Çatalhöyük is an archaeological site in Anatolia whose settlement last from approximately 6500 BC to 5720 BC by James Mellaart’s dating. Although the dates given by the current excavating team are from 7300 BC to 6100 BC. Çatalhöyük is most active during the VII to the V levels occurring between 6600 BC to 6300 BC. This can be proven by looking at what makes Çatalhöyük change. Çatalhöyük is a display of amazing continuity over centuries, contrasted strongly by what changes do occur- often in the VII to V levels- in the food related production, the production and use of tools, the changes in house construction, and the tradition that occur inside the home.
Food based production is controlled largely by the climate surrounding Çatalhöyük, as well as by changes in the production process, such as with the cooking methods, and the food that is eaten. The annual spring floods and the seasonal changes most likely caused the area surrounding Çatalhöyük to be very fertile and an easy place to grow crops, which would start off the changes in the production in food that would allow people more time for non necessities like art and ancestry. Changes like the switch from clay balls to pots around levels VII and VI, allowed less time to be spent cooking and more time in spent doing none necessary activities. By changing the food that was eaten the Çatalhöyük people also affected their lifestyle. Around level Pre-XII.A and again at level VII the grazing grounds for sheep and goats is widened, this change would affect how much energy and time the Çatalhöyük people would need to invest to get access to their meat. The first change at Pre-XII.A coincides with a decrease in pig and deer meat being brought onto the site, possibly because the wid...
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Changes in food production, tools, and home all would greatly affect the Çatalhöyük people and would direct their lives to a more productive society. Changes in food production and preparation allow for more time spent in other tasks, like specialization in tool production, and specialization in tool production increases community ties. The entire settlement of Çatalhöyük becomes more interconnected. With a more interconnected society that focuses on ancestry and history the Çatalhöyük people became more likely to continue settlement. All of these important changes are occurring mostly in the VII to V levels of Çatalhöyük.
Works Cited
Ian Hodder, “The Leopard’s Tale Revealing the Mysteries of Çatalhöyük,” (London: Thames and Hudson, 2011), 44.
James Mellaart, “Çatalhöyük: A Neolithic Town in Anatolia,” (London: Thames and Hudson, 1967), 52.
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