ÇATALHÖYÜK 2005 ARCHIVE REPORT

CULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS REPORTS

Human Remains

Lori D. Hager with contributions by Başak Boz, Jim Gosman, Simon Hillson, Tomasz Kozlowski, Clark S. Larsen, and Marin Pilloud

Abstract

The 2005 field season at Çatalhöyük yielded many new Late Roman/Byzantine and Neolithic skeletons.  A total of 71 individuals were recovered during excavations on the East Mound of Çatalhöyük: 17 dating from the Late Roman or Byzantine time periods, and 47 from the Neolithic.  The 47 Neolithic skeletons found this season were from the 4040, TP, South Summit excavation areas. Isolated human remains were recovered from the area under excavation by the IST team. The skeletons were found in different variations of the crouched position typical of Çatalhöyük burials of this time period.  Orientation of the body varied.  The most striking element about the human remains recovered at Çatalhöyük in 2005 is the high number of neonates, infants, and children found in the Neolithic deposits.  In the 4040 area alone, 21 neonates were found this season, 14 of which were found in relatively close proximity to one another.  The total number of individuals who died before adolescence (i.e., neonates, infants, and older children) found this season comprises 55% of the Neolithic sample.

The 17 late skeletons were found in the 4040 and TP areas of excavation.  Nearly all individuals displayed the typical pattern of this time period in their position and orientation. The bodies were in an extended position with the heads to the west and the feet to the east.  There was one exception to this pattern where the feet were to the west and the head to the east.  Most of these skeletons were extended on their back but five individuals were extended on their right side.  These five individuals were clustered together in the south part of the 4040 in well-defined graves.

Özet

2005 sezonunda çok sayıda Geç Roma, Bizans ve Neolitik döneme ait iskelet bulundu. Doğu höyüğünde toplam 71 insan iskeleti ortayaçıkarıldı.Bunların17tanesiGeçortaya çıkarıldı. Bunların 17 tanesi Geç Roma veya Bizans, 47 tanesi ise Neolitik döneme tarihlendi. Bu 47 iskelet, TP, 4040 ve Güney Alanı’ndan çıkarıldı. Izole edilmiş insan kalıntıları, IST alanından çıkarıldı. Bulunan iskeletler Çatalhöyük’e özgü olan büzülme pozisyonun değişik biçimlerini almışlardır. Vücutların yönleri de farklılık göstermektedir. 2005 yılında ortaya çıkarılan insan kalıntılarının en çarpıcı yanı, Neolitik kalıntı içinde bulunan, en yüksek sayıdaki neonat, bebek ve çocuklardan oluşmasıdır. 4040 alanında ortaya çıkarılan, sadece 21 neonattan 14’ü birbirlerine çok yakın biçimde bulunmuşlardır. 2005 sezonunda, ergenlik çağına gelmeden (neonat, bebek ve büyük çocuklar) ölenlerin toplam sayısı, Neolitik örneklerin % 55 ini oluşturmaktadır.

4040 ve TP alanlarında geç döneme ait 17 adet iskelet bulunmuştur. Bu iskeletlerin pozisyon ve yönleri o döneme özgü olan bir örnek göstermektedir. Vücutlar uzanmış biçimde olup, başları batıya, ayakları ise doğuya doğru yönlendirilmiştir. Bu örneğe ters düşen tek bir iskeletin ayakları batıya, başı ise doğuya doğrudur. Bu iskeletlerin çoğu sırt üstü uzanırken, 5 tanesi sağ tarafları üzerine yatmaktadır. Bu 5 iskelet, 4040 alanının güneyinde ortaya çıkan belirgin mezarların içinde bir küme halinde bulunmuşlardır.

Introduction

The 2005 field season at Çatalhöyük yielded many new Late Roman/Byzantine and Neolithic skeletons.  A total of 71 individuals were recovered during excavations on the East Mound of Çatalhöyük: 17 dating from the Late Roman or Byzantine time periods, and 47 from the Neolithic.  The chronological age of seven individuals is indeterminate until further analysis has been completed.  The multiple secondary burial from the 4040 is particularly interesting given that the burial fill context is clearly from later times although the bones themselves could be from either Neolithic or later times. If the bones are deemed to be late (i.e., late individuals disturbed by late individuals), then this is our first instance of a secondary multiple burial in late times at Çatalhöyük. A preliminary assessment of this burial complex is given below. The discussion that follows is the result of our field and lab work during the 2005 field season. Additional analysis will be done on these materials in the near future to clarify some of the issues raised.

