The microstratigraphy of middens: capturing daily routine in rubbish at Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Turkey

2011/08/01 by Lisa‐Marie Shillito, Wendy Matthews, Matthew J. Almond +1 · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Earth and Planetary Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology #Archaeology and ancient environmental studies #Paleopathology and ancient diseases

paper · doi:10.1017/s0003598x00068460

openalex publication_date 2011/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

Microstratigraphy — the sequencing of detailed biological signals on site — is an important new approach being developed in the Çatalhöyük project. Here the authors show how microscopic recording of the strata and content of widespread middens on the tell are revealing daily activities and the selective employment of plants in houses and as fuel. Here we continue to witness a major advance in the practice of archaeological investigation.

Citations

• Experiments on the effects of charring on cereal plant components
• Time perspectives, palimpsests and the archaeology of time
• Geoarchaeology and taphonomy of plant remains and microarchaeological residues in early urban environments in the Ancient Near East
• Private pantries and celebrated surplus: storing and sharing food at Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Central Anatolia
• Daily Practice and Social Memory at Çatalhöyük

Cited by

• Çatalhöyük [wikipedia]