Small carnivores from a Late Neolithic burial chamber at \xc7atalh\xf6y\xfck, Turkey: pelts, rituals, and rodents

Kamilla Pawłowska,Adrian Marciszak

doi:10.1007/s12520-017-0526-1

Abstract

Results derived from the analysis of small carnivores from a burial chamber at the Late Neolithic Çatalhöyük (TP Area) shed light on the socioeconomic significance of stone martens (Martes foina), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and common weasels (Mustela nivalis). All of these are fur-bearing animals, though only the stone marten remains to show evidence that this animal was exploited for its pelt. The evidence consists of the observed skeletal bias (only the head parts and foot bones were present) and skinning marks. Two of five sets of articulated feet are most likely linked with an almost completely preserved human infant skeleton, one of two well-preserved skeletons that were interred on the burial chamber floor. In contrast to these, other human skeletons were found mostly incompletely preserved, though with evidence of articulation. It seems that the articulated forepaws were deliberately incorporated into the structure, most likely as a part of burial practice and ritual behavior. These distinctive deposits, along with rich grave goods, emphasize the uniqueness in the entire Anatolian Neolithic of the assemblage from the burial chamber, which is decorated by a panel incised with spiral motifs.

Highlights

Çatalhöyük (37°23′28′′ N, 32°00′10′′ E) is a well-documented Neolithic site in Turkey, located in Central Anatolia (Fig. 1)
The remains of small carnivores from the TP burial chamber reveal the presence of stone martens (Martes foina), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and common weasels (Mustela nivalis)
That stone marten paws were included for their symbolic value as ritual paraphernalia, most likely in connection with the significance of a particular place—the multiple burials in a decorative burial chamber

Summary

Introduction

Çatalhöyük (37°23′28′′ N, 32°00′10′′ E) is a well-documented Neolithic site in Turkey, located in Central Anatolia (Fig. 1). The remains of small carnivores from the TP burial chamber reveal the presence of stone martens (Martes foina), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and common weasels (Mustela nivalis). Weasels, and even badgers are present in the animal installations; their purpose might have been apotropaic, since they pose little danger to humans They are placed almost exclusively on the east wall, where burials often occurred, strongly suggesting some link to the dead, whether to protect the living from ghosts or to keep ancestors safe (Russell and Meece 2005). The bones were densely scattered throughout the northern part of the interior of the structure, with the exception of two nearly complete skeletons (units 17698 and 17622) found in the south part (Czerniak and Marciniak 2008; Hager and Boz 2008). A large number (more than 30) of grave goods were found in the infill of the structure (Czerniak and Marciniak 2008), including stone beads, flints, obsidian arrowheads, stone axes, a flint dagger, worked bones, pigment, and figurines; none could be associated with any specific individual

Materials and methods

Conclusion

Findings

Compliance with ethical standards