Table 1. Summary of Late Roman / Byzantine and Neolithic Burials Recovered

Neolithic burials

The 47 Neolithic skeletons found this season were from the 4040, TP, South Summit excavation areas. Isolated human remains were recovered from the area under excavation by the Istanbul team. The skeletons were found in different variations of the crouched position typical of Çatalhöyük burials of this time period.  Orientation of the body varied.  Some bones were in better condition than others.  The skeletons which had been in the areas of greatest erosion and those which had been disturbed by later peoples tended to be poorly preserved.  Distinct burial cuts were evident for some but not all of the Neolithic graves.  Several instances of multiple individuals buried in small spaces were encountered. One multiple burial of adults and one juvenile was excavated in the South Summit.  In the 4040, multiple neonates were found together in several instances.

The juvenile from the South Summit had a magnificent string (or strings) of beads mixed with animal teeth wound around its ankles. Otherwise, the Neolithic individuals found this year were devoid of grave goods or personal belongings directly associated with them. Beads and other objects were sometimes found in the burial fill without direct association to an individual. For instance, a string of multi-colored beads was found in Space 248 in the TP area but they were not directly related to any specific individual.  

The most striking element about the human remains recovered at Çatalhöyük in 2005 is the high number of neonates, infants, and children found in the Neolithic deposits.  In the 4040 area alone, 21 neonates were found this season, 14 of which were found in relatively close proximity to one another.  The total number of individuals who died before adolescence (i.e., neonates, infants, and older children) found this season comprises 55% of the Neolithic sample.

The contexts in which the children were found are varied.  Most were found under the floors in rooms.  Seven neonates were laid in two corners of one small room, others were found abutting the west wall, some were located near the north or south walls, and two were found in midden deposits.  Understanding the various house contexts in which these children were placed is one focus of our post-season research on these children. 

Descriptions of Neolithic burials

Area: 4040

F. 1572  (10282) (1 young adult)  
This individual was a young adult found near the northern edge of the 4040.  Sex was indeterminate. The head and other elements of the upper and lower body were missing.  The skeleton was close to the surface and suffered from erosion.  Animal burrows were also present throughout the grave pit which contributed to the disturbed nature of the skeleton.  The body was found between two Neolithic walls of different buildings. 

Table 2. Neolithic Burials by Age

F. 1585 (10330), (10335), (10336) (3 neonates)
F. 1585 consists of three neonates found in a Neolithic wall which had been truncated by the large Roman foundation trench in the center of the 4040.  Several bones were found to be eroding out of the east wall when the trench was emptied of the infill.  Excavation of the bones yielded the remains of three neonates found tightly clustered together in what appeared to be a single burial cut. All three were of approximately the same age.  Their burial together likely represents a single event.

F. 1588 (10333) (1 neonate, Space 254)
The partial remains of a single neonate were found in the northwest corner of Space 254.  The burial cut had been made in the floor of the room.  The body was lying on its left side, probably in a crouched position.  The pelvis and lower limbs were missing.  Animal disturbance was noted in the area.

F. 2006 (11913) (1 neonate)
This skeleton was represented by the partial remains of a neonate.  Located near the surface, the skeleton suffered from a high degree of erosion.  Several elements were out of articulation or missing.  The inferred burial position is flexed.  The burial cut was between two Neolithic walls.

F. 2020 (10361), (10370), (10391) (3 neonates)

Found in the southwest corner of Space 258, three neonatal skeletons were found in close association with each other in a small burial pit.  There appeared to be at least one, possibly two, burial cuts in the southwest floor of this small side room.  The burial fill was homogenous for all three skeletons.  All the neonates were in a tightly flexed position.  Skeletons (10361) and (10370) were found at the same level.  Their burial positions initially suggested they had been buried at the same time.  However, (10370) was not disturbed while the right arm, left leg and hips of (10361) had been.  A third neonate was found to be partially under (10370).  The legs of this third neonate (10391) extended towards (10361).  This suggests (10361) was buried before (10391) and that the disturbance to (10361) probably occurred at the time of the interment of (10391).  The last neonate in the pit was probably the relatively undisturbed (10370).  It is interesting to note that four additional neonates (see below) were found in the same floor in the northwest corner of the same space.

