorer than those usually known in the main central complex, the size of the building is remarkable and its main walls are thick. At least two Parthian phases of frequentation close in time are recognizable: in fact no layers of debris are visible between the two floor levels. A third phase of occupation is only attested in some rooms and may perhaps be dated to the last Arsacid phase of occupation of Old Nisa. Islamic structures, generally made in beaten clay, partially cut the ancient levels, but are too fragmentary and it is not possible, at the moment, to understand the precise character of this occupation. However, must have been substantial, judging from the amount of medieval pottery found in the area.
Sector G
A trench of approximately 13,5x2,70 m has been opened on the eastern side of the circular basin of the citadel. A deep sounding of 4x4,5 m and 7,30 m deep has been dug down to the bottom of the basin. Although partial and limited, this survey seems to rule out the presence of masonry inside of the basin. Perhaps the perimeter of the basin was simply levelled.
Sector F
During the 2008 campaign, excavation extended in all directions except westwards. The 2007 trench was enlarged in order to expose a surface of about 550 m2 and measured 30x20 m. Below a layer of sediment, the two buildings recovered during the 2007 campaign (Buildings A and B) have been completely unearthed. Building A, located to the north of Sector F, consists of at least 11 rooms and extends north-eastwards. Two different building techniques have been recognised. The perimeter walls were made in pakhsa, the inner walls were built with a mixture of loose earth, pottery sherds, rubble and fragments of mudbricks or baked bricks, covered by a thick layer of mortar.
Pottery sherds have been found in substantial layers of Building A (in the foundation trenches of the walls or in earlier layers), which date to the Islamic period (9th-12th centuries AD). Building B, located to the south of Building A, is composed by one large rectangular room of more than 8,5x6 m (room 1), built in pakhsa. Very few sherds have been discovered inside room 1.
SECTOR J
A deep sounding was carried out in a shallow depression north of that investigated in 2008 and 2009. The original trench measured 10 x 5 mts; inside, a deep sounding of 5 x 5 mts was opened up to 5 mts in depth from the top soil surface. No significant cultural levels neither structures have been recognized in the area; some hollows filled with potsherds, fragments of bones, a few objects and a thick layer of ashes, are the only track of human intervention in this sector.