ÇATALHÖYÜK 1998 ARCHIVE REPORT

Pottery from the East Mound, 1998

JonathanLast

1) BACH Area

Below is a summary of the 1997 conclusions, with additional information from 1998: 

- The grave fills contained small sherds of Neolithic and Classical pottery, the former including a high proportion of Late Neolithic red slip wares. 

This year the only four red slip sherds came from grave fill 2263 which produced seven sherds in total, including a Hellenistic body sherd. Mean sherd size is again very small (2.3g). The presence of Late Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic sherds in this area, which lacks evidence for structures of those phases, might be explained by the use of abandoned buildings or areas as a source of clay for mudbrick manufacture. The Chalcolithic building partly excavated this year on the West Mound included a couple of Neolithic sherds within the bricks of one of the walls (see West Mound report). 

- Only c70% of sherds from the fill of B.3 were definitely Neolithic; late pottery and red slipped sherds came from all contexts except the lowest spits. 

There was less intrusive material in 1998, but still some evidence for the disturbance of prehistoric deposits. Roman sherds came from: 2250, the fill of Space 158; 2266, the fill of Space 88 (a large Roman handle at the southern end of the room); and (possibly) 2275, the fill of Space 89, which produced a tiny fragment that appears wheel-made. 

- Some vegetable-tempered sherds of Level VIII type came from the lower fill, especially the midden deposits. 

In 1998, further vegetable-tempered sherds came from: 2238, ?roof collapse in Space 86; 2250, clearly a contaminated context; and 2269, a fill within Space 86. Given that B5 appears to be strongly associated with such material (though the sample is small, it is probably of level VII date), the presence of residual elements in the uppermost deposits of the north area is not surprising. 

- A pair of joining sherds (2227.S1, 2228.S1) and a number of other large sherds, all from the three south-eastern squares within B.3 (2209, 2216, 2239, 2255.X3) may belong to the same vessel. This area produced the greatest number of Neolithic sherds within B.3 and larger pieces on average than in the rest of the building. 

A number of finds of dark brown burnished sherds this year allowed the identification of further sherd joins. Up to 45 sherds may belong to this vessel (Figure 46.1), forming two large refitting groups, a few pairs of sherds, and a number of individual pieces that look similar (see Appendix). The units definitely linked to 2227 and 2228 by new joins include: 2203, the layer above 2227; 2209, the surface layer in the extreme south-east corner of Space 86; grave fill 2237; 2239, the spit below 2227; 2255, the midden deposits beneath 2239; and 2270, a deposit associated with platform F167 in the south-east corner of Space 86, below 2209. Probably from the same vessel elsewhere in Space 86 are (so far) non-joining pieces from: 2216, the spit below 2209; 2218, a lower spit in the north-east of the space; 2229, a fill below 2216; and 2273, part of the possible collapsed roof. Other likely connections exist with other spaces to the south and west: 2250 (Space 158), 2266 and 2268 (both deposits in Space 88). Further possible connections link Units 2238, in the northern half of Space 86, roof collapse 2272, and 2289 in Space 88, though it is less obvious that these are from the same pot. Evidence for more than one pot among this collection is provided by a base sherd from 2260, a fill deposit towards the centre of Space 86, which implies a diameter greater than that of the rim sherds defining the major vessel (Figure 46.2). 

That vessel is c 120mm in diameter and at least that high, with a wall thickness of 3-6mm (average 5mm). The exterior of the vessel is burnished dark brown with some darker grey mottles, the burnishing achieved with vertical strokes; the interior is lighter in colour and less heavily burnished. The paste is generally fired red-brown in colour, with poorly sorted mixed mineral grains from 0.1 to 1mm in size. It is, as stated in 1997, a typical vessel of level VI/V type, and rather resembles the near-complete pot discovered in Space 71 of B.1. 

The sherd links also have some implications for understanding formation processes in B.3. The find from 2237 implies that the graves were at least partly backfilled with the spoil excavated when they were cut. Otherwise the definite joins are restricted horizontally to the south-eastern part of Space 86, though they may be over 2.0m apart and cover a depth of 0.3m or more (Figure 47). This implies a rapid collapse or fill, rather than the slow accumulation of fine layers. The broad distribution of joining sherds and possible links with the roof collapse might suggest a pot that fell in from the roof, but their spread over a considerable depth suggests a reworking of soil with the same origin to provide the building fill, and perhaps therefore a deliberate post-abandonment backfill. The sherds from Spaces 88 and 158 generally occur at greater absolute heights and may not be part of the same pot (I am not sure how the heights of surfaces in the different spaces compare). Further examination will be undertaken since it would be of interest to definitively link fills of different spaces, implying a certain unity to the fill process right across B.3. 