One possible sequence of burial events for F. 2020 is as follows (latest event on top):
(10370) third (last) interred, possibly disturbs left arm of (10391)
(10391) second interred, disturbs left leg and hips of (10361)
(10361) first (earliest) interred

F. 2027 (10366), F. 2028 (10368) (10389), and F. 2038 (10390)
Four neonates were found in northwest corner of the small side room known as Space 258.  This is the same space and floor where three neonates (F. 2020) were found in the southwest corner.  All of the four neonates from the northwest have articulated elements but they have also been disturbed to some various degrees. The northwest area was characterized by high animal disturbance which may account for the nature and extent of most of the disturbance to the burials.  In one instance, the interment of a later burial (10390) may have disturbed an earlier burial (10389).  The burial cut for (10390) appeared to have partially cut into the grave of the (10389).  In this case, (10389) would have been buried prior to (10390), and (10389) may then represent the first individual to be placed into the corner.  (10390) would likely have been the second neonate in the pit given its depth.  However, it is also possible that (10368) was second in the pit given that this neonate lays directly above (10389), and then (10390) might have been third (vs. second).  In this case, (10366) was the last individual to be put into the pit.

The possible sequence(s) of the burial events for F. 2027 are as follows (latest event on top):
(10366) fourth (last) interred
(10368) third interred (possibly second)
(10390) second interred (possibly third), partially disturbs (10389)
(10389) first (earliest) interred

F. 2027 (10366) (1 neonate, Space 258)
This neonate was the last of four neonates to be buried in the northwest corner of Space 258.  The body was placed on its stomach in a tightly flexed position.  The burial is up against the north wall of the space. The skeleton was incomplete, probably due to animal activities.

F. 2028 (10368) (10389) (2 neonates, Space 258)
(10368) was the third of four neonates to be buried in the northwest corner of Space 258.  The burial abuts the north wall and lies next to (10366) and directly above (10389).  Flexed and placed on its stomach, (10368) was oriented in a similar manner as (10366).

F. 2038, (10390) (1 neonate, Space 258)
(10390) was tucked in the northwest corner of space 258.  The body was at the lowest level of the burial pit in a clearly defined cut.  The nearly complete body was lying on its back, flexed at the knees with the legs on the thorax.  The arms were flexed and by the head.  The interment of (10390) may partially disturbed (10389). 

F. 2030 (11926), (11927), (11935)
Three adult Neolithic skeletons were found in an area that was highly eroded.  The skeletons are poorly preserved, incomplete, and highly fragmented.  It is possible the three skeletons were placed within the same burial cut.  Neolithic walls were visible to the west and south. 

F. 2030, (11926) (1 adult)
The partial remains of this individual suggest this is an adult of indeterminate sex.  This individual was the most gracile of the three individuals.

F. 2030, (11927) (1 adult)
This is the fragmentary remains of an adult. 

F. 2030, (11935) (1 adult)
The disturbed remains are from an adult.  The skull of this individual was lying on its right side. 

F. 2031 (10384), (10388) (2 neonates in midden, Space 268)
Two neonates were unexpectedly found in a midden context in Space 268.  One individual (10384) was directly above the other (10388). Both were oriented with their heads to the west.   (10384) had been disturbed during excavation.  (10388) was lying on its back with the arms to the side of the body.  The legs were flexed backwards and were positioned alongside the lower body.  The lower legs were crossed. While there was no burial cut in evidence, it is possible these two neonates had been buried at the same time in the midden given the similarity of their positions and close proximity to one another.  It is also possible that they represented redeposited midden.

(10388) appeared to be slightly older than (10384). 

F. 2037 (11957), (11971), (11972), (11979)
Six neonates were found in Space 264.  Four of these neonates (11957), (11971), (11972), and (11979) formed a north-south line along the west wall.  Three of these neonates (11957), (11971), and (11972) may have been buried together in a single burial event even though there was not a distinct burial cut to provide evidence for this.  They were all at approximately the same level.  One neonate (11979) had its own burial pit.  This was also the most disturbed of the neonates and probably represents an earlier burial event relative to the other three neonates.

(11973) (F. 2159) and (11975) (F. 2154), also neonates, were in close proximity to these four neonates of F. 2037.  All six neonates appear to have been associated with burial cuts in the same floor of Space 264.

F. 2037, (11957) (1 neonate, Space 264)
This neonate was on its right side in a flexed position.  The right arm was extended in front of the face; the left arm was missing.  Although many of the lower limb bones were present, it was clear some disturbance had occurred.  In addition, leg bones from another neonate were found under the skull of (11957).  These bones probably represent an earlier individual who had been disturbed during the interment of (11957).

F. 2037, (11971) (1 neonate, Space 264)
Flexed tightly at the hip, this neonate was on its right side.  The right arm was extended in front of the body and bent at the elbow.  The knees were bent 90 degrees with the lower leg extending in front of the body.  The feet extended towards (11957).  While some disturbance was evident, the skeleton was the most complete of the four neonates in this feature. 

