In this episode we examine the Neolithic site of Catalhoyuk, an ancient civilization excavated in Turkey. From the controversy and accusations that plagued its discoverer to its many complex mysteries, Catalhoyuk holds both questions and answers. This UNESCO World Heritage site remains the largest excavation project in the world, and as archeologists unravel new mysteries every day, we will look at some they’ve encountered so far.

Show Notes: 

In this episode of Greybeard’s Jewels, we talked about the Catalhoyuk. We discussed: 

·      The historical significance of the Catalhoyuk excavation site

·      Archeologist James Mellaart’s troubled personal history and his discovery of Catalhoyuk. 

·      The Catalhoyuk’s unique and mysterious building preferences. 

·      The baffling presence of thousands of clay balls within the ruins. 

·      The curious burial rituals of the Catalhoyuk and the mystery of the missing skulls.

You can reach Katie from The Reference Desk here  or by email at [email protected]

 

References: 

German, Dr. Senta. “Çatalhöyük.” Smarthistory, 8 Aug. 2015, smarthistory.org/catalhoyuk/. 

Hattam, Jennifer. “What Happened to Turkey's Ancient Utopia?” Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 21 May 2019, www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/what-happened-to-turkeys-ancient-utopia. 

Hodde, Ian. “Women and Men at Çatalhöyük.” Scientific American, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2005, www.scientificamerican.com/article/women-and-men-at-atalhyk-2005-01/. 

Hodder, Ian. “James Mellaart.” The British Academy, www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/1521/17_Mellaart_1820.pdf. 

Holloway, April. “The 9,500-YEAR-OLD Honeycomb City of Çatalhöyük.” Ancient Origins, Ancient Origins, 19 Sept. 2013, www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-asia/9500-year-old-honeycomb-city-atalh-y-k-00840. 

Killgrove, Kristina. “These Ancient Headless Corpses Were Defleshed By Griffon Vultures.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 10 June 2016, www.forbes.com/sites/kristinakillgrove/2016/06/09/griffon-vultures-defleshed-corpses-to-create-headless-burials-in-ancient-anatolia/?sh=3141829939c6. 

Martin, Anthony. “The History of Funeral Rites and Rituals of the Ancient World.” Choice Mutual, 9 June 2021, choicemutual.com/funeral-rituals-ancient-world/. 

“Mysteries of Catalhoyuk.” Çatalhöyük: Introduction, Science Museum of Minnesota, smm.org/catal/introduction/. 

“The Neolithic Period.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/place/Anatolia/The-Neolithic-Period. 

“Çatalhöyük Research Project.” Çatalhöyük Research Project, www.catalhoyuk.com/. 

Buy me a coffee
Help support our show by using the link below to buy us a coffee

Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/GreybeardJewels)