Appendix

Non-joining sherds probably of same pot: 
2209.S2, 2216.S1, 2218.S2, 2228.X6, 2229.S5, S6, 2239.S3, 2250.S2, 2255.X3, X20, S1, S4, 2266.X15, X17, 2268.X10, 2273.S1 

Non-joining sherds perhaps of same pot: 
2209.S1, 2229.S7, 2238.X7, 2260.X1, 2266.X18, 2270.S2, 2272.S1 

2) North Area

and represent three basic ware groups: 
(I) level VI type (thin-walled, mineral-gritted) (24) 
(II) level VII (transitional) type (thick-walled, mineral and/or sparse vegetable inclusions) (12) 
(III) level VIII type (thick-walled, vegetable-tempered) (11) 

Removal of the walls of B.1 produced four sherds apparently from the bricks or mortar: these are relatively large and unabraded, considering they were certainly displaced from their original context. All three ware types are represented including a bowl rim and small, rather thick base of Group II (probably dating to the phase immediately prior to the construction of B.1). These few pieces suggest a variety of contexts were plundered for building material, and that it was not sufficiently reworked to crush up all the pottery. 

The deposits beyond these walls represent levels contemporary with B.1. Consequently, the majority of the material belongs to Group I, although Space 69 to the west (Units 3026, 3057) produced a mixed group of four sherds including a bowl rim of Group II. From the area to the east (3042) came a number of dark-faced, generally rather small sherds of Group I, like the material from B.1 itself. The only diagnostic piece was a single bowl rim (2 sherds; Figure 48.1). The fill south of B.1 also comprised mainly Group I material, but this was better preserved, including a large piece from a typical level VI holemouth jar (Figure 48.2), one sherd showing evidence of post-breakage burning (3021). Also from this area were three pieces refitting into a large body sherd of Group II (3031). 

Fewer pieces came from B.5, particularly when taking into account the volume of soil excavated. More sherds were found in spaces 154 and 155 (4 each, with 1 from the niche in between) than 157 (2) or 156 (none). The remainder (6) came from the upper fill before these space numbers were allocated. Vegetable-tempered sherds of Groups II and III predominate, and the material is slightly more fragmented and worn than that from outside the walls of B.1, suggesting more reworking of the B.5 deposits. The presence of Group I sherds from 2558 (high in the fill), 3233 (Space 155 fill) and 3280 (pit-fill in154) is some evidence for the origins of the 'level VI' type in the previous phase. However, the small assemblage and lack of any in situ material prevents any conclusions on changing ceramic technology in this potentially interesting phase. Barring serendipitous discoveries of de facto refuse deposits, this will remain the case - unless the emphasis on excavating only buildings is replaced by a more balanced examination of different types of deposits The majority of Mellaart's finds from levels IV and V came from 'courtyards'. Those around B.5 and even perhaps B.1 may not be quite so prolific but the contrast between 115 and the other spaces in the Mellaart area (see below) shows that the contrast remains valid in the lower phases. From the point of view of this specialist, more judicious sampling of a range of spaces selected from the 1994-95 scrape plan would be extremely welcome. 

3) Mellaart Area

Space 106 

This space is discussed in the 1996 archive report; the few sherds assigned to 106 this year were the thinnest-walled from the Mellaart area (consistent with it belonging to an earlier phase). All the sherds included chaff temper, but there was a high proportion of Group II fabrics (see report on North) making this a typical level VII assemblage, probably contemporary with B.5. There was one bowl rim, perhaps with a slightly inturned rim (form B1). 

Space 112 

The sherds from 112 are remarkably consistent in size and thickness with those found in the same Space last year; all the sherds in 1998, however, were chaff-tempered (20% Group II). A single bowl rim was found (B2). Unit 3733 (room-fill) had relatively worn sherds compared to the other contexts with pottery (2844, 2876, 3129, 3380). Perhaps this signifies some variability in the formation processes of the deposits filling this space. 