F. 2037, (11972) (1 neonate, Space 264)
This neonate had been placed on its left side in a tightly flexed position.  The right arm was extended next to face and the left arm extended alongside the body.  The hip and knees were flexed with the knees drawn to the front of the body.  The left leg had been disturbed.

F. 2037, (11979) (1 neonate, Space 264)
The neonatal skeleton was partially disturbed although the bones present were in articulation. The body was probably on its stomach in a flexed position with the legs alongside the upper body.  The right arm was bent at the elbow with the lower arm extended away from the body. A distinct burial cut was evident towards the lower levels of the fill.  This burial was likely disturbed during the interment of (11972).

F. 2154, (11975) (1 neonate, Space 264)
This neonate was found in a distinct grave adjacent to the south wall of Space 264.   The burial pit was quite small, accommodating only the tightly flexed body of the neonate.  The body was placed on its stomach with the hips and knees flexed.  The head was against the south wall.  The arms and the legs were alongside the head and body.  The hands and feet were to the sides of the head.  A small bin had been found in the level above (11975 but does not appear to be related to the neonate.

F. 2156, (11982) (1 adolescent, Space 265)
The remains of a juvenile aged between 15-17 years were found in Space 265.  Sex was indeterminate.  The individual was on its back in a tightly flexed position with the knees on the chest.  The body was inclined to the left.  Some disturbance was evident since the right lower arm, right foot and part of the left foot were missing.  The skull may have been displaced from the rest of the skeleton given that it was found several centimeters above the post-cranial elements.  The burial cut was not distinct from the surface although the burial fill became more distinct as the excavation of the skeleton continued, particularly at its basal boundary.
F. 2159, (11973) (1 neonate, Space 264)
This neonate was located in Space 264 at the same level as the four neonates in F. 2037 and the one neonate in F. 2154.  (11973) was in a distinct grave.  Lying on its right side, the body was tightly flexed.  The right arm was bent at the elbow with the hand in front of the face. The left arm was displaced.  The legs were flexed at the hips and knees.  Additional bones from another neonate were found immediately beneath (11973).  These bones will be excavated at a later date.  Animal disturbance was present in the basal area of the burial pit.

F. 2158, (11996) (1 neonate, Building 54, Space 265)
The fragmentary remains of a neonate were found in the near the northern wall of Space 265.  The burial cut and burial fill were distinct from the surrounding soils.  The body was on its back in a tightly flexed position.  It is possible this neonate is from the same level as the other neonates from Space 264.

Area: South

Building 44, East Platform (F. 1320) and its foundation layers

All the 2005 South Area skeletons at Çatalhöyük are from a multiple burial complex in Building 44. The burials were found in the east platform (F. 1320) of the building which has been placed in Level IV/V.  The multiple nature and complexity of these burials was first apparent near the end of the 2004 field season (see archive report 2004). The excavation of the skeletons from F. 1320 was completed during the 2005 field season. 

One individual, an infant skull (11621) was found in the east platform outside of the multiple burial pit. The rest of the skeletons are part of the multiple burial in the east platform. The multi-layered burial pit had been cut into the floor of the east platform, extending into the platform’s foundation layers.  Preliminary study of the material suggests an MNI of 10 individuals.  Throughout the platform, the soil was homogenous in color, extremely compact, and difficult to excavate.  Burial cuts were not clear in all instances.  Nearly all the bones were in poor condition. 

The platform had been opened and closed several times by the Neolithic people for the purpose of human burial. It is also possible that the platform was opened and closed by Neolithic people in order to retrieve body parts. Each cut and interment of an individual impacted the ones below it.  That is, many of the individuals buried earlier in the platform had been disturbed, or partially disturbed, for the burial of a later individual and/or for the retrieval of body parts.  The resulting disturbed bones appear as disarticulated bony elements that had been scattered throughout the burial pit as part of the burial fill.  Most of the larger disarticulated bones occurred in the upper layers of the burial fill. The non-articulated bones were given X-find numbers in the burial fill (11608) while the articulated elements were given skeleton unit numbers.

Six articulated skeletons were present in the east platform.  Two of these skeletons were bodies without crania.  Four isolated crania were found.  One of these was a cranium with part of the upper neck and shoulder in articulation. One individual consisted an articulated left foot. 

