Çatalhüyük

/chaht"l hooh yook"/

a 32-acre Neolithic site in south-central Turkey, dated c6500-5500 B.C., one of the first true cities, characterized by a fully developed agriculture and extensive trading, particularly in obsidian, and having frescoed temples, mud-brick fortifications and houses, and mother-goddess figures.

Also, Çatal Hüyük.

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Neolithic site, Anatolia.

Located near Konya in southern Turkey, it was the centre of an advanced Neolithic culture. The earliest period of settlement is tentatively dated to с 6700 BC and the latest to с 5650 BC. Excavation of the religious quarter produced a series of shrines; the wall paintings have been linked with Upper Paleolithic art.

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▪ archaeological site, Turkey

      major Neolithic site in the Middle East, located near Konya in south-central Turkey. Excavations (1961–65) by the British archaeologist James Mellaart have shown that Anatolia in Neolithic times was the centre of an advanced culture. The earliest building period at Çatalhüyük is tentatively dated to about 6700 BC and the latest to about 5650 BC. The inhabitants lived in rectangular mud-brick houses probably entered from roof level, presumably by a wooden ladder. In addition to a hearth and an oven, houses had platforms for sleeping, sitting, or working.

      Edible grains and oil-producing seeds and nuts were extensively cultivated, and animal husbandry was probably practiced.

      Excavation of the religious quarter produced a series of shrines with wall paintings of exceptional brilliance. These are of interest for their link with Upper Paleolithic art.

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