TY - JOUR
T1 - An analysis of modified human teeth at Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Turkey
AU - Haddow, Scott D.
AU - Tsoraki, Christina
AU - Vasić, Milena
AU - Dori, Irene
AU - Knüsel, Christopher J.
AU - Milella, Marco
PY - 2019/12/1
Y1 - 2019/12/1
N2 - The use of human teeth for ornamental purposes is archaeologically documented from the European Upper Palaeolithic, and, sporadically, during the subsequent Mesolithic, Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. To date, no examples of this practice are available for the Near East during this timeframe. This contribution presents three human teeth from Neolithic Çatalhöyük (Central Anatolia, Turkey; 7100–6000 cal BC) that appear to have been modified for use as pendants. Macroscopic, microscopic and radiographic analyses confirm the modification and use of two out of three of these finds. The two confirmed pendants were likely extracted from the skeletonised remains of mature and old adults, carefully drilled, and worn for a variable period of time. The rarity of such artefacts in the prehistoric Near East suggests a profound symbolic meaning for this practice and these objects, and provides new insights into the funerary customs and symbolic importance of the use of human body parts during the Neolithic of the Near East.
AB - The use of human teeth for ornamental purposes is archaeologically documented from the European Upper Palaeolithic, and, sporadically, during the subsequent Mesolithic, Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. To date, no examples of this practice are available for the Near East during this timeframe. This contribution presents three human teeth from Neolithic Çatalhöyük (Central Anatolia, Turkey; 7100–6000 cal BC) that appear to have been modified for use as pendants. Macroscopic, microscopic and radiographic analyses confirm the modification and use of two out of three of these finds. The two confirmed pendants were likely extracted from the skeletonised remains of mature and old adults, carefully drilled, and worn for a variable period of time. The rarity of such artefacts in the prehistoric Near East suggests a profound symbolic meaning for this practice and these objects, and provides new insights into the funerary customs and symbolic importance of the use of human body parts during the Neolithic of the Near East.
KW - Anatolia
KW - Material culture
KW - Microwear analysis
KW - Near East
KW - Personal adornment
UR - http://www.mendeley.com/research/analysis-modified-human-teeth-neolithic-%C3%A7atalh%C3%B6y%C3%BCk-turkey
U2 - 10.1016/j.jasrep.2019.102058
DO - 10.1016/j.jasrep.2019.102058
M3 - Journal article
SN - 2352-409X
VL - 28
JO - Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
JF - Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
ER -