The location of the six articulated skeletons in the pit and the pattern of disturbance to the skeletons can be used to suggest a sequence of burial events.  One possible sequence of events for the east platform in Building 44 is as follows (latest event on top):

Upper layer
Scattered disarticulated bones, including several leg bones, 2 disarticulated skulls (X 12, X 16), an articulated left foot (11646), partial skeletons of (11647), (11649), (11493) and (11494)
Middle layer 1
(11647) (nearly complete)
(11649) (disturbed lower body from pelvis to leg, probably during interment of (11647)
(11494) (complete)
Middle layer 2
(11493) (nearly complete but missing left hip and left leg, possibly disturbed during the interment of (11494)
(11657) (child with anklets; headless; may have been disturbed during interment of (11493 or even (11659)
(11655) (head, cervical vertebrae, upper right shoulder only)
Lower layer
(11659) (headless) (last articulated skeleton, may have been first individual in pit although it may have come after (11657) whose head was disturbed)
(11665) (head only; last major bony element in pit; fragment of plaster under skull)

Descriptions of South Burials
F. 1320, (11621) (1 infant)
The isolated skull of this infant was found in the make-up layer of the east platform.  It appears that the skull was deliberately placed into the platform prior to the construction of the overlaying bench (F. 1310).

F. 1343, (11646) (1 adult)
Located in the top layers of the multiple burial, this was an articulated left adult foot.  It is likely that the individual to whom this foot belongs was disturbed during the later interment of another individual (or individuals) into the pit.  Because the foot was still articulated, it is clear (11646) was disturbed when it was not fully decomposed. 

F. 1344, (11647) (1 young adult male)
Found as the first articulated skeleton on top of many others, this individual was a young adult male.  Nearly complete, the skeleton was on its left side, flexed at the hips and knees.  The arms were bent at the elbow with the hands near the head.  During the burial of (11647), the lower body of (11649) was probably disturbed. 

F. 1346, (11649) (1 old adult, possible female)
This is the incomplete skeleton of an older adult female.  The head and upper body were present as was the right foot.  Most of the lower body was missing and were probably represented in the disarticulated bony elements found scattered in the burial pit.  (11649) was on its back with the upper right arm alongside the body.  The position of the foot relative to the upper body suggests the hips and knees had been flexed, leaning to the left side.  A later burial, (11647), overlays (11649) in this same area, and it is this burial event that likely accounts for the disturbance of (11649).

F. 1347, (11494) (1 middle adult, possible male)

This middle adult male was nearly complete.  There was very little disturbance to the skeleton.  On his back with the legs drawn to the chest and leaning to the left side, this individual was the northernmost articulated skeleton in the burial pit.  The right arm was bent at the elbow with the lower arm extended across the chest.  The right hand was under the right knee.  The left arm was bent at the elbow with the lower arm flexed and the hand under the skull.  This older adult suffered from degenerative joint disease and periodontal disease.

The interment of (11494) disturbed the skeleton lying immediately under it, (11493). The pelvis and left lower limb of (11493) was moved from the rest of the skeleton during the burial event of (11494).

F. 1348, (11493) (1 adult male)       

This adult male was well-preserved relative to theother skeletons in the multiple burial pit.  Lying on his left side in the center of the pit, the right arm and hand were articulated in front of the face.  The left arm was bent at the elbow with the hand under the face.  The right leg was flexed at the knee but not the hip.  The left hip, leg, and foot were missing. 

The skeleton was found partially under the head and upper body of (11494) and therefore must have been buried before (11494). The lower body of (11493) was probably disturbed during the burial event of (11494). 

The missing elements of (11493) are likely to be part of the disarticulated bones found throughout the pit.  If we look below (11493), there is evidence to suggest that an earlier individual, (11657), was disturbed by the interment of (11493). The head of (11657) would have been in the area of the (11493) but it was missing.

In addition, the head and partial upper body of (11655) was found under the head and arms of (11493).  It is possible the burial of (11493) disrupted (11655) also.  However, if the skull and upper body of (11655) were in situ, then it is unlikely (11493) disturbed it since (11493) was oriented east-west and (11655) was oriented north-south. In other words, only their heads and partial upper bodies overlapped.

F. 1349, (11655) (1 middle adult)
This partial skeleton of a middle adult is represented by the head, some cervical vertebrae, and the left scapula of a single individual.  The location of the rest of the body is uncertain at this time.  Many disarticulated bones were found in the burial pit as well as a few headless bodies.  With closer examination we may be able to match these individuals together.  At this point, however, this head does not appear to go with any of our headless ones in this pit.  It is interesting to note, however, that the cervical vertebrae and the left scapula were present which suggests that this body was disturbed when some  flesh and cartiledge was still on it.

