Conceptualization of the Neolithic world in incised equid phalanges: anthropomorphic figurine from Çatalhöyük (GDN Area) (original) (raw)
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Animal Figurines from Neolithic Çatalhöyük: Figural and Faunal Perspectives
This article presents a study of the zoomorphic figurine assemblage from Neolithic Çatalhöyük in central Turkey. Figurine manufacture, depositional condition and contexts of discard are discussed, to find that their fragmentation seems related to fabrication methods and use rather than intentional breakage. We show animal figurines deriving mostly from midden contexts, indicating an expediency in their use. Analysis then focuses on a sub-set of 104 relatively complete quadruped figurines. We introduce a method for transparently grouping them into morphological types, with the aim of querying whether they reflect actual animal forms, and if so, to explore representational variation and consistency within those forms. Three key findings emerge from this sub-study: 1) while ambiguity exists, many figurines strongly suggest real animal forms; while wide morphological variation is seen within ‘taxon’ groups, there are clear areas of consistency in depiction, implying an intention for recognition that persisted over extensive time periods; 2) across animal forms, careful attention is given to modelling heads, horns, tails, and sometimes neck and forequarters, showing a hierarchy in representation; 3) figurine makers at Çatalhöyük were adept at expressing different forms of the same animal type, adults and juveniles, removable features, animal movement, and occasionally very finely modelled forms. The combined evidence — viewed alongside the Çatalhöyük faunal remains and other animal portrayals — is employed to consider alternative interpretations of the figurines. While no one interpretation fits the highly varied assemblage, we argue that they most likely played roles in real everyday activities, such as animal exchange, herding, management, hunting and tracking, and thus reflect aspects of human–animal engagements not witnessed by other archaeological finds.
A tale of two platforms: Commingled remains and the life-course of houses at Neolithic Çatalhöyük
2015
The majority of burials at Neolithic Çatalhöyük (7400-6000 calBC) consist of intramural subfloor primary interments, most often underneath the northern and eastern platforms of the central room. Loose, disarticulated skeletal remains such as crania and other elements are often recovered from the grave fills of these burials, but it is often difficult to determine whether they represent an intentional secondary redeposition or an unintended consequence of disturbances of earlier primary burials by later ones. As a result, the commingling of skeletal remains at Çatalhöyük is extremely common. In this paper, we seek to build upon previous discussions of the formation of commingled deposits of human skeletal remains at the site by focusing on two very different assemblages recovered from adjacent platforms in Building 52, a house currently under excavation in the North Area of the site. These two skeletal assemblages exhibit various degrees of commingling and represent the outcome of divergent mortuary practices: one characterized by successive inhumations carried out over time and the other by an unusual single interment episode consisting of multiple individuals in various states of articulation. Our aim is to demonstrate the relationship between these two assemblages and the occupational history of Building 52. We argue that the life-course of houses and the individuals associated with them were deeply entangled. This shared biography was achieved through the periodic and episodic incorporation of bodies – whole or in part - within the fabric of the house.
08. A ‘token’ story? The small geometric clay objects at Neolithic Çatalhöyük
The Matter of Çatalhöyük: Reports from the 2009-2017 seasons, 2021
Contributors v List of figures vi List of tables xv Acknowledgements xix 1. Moving matter at Çatalhöyük Ian Hodder and Serap Özdöl Kutlu 1 2. Neolithic Çatalhöyuk and the outer world: the origin, rise and demise of the settlement in its regional context Arkadiusz Marciniak 31 3. Heavy residue Milena Vasić (with contributions by Jovana Tripković) 45 4. Pottery production technologies and quantified analysis Duygu Tarkan 71 5. Figuring diversity: the Neolithic Çatalhöyuk figurines Carolyn Nakamura (with contributions from Lynn Meskell) 97 6. Tracing human-animal relations across time and space through animal materialisations Lindsay Der 7. Large clay balls at Çatalhöyuk East Lucy E. Bennison-Chapman 8. A 'token' story? The small geometric clay objects at Neolithic Çatalhöyuk Lucy E. Bennison-Chapman 9. Beads and pendants in life and death: insights into the production, use and deposition of ornamental technologies at Çatalhöyuk Milena Vasić, M. Siebrecht, Christina Tsoraki and Rena Veropoulidou (with contributions by V. García-Díaz) 10. The shell artefact assemblage at Neolithic Çatalhöyuk Rena Veropoulidou 11. Textiles, cordage and basketry from Çatalhöyuk Lise Bender Jørgensen, Antoinette Rast-Eicher and Willeke Wendrich 12. Spatial contexts, temporalities and experiences of architectural paintings at Çatalhöyuk Gesualdo Busacca 13. The ground stone technologies at Neolithic Çatalhöyuk: issues of production, use and deposition Christina Tsoraki 14. The chipped stone of Çatalhöyuk Sean Doyle
Analyses of material culture and human remains uncovered at the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük have, thus far, suggested that the daily lives of men and women did not differ greatly. However, indirect evidence seen in the site’s figurative representations, including wall paintings and figurines, has contributed to earlier interpretations associating males with wild animals (and hunting activities) and females with plants (and agricultural activities). The present study seeks to re-examine whether activity-related divisions along gender lines actually existed at Çatalhöyük. Markers of habitual mechanical stress, workload, and postural behavior directly observable on human remains integrated with data derived from the chipped stone and ground stone assemblages provide the basis for a better understanding of the activities in which Çatalhöyük’s inhabitants regularly engaged. Specifically, pertinent data from the obsidian projectile point assemblage elucidates hunting practices (e.g., use of bow and arrow vs. spear). Similarly, variations in the size and morphology of grinding tools, such as one-hand or two-hand manos, suggest differences in the kinetics involved during grinding activities (e.g., reciprocal vs. rotary grinding). The integration of people, objects, and practices greatly clarifies gender roles in past societies.
The Archaeobotany of Mid-later Occupation Levels at Neolithic Çatalhöyük
Hodder, I. (ed.) Humans and Landscapes of Çatalhöyük: Reports from the 2000–2008 Seasons. British Institute at Ankara; Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press, 2013
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