Space 115 

Space 115 produced the most and the largest sherds. This reflects the fact that the midden was a place of secondary refuse deposition, whereas the building fills are primarily reworked deposits ('tertiary' refuse). In contrast, almost nothing has been found on floors (primary or de facto refuse) in the Mellaart area. The assemblage from 115 is mainly Group III, but 9% were mineral-gritted; however, the mean thickness of these pieces (8.1mm) is greater than the typical level VI material, as found in B.1 and B.3. The presence of a small number of mainly or entirely mineral-tempered sherds within level VII assemblages has been noted (see report on North area) and it appears that these go back to level VIII or earlier. Some have relatively sparse mineral grits, differing from the Group III fabric only in the lack of evident vegetable matter. Others are more interesting, including: sherds 3702.S1 and 3740.S6, which had common fine/medium sand inclusions; 3740.S23 and 3773.S10, which had moderate medium/coarse inclusions up to 1mm in diameter. The last of these is also a rim sherd and was unusual in form as well, apparently being part of a holemouth jar (though the small size of the sherd means the form is not entirely certain). 

Ten other rim sherds were all bowl forms (e.g. Figure 49.1-2), one with a slightly everted rim (form B3). Their mean diameter is c 140mm. 13 bases generally had rounded junctions, and were slightly thicker on average than the body sherds (Figure 49.5). One had a weak foot (3115.S1), perhaps a result of the method of joining base and wall, while another showed a slight omphalos base (3740.S14; Figure 49.4). The most unusual object (3740.X5), perhaps not a potsherd at all, initially appeared to be a crude pedestal base, although closer inspection suggested there are no breaks and the object is complete (Figure 49.3). Lacking in any surface finish and irregular in profile, it may be a stopper or lid, perhaps for an organic vessel of some kind since the diameter of c 50mm seems too small for a pot lid. 

No cross-context joins were noticed, although 3143.S1 and 3773.S4 may be from the same vessel. However, Space 115 produced a number of joins in 1996 and 1997, and when complete the entire assemblage will repay further examination. Given the possibility of useful information on depositional practices and the formation of the midden, it is to be regretted that 3-D recording of potsherds has not taken place. This has already produced interesting results for the Bach area (see above). Unfortunately in the Mellaart and North areas one can only conclude that the micro-processes revealed by micromorphology and heavy residue sorting, on which considerable time is (justifiably) spent, are considered of more value than macro-artefact distributions - since recording 3-D coordinates of what amounts to about 2 sherds per day is deemed unjustifiably time-consuming. This is not merely griping; the loss of information, of course, has real implications in terms of the types of interpretation which can be put forward. The privileging of sampling over artefact distributions is seen also in the relative expenditure of training and supervision time on flotation compared to dry sieving; the latter seems to provide merely a comforting illusion of total recovery. If ceramic studies at Çatalhöyük are to move beyond the merely trivial, more attention should be given to both excavating a broader range of deposits (see report on North area) and introducing 3-D recording as more than a token gesture. 

Space 116 

Since only two of seven sherds from 116 were X-recorded in 1998, one can only assume that even that token gesture has been largely abandoned. But there would be little to conclude from such a small assemblage anyway - though the number of finds seems about average for the building fill of such a small space. Mean sherd size and abrasion are approximately equivalent to that for Space 112. 

Space 160 

This rather peripheral area ironically produced the only reconstructable vessel from three years digging in the Mellaart area. It is not complete, however, and appears not to have been in situ since there was no evidence of an associated surface. The vessel is a thin-walled, mineral-gritted vessel of level VI type (unlike the pieces from Space 112 Since 3343/3344 appears to be a deposit of level VII, this would be convincing evidence that the introduction of level VI pottery actually occurred in the preceding phase, which is still poorly characterised. Such conclusions await a definitive statement on the stratigraphic relationships and phasing of 159/160. Twenty-two joining sherds were found, comprising about half of a medium-sized open bowl some 160mm in diameter, with a slightly inturned rim (B1), simple flat base with rounded junction (T4), and dark brown or grey-brown burnished surfaces.
 

Figure 46 Pottery from BACH area (1 - 2270.X4 etc; 2- 2260.X1).

Figure 47 Distribution of joining sherds in BACH area, Spaces 88, 89 (figures next to points are heights above 1000m).

Figure 48 Pottery from NORTH area (1 - 3042.S1; 2 - 3021.X1 etc).

Figure 49 Pottery from midden in MELLAART area, Unit 3740, Space 115 (1 - S21, 2 - S1, 3 - X5, 4 - S14, 5 - S17).