Unearth the captivating mysteries of Çatalhöyük, an ancient Neolithic settlement where beds doubled as resting places for both the living and the deceased. Located in the heart of Anatolia, this extraordinary site challenges conventional norms with its honeycomb layout, absent streets, and the peculiar absence of roadways.

Beneath raised platforms, the remains of ancient inhabitants tell an unusual tale, with homes holding as many as 30 individuals. Discover the perplexing secrets of complete skeletons, heads moved to separate locations, and the rare plaster-encased skulls that reveal unique burial customs.

This Neolithic community blurs the line between biology and society, redefining the very concept of family and questioning the boundary between life and death.

Join us as we explore the enigmatic practices hidden beneath the beds of Çatalhöyük, offering a fresh perspective on ancient life, death, and the enduring connections that transcend time.

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References

Barley, N. (1995) Dancing on the grave: encounters with death. London: John Murray. 

Çatalhöyük Research Project (no date) Çatalhöyük site guidebook. Çatalhöyük Research Project. http://www.catalhoyuk.com/sites/default/files/Catalhoyuk-Guidebook-ENGLISH.pdf Accessed 2 September 2021 

Haddow, S.D. and Knüsel, C.J. (2017) Skull retrieval and secondary burial practices in the Neolithic Near East: Recent insights from Çatalhöyük, Turkey. Bioarchaeology International, 1(1/2), 52-71. 

Houwink ten Cate, P. H.J., Collon, D. P.M., Haldon, J.F., Easton, D.F., Lloyd, S. H.F. and Woods, J.E. (2021). Anatolia. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Anatolia Accessed 1 September 2021 

Pilloud, M.A. and Larsen, C.S. (2001) “Official” and “practical” kin: Inferring social and community structure from dental phenotype at Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Turkey. American journal of physical anthropology 145(4), 519-530.  

UNESCO. (no date) Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1405/ Accessed 10 September 2021 

Yaka, R., Mapelli, I., Kaptan, D., Doğu, A., Chyleński, M., Erdal, Ö.D., Koptekin, D., Vural, K.B., Bayliss, A., Mazzucato, C. and Fer, E. (2021) Variable kinship patterns in Neolithic Anatolia revealed by ancient genomes. Current Biology 31(11) 2455-2468.