F. 2050, (11657) (1 child)
The remains of this individual (11657) were located in the southeast part of the burial pit.  This was the headless body from a child of ~10 years of age.  The head of (11657) has not yet been identified in the disarticulated heads associated with the burial pit.  The body was in a tightly flexed position on its left side.  The left hip was the only other missing element.  The right arm was bent 90 degrees with the right hand at the left elbow.  The left upper arm was alongside the body with the elbow slightly bent and the hand at the pelvis.  The legs were loosely flexed with the ankles together.  A string (or strings) of beads and animal teeth (possibly from a single animal; badger or dog), was found around the ankles of (11657).  This is the only individual in the burial pit with grave goods associated with it. 

(11657) may have been disturbed during the interment of another individual in the same area of the platform at a
later date.  The later burial of (11493) is the most likely candidate.  It is clear that the head of (11657) was taken after the decomposition of the body had taken place since the uppermost cervical vertebrae are present, suggesting that the skull was taken when flesh and/or cartilage would not have been an issue

F. 2051, (11659) (1 middle adult female)

This was the headless body of a middle adult female.  Resting on her right side, her legs were drawn to her chest and leaning to the right side.  The arms were slightly bent at the elbow with the hands near the knees.  The knees were loosely drawn to the chest and the ankles and feet were together.  The head of (11959) has not yet been identified among the disarticulated skulls in the burial pit although further analysis on these bones will be done in future field seasons to more accurately assess this.

(11959) was the last articulated skeleton found in the burial pit.  This woman likely represents the first individual buried at the base level of the eastern platform in Building 44.  The location and nature of the articulated skeletons above (11959) suggest this individual did not disturb the other burials during its interment and therefore it was not the last individual to be put in the pit.

F. 2052, (11665) (1 young adult male)
A skull and mandible of a young adult was found in the northwest area of the burial pit.  The head was lying on a slab of plaster.  This is the last major bony element to be found in the burial pit and signifies the end of burials in the eastern platform at the lowest levels of Building 44. 

Area South: X-finds
Unit (11608)
 X5: humerus (lt.)
 X6: femur
 X7: femur
 X8: tibia
 X9: hipbone
X10: skull
X11: hipbone
X12: skull
X13: hipbone
X14: humerus (rt.)
X15: hipbone
X16: skull
X17: tibia
X18: femur, mid-shaft
X19: patella (lt.)
X20: vertebrae (2 lumbar)
X21: humerus, mid-shaft
X22: femur
X23: femur
X24: ribs, small vertebrae fragments
X25: humerus
X26: possible tibia
X27: hipbone
X28: clavicle (rt.)
X29: scapula (prob. rt.)
X30: humerus (rt.)
X31: humerus (prob. lt.)
X32: ulna (lt)
X33: probable radius
X34: radius
X35: possible ulna
X36: fibula
X37: clavicle
X38: mandible

Area: Team Poznán (TP)

The TP area yielded several Neolithic skeletons this field season.  Disturbance to the skeletons by post-Neolithic people was the common theme.  All the skeletons recovered this season were partial.  Adults and children were represented. 

Space 248 (11566), (11569), (11570), (11571), (11700), (12265), (10986)
The disarticulated, partially articulated, and articulated remains of several adults and juveniles were found on one floor level of Space 248. The space had suffered considerable disturbance by post-Neolithic people. The skeletal elements were located in the eastern portion of the space where the north, south and east walls were intact. Most of the western portion of the space had been seriously impacted by later construction activities. The human remains appeared to lie between two floors. The plaster on the floors that remained was interrupted.

The human remains were all quite disturbed.  Many disarticulated bones were scattered in the space although there were a few individuals whose bones were articulated. The articulated elements were given skeleton unit numbers. Non-articulated bony elements were assigned X-find numbers in the burial fill (10986).  Laboratory analysis suggested several disarticulated bones belonged to a single individual and these bones were collapsed into one skeleton unit number (12265).  Otherwise the bones could not be matched to one another at this point in our analysis.  No skeleton was complete or even nearly complete.  No burial cuts were evident for any individual.  Adults and children are represented.

One individual (11566) was found in direct association with a bucranium (F.11562) in the northwest area of the Space 248. Most of this individual was missing due to the excavation of a large pit in post-Neolithic times.  The head was clearly in close approximation to the bucranium. 

