Excavations in Area B

Area B occupies a large portion of the northern sector of the site. It is located to the north of Area A and east of the North Tomb Group and is defined by three, or possibly more, large complexes. These cover an area of approximately 240m north/south and 100m east/west and are separated by intervening laneways. Structure 1 is somewhat puzzling as to its original function. One possibility is that it served as an administrative facility, which contained a number of rooms in excess of 200, courts and corridors, and was at least two storeys. Recent work has targeted the northernmost complex where richly decorated rooms belonging to a residence have been uncovered and a columbarium (dovecote or pigeon loft) has been investigated.

Decorated wall plaster in the painted residence

• Structure 1
• A large building that may have once functioned as an administrative facility containing over 216 rooms and entered via a colonnaded courtyard.
• Painted Residence
• This complex is designated as B/3/1, but generally referred to as the "painted residence". Its walls are decorated in rich and varied patterns of a very high quality.
• Columbarium
• A structure located near the painted residence and perhaps part of the same complex. It once housed ceramics in the upper storey walls as a means of providing nests for pigeons.
• Detailed Map of Area B
• Detailed Map of B/3/1 and B/3/2 in Area B