preserved, it has been possible to question the
degree of continuity between Temples II and III: in
particular, the apparent lack of an oval platform, an
Eastern Court and a well chamber in Temple III have
been noted as possible signs of changes in the cult
(21). In order to investigate these problems a north-
south sounding was made in 2004 at the northern
edge of the temple.
Temple III oval platform
The north-south sounding was placed between two
sections from the old excavations, the Main Section
(section 19) and section 31, right between the two
plinth-stones north of the Temple III platform (22).
The sounding began in 53.3 N and ran almost 25 m
to the north (Fig. 18).
At the edge of the mound, c. 58 m N, a thick layer
(layer 6) of plaster and stones was uncovered, 1.9 m
wide, with a base level of 2.78 and a top level of 2.14.
This is interpreted as the foundation of a wall,
plundered by means of pit 3, cutting through layer 4
and leaving a layer (layer 5) of sand with much
plaster rubble on top. The same foundation layer of
plaster and stone was recorded with similar levels in
the old Main Section and was followed for 12 m
towards the west-southwest (23). In the old section
31 deep diggings (plundering) can be seen in the
probable position of the wall (layers 2–3).
In the primary publication this wall/foundation
was interpreted as a continuation of the northwest
oval terrace wall of Temple IIb (24), but the building
technique and the levels are too different for that to
have been the case. The oval wall of Temple IIb is in
its northwest occurrence built of uncut stones, laid in
clay; it is quite thin, 30–45 cm wide, has base levels
of c. 3.10–3.25 and is preserved only to a height of
10–20 cm. Conversely, the wall/foundation dis-
cussed here is constructed of stone and plaster
fragments with clay and plaster as mortar and
especially with light brownish plaster occurring in
large horizontal sheets. It is much broader, in some
places more than 2 m, and has a base level at 2.78
and top levels at 2.12–2.40 (25).
As will be shown below, the surface of the Temple
IIb oval platform is in the North-South Section
indicated by layers 7 and 10, and layer 4 must be
interpreted as oval platform fill of Temple III boun-
ded by a now plundered terrace wall standing on the
53.3N/-4.15E
S
300
400
200
100
400
500
300
200
2
4
7
9
8
10
12
17
13
15
14
17
18
10
1
1
21
25
27 28
26
22
23
33
17
39
17
33
32
30
29
34
33a
33b
35
37
36
38
39
43
42
44
41
40
31
30
29
48
47
46
45
56
55
57
61
62
63
52
51
50
58
53
54
59
61
60
49
N
39
24
3
5
19
17
16
0
1m
5m
11
6
20
Fig. 18.
North-South Section north of the temple, compounded of several separate sections. 1: sand, stones and plaster rubble, spoils from early
excavations. 2: yellow-brown sand with many stones and plaster rubble. 3: grey-brown sand with scattered lumps of plaster. 4: greyish-
brown sand with scattered lumps of clay. 5: grey-brown sand with much plaster rubble. 6: stones in plaster. 7: powdery, dark grey-
brown ashes with charcoal and burnt bones. 8: sand and ash. 9: yellow sand with lumps of plaster. 10: grey-brown clayey sand with
lumps of clay and plaster. 11: clay. 12: brown to grey-brown sandy clay. 13: light grey-brown clayey sand. 14: dark grey-brown ash and
charcoal. 15: brown to grey-brown sandy clay. 16: grey-brown clayey sand with lumps of clay and plaster. 17: sterile yellow sand,
subsoil. 18: light grey-brown sand. 19: light grey-brown clayey sand. 20: circular stone with central hole. 21: light brown sterile sand. 22:
light brown sandy clay with few stones. 23: dark brown sandy clay. 24: light brown clayey sand. 25: light brown clay. 26: grey-brown
clayey sand with lumps of clay and plaster. 27: rather dark brown sandy clay. 28: grey-brown clayey sand with lumps of plaster. 29: light
brown sand. 30: grey-brown clay. 31: grey-brown sandy clay. 32: dark grey sand with plaster and bitumen. 33: grey-brown sand with
patches of clay and plaster. 34: grey-brown clay. 35: very dark sandy clay. 36: grey sand. 37: dark brown sandy clay with charcoal. 38:
dark yellowish-brown sandy clay. 39: greenish-gray sand with lumps of compressed sand, subsoil. 40: shells. 41: dark clay with stripes of
light sand. 42: grey sand. 43: yellow brown sand. 44: yellow sand. 45: light brown sand. 46: yellow-brown sand. 47: almost sterile yellow
sand. 48: almost sterile brownish-yellow sand. 49: yellow-brown sand. 50: brown-black soil. 51: dark brown soil. 52: grey-brown sand. 53:
grey sand. 54: dark-brown soil. 55: grey-brown sand with lumps of clay. 56: light brown clay. 57: brown to grey-brown clayey sand. 58:
small stones laid in plaster. 59: grey-brown sand with lumps of clay. 60: dark-brown soil. 61: grey-brown sand. 62: dark brown soil. 63:
light grey sand with lumps of compressed sand.
F. HØJLUND ET AL.
116