The burial event or events that account for this distribution of human remains are intriguing.  Is the distribution of the bones the result of Neolithic or later activities?  If Neolithic, then this may have been a mass burial.  Certainly (11566) whose skeleton was found in association with the bucranium, and (11569) looked to be in situ from Neolithic times.  They did not look like discarded skeletons put there in later times.  It is not clear if this can be said of the other skeletons.  An additional argument for a Neolithic context of the bones is the presence of the plastering above and below the skeletal elements.  In the area around the bucranium, the plaster was more intact than in the southern part of the space (except for the southern wall which was plastered).  For (11569) the hand bones were clearly between two layers of plaster but it is not certain if all the other elements had plaster above also.  The argument for a late disturbance of the burials is the clear sign of late activities throughout the area.  It is possible that some of the burials were in situ and others were the result of disturbance by later post-Neolithic peoples. 

Space 248, (11566) (1 adult, possible female)
This partial skeleton had been disturbed significantly by the excavation of a post-Neolithic pit.  The majority of the skeleton was removed during later times.  However, the cranium of (11566) was found and it was in direct association with a bucranium that had not been disturbed.  This bucranium was in the west wall of the northwest corner of Space 248.  While the majority of (11566) was missing, body position can be inferred from the bones remaining.  The body was on its right side, flexed at the hip and knee.  The head was to the west.  This was an adult, possibly a female. 

Space 248, (11569) (1 middle adult female)
This partial skeleton was one of the most complete skeletons in the group.  This middle adult female was lying on her stomach with the right arm extended towards or above the head.  The right leg was flexed at the hip and knee so that the leg was splayed to the right side of the body and the feet were at her hip.  The head and left side of the body were missing.  These were disturbed by post-Neolithic people as they dug pits into the floors of Space 248.  The right hand was between two layers of plaster in the area of one horn tip of the bucranium which is directly associated with (11566).   It is possible (11569) was also related to the bucranium. 

An articulated left leg and both feet from another individual (11700) were directly under (11569).  Other disarticulated bony elements were in the area immediately surrounding this individual.

Space 248, (11570) (1 infant)
This is in infant burial whose bones were mostly disarticulated when found.  The body position was indeterminate.  The infant was located in the south area of Space 248 where there was a concentration of skeletal elements.  A string of beads was found near the infant but the bones did not appear to be directly associated with it.

Space 248, (11571) (1 adult)
This individual is represented by an articulated leg.  The left femur and tibia were found in the south area of Space 248.  The tibia was against the plastered south wall.  The leg bones are from an adult.  The femur displays a healed fracture with a well-developed bony callus.  A horn core was found directly under the femur.

Space 248, (11700) (1 adult)
This individual consists of an articulated left lower leg and some bones from both feet.  The rest of the body was missing due to later human activities in the area.  The bones are from an adult.  These lower limb bones were found directly under (11569). 

Space 248, (12265) (1 infant)
This is a partial infant skeleton whose bones comprise some of the disarticulated bones found in the south area of Space 248. The bones were deemed to be the same individual by one of us (TK).  Some of the bones were found pressed into the plastered south wall of the space with plaster on them. Overall, the bones are poorly preserved. 

(11561) (no feature number) (1 adult, possible female)
This is a partial adult skeleton consisting of a partial cranium, mandible, cervical vertebrae and some feet bones.  It is possible the feet represent another individual.  This individual is a possible female. The bones are highly fragmented.  No burial cut was noted.

F. 1911, (11720) (1 adult)
This adult was disturbed during later time periods.  Large post-Neolithic pits are present around this burial.  The body was on its left side and tightly flexed at the hip and knee.  The left leg is flexed so tightly that the knee is at the forehead.  The right side is missing more elements than the left. The remaining bones are fragmentary.
F. 1912, (11739) (1 adult), (11762) (2 adults)
This concentration of bones was multi-layered and complex.  At least three individuals are represented in this cluster of bones.  The bone concentration was surrounded by post-Neolithic pits.  At first, it was thought the concentration of bones were Neolithic individuals who had been put into this concentration as the later people excavated their pits. On closer examination, several of the bony elements were articulated and it was clear that the pits actually cut into the concentration of bones. It seems unlikely that these bones are redeposited during later times but rather that they represent a multiple burial of Neolithic origins that had been severely truncated during late times. 

All of these individuals are adults.  One of these (11739) is a possible female. Preliminary lab analysis suggests an MNI of three individuals.  Given that so many elements were articulated, it is probable that if these bones were moved at all, full decomposition had not occurred.

Area TP: Bone Clusters

(11592) and (11593)
These units consist of two clusters of human bones discovered during excavation in TP.  (11592) consists of a radius and some vertebrae.  These bones were located next to a wall and between a cluster of animal bones and another cluster of human bones (11593).  (11593) is a lumbar vertebra.  (11592) and (11593) may be the same individual.  Additional analysis in the lab should clarify this matter.

(12203), Space 248
Several disarticulated human bones were found in this cluster.  All were in a disturbed context.  The bones included adult and juvenile materials from the cranium and post-cranium.  These bones may have been disturbed at the same time as the other disarticulated and articulated Neolithic skeletons in the upper layers of Space 248.  Fragments of plaster were also found in the fill. The bones were given X-find numbers in (12203).

Area TP: X-finds
(10986) (burial fill from upper layer of Space 248)
X11: child’s skull (could be same individual as X21, X33)
X12: mandible fragments (right, ramus and condyle)
X13: femur (possibly same as (11569))
X14: tibia (possibly same as (11569))
X16: hipbone (south area, near beads)
X17: vertebra fragment (south area, near beads)
X19: ulna (right) (could be same individual as X29)
X20: scapula fragment (probable)
X21: 1 deciduous tooth
X23: adult skull (upside down)
X24*: child’s skull
X25: ulna (right)
X26: rib
X27*: child’s skull
X28: child’s skull
X29: adult humerus (right) (could be same individual as X19)
X30*: child’s humerus (right)
X31: lower arm bone (ulna?)
X32: rib
X33: juvenile sacrum (could be same individual as X11 and X21)
X35: hipbone (adult, right)
X36*: child’s skull (probable infant)
X37: distal ulna
X41*: juvenile femur
X43*: several infant bones

*X-finds later viewed as single individual (12265)

(11563)
X1: rib and scapula fragments (probably same as (11566))

(11588)
X1: parietal fragment
X2: cranial fragment

(12203) (burial fill from lower layer of Space 248)
X1: distal femur shaft
X2: sacrum + hipbone
X3: humerus (lt.)
X4: distal femur (with condyle)
X5: mandible (1): right and left sides of body
X6: mandible (2): right body + symphysis
X8: femur (left)
X9: cranial fragments
X10: ulna (right)
X 14: frontal fragment (lt.)

(12235)
X1: subadult mandible

(12240)
X4: femur (rt.) and rib fragments

Area Istanbul Team: Isolated Remains

The human bone recovered during the first season’s excavation by the Istanbul team were isolated remains.  A few bones, including one burnt femur, were found at or near the surface in possibly disturbed contexts.  Other isolated bony elements were discovered in spaces or rooms.  Cranial and post-cranial elements were found.  The majority of the isolated remains were adult.  The subadult material includes one cervical vertebra and one metatarsal.

Late Burials (Late Roman/Byzantine) from 2005
The 17 late skeletons were found in the 4040 and TP areas of excavation.  Nearly all individuals displayed the typical pattern of this time period in their position and orientation. The bodies were in an extended position with the heads to the west and the feet to the east.  There was one exception to this pattern where the feet were to the west and the head to the east.  Most of these skeletons were extended on their back but five individuals were extended on their right side.  These five individuals were clustered together in the south part of the 4040 in well-defined graves. 
Distinct graves were in evidence for many of the late burials.  They varied in size and in depth.  One of the deep graves was nearly 2 meters long and was longer than the individual in the grave was tall.  One other nearby grave was empty.  In nearly all instances, the late graves disturbed earlier Neolithic deposits.

For the Late burials, few grave goods were uncovered this field season.  A glass vial was found near the left ear of one child and stone beads were found around the neck of an adult.  Otherwise, only coffin nails and coffin wood were associated with the late burials. 

Several of the late burials were in areas close to the surface and suffered the same degradation from erosion as did the Neolithic skeletons in these areas.  The condition of the bones in these instances is poor.

Table 3: Late Roman / Byzantine Burials by Age

Descriptions of Late Skeletons

Area: 4040

F. 1571, (10314) (1 middle adult male)
The skeleton was of a middle adult male.  The body was extended on its back with the arms were alongside the body.  The skeleton was partially disturbed on its right side.  The grave was clearly defined with coffin wood and nails present.  The individual demonstrated evidence of structural scoliosis of the thoracic spine.

F. 1598, (10339) (1 adult female)
This individual was an adult female. The skeleton was truncated at its midsection by later building activities.  Only the lower portion of the skeleton was present.  Dorsally extended on its back, the body was in a well-defined grave.

F. 2042, (12123) (1 infant)
The well-defined grave of this one-year old infant was located between two Neolithic walls. The body was on its right side in an extended position.  The legs were slightly bent at the knees.  The left leg was on top of the right leg.  Some disturbance to the burial had occurred.  Animal disturbance was high in this area.  Some coffin wood

© Çatalhöyük Research Project and individual